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Revision TKR Knee replacement is not nice to me...

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I'm calling my insurance company today after my meeting.

I'm struggling a bit today so it won't be a fun day. I went to bed with pain and woke up with pain- nothing is helping.

@Greda- I've been extremely persistent. Last week I called my Dr's office every single day, and I have called my Ortho's office at least once a week since November. I've called people, asked for advice, tried to follow through with the advice and nothing helps. I'm tired of it. I am just completely worn out.
 
Also- I'm sorry to be such a complainer because I know that things could be so much worse. I feel so sad for those suffering from either worse things or from losing a family member, a home, etc. The devastation in the south from the tornadoes, flooding, and severe weather makes me count my blessings about where I live.

I know that I need to be more positive about what I am going through because there are so many who are going through so much worse, so again, I'm sorry for complaining. :(
 
Coachie - I have followed your story and I am sending you a big hug! I, too, had been feeling so worn out and depleted from my own difficult journey - and mine is only 14 weeks long so far! I can only imagine how hard this has been and continues to be for you, nearly a year out. I felt like a giant blob of negativity - it was awful. For me, finally getting some sleep and lower levels of pain has made such a difference in my entire outlook - on my knee, and on my life in general! I wish some sort of breakthrough for you, too. It feels so powerless and hopeless when you continue to get nowhere in terms of real help for your bum knee. Hopefully, the wonderful people on BS will be able to guide you to someone that will truly help you soon. And you will find the energy to keep on the quest. Thinking of you and wanting you keep hanging in there -
 
Coachie, don't you ever dare apologise for sharing your trials with us. It's exactly what this forum is for and none of us mind because we all care about you and want to share in your day. Know we are all rooting for you and praying too.
 
One thing I don't understand is that if the orthopedics are all saying there is nothing wrong with my knee joint and nothing wrong with my nerves, then why does my knee hurt so blasted much?

My niece had a softball game today and I went. I walked a little bit- maybe 1000 feet total, and I sat for most of the game- only standing when I needed to move around a bit, and tonight I hurt just about as much as I did 11 months ago. This is so hard because I used to walk 3-5 miles a day (in addition to the normal walking around one does in a day) and now I can't even walk a total of a 1/4 of a mile and the pain is just horrible.

Seriously- is the pain just in my head? I'm taking Cymbalta both for depression and pain. Every time I go to an orthopedic and they tell me that they can't help me, I tend to cry. The tears then cause the orthopedic to tell me and my family doctor that they are concerned that I am depressed. None of the doctors seem to understand that I am depressed because I can't stand being in pain all of the time and because I am angry about the loss of my mobility and all of that.

I think that I am going to start using crutches again- or if I can find a really nice cane that extends long enough for someone my height and weight (I'm about 6' tall and fairly heavy) I might use that. Does anyone have any suggestions so I don't have to use the ugly silver aluminum crutches I used for my tkrs? Are forearm crutches good to use? Am I hurting myself if I start using a walking aid? I just hurt so much all the time and I limp anyways, so I guess I am trying to find a way that I don't ache so much at the end of the day.
 
Coachie, I still believe the problem is that you have not seen the right surgeon to diagnose your pain problems. Have you made any consideration of going to the doctors I found at Mass General?
 
Exactly so - YOU know this isn't in your head; YOU know that you're not depressed but desperately unhappy because of the pain. Obviously these doctors don't. Remember that. If they see your tears as depression and not the frustration it really is, they are not worthy of their title. Move on.
 
My insurance won't cover out of state doctors if there is one within two hours of where I live. So unless there is an emergency, I have to stay in state. :(
 
I prefer elbow crutches myself..... re your OS's attitude re depression.....don't worry about crying when seeing the OS, i do ....everytime just about! I weaned myself off the anti-depressants several weeks ago against my neurologist's advice and everyone else's mainly because i am having to do the rounds of drs once more and i swear once they see you are on these meds they immediately put in you a different category....i.e. oh here is middle aged woman with menopause of course she's depressed, nothing to do with their work or treatment or anything else. YOU know your own boddy!!!!
keep at it and never give up!
 
I would love to keep at it and not give up, but there is very little fight left in me- which is why I'm looking for advice on crutches/canes. Since the pain is not getting any better and my limping is getting worse, I figure that by the middle of the summer I'll need the assistance to walk even a short distance.

I really want to coach soccer again this fall and it frustrates me that I am having to give up the things I love because of this damn knee. I couldn't coach last fall and now who knows? I'm trying so hard to be positive- so hard to keep going, but there's not a lot to be positive about when the pain after walking 10 feet is worse than it was the week after my tkr and nothing helps- not being in the water, not riding an exercise bike, nothing. All of those 'gentle' exercises hurt just as bad because it is knee cap pain and it hurts on the bend and straightening.

I've been looking at those Millenial crutches- they're expensive but look like they are more comfortable than the normal ones, but I really need to find something that I can use and still carry things since I live alone and need to be able to get around with objects.
 
Coach,
Don't give up, there is some one out there who can help you. Understand the depression aspect, Cymbalta has helped me at half the dose my Dr thought I would need 60 mg. Until you can get some answers getting some assist device (crutches/ cane) could be the right move. I'll keep you in my prayers that they find something to help you.
 
I just have to say I hate that the medical world has this secret diagnosis called "female hysteria syndrome." I know it to be true because I've worked in a hospital. I once told a provider I had fear going to sleep because of my severe headaches at night. I had gone to her for something to address the headache pain. She prescribed me something that didn't help, and later I realized it was an anti-anxiety drug. It took me 25 years to get those headaches diagnosed because of provider bias.

