PKR Greda's PKR recovery

[Yvonne]

Discovered this thread last night - started reading through all the threads and discovered that I had to keep on reading to the end (until 3:00 am this morning) because it looked like Greda was coming to my town! Sure enough - welcome to Aberdeen SD Greda! Little bit cool here this morning - watch out, it gets worse.

Had PKR on September 20 by Dr. Harbert. He works alone - but there is an Orthopedic Center here that my sister had her TKR done at a few years back.

I have a lot of muscle pain yet and it is still hard to walk down stairs properly - up is easier. Guess I have to find more muscle stretching exercises that don't kill me doing them! :th_heehee: I am on an individual program called Freedom Fitness at the place I did PT at after surgery - only $25 / month!!! Cheaper than YMCA.

Babysitting granddaughter today - she's upstairs right now, so better go check on her.

 

[Greda]

Thanks Yvonne for the welcome! It has been a hard day and my knee is killing me. I have stayed in all day. I called a doctor's office to transfer my care there -- primary care. It was kind of strange, I was transferred from one receptionist to another and then a nurse. I asked if there were accepting new patients and was told they were. The nurse asked me what medicines I was taking and what health issues I had. I told her and she told me that she had to speak with the doctor and would call me back. 5 hours later she called me back and said they would not see me it was their policy not to prescribe narcotics. I asked if they could refer me to a doctor and she said no. There were several doctors in the practice and I asked if I could see one of them and she said no. I guess I am at a loss. I have never had a doctor refuse to see me based on my meds. I also wondered why it took so long for them to tell me their policy -- I was open with them from the beginning. I am not sure where to go from here. I will need meds refilled in a few weeks. I emailed my jaw surgeon in MN to see if he knew anyone. I am still waiting on my OS to get back with me. Now, I am dreading calling doctors...I don't know where to start.
Yvonne, where if fitness freedom? Can anyone go there? I know what you mean about stairs. I am so glad that the apartment building has an elevator...I would never make it up and down 3 flights of stairs.
Greda

 

[old goat]

Greda try your insurance company web site or calling them. There should be lots of suggestions there. You are strong! It will work out. Hugs, Ann

 

[Greda]

Right now we are in between insurance...the insurance lapses from his old job and the new job insurance begins on 12/23. I had hoped that I would find a doctor and if I had to pay out of pocket the first time it would be okay.
I am hoping that my doctor in MN might know someone...he is at the U of MN and maybe a doctor in this area went to school there. Otherwise I am going to just keep calling doctors from the phonebook.
Greda

 

[Greda]

My knee is hurting worse today than yesterday. I really don't see swelling but the pain seems to be constant. I have decided to switch from tylenol back to norco. It seems like a major step backwards...but the pain is keeping me awake. It is suppose to be warmer today. My hubby and I wanted to drive around town and pick up a few more things that we need. I just don't think I can do it. I took Ibuprofen and norco at 7:30 am and the pain never let up. I know that I have pushed things with the move but it has almost been 6 months since my revision and I didn't think I would have this much pain again. I know that I shouldn't be surprised with everything that has gone on...but I had hoped the worst of the pain was behind me.
Going to rest again.
Greda

 

[Jamie]

Greda....maybe your new "friend" in town, Yvonne @Yvonne: can recommend a primary doctor.

You will be getting insurance through your husband's civil service job, won't you? You ought to be able to find out insurance options now and go online to see what doctors fit with the various plans.

 

[crazycatlady 6-20-2011]

Hi Greda.
I'm almost at 6 months with my patello-femoral replacement too. I wish there were more on here that had the exact same thing done to theirs knees like ours. I think October was the best month for me, since then I'm basically feeling like I'm back to where I started at before the surgery. I saw my surgeon in November and he said that my knee looks great, ROM is wonderful. But, I still have pain and burning behind my knee cap. I do work 40 hrs a week and I ride my bike in the nicer weather and I walk everyday, but the knee feels just like it did before surgery. The kicker was when I asked how many he does a year of this type of surgery and he said just a couple and added that most surgeons won't even do this surgery because the outcome is never very good, but his patients usually come out "pretty" good. Sure wish I would have asked more questions before surgery. Really starting to question if this was the surgery for me. Hope yours starts to feel better.

