Revision TKR Knee replacement is not nice to me...
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I think I remember reading a thread in here where someone was looking for an "appropriate response" to these Jacka$$es.
I am pleased you managed to limp away without responding.
We "slow pokes" have plenty of "advice" from morons who don't understand that we all heal at different rates.
The best response, really is to walk (limp) away.
Then come vent here, a good chunk of us have dealt with it too.
Sandy
I am pleased you managed to limp away without responding.
We "slow pokes" have plenty of "advice" from morons who don't understand that we all heal at different rates.
The best response, really is to walk (limp) away.
Then come vent here, a good chunk of us have dealt with it too.
Sandy
OP
OP
Coachie
senior
I am very grateful that I had this site to come to and vent. I cried for a good part of the afternoon out of jealousy, frustration, etc. I know it was just a "see? it can happen to you one day" sort of thing, but I was just not in the mood to hear it. In just 16 days I will be one year post-op with my right knee (and 13 days until my left is two years old!)
OP
OP
Coachie
senior
Definitely not a good day for me today pain wise. I hurt pretty bad tonight.
I'm thinking it could be weather related as it is pretty humid (for Maine that is) and I guess that could affect my knee.
I had big hopes that this Cymbalta would help, but instead I've lived with pain for 4 weeks and since I'm on Cymbalta, I've been unable to take Ultram like I could before, leaving me with just Tylenol for pain relief. I do have Lidocaine patches, but other than giving me little rashes and bruises on my skin, they do absolutely nothing. I am bummed as they are so expensive (which I did not know at the time when my doctor prescribed them) and they are useless.
I don't see any orthopedic until the middle of July. I finally got my referral to the pain management clinic, and get this- I have to go to an informational seminar but not until August 31st and they said that my appointment with a pain management Dr. would be "a few weeks after". So, in other words, to heck with your pain- just wait it out (as I have been for almost a full year now.) Can you sense my frustration?!?!
Sigh... Tomorrow's another day. Hopefully it will be better
I'm thinking it could be weather related as it is pretty humid (for Maine that is) and I guess that could affect my knee.
I had big hopes that this Cymbalta would help, but instead I've lived with pain for 4 weeks and since I'm on Cymbalta, I've been unable to take Ultram like I could before, leaving me with just Tylenol for pain relief. I do have Lidocaine patches, but other than giving me little rashes and bruises on my skin, they do absolutely nothing. I am bummed as they are so expensive (which I did not know at the time when my doctor prescribed them) and they are useless.
I don't see any orthopedic until the middle of July. I finally got my referral to the pain management clinic, and get this- I have to go to an informational seminar but not until August 31st and they said that my appointment with a pain management Dr. would be "a few weeks after". So, in other words, to heck with your pain- just wait it out (as I have been for almost a full year now.) Can you sense my frustration?!?!
Sigh... Tomorrow's another day. Hopefully it will be better
RestAssured
alpha
Coachie,
I am so sorry that you are hurting and that you have to wait until August 31st to see the pain specialist!:hate-shocked::hissyfit:
As for people telling you about their healing; I hear of all of these "recoveries" all the time from people who come in to exercise at the PT place. You know Mom's great aunt, sister's husband and so on... I just smile and tell them, "Well, I am so glad that they are well! Too bad I never got to meet them!" Then I just keep on going. They aren't trying to be mean (well none that I have ran into), they just don't understand that not everyone heals at the same pace!:wink1:
The maddest I got was at my neighbor before I had my knees replaced! He told me that his Mom had both of her knees replaced, but until she lost a lot of weight, that it didn't do any good!
He then told me, "if you would get some of that weight off, it would make your knees feel so much better!":hate-shocked:
Well, I wanted to respond, but instead I limped back into the house. Like I didn't know that I needed to lose weight!:DOH:
I did forget to mention that I told him well maybe if you would quit guessing the weather and become the meteorologist that you trained to be, then people around here would appreciate it!:hysterical:
By the way, if you haven't guessed by now, we don't have much to say to each other now! His wife told me how great I looked the other day, and I thanked her. She had no idea that her husband was an insensitive jerk, and I didn't bring it up!