Well, you know what's true. I'm sorry you cannot consider a provider at Mass. General for insurance reasons. One thing you might try is to call Dr. Becker's office (I know, he wouldn't see you), and ask them who in Maine they'd recommend you try. Just a thought.

Also it occurs to me that margaretd on this forum had a cortisone shot to her TKA knee and got pretty good pain relief. Has this been brought up in all your visits?

Best, Mary (also 6' tall!)
 
Coachie, even though your insurance wouldn't cover it, might it not be worth it to pay for a consulting second opinion appointment out of your own pocket? Then.....if you can get a good opinion under your belt (written copy of the diagnosis from the doctor), you could petition your insurance company to proceed with the out of state doctor on the basis that the ones near you could not handle the problem.

If you really do have a problem with your implant, it is not going to get better with time and crutches....only worse. I would hate to see you waste precious time just trying to cope with something that has no potential to improve.

All insurance policies have a means to petition for care outside their normal parameters or when decisions have been made that you don't agree with. I hope you can investigate this as a possiblity. I know it's difficult to do this by yourself. Enlist the help of a friend or two...or a coworker you trust. You need someone to keep your mental state up while you battle this and your insurance company.
 
Hi Coachie!

I can relate to you in terms of long term pain and looking for relief. Mine is getting better, but I have used crutches for long walks. I carry a bag with me that has cloth handles so I can loop it inside the crutches, and that way I can carry stuff. :biggrin:

As far as missing too many days from school; I missed 47 the last year I taught and my principal rode my back the whole time. Don't let the superintendent stress you out. You have a legimate reason for missing! :DOH: As a matter of fact, you need to file a 504 disability form, so they will leave you alone!:hissyfit:
 
Hi, Coachie. I can recommend a walking aid. Because of my "frozen" knee, my TKR leg is now a few inches shorter than the other and walking is both difficult and painful. I found using a regular crutch was uncomfortable = it made my hand hurt and my underarm sore when I leaned on it for support. A cane did not take enough stress off of the bad leg, and was tiring to use. Instead, I am currently using a more modern designed single crutch on my good side - it's called a Millenium Motion Pro crutch and it is very superior to the standard crutch. Here's the website: broken link removed: https://www.millennialmedical.com/Catalog/InMotion-Pro/ I bought a pair, but I understand that if you call customer service, they will sell you a single. They are not interchangeable - there is a specific left and right crutch. They come in a range of sizing - even up to 7 ft tall! And they even fold in half to facilitate taking them on a plane. It is very sturdy and more comfortable to use than anything else I have tried. My hand does not hurt at all and I have no more underarm pain. Using the single crutch really helps with the walking pain but still leaves me with a free hand to carry things, etc. PT had me try the standard arm crutch style but I didn't feel like I had sufficient upper body strength to manage, plus you have to bear your weight constantly on the arms whereas, with the Millenial crutch, you can let your body rest on the underarm support for short periods - like when standing in line or standing and talking to someone. I have been using it for about 5 weeks now, and it has helped me a lot. I really do think my leg hurts a lot less now with less stress/weight put on it. Maybe you could try one for yourself? I would be so happy to hear that you were having less pain...
 
Oops, I guess I didn't read all the prior posts carefully enough - I see that you have already heard of the Millenial crutches :-) but maybe you hadn't considered using just one?
As for having to use crutches, I have made my peace with it because, while I believe that I will eventually get my knee straightened out (literally LOL), I have to live and function in the here and now. The crutch helps me get around with less pain. With less pain, I have more energy to devote to jumping thru the medical/insurance hoops. I would wish the same for you, Coachie. I admire you so much for not giving up! Hang in there!
 
I know it seems like I'm not listening or trying, but honestly- I do not have the funds to pay for the orthopedic appointment, the trip, the hotel stay (even with cheap lodging) and all of that. Especially since I know that the orthopedic will just tell me that nothing is wrong. It would be like throwing money away.

I've been to four different orthopedics and each one of them has told me there is nothing they can do. I just need to learn to deal with that and move on- which is proving a lot harder than I thought.
 
Coachie,
I am so sorry you are having so much trouble. I wish things would get better for you. I saw that you taught and ondered if you had time off in the summer?

Thinking of you.
Greda
 
I do, Greda. I get out June 22nd and the first day for teachers is August 24th. Pre-season soccer practice starts August 15th, which will be two 2-hour sessions every day for a week and then 2 hour practices after that (unless there is a game of course.) Not sure how I'll do with soccer since I took last season off due to having an MUA the first day of school.

The thing that worries me the most (that I can't get out of my head actually) is that if there is something really wrong with my tkr and I need surgery or treatment of some kind, if I don't have it done this summer, I will have to wait an entire year before I can get anything done. I used up all my reserved sick days this year and while I'll get 13 as of August 24th, that wouldn't be enough if I need surgery since any time you leave school early - be it 10 minutes or 4 hours, you get charged a sick day. I cannot do this for another school year. It has affected my students and my teaching and I cannot mentally do it for another year. Maine does not have short-term disability, so I am kind of out of luck here.

The above worry is what is driving my negativity at this point. I am so scared of having to do this for another year. I don't know what it will do to me mentally and physically. I used to be a highly driven person, a fighter who refused to give up, but now I've kind of forgotten how to be like that. I am struggling with how to keep fighting.
 
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