Dear Sandra....I had my total knee replacement last May 1. If I had it to do over again, I'd be so much wiser about several things. First of all, I think the fibro did increase my pain. Sorry, but I have to be honest. But there are some great meds that you'll be on. The first 2 weeks are the hardest. Speak up if your pain isn't being controlled.

My surgeon was a jerk....big-time! He was horrible and didn't care how much pain I was in...he was just pushing me to bend that knee. He had me going to therapy 5x a week, which the PT's said was too much. No more than 3x a week.

Another thing....don't let them hurt you. I didn't realize until much later that they aren't supposed to push you to the point of terrible pain. So I'd have a discussion with the doctor about what his thoughts are about that. The phrase "no pain...no gain" is not true for a knee replacement. There's no reason for them to hurt you more.

A great website I discovered (that really saved my life) was bonesmart.org. You go to the section called post knee replacement, and you'll read about how others are doing, and you'll read what their beliefs are. There's an orthopedic nurse on there and also an ortho surgeon.

They believe to 1. take your meds on time and as long as you need them 2. ice your knee off and on all day long 3. rest and elevate your knee 4. don't let therapy hurt you!

I hope you'll check it out, look in the library section and read about what to expect, so you'll already have a headsup. I wish I'd known what they "preach" before I'd had my surgery. If so, I wouldn't have let my doctor and therapy treat me the way they did.

I hope I didn't tell you too much! But if I can help anyone by what I learned and went through, then I'm so happy to do it. You can PM me if you have more questions.

I'll be praying for you. It'll be fine, as long as you follow those things I mentioned.

Hugs,
Elizabeth

I have not had knee surgery, but I have had major surgeries since my fibro diagnosis. Everyone is different and I will pray that you do well. Surgery for me is always a fibro flare up event. It takes alot longer for me to recover. Also, the anesthesiologist needs to be aware of your fibro. I did have pneumonia after an abdominal surgery. The pneumonia was called aspiration pneumonia due to the fibro.

I HAD A ANGIOGRAM AND I COULD NOT WALK FOR A WEEK,THEY TOLD ME THEY NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN BUT THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT FIBRO, YES YOU WILL BE IN MORE PAIN ,BUT TAKE THOSE PAIN PILLS TILL YOU FEEL BETTER,GOOD LUCK I WILL PRAY ALL GOES WELL KEEP US UP DATED,HUGS SHIRLEY

How did your knee surgery turn out?

Dear Sandra, you'll be in my prayers for complete, pain-free recovery. Let us know how you do, ok? Sending gentle hugs your way.

Hoping your surgery went well. Rest, and be good to yourself. Gentle hugs and prayers coming your way!

I had a knee replacement 3 years ago and I am having the other one done this summer. I agree with what Lizzy said about rehab. It's a long road but it can be done. Just remember it is a BIG surgery.

My issue is I also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). It hit me hard after the surgery. Fatigue is normal after surgery but with CFS/FM you may experience more pain and/or fatigue.

My first day of hospital PT was just sitting up. The hospital therapist did not want me to go home because I hadn't hit the expectations of therapy. I had people at home to help me so eventually I was let go. My PT was very difficult because of high levels of fatigue. I had in home rehab for a few extra weeks before my regular rehab began. The treat you as an individual when it comes to rehab just make sure you talk to your PT and let them know you have FM and may need to go slower of adjust your PT because of the FM. After about a month the fatigue lifted to a normal fatigue.

I needed stronger meds for longer than other knee replacement patients. I asked my Dr and she gave me the stronger meds for a few weeks more than the typical patient. The benefit was the pain relief for the FM was taken care of with the knee pain meds.

As I was getting better I realized I need to get into condition if I was going back to work. A few weeks before I went back to work I would do something every day to build my stamina. It may have been going to the grocery store for milk or window shopping at target. It was just one small thing a day. After 2 months I was up, moving and getting back to work.

The surgery was the best thing I could have done. I am looking forward to my next knee. I'm done with the pain.

Sandra, how are you feeling the weekend before surgery? I will keep you in my prayers all next week. you will be fine!

Hugs,
Elizabeth

whatever you do, follow your gut. the gut is always right.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep good and positive thoughts with you as you go on this journey.

Im praying for you, i had both mine done, one at 48 years old! The other i had done 2 years ago. I did okay, but not going to lie, pain was bad at first, but, try to get up and don't let the pain get beyond you, even if you feel like you don't need it, take it when offered, or even ask for something in between not as strong so the pain will not prevent you to move and get up. After I got over the physical therapy and stuff, I am so happy I had it done, i can walk now for the first time in years. Not that I don't have flares, because I do, but I can handle a surgery pain, then when its o ver, get better. PM me if you have any questions or just want to talk.

I WILL KEEP YOU INMY PRAYERS. I WILL PRAY THAT GOD GIVES THE DOCTORS WISDOM DURING YOUR SURGERY AND THATYOUR PAIN ISCONTROLLED AS BEST AS CAN BE. IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY. AMEN AND AMEN!

You are going to be in my prayers. You had some great advice so I will pray for grace and healing. Take care and let us know how you are doing
Hugs
SLK

A friend of mine (a nurse) had knee surgery a few years ago. She doesn't have FMS, but I thought I should tell you about this cool device they gave her to help along with the rehab. It's this motorized device that moves you knee FOR YOU!!!. You put your leg into this thing, plop on the ice bad and let it do the job. I think with the flare you are probably going to have, this thing could be a Godsend.
Best thoughts are coming your way. Lots and lots of gentle hugs, too.

I want to thank you all for the kind words of encouragement. I am going to have a CPM Machine that bends the knee. I am also going to have a device called a Cold Therapy Unit that keeps the knee iced and helps the pain. I take Methadone for pain and I am to take one before I leave home on Monday as well as my Savella. They will keep me on the Methadone along with the additional pain meds. As soon as I am up to it I will let you all know how I am doing.
Thanks again for your prayers,
Soft Hugs To You All