I am so sorry that you are hurting and that you have to wait until August 31st to see the pain specialist!:hate-shocked::hissyfit:
As for people telling you about their healing; I hear of all of these "recoveries" all the time from people who come in to exercise at the PT place. You know Mom's great aunt, sister's husband and so on... I just smile and tell them, "Well, I am so glad that they are well! Too bad I never got to meet them!" Then I just keep on going. They aren't trying to be mean (well none that I have ran into), they just don't understand that not everyone heals at the same pace!:wink1:
The maddest I got was at my neighbor before I had my knees replaced! He told me that his Mom had both of her knees replaced, but until she lost a lot of weight, that it didn't do any good!
He then told me, "if you would get some of that weight off, it would make your knees feel so much better!":hate-shocked:
Well, I wanted to respond, but instead I limped back into the house. Like I didn't know that I needed to lose weight!:DOH:
I did forget to mention that I told him well maybe if you would quit guessing the weather and become the meteorologist that you trained to be, then people around here would appreciate it!:hysterical:
By the way, if you haven't guessed by now, we don't have much to say to each other now! His wife told me how great I looked the other day, and I thanked her. She had no idea that her husband was an insensitive jerk, and I didn't bring it up!
wanttoride
senior
Hi Coachie! I found your thread. What pain management place are you going to? Is it in Bangor? With whom? My curious mind is wondering if you are going to Dr. Herland or somebody else. I know quite a few of them through people that work at both EMMC and St. Joes. One of my hubby's employees has been going to a PS for over a year now. He's had test upon test upon test....EMG's, lumbar pain blocks, you name it. He's finally calling it quits with these "specialists", as he's no better of now than he was a year ago. (He has severe back pain that radiates into his leg, causing him to stay home often from work) I know that pain specialists can and do help some people. I would never say "do not go". My only advice is to listen to what they say, ask a LOT of questions...and I mean a LOT of questions (make a list and take the list with you to your appointment) and don't commit to anything without doing some research. I almost agreed to having a nerve block in my spine just because I was DESPERATE for answers and wanted them NOW. When the PS told me that "it might work, and it might not", I researched. I also found out that the nerve block cost well over $3,000...some of which would be covered by insurance. I told the PS that "I'd think about it" and did not commit. (He was ready to book me an appointment the next week!) I called his office a few days later and said I'd put things on hold, but I would try the Lyrica (also used for fibromyalsia nerve pain). The Lyrica did work, but I hated the side effects, so I stopped using it after 3 months. Oh...here's the clincher....the PS told me that having the nerve block might work...could be for 5 minutes, 5 hours, 5 days or 5 months, etc. or not at all. However (drum roll, please!) we could do another one, and if THAT one worked for a period of time, we could continue to have the nerve blocks done every few months!!!!!! For me...no way. I don't need to go bankrupt along with having pain, and for me...all this "maybe's" and "if's" were just too much to take. Plus....I just knew that there was SOMETHING wrong with the knee. (note: 3 months later, the CT scan was done showing the pieces were misaligned. 3 months later....a total revision of the same knee). Coachie...I know how desperate you are, and how much you want answers NOW! You are active and have an active life, things to do, and want to "get on with it". I've been there, and am there. I've just lost the "desperate" at this point. It has taken me sooo long to get to this point of "things are out of my control", but I DO have control of how I handle it. One of my good friends just can't handle MY situation anymore, and told me "you are always soooo negative and depressing. Why don't you think more positively?". I can tell you, I wanted to knock her one! How dare she tell me to be POSITIVE!!! My life S**KED, and I was miserable. My "friend" can't deal with the fact that I am not the same person as I was, and that I can't go horseback riding with her every other weekend and do the things we used to do. 
Well...stop throwing "I wish you could do this" and "I wish you could do that" in my face every other moment!!!! GGGRRRRRR!!!! I need people around me that will support me on my good AND bad days, realize that pain causes me to be a bit "grump" sometimes (understatement!) and that I will go and do things outside my house when I can. I'm not ready to do a marathon day at the Bangor Mall! However...I would love to go to Kohl's and TJ Maxx.....but then I've got to call it a day. Wanna go for lunch? Gotta nix TJ's then.
