They shouldn't have sent him home with a fever. There are other narcotics for pain. Get him to the ER.

I will try to get him to agree to the ER, which will be no easy task. He's uncontrollable and won't listen to reason.

And that he'll get better and need weaker pain medication that will cause less problems.

In the meantime, try to get yourself periods of time where you get away to decompress.

I'm going to work for a few hours tonight. I have so many kind co-workers who I can unload on, and they'll actually offer to help us. We've always stuck together during hard times. They'll be there for me.

Seriously.

I'll tell you what's serious - I'm going to call 911 and tell them he's a danger to himself and they will take away any choice he has. He'll thank me later.

It could be one of the things that are triggering his irrational behavior.

He gets crazy from narcotics.

Years ago, he had 12 teeth removed and had them replaced with fixed bridges. He was in an accident that broke them off.

After taking 2 doses of narcotics, he was outside at 4am with his radio dancing, blood dripping out of his mouth. The neighbors came over and persuaded him to go to bed. The next day, he had no recollection, and he got no more narcotics. He hasn't had them since and I've been expecting this.

My grandfather got really confused from a bladder infection.

A fever combined with excessive urination after a surgery does not sound very good. Have a quiet talk with him and convince him that he need to go to the ER immediately to stave off any further problems. Also, as a poster noted above, there are other pain medications. Many many people take opiates without having this type of reaction, so maybe they are not agreeing with him. Also, if your husband is a diabetic, or pre-diabetic, the stress on his body from the surgery may be causing his blood sugar to rise, therefore causing the excessive urination. In any case, it seems that the ER is immediately called for. Good luck.

if he doesn't agree, I'm calling 911. He's snoozing, so when he wakes up, we'll talk.

911 is a good idea if he does not cooperate. Better safe than sorry...always.

I cared for both my parents through double knee replacements. What you're describing warrants immediate attention.

Don't wait, just go.

said to either take him to the ER or call 911. Looks like I'll be calling 911, he doesn't want to go.

I told him I need to go to the neighbor's to borrow some ice until ours is frozen, so I'll call from there. Thanks so much.

I'm glad he's getting care today. Slight temperature is normal, but the 102 is worth taking him in.

UTI's can be a problem especially with indwelling catheter's. And I've seen UTI's absolutely put people out of their minds for a few days. I mean their personality does a total 180, Like lifelong Christian teeetotaler's screaming out curse words crazy. Especially on older clients.

His elevated temp may be a sign/symptom. Someone needs to come and get a urine sample and test it.

Since he has a catheter, look at the urine and see if it's clear or cloudy, the cloudier it is the better chance he has a UTI.

Last edited Wed Mar 18, 2015, 08:23 AM - Edit history (1)

I just took my husband to the ER last week when his hip replacement incision burst open. He did NOT have a fever, but the docs and nurses were astounded that he hadn't had a fever with the infection that was present. The fact that your hubby has a UTI as well -- all I can say, he seems to have a whole-body infection and he needs the ER immediately. Call a large male friend to help you bundle him into the car.

Good luck to you!

Just very concerned. Family and very close friend have gone through this. I hope all is well.

I called 911, the EMT's strong-armed him into accepting a ride to the ER.

Negative chest x-ray, negative urine sample - but, they said it sometimes doesn't show up right away in men, and they're going to culture it to see if anything grows. CBC blood test showed a minute increase in white blood cells.

They removed the bandage on the knee and found a red, warm spot. No seeping.

Was put on a strong antibiotic and got a huge antibiotic shot in the hip.

Talked to both the surgeon and his PCP today - said to make him drink 8 oz. water every 45 min. Said the weird behavior is being caused by the opiates. Have follow-up appointments with both of them next week.

He had the visiting PT come today, doing very, very well with function. Still acting aggressive, but not as bad as yesterday. Temp is better, but still not normal at 99.6. Nurse coming tomorrow.

Thank you all for your concern.

Best wishes, hope he heals now.

my pops went through double knee replacement (he thinks of himself as The Bionic Man now) and was fortunate to have no significant complications. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing caring for him and don't let him slack off on the PT!

sP

It's so hard for you - you still have difficulties, but at least you know he's not terribly ill.

So grateful DU was here for you.

keeping this kicked...

Holly, please let us all know you all are ok.

Probably the knee. Do not wait, get him help.

ER please.

For future reference, in a situation like this, call an ambulance and be admitted through the ER. Any of those contacts you spoke with should have advised you to do that. A postop elevated temperature is serious and deserves immediate attention.

Best of luck.

go to the emergency room.

Knee replacement hurts like all hell. Your husband is not thinking straight. He can't decide. You have to.

My husband was a fucker after knee replacement. Absolute shithead. Almost divorced his stupid ass. Once he could walk again without constant horrible pain he calmed back down.

Take your husband to the ER if you have to.

Oh .... and your surgeon is a dumbshit.