Six days and counting.....

[Pleinair5]

Hi all---I posted in another area but did not really introduce myself here. I have my LTKR coming up March 20th and it seems to be coming so fast I am feeling every emotion. I am a little scared but am feeling more positive anticipation than I expected. Reading positive stories here helps and I try not to dwell on negative outcome possibilities, though of course it is impossible not to think of it sometimes. My left knee has been bad all my life since an injury at thirteen, riding my bike, skidded on sand, tried to break the fall and when I put my foot down the knee twisted some impossible way and snapped. I was in a cast hip to ankle for six months, and though they called it a cartilage tear two orthos later said it was "much worse" and that the imaging then was poor, and even if they could have seen it they could not have fixed it then. I know now there is no ACL there, in addition to being bone on bone for probably many years. This will be my first ever knee surgery (just going straight to the big one), after 44 years of knee problems, instability, swelling, pain, creaks and pops, and a dislocated kneecap, as well as a valgus knee and a shortened leg.
I will be having an oxinium knee because I have a nickel allergy, changed doctors once over that issue, though in every other way I loved the first doctor but I am very happy with the second one, who I am going with. Does anyone else here have an oxinium knee?
I think I will be going to rehab after I leave the hospital. Even the insurance company said it is better to go there for at least a few days, and if you need it you are there and not home having trouble managing pain or life.

The only problem so far is that today when I went to fill the post op meds, the pharmacy filled the oxycodone and coumadin, but the insurance company rejected my docs prescription of Celebrex (which he likes and feels works well) because they want me to try cheaper meds first. My view is that I will not be on it that long so I would like what the doctor prefers but I could take aleve (naproxen) if necessary. Usually for my knee (and other) pain aspirin is my drug of choice at home but fortunately I do not need it every day.

Thanks to you all for sharing your stories and experiences and thoughts and feelings as we all are awaiting our new knees and hopefully better lives.
Betsy

 

[Jamie]

Betsy....I'm glad you started your own thread to begin to tell your individual story.

Things sound like they are moving along. As for the Celebrex....there is no other drug like it and your doctor can argue with the insurance company. You need him to do that for you. They are used to writing letters or calling to get what they need for their patients. So give his office a call immediately and get them working on it.

Celebrex is usually easier on your stomach than other NSAIDs. In my experience, it is MUCH more effective than Aleve or ibuprofen for inflammation. But.....it is still an NSAID, and you probably shouldn't be on it immediately after surgery if you are taking a blood thinner like Lovenox or Coumadin (Warfarin). So, if your doctor ordered it for right after you have the operation, you may want to ask about that. Normally it would be started once you are off the blood thinners (usually 7-10 days). That gives the doctor's office some time to work on your insurance company. Don't give up!!! You can fight with insurance companies and win!

If your surgeon wants you to take it immediately, that's okay too....as long as you are comfortable with that decision after you talk with him. I've seen a couple that prescribe it for their patients even with the blood thinners.....so it's not unheard of.

 

[newnee]

hi Betsy and welcome to BoneSmart. I hope you get the problem with the meds sorted out We will be surgery buddies. this time is starting to fly by. soon we will both be on the other side Will keep you in my prayers for a successful surgry and an uneventful recovery

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Hi Betsy welcome to BoneSmart

I think I will be going to rehab after I leave the hospital. Even the insurance company said it is better to go there for at least a few days, and if you need it you are there and not home having trouble managing pain or life.

Hang in there as long as you can I reckon; I went home too early because of boredom, but with hindsight boredom ain't so bad!

 

[Pleinair5]

Mary, you will be in my prayers as well. I was going for the 19th but he booked up, so I will be the day after you. I'll be thinking of you on the 19th and I know it will go great for you! I'll be able to have my computer at rehab so I will check on your progress.
Betsy

 

[Pleinair5]

Jamie,

I got a call from the doctors office and he got the celebrex approved this morning. yay! Now as far as whether I take them together---he starts the coumadin three days before surgery at a low dose, a high dose for surgery and then a low dose (1 mg) for several weeks after. The celebrex is for when I come home from rehab so I do not know what they will give me at the hospital or at rehab. They said not to bring the prescriptions. I will be having a spinal and then also a femoral block so they said the leg is numb for a while at the hospital but he gets you walking that day.

 

[viver45]

Betsy,

Glad you got your med situation settled. I know what you mean about the days going fast and feeling all sorts of things. My "knee" day is the 19th. Just around the corner - so much to do and not enough time to do it. I have just come to realize I can only do what I can do.

I've been after my backups to make sure they are comfortable with doing my jobs - they've been putting it off - until I put up on our whiteboard that I will be out starting 3/16/12 at noon. Boy did that get them thinking and reacting.

Best of luck on your surgery! See you on the other side!!!

 

[kneeper]

Those days leading up to the surgery definitely can leave you nervous and eager too. It sounds like you've got things in good shape. Best wishes for the big day.

 

[Pleinair5]

Vivien, see you on the other side! Sometimes when I think how close it is I panic a little and then think how awesome it will be to have the surgery behind me and just be working on getting better each day. There can't be any turning back---the knee will only get worse if I do nothing.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please post for me as soon as you can afterwards.
Betsy

 

[newnee]

Hey Betsy wishing you the best of luck Tuesday See you on the other side

 

[Pleinair5]

Mary~~ I don't know if you will get to read this before you go in but I will be thinking of you and sending all kinds of healing energy your way Monday (today!) . Talk to you on the other side and thanks for the well-wishes!
Betsy

 

[kneeper]

Best wishes for tomorrow. See you on this side soon!