I know you just want to clench your fists and scream! Well...do it! And do it LOUDLY!!! :hissyfit: You WILL feel much better. And if you are like me, you'll hit a point and just start laughing at yourself.:hysterical:
I'm not kidding. The day I did that (see my thread) everything changed for me. So....LET IT OUT, Coachie!!!!!!! I wanna hear you at my house!!!!
There WILL come a day when you will get your answers....just keep listening to your "inner voice" and do what is right for YOU! 
Well...stop throwing "I wish you could do this" and "I wish you could do that" in my face every other moment!!!! GGGRRRRRR!!!! I need people around me that will support me on my good AND bad days, realize that pain causes me to be a bit "grump" sometimes (understatement!) and that I will go and do things outside my house when I can. I'm not ready to do a marathon day at the Bangor Mall! However...I would love to go to Kohl's and TJ Maxx.....but then I've got to call it a day. Wanna go for lunch? Gotta nix TJ's then. I know you just want to clench your fists and scream! Well...do it! And do it LOUDLY!!! :hissyfit: You WILL feel much better. And if you are like me, you'll hit a point and just start laughing at yourself.:hysterical:
I'm not kidding. The day I did that (see my thread) everything changed for me. So....LET IT OUT, Coachie!!!!!!! I wanna hear you at my house!!!!
There WILL come a day when you will get your answers....just keep listening to your "inner voice" and do what is right for YOU!
wanttoride
senior
Coachie,
Who is prescribing your pain meds? Is it your PCP/Physician or your surgeon? Have you tried Tramadol for pain? I was on it for several months and I did get some relief, especially at night. It took a lot of the "edge" off. Didn't take away all of the pain, as that sharp, stabbing pain won't go away with ANYTHING you try, as it's not a constant pain....like an ache. Dr. Kelly told me that. It's like if you were to stab yourself with a pen. It's gonna hurt like hell when you do it because you have introduced something to MAKE you be in pain. Does that make sense?
So in my un-professional opinion...there is something that introduces the pain behind your kneecap or within the surrounding tissues when you bend and straighten your leg. It only makes sense. I didn't realize that you have almost complete flexion and extension. THAT IS WONDERFUL!!!
And if it IS a nerve or nerve impulse that is causing pain, ask if you can try Lyrica or another "pain med" that targets nerves. After reading your thread (please...correct me if I am wrong), you don't have constant pain (?) ...mostly pain when you try to sit and when you stand from a sitting position. Is this right? And then that stabbing pain radiates and causes that deep, deep pain that goes to the core of your bones. Is this correct also? Jo...any other suggestions for a med to calm nerves?
Who is prescribing your pain meds? Is it your PCP/Physician or your surgeon? Have you tried Tramadol for pain? I was on it for several months and I did get some relief, especially at night. It took a lot of the "edge" off. Didn't take away all of the pain, as that sharp, stabbing pain won't go away with ANYTHING you try, as it's not a constant pain....like an ache. Dr. Kelly told me that. It's like if you were to stab yourself with a pen. It's gonna hurt like hell when you do it because you have introduced something to MAKE you be in pain. Does that make sense?
So in my un-professional opinion...there is something that introduces the pain behind your kneecap or within the surrounding tissues when you bend and straighten your leg. It only makes sense. I didn't realize that you have almost complete flexion and extension. THAT IS WONDERFUL!!!
And if it IS a nerve or nerve impulse that is causing pain, ask if you can try Lyrica or another "pain med" that targets nerves. After reading your thread (please...correct me if I am wrong), you don't have constant pain (?) ...mostly pain when you try to sit and when you stand from a sitting position. Is this right? And then that stabbing pain radiates and causes that deep, deep pain that goes to the core of your bones. Is this correct also? Jo...any other suggestions for a med to calm nerves?
OP
OP
Coachie
senior
I don't want to go to the pain management person but my PCP has told me that she can "no longer help me" and that is her only suggestion. The one she referred me to is the Maine Rehab Outpatient Center. The Dr. is Dr. Arabadjis.
