knee replacement anxiety

sunnyside2
sunnyside2 Member Posts: 131
in Living with arthritis

I have long standing anxiety/depression. Its a back ground thing mostly unless something happens to upset my balance.

my knee replacement is due a week on Monday and ever since the pre op last week I have been super anxious, I just cannot calm down and blood pressure is through the roof. The talk of spinal anaesthetic seemed to spark it and even now that has been sorted I'm just as wired.

I am not frightened of the surgery, not scared of the hospital nor of pain but I just cannot calm down. its really getting to me now. I now have visions of getting there and them taking my blood pressure and refusing surgery as too high- this in turn is making me even more anxious- you get the picture? They want me to stop my blood pressure drugs a few days before surgery too. I've tried all the old tricks, exercise, mindfulness, diazapram and nothing is settling it. anyone got any good ideas to how to chill down a bit?

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764

    I don't know if this will help but, when Mr SW recently had a THR, he was told not to take any meds on the day of his op. I asked if that applied to his BP meds. The anaesthetist said it definitely did as her job was to keep his BP up while surgery makes it low.

    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764

    Again, it might not be much use but....

    If ever I get anxious about something I ask myself 'what's the worst that can happen?' then try to find a positive in that. In your case you seem to be very anxious that the op might be cancelled. Would that be the end of the world? Yes, it'd mean another wait and more pain but you have shown you can deal with that.

    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • sunnyside2
    sunnyside2 Member Posts: 131

    Thank you Stickywicket. I think just saying it on here helps too. at least getting lots done as finding it hard to sit still so cleaner tidier house at any rate!!

  • airwave
    airwave Member Posts: 579

    Just remember that millions of people have paved the way before you. Our emotional state follows along behind our physical state, change one and you change the other, many can alter their emotional state with deep breathing exercise, I used to teach it, great fun sending people to sleep when used alongside of a story😀.


    its a grin, honest!

  • Bella59
    Bella59 Member Posts: 33

    I like you have surgery planned just day after you.Like you it is on my mind what if surgery is cancelled more to do with covid cases rising.If this happens there is nothing I can do to change outcome.Obviously would be very disappointed but hopefully new appt would happen fairly soon.In fact this happened to me ten years ago with knee replacement got phone call night before cancelled due to shortage of beds.Surgery went ahead two weeks later.I hope all will work in your favour not easy when you suffer from anxiety and depression.Will be keeping my fingers crossed surgeries go ahead.

    .

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