Diane's Knee Quest finally the real deal

[dianehelen]

The one Im looking at is about $200 , and I sleep with earplugs anyway, as hubby sleeps with a cpap that makes noise .

Im just not sure if I want to go the machine route or the ice pack route.

Just talked to a friend who had a knee replacement a few years ago, and she said the most painful part was the intense PT ;), well I told her I would not be doing that. So I guess I will know soon enough what kind of pain I am in for. She went back to work in six weeks, and she is a bank teller who stands and walks a bunch, so who knows. She is also a few years older than me, but I guess she was about my age now, when she had it.

 

[uva55]

Well that's good to know about your friend since I'm supposed to go back to work at 6 weeks and even though I feel that I'm doing pretty good in my recovery, I would have to see drastic change/improvement in the next three weeks in order to feel confident that I can go back. It's in God's hands, I'm doing what I can on my end, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it

 

[newlybionic]

At six weeks there would have been no way I could have gone back to work. While I didn't have much pain I didn't have enough stamina to handle it at all. The Breg I have makes a very low hum. To me it's like white noise. It would be much quieter than a cpap machine. In fact I'm sitting now with my kned wrapped in it.

 

[dianehelen]

At six weeks there would have been no way I could have gone back to work

I guess that is where that old and annoying expression, "everyone is different" comes into play. Lucky for me I am mostly retired, and the little work I do is from my house (a few web design clients & a small internet sales biz). I just thought it was interesting that Jane, was back to work, which included a 40 minute drive commute, and a 7 hour day, six weeks after tkr. But she also said the surgical pain was not bad, but the PT was torture. So maybe she was in the small minority.

It just makes it almost impossible to know how I will react, till I'm there.

 

[Happydale]

Hey Diane, I'm trying to replenish my good gut culture after all the antibiotics I've been on before and after surgery. Rather than the pills, I thought it would be a good idea to use foods. I'm drinking Kefir (sp?) which has a bigger variety of active cultures than yogurt. I found a variety of kombucka (sp?) tea that is ginger flavor that I like. It's called Live, and it's available at our healthy grocery stores in the cooler section. It has fizz like gingerale - pretty tasty. Lastly, I highly recommend bone broth. I made several batches of both beef and chicken before surgery and froze them in big jars. These are really good when you don't have an appetite, and they are recommended when "recovering" from antibiotics. Google Bone Broth and it will give you the specifics. Hope your husband is feeling better.

 

[dianehelen]

Thanks sara @Happydale . Do you know how many billions cfu the kefir has? Interesting about bone broth. I see you can buy that ready made too on Amazon. Not really crazy about fizzy drinks. I drink alot of water and green tea mostly. I got a bottle of some highly reviewed probiotic tablets for both my husband I myself to take. Thanks for asking about him, he is doing quite well, thanfully. So good to have him home. I eat 2 Activia yogurts every day, but going to look into kefir as well.

How are YOU feeling today?

 

[Happydale]

Diane, I've been following you here because aspects of your posts remind me of how I was feeling pre-surgery. Just like you, I wanted to be as prepared as possible. I was contemplating every little thing I could do to help me achieve a successful recovery. So now I am thinking a lot about why things are going so well for me. I have a rather long list of answers to that question. I'm actually thinking that being over-prepared is at the top of the list. Not only did it mean that when I got home everything was ready for me, but I was mentally prepared for every possibility. My family told me to quit reading about others' problems on BS, but it was uplifting to me to see that others faced complications and successfully overcame them. All this is to commend you for your careful preparations, and to let you know how helpful that was for me.

My kefir says it has 12 active cultures. I think my yogurt has 3 or 4. The one I got is called Lifeway Protein Kefir, so it has 40 g of protein per bottle. It's heavy on the calories (160 per 1 cup serving) but when I had no appetite I felt like I needed that. Currently I'm eating just fine, so I'll bet my little weight loss was all too temporary!

Try to enjoy yourself over the next month!

 

[dianehelen]

Thanks Sara. I am trying to be as ready as possible. Plus what else have I got to do? I sit home most days watching tv, reading and posting on my tablet, working a little in my home office. So the one thing I have is plenty of time on my hands. I am concerned about the probiotic stuff because of my husband, as well as myself. So when kind wize people (like you ) mention something that sparks my interests I try to learn and understand as much as I can. I am both amazed and grateful at the wealth if information we share on bonesmart.

So hmm something else you said just sparked my interest. So what else did you do that you feel helped that contributed to how well you are doing?

As for preparing the house, other than my ice decision (machine vs packs) my house has been ready for years. I have a great high over toilet commode, 2 different walkers, 2 different canes, and a most incredible husband who is home all day with me and retired who has the well seasoned skills needed to help me from cooking, to cleaning, to laundry, to even administering at home iv antibiotics, all courtesy of my 9 month hip replacement, and unfortunate infection nightmare. My house has no steps, oh ya, and I have my regular recliner, but also have (thank you hip) a power lift recliner.