I cannot take Ultram/Tramadol because I take Cymbalta. I was taking it right after my surgery, and then was put on Zoloft because the orthopedic I saw in November (Dr. M!) told my pcp that I was "severely depressed" and that was why my knee hurt. Yes, I'm depressed, and go to counseling to try to deal with it, but it's because of the knee pain and not being able to do anything! Anyway- once I was put on the Zoloft, I could not take more than 1-2 Ultram a day due to the chance of Serotonin Syndrome, so since December have pretty much suffered from pain. I occasionally can take a Tylenol 3, but have to take Benedryl with it because it gives me hives so I can't take that very often. I can take Tylenol and that does nothing.
Then after seeing Dr. W (in Bangor) in April, my pcp changed me from the Zoloft to the Cymbalta per his request since he thought it was all nerve related. Well, my EMG showed NO nerve or muscle damage, so it's not that, but I have continued to take the Cymbalta. With the Cymbalta, I cannot take any Ultram at all, so was back to having no pain relief since the Cymbalta either hasn't kicked in yet, or is ineffective for me. So, last week my pcp prescribed some Lidocaine patches for me to wear. I've worn them every day for almost two weeks now and there is no relief.
Today was not a good day either. My knee was quite unhappy and earlier when my phone rang, I started to stand up and realized that I really didn't want to because it hurt too much, so I let it ring.
I have cried quiet a bit today because I am hurting so much and have realized that I have no options for pain relief at this time. I have no one to call for help and to be honest, there is no help to get. The two orthopedics I am in contact with are both on vacation until the middle or end of the month, and my pcp has told me she cannot do anything else to help me. It is devastating to me to know that I am out of options. I don't know what else to do :(
My pain is often there- but much more prevalent when in the process of standing or sitting. I cannot walk without pain around the tibial plateau, cannot sit with my legs bent without pain under and around the knee cap, and at night once I lie down, I will ache and ache. I cannot walk without limping. I am using a cane around the house and if I go to the yard at all. At school I sit completely and teach from my chair (which I absolutely hate!) I cannot stand up for any length of time without supporting myself either against a ledge, with a chair, counter, etc.
I honestly do not know what to do anymore.
I cannot take Ultram/Tramadol because I take Cymbalta. I was taking it right after my surgery, and then was put on Zoloft because the orthopedic I saw in November (Dr. M!) told my pcp that I was "severely depressed" and that was why my knee hurt. Yes, I'm depressed, and go to counseling to try to deal with it, but it's because of the knee pain and not being able to do anything! Anyway- once I was put on the Zoloft, I could not take more than 1-2 Ultram a day due to the chance of Serotonin Syndrome, so since December have pretty much suffered from pain. I occasionally can take a Tylenol 3, but have to take Benedryl with it because it gives me hives so I can't take that very often. I can take Tylenol and that does nothing.
Then after seeing Dr. W (in Bangor) in April, my pcp changed me from the Zoloft to the Cymbalta per his request since he thought it was all nerve related. Well, my EMG showed NO nerve or muscle damage, so it's not that, but I have continued to take the Cymbalta. With the Cymbalta, I cannot take any Ultram at all, so was back to having no pain relief since the Cymbalta either hasn't kicked in yet, or is ineffective for me. So, last week my pcp prescribed some Lidocaine patches for me to wear. I've worn them every day for almost two weeks now and there is no relief.
Today was not a good day either. My knee was quite unhappy and earlier when my phone rang, I started to stand up and realized that I really didn't want to because it hurt too much, so I let it ring.
I have cried quiet a bit today because I am hurting so much and have realized that I have no options for pain relief at this time. I have no one to call for help and to be honest, there is no help to get. The two orthopedics I am in contact with are both on vacation until the middle or end of the month, and my pcp has told me she cannot do anything else to help me. It is devastating to me to know that I am out of options. I don't know what else to do :(
My pain is often there- but much more prevalent when in the process of standing or sitting. I cannot walk without pain around the tibial plateau, cannot sit with my legs bent without pain under and around the knee cap, and at night once I lie down, I will ache and ache. I cannot walk without limping. I am using a cane around the house and if I go to the yard at all. At school I sit completely and teach from my chair (which I absolutely hate!) I cannot stand up for any length of time without supporting myself either against a ledge, with a chair, counter, etc.
