Four Month Check Up

[Doug]

Just got back from my four month check up.
The Dr. was extremely happy with the progress with my knee.
I told him about the pain I have been getting this past week in the outside back of the knee.
I had written down my suspicions of a problem with the IT Band or the popliteus muscle. He grabbed my leg, played and poked until he found the spot and I about launched out of the chair.
He said that given the area, it could be either. He recommended I keep doing the stretches for a tight IT Band. Then he just smiled and said that if they keep giving me trouble, at the end of the year "we'll" just go in and cut them......like he*% "we" will. He isn't concerned right now because as Miss Josephine has repeatedly stated, " All of our tendons and ligaments are saying hello".
I asked for a final refill of the Oxycodone for a rainy day need...got it.
I asked for Dicolfenac Sodium-3%....got it.
I asked for Ambien CR...got it.
So tonight I guess I'll rub down, pill up and get a decent nights sleep.-----if my wife will quit throwing covers on me and then take'em off.

 

[Pattipoo]

WHOA, Charlie. I thought you "gived" up the pills!!!!!

 

[Jamie]

Doug, good to hear you are doing so well. Would this be sort of a celebratory pill taking tonight? Kind of like quaffing a few beers after a great game? Or is is really raining there in Florida today (rainy day Oxy requirement)???

 

[Doug]

Oh no, I'm not taking the Oxycodone pills tonight..I haven't taken one for 4 or 5 days now. I came close to taking a half pill yesterday with that bad front that passed us.
I just wanted them for the occasional times that I way over do it. (not me). Or those summer low pressure fronts that make the knee scream.
Actually, I'm getting ready for hurricane season. Those are super low pressure. Hopefully no hurricanes come this way and I never open the pill bottle.
When I said "pill up" I was referring to the Ambien CR.

 

[JenniferG]

Look at Jamie going all "quaffing" on us. You've been listening to the UK jose threads again haven't you? Expanding that vocab.
Doug congrats on the successful os visit. But thosen surgeons always looking for something to cut...

 

[Jamie]

Ohhhhh........goood boy!!!

Have you taken Ambien before? I had one friend who swore by it and another who felt "groggy" all the next day. Guess it's that old deal of everyone is different. Hope it doesn't have the groggy effect on you and that it just helps you sleep. We need you alert and your sense of humor razor sharp here on the forum!

 

[Jamie]

Look at Jamie going all "quaffing" on us. You've been listening to the UK jose threads again haven't you? Expanding that vocab.

Jenn.....actually I learned that word many years ago from the Peanuts comic strip. When Snoopy was flying his Sopwith Camel, he'd stop in and "quaff" a few root beers with the troops. I always liked the sound of the word...to me it sounds like you're having a great time! It's nice when a word can make a person smile!

 

[Jamie]

But thosen surgeons always looking for something to cut...

We always tease our doctors that they find something wrong about the time a house payment is due or when they need to make a deposit to their retirement funds. The comments make them smile.....but I sometimes think there is a bit of truth to them.

 

[Rowdy66]

Congrats Doug, I Only Hope You Keep Posting Here. You Have Been A Great Source Of Information And Inspiration And I Would Like To Have You Around While I Recoup As I Am Sure Would A Lot Of Others. Sounds Like You Are Doing Great And I Can Only Say I Really Look Forward To The Day I Am There. You Guys Have All Given Me The Hope I Needed To Get Through This As Well As The Knowledge I Think I Needed To Get Me Through As Well. Will Be Watching For Your Posts. Rowdy

 

[Doug]

O.K. Rowdy, A PROMISE FROM ME TO YOU!!
I'll stay around.

Jamie,
I've had a sleep disorder for years. Besides Apnea, Police work and the ensuing occasional nightmares didn't help the issue. When T-Man(also a former cop)was on here, we both agreed there are some Post traumatis stress issues we both have to deal with. The TKR was only iceing on the cake as far as sleep disruption.
I've taken AmbienCR and several others. The good thing is that it knocks me out. But I'm only out for about 5 hours. Then I'm wide awake and there is no hope of going back asleep.
I only take them about once every week or so. They don't grog me out the next day at all.

 

[Jamie]

I'm glad to hear they work (sorta) for you. I completely understand that post-traumatic stress thing. God bless the law enforcement and fire protection personnel we have in this great country. You all do such an important and difficult job. I know it has it's really good moments, but some of the bad ones would be beyond most people's ability to deal with. Years ago I ran a small audiovisual office for the Marine Corps Finance Center here in Kansas City and I had to send my photographer out to take photos of a murder-suicide in base housing. He was very bothered by it all and just viewing the photos got to me. There is a special place in heaven for all you guys!!!

 

[Doug]

Now see, another reason I stay on this forum, hanging around all of you folks has put me in touch with a different side of life. It is nice to be around nice people. We have all let our emotions flow on this forum and received nothing but unconditional support. I spent 30 years having to suppress emotion, and be suspicious of almost everyone. This forum has opened doors for me.
Now you got me all emotional and stuff. I need to stomp an ant hill and regain my manliness.

 

[Jamie]

Awwww....no need for fire ants. Just pull out a few chest hairs and it will accomplish the same thing without having to go outside.

 

[Doug]

No chest hair pulling..
Last night I tried to pull out a long eyebrow. When I pulled it, I thought it was attached to the back of my head.. I think my whole face lifted off my skull. How deep can a hair root be?? My eyes we watering like I was in mourning.

 

[JenniferG]

Oh please, You guys make me need a tissue or a bucket. Maybe both. No just kidding. Actually doug, it is nice to "know" a cop on the regular guy side. It's good for us too. Cause even as pretty law abiding folk you tend to get the them versus us mentality going on. Here you are just a hubby/dad with fixed bad knees.

 

[Skeet]

Hey, great report, Doug. Glad to hear it. I don't get a 4 month check up. I see my doc in December - 12 months. But I am going to send him a letter about my hunting trip since he's a hunter, too (members of the same gun club).

I used a couple of pills on the way home from hunting, but that's really the first time in many days. I just don't really need them unless I do something silly - like really overdo things. And I still take my trazadone when I need to get good sleep. It works great with no hangover or addiction issues. And it's cheap!

CONGRATULATIONS! You always inspire me. And thank for encouraging my son in his career path. This weekend he was saying he's pretty sure he wants to go into police work. I hope you both will stay in touch. I have no expertise to offer him there.

God bless you!
Skeet

 

[northman22]

I've taken ambien off and on since just before my surgery. I was a tad bit anxious and my wife gave me one, and I slept all night and woke up just fine. I went and got a 2 week before my surgery, and again just after. I didn't sleep well with the hydrocodone and I couldn't get percs after the hospital stay.

Glad to hear things are going so well Doug. I have a benchmark and something to look forward to........Steve