 

[Yvonne]

Greda - Freedom Fitness is a program you can get into at the Avera Dakota Midland Campus. For a $45 evaluation fee and only $25 a month you can go there any number of times a week and use the equipment on your own with their suggestions. I was waived the eval fee because I did my post op therapy there. I've sent you a private message with other suggestions. Good luck and welcome again!

 

[Jamie]

Thanks, Yvonne....it's so nice to be able to have BoneSmarties helping each other! You are a peach!

 

[Greda]

My hubby and I went to the library today. I was glad to be able to check out some books. I love to read and have been missing having a book to read since we have moved. He is not the most patient person in the world when I am looking at books...I knew I had surpassed his limit and left before I was able to look at everything. I know where it is now so I can go back on my own.
My knee is frustrating to me...I can't seem to get ahead. I am forcing myself not to unpack stuff or move stuff. I know that the more I do the worse I am going to make it...but I keep hoping that I can rest my knee and then be able to do more.
Greda

 

[old goat]

Greda overall you sound like you are in a much better situation. I am glad for you. Hang in there. Look at the new insurance, it takes awhile to get the appointment and you will still have time to call again later with more insurance info if you just have the appointment time down. Good luck with that issue.

 

[Jamie]

Good idea to take it easy, Greda. You need time to recoup from all you've been through with this move. Relax and read!!!

 

[Greda]

I called another doctor's office and was able to get an appt for this Thursday. Having my own records definitely has helped. They wanted me to come in and sign a release to get the records and then make an appt. Since I have the records I am just going to take them in. I am apprehensive about a new doctor but at least I am going to get it over with.
My knee is really really hurting today. I keep thinking I am going to get ahead of things and it isn't happening. It is definitely cold here today.
Greda

 

[Greda]

I am going to see what I hope is my new GP today at 1:30. I know that I will have to tell her my history and I hate having to go through again. I took my records from my last GP to her office Tuesday. I am apprehensive and hope things go smoothly.
Will post more later.
Greda

 

[Jamie]

Hope things went well, Greda!!!

 

[Greda]

I really don't like going to new doctors. However, the doctor I saw today seemed really nice. It is so difficult having to tell my history with my jaw. It is such a rare thing that I have to explain everything about it. She told me there is a good pain doctor in town and wondered if I would want to see her. I agreed and already have an appt for 12/20 at 7am. I am shocked that a doctor would be seeing patients that early, but it is the only thing available so I will take it.
The doctor today said she would refill anything that I needed but thought the pain doctor would be better suited for it. I am just supposed to call her and let her know if I need anything. I was just so anxious seeing the new doctor and I hate that because in my head I know thing are okay. I have seen so many doctors you would think I would be used to it.
Anyway, I spent almost an hour at the doctor's office and came home and went to sleep. I slept for almost 4 hours.
My knee has been hurting but last night I couldn't sleep and unpacked several boxes and got the laundry room organized. I have to do a fasting blood work in the morning. I have terrible veins, I am trying to drink a lot of water tonight so maybe finding a vein won't be so hard.
Greda

 

[karmigirl]

Greda,

Sounds like you found a good Dr. For her to refer you to someone so quickly seems like a really good thing to me. She must understand your pain and wants to help right away. Good luck with blood work and just relax a bit you need to get some good very well deserved rest now. Keep us posted on how things are going.

 

[zjrog]

Seems like you have found a keeper of a doctor! Cool beans...

 

[Greda]

My hubby thought he might be furloughed today, but thankfully he wasn't. He had to go to a meeting in Pierre. I don't think he will be home until later. We have been having problems with the wireless that was supposed to be a perk of living here. We can't get a signal in our apartment so I broke down and got our own personal wireless. It seems like everything that was supposed to offset the rent doesn't work...anyway now I can be online for more than 15 minutes so I guess it is work it.
I see the new pain doc at 7 am in the am. I hope that I can communicate that time of day. I am not a morning person. I need meds refilled so I am hoping tomorrow goes okay. My jaw and knee have really been bothering me. I have been having problems sleeping because of pain. After the appt tomorrow I am going to take a nap.
Greda

 

[zjrog]

Thats the sort of stress you don't need right now, Moving to a new town just to get furloughed. I went through that with a previous employer, changed locations and moved my family, and then threatened with a layoff. Didn't happen, but still.