I honestly do not know what to do anymore.
RestAssured
alpha
Coachie,
What baffles me is the fact that they tell you don't take Cymbalta and Ultram on the same day! I did when I was in pain, at the doctor's request and did not have any problems with the combo!:wink1:
I don't take either of them now, but they served their purpose when I used them together.
Cymbalta by itself is not a sufficient pain reliever! You need more than aspirin at this point also.
What baffles me is the fact that they tell you don't take Cymbalta and Ultram on the same day! I did when I was in pain, at the doctor's request and did not have any problems with the combo!:wink1:
I don't take either of them now, but they served their purpose when I used them together.
Cymbalta by itself is not a sufficient pain reliever! You need more than aspirin at this point also.
OP
OP
Coachie
senior
Cymbalta by itself is not a sufficient pain reliever! You need more than aspirin at this point also.
I agree, but no-one seems to hear me or understand that I need more than just Tylenol. Unfortunately I am allergic to pretty much every narcotic and nsaid's in the book. I am highly allergic to Ibuprofen and aspirin (facial and throat swelling) as is my twin sister so that limits what I can do for pain.
I've had a rough week and am trying so dang hard to be positive, but am not quite succeeding :(
Coachie, there is a pain management guy in Ellsworth, Dr. Peter Just, an anesthesiologist. I'm sure you could get in to see him much much sooner. It's a 40 minute drive beyond Bangor.
Since the cymbalta is not working, I agree with wanttoride that the next option to try is Lyrica. Someone on here, can't remember who, raves about it.
My knee acted up a little the past coupla days too, so I agree that the weather may be contributing. At least we didn't have a tornado visit like other parts of Maine.
Since the cymbalta is not working, I agree with wanttoride that the next option to try is Lyrica. Someone on here, can't remember who, raves about it.
My knee acted up a little the past coupla days too, so I agree that the weather may be contributing. At least we didn't have a tornado visit like other parts of Maine.
OP
OP
Coachie
senior
I'm taking Cymbalta because it also helps with depression. Lyrica is more for damaged nerves and nerve pain and I don't have nerve pain nor do I have any nerve damage.
wanttoride
senior
Hi Coachie! (big hug),
I hear you on the nerve drugs. If the EMG didn't show nerve damage, then why take meds for nerve pain. You ARE in control. So....stop taking the Cymbalta. As for depression, I've been on about everything. The ONLY depression med that worked for me is Lexapro. I have taken it for 3 years, and for the most part, no side effects. Let's concentrate on the depression for right now. You've got to get something that works for you.
I was (I'll explain in a minute) taking 20mg of lexapro per day. I stopped taking it a month ago so that I could go on this new drug Amitriptolyn. I've been on that for a week. Today, I've decided to stop it. This is why: first, it's GREAT for sleeping. That's it. Does nothing for the pain. Yeah...I know you have to take it for a few weeks to get it "into your system", but this is NOT a good drug for me. This is the second day that I've woken up and feeling like a caged PITBULL! I wanna hit something, scream at anybody and I have no patience with anything or anybody. This is NOT good!!!! I feel like I'm running a race...standing or sitting still. I feel like my blood is boiling...literally. I'm doing everything I can to supress these feelings, and finally...just told my hubby that he better watch out cause I'm gonna bite! This is NOT me. So....I'm done with the "A" drug. Now I've got to wait a few days before re-starting my Lexapro. I love Lexapro!
I think you should see if you can give it a try. I can't remember all the other anti-depressants they put me on, but I tried Paxil, Cymbalta, Zoloft (nasty!) and Prozac. The Lexapro helps me deal with every day stress, my mood and thinking, etc. and it's great for those days before your period if you get "moody".
I've never heard of the pain doctor you mentioned, nor the Maine Rehab Outpatient Center. If you are going to see a pain specialist, I would think your PCP would refer you to a pain specialist.