For now, I just read follow and rejoice all the successes and milestones of people like you, cringe at some that are having a harder time, and tick off the days on the calendar awaiting my fateful day.

How are you feeling today? Any new milesones or corners tuned ? Any plans for today? Did your sister leave/friend arrive yet? Hope you have a great, healing day!

 

[newlybionic]

I understand how you want to prepare for everything. I was so very unprepared the first time around that when I encountered problems it was very depressing. I didn't find Bonesmart until I was three months out. While I did have problems I found being prepared for my revision was a great help. You had a difficult time after your hip replacement. While I didn't have an infection I had enough other things go wrong that I was very, very frightened about going through it again with thoughts I could be even worse. You have to consider that those of us that have had difficulties seem to stick around longer while there is a great number of people that have moved on with their lives. My original TKR was July 2015 and everyone has moved along with their lives except I know of one preparing for his second knee to be replaced.

 

[dianehelen]

Very interesting point Marian. I found bonesmart when my hip troubles just began. It was 2 weeks out from surgery, even before infection nightmare set in. I was in terrible pain, and after being told hips were much easier than knees, you can imagine my trepidation about this knee.

I sometimes wonder if I would have found Bonesmart before my surgery, and knew more of what to expect if it would have been easier? But then, the pain I was dealing with 2 weeks out, was not even the tip of the iceberg of what I had instore.

But one thing I would have known about was PT. I had PT come to my house, and torture me, when I had no idea I didn't have to endure that. I know better now ;)

I remember a few from those days , even some who had terrible issues with their surgeries, that seemed to have disapeared from Bonesmart. I hope I do well enough to leave, but choose to stay to help and support others that follow, me, and pay it forward as to the support and advise I have learned and received this time around

 

[newlybionic]

I also agree with the 'pay it forward' attitude. I hope I can continue to hang around even when I'm well on my way and without any issues left to ask about.

 

[uva55]

I'm going to make a commitment to stay and try to encourage those that are thinking of having a TKR. This site has helped me tremendously and like you said @dianehelen and @newlybionic it would be really nice to pay it forward

 

[Celle]

I'm going to make a commitment to stay and try to encourage those that are thinking of having a TKR

That's what I did, and why I'm still here.

I had so much support from BoneSmart staff when I had my surgeries. I wanted to repay that kindness.

 

[dianehelen]

Ok @newlybionic or anyone, another ice machine question.I see on the Breg machines you have to buy a pad to go with it, that attaches to the unit. But the video also mentions a dressing/barrier that goes on the pad between it and your skin. Where do you get that from? On the sites that sell the units they offer pads of all body parts & universal, but don't seem to mention this inner pad/protection thing. Any thought or info?

 

[newlybionic]

I just use a kitchen towel if I have shorts on. Otherwise if I have long pants on I don't use anything else. That seems to work fine for me. As long as the part of your knee touched by the pad is covered it works just fine. In addition mine has a way to turn the 'cold' down if it feels like too much.

 

[dianehelen]

Thanks @newlybionic I cant remember the last time I wore pants, living in FL. I wear either my house dress in the house, or capris, or just above the knee bermuda type shorts. You did get the multi use XL right?

This is what I am looking at for the pad and the dressing for under it, does this sound right?

Also, did you get the "long stem" version?

 

[newlybionic]

I got the first item you have there. I didn't get the dressing because I used a kitchen towel. A bath towel would have been way too thick. I'm not sure what you mean by long stem.

 

[dianehelen]

I guess the long stem part, is the part/hose that connects to the pad.

OK thanks for the feedback on the pad and unit.

Called Medicare and Dr office to see if I can get this covered by medicare and of course that was not easy either. But I will keep on truckin' so to speak!

Ok, off to the pool, today is a swim day, that I need after overeating 4th of july bbq grub

 

[newlybionic]

I so wish I could join you. I miss not being able to swim very much anymore. In NJ we belonged to a beautiful community pool complex where I went every day all summer long or I went down to the Jersey shore and swam in the ocean. All my girls are excellent swimmers and swam year round on competitive swim teams. My youngest could doggie paddle 50 meters when only 2 years old!

 

[dianehelen]

Oh ya, I have always loved swimming. My son too, by 2 or 3 was a competent swimmer. I swim all year in a lovely indoor olympic size pool at an LA Fitness gym 5 minutes from my house. When I'm swimming I am in my own little world. I have music in my ears, a mask and snorkel, and I swim, groove to the music, feel no pain, and feel like a normal non cripple. Once back out on land, the pain of 65 year old abused joints comes right back.