I'm gonna throw this out there, seeing your are really having a bad day and are at wits end with all of this.
After reading your posts above, I'd be ticked. In my opinion, I think you should do all your talking with Dr. Walsh. He can get you into a pain specialist. It sounds like your PCP doesn't have a clue...I'm sorry to say that, but I'm really questioning this referral. Tell Dr. Walsh (or your PCP if they will listen) that you want OFF the Cymbalta, and you would like to try the Lexapro. Then, tell Dr. Walsh that you have had it. Be blunt. Be direct. If he cannot help you, then you need a referral to Boston. NOT the Lahey Clinic. You are not in a good place right now. Tell him that. Be aggressive. Be a PITBULL!!!!! You are coming up on a year, and SOMEBODY should be willing to look at you and try to help. There is obviously something wrong. Demand a CT scan or MRI. Something! These people have GOT to know that living this way is NOT acceptable, and waiting 2-3 months is not an option.
Have you written the letter to Dr. Kelly and/or OA of Portland yet?
I hear you on the nerve drugs. If the EMG didn't show nerve damage, then why take meds for nerve pain. You ARE in control. So....stop taking the Cymbalta. As for depression, I've been on about everything. The ONLY depression med that worked for me is Lexapro. I have taken it for 3 years, and for the most part, no side effects. Let's concentrate on the depression for right now. You've got to get something that works for you.
I was (I'll explain in a minute) taking 20mg of lexapro per day. I stopped taking it a month ago so that I could go on this new drug Amitriptolyn. I've been on that for a week. Today, I've decided to stop it. This is why: first, it's GREAT for sleeping. That's it. Does nothing for the pain. Yeah...I know you have to take it for a few weeks to get it "into your system", but this is NOT a good drug for me. This is the second day that I've woken up and feeling like a caged PITBULL! I wanna hit something, scream at anybody and I have no patience with anything or anybody. This is NOT good!!!! I feel like I'm running a race...standing or sitting still. I feel like my blood is boiling...literally. I'm doing everything I can to supress these feelings, and finally...just told my hubby that he better watch out cause I'm gonna bite! This is NOT me. So....I'm done with the "A" drug. Now I've got to wait a few days before re-starting my Lexapro. I love Lexapro!
I think you should see if you can give it a try. I can't remember all the other anti-depressants they put me on, but I tried Paxil, Cymbalta, Zoloft (nasty!) and Prozac. The Lexapro helps me deal with every day stress, my mood and thinking, etc. and it's great for those days before your period if you get "moody". I've never heard of the pain doctor you mentioned, nor the Maine Rehab Outpatient Center. If you are going to see a pain specialist, I would think your PCP would refer you to a pain specialist.
I'm gonna throw this out there, seeing your are really having a bad day and are at wits end with all of this.
After reading your posts above, I'd be ticked. In my opinion, I think you should do all your talking with Dr. Walsh. He can get you into a pain specialist. It sounds like your PCP doesn't have a clue...I'm sorry to say that, but I'm really questioning this referral. Tell Dr. Walsh (or your PCP if they will listen) that you want OFF the Cymbalta, and you would like to try the Lexapro. Then, tell Dr. Walsh that you have had it. Be blunt. Be direct. If he cannot help you, then you need a referral to Boston. NOT the Lahey Clinic. You are not in a good place right now. Tell him that. Be aggressive. Be a PITBULL!!!!! You are coming up on a year, and SOMEBODY should be willing to look at you and try to help. There is obviously something wrong. Demand a CT scan or MRI. Something! These people have GOT to know that living this way is NOT acceptable, and waiting 2-3 months is not an option.
Have you written the letter to Dr. Kelly and/or OA of Portland yet?
OP
OP
Coachie
senior
I hope I don't come across as rude as that is not my intent, but I have DONE all of those things. Dr. Walsh is currently on vacation until the middle or end of June, so I can't call him. I have been aggressive, have told every single person that I have talked to that I am at the end of my rope and that I am desperate. Utterly and completely desperate. I had an MRI on Monday of my lower back to see if that is the reason for my pain; I've had an EMG and a bone scan. I've told people over and over again that I CANNOT wait anymore and yet I still wait. I told Dr. Walsh two weeks ago that I was at the end of my rope- I am on the cancellation list, but nothing has changed.
I have been nice; I've been witchy, I've been compassionate, I've been sad, I've been all of the above with my doctors yet nothing seems to work.
This is the place my doctor referred me to:
broken link removed: https://www.emmc.org/maine_rehab_center.aspx
wanttoride
senior
You could never come across as rude, Coachie. We that are in pain and want answers and are desperate often appologize. No apology necessary. I haven't read all your posts, so I just wasn't sure. I'm behind you every step of the way. I'm sooo sorry that you are going through this. I am wishing, praying and hoping that one of these people will guide you to the correct place where you can get answers and relief :doggieshmooze:.
wanttoride
senior
Coachie, can I ask why you ended up having knee replacements at such an early age? Did you have previous surgeries to your knees? I have DJD (degenerative joint disorder) and my left knee, jaw and right shoulder have all gotten hit with it. I had 5 surgeries on my left knee before my knee replacement. The one prior to my TKR was called a "McKay procedure". My kneecap was hitting bone, so they "lifted" the kneecap off the bone by slicing into the tibia, folding the bottom part onto the top part, and securing it with screws. The "bone" was then put under the kneecap to keep it from rubbing. I was told this procedure would get me by for maybe 4 years...I got 6 out of it! That was the last and final thing they could do for me other than a TKR, so they told me. Cortizone shots, scraping the knee arthroscopically, etc. All was done to "bide time". Can you tell me your pre-TKR story?
OP
OP
Coachie
senior
I have had knee issues since I was very young and I usually worked and played through the pain. When I was in high school, I tore the ACL and meniscus in my right knee and then 3 months later tore the MCL in my left knee. I had surgery for my right knee, but just wore a brace for 4 months for my left knee. I pushed through it all and continued to be an aggressive downhill skier and ski coach until 2005 when I hit a jump and landed the wrong way and ended up hurting my left knee. I ended up having a scope about 2 months later and at that time, Dr. Swett (the Dover-Foxcroft ortho) told me that I was bone on bone. I sucked it up until the summer of 2008 when I fell in the woods and went back to him. We tried synvisc and cortisone, but nothing helped so in March of 2009, he went back in to do a scope to see what it looked like. I had no cartilage left, so he told me my only option to live without so much pain was to have a tkr. So I had one.
I followed the same route with my right knee and in January of 2010, had a scope and he said the same thing about me having no salvageable cartilage so we did my right knee then.
I've been tested for rheumatoid arthritis and all of that and there is no sign of it. I guess just being too hard on my joints as a young kid?
I followed the same route with my right knee and in January of 2010, had a scope and he said the same thing about me having no salvageable cartilage so we did my right knee then.
I've been tested for rheumatoid arthritis and all of that and there is no sign of it. I guess just being too hard on my joints as a young kid?
OP
OP
Coachie
senior
I called my PCP's office today to see if there was a chance of getting into another clinic or orthopedic's office. I called at 9:30 this morning. No one called me back, so I'll have to wait until Monday to see if there is anything else I can do. In the meantime, I am just going to continue to hold on...
I was wondering, though- if I went to an ER, would that speed anything up or would it just be a waste of money and time? Would they be able to give me anything for pain or be able to help me out at all?
Oh, and my insurance will not pay for orthopedics outside of Maine unless there is a life and death emergency. I cannot afford to pay for an appointment without the help of insurance.
I don't want to switch my anti-depressant again at this point. I've got to give the Cymbalta at least 8 weeks before giving up on it.
I was wondering, though- if I went to an ER, would that speed anything up or would it just be a waste of money and time? Would they be able to give me anything for pain or be able to help me out at all?
Oh, and my insurance will not pay for orthopedics outside of Maine unless there is a life and death emergency. I cannot afford to pay for an appointment without the help of insurance.
I don't want to switch my anti-depressant again at this point. I've got to give the Cymbalta at least 8 weeks before giving up on it.
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