Bilateral THR Mar2016 - Right Knee Objecting Now<

[Krista]

Joe, make your posts as long as you want! What you say will resonate with someone, that's for sure. I, too, was in pretty good shape in 2014. We spent our vacation of two weeks hiking and camping all over a wilderness island in Lake Michigan. Now I can hardly walk a few blocks on a flat surface with aids! I know that I am finally improving, though, and I have high hopes for 2017. Having concerns about the future is a worrying, real thing, and you are entitled to have those feelings and to talk about them, especially here! When parts of our bodies don't work right, we are naturally down in the dumps.

And you are in that awful waiting period, knowing something is wrong, not knowing the diagnosis and the treatment plan. I was in that limbo for 5 months. And then I spent another 7 months waiting for my surgery. But I didn't have a family to support, so I had far fewer worries. I'm hoping you have your MRI soon, and the results, and are able to move on with whatever the next step is.

 

[julesglass]

Morning from s.e.Iowa @Irish Joe. Just got okay from OS for next follow up next Sept. He said my left hip is in the future for replacement. I have felt a small twinge of pain in it I know from years ago in my right hip. Docs thought I was crazy then, they could move my leg no problem, I couldn't move it on my own without pain. As I say "duh who'd figure!" Anyway we are on our way to a brighter future.

 

[Irish Joe]

Hi Guy's.

To the USA people on Bonesmart. There is only one other place that I ever could see myself living in apart from the small town that I've lived in all my life. 'Port Jefferson NY'. I stayed there for a friends wedding in the autumn some years ago and loved the place.

@julesglass your posts touched me as I have a 'special' brother who enriches my life. And we all have down days and things to deal with but of course we will get along cos that's what we do.

@Krista wise words as usual. concerns about the future will turn Into memories of the past. You'll have a splendid 2017. The crystal clear waters of lake Michigan await you.

The crazy thing about health in Ireland is this. I have Private Health Insurance. I have to have it because I'm self employed and not even entitled to be in the public health system. I also have Income protection because being self employed I'm not entitled to sick benefit either I jest you not. I'm not complaining though because with private health insurance I got my MRI appointment for Sunday, Report sent to Doctors on Monday, Referral Tuesday and OS appointment on Thursday all of next week. And any procedure within about 1 month.

Public Health Service. 3 to 4 months for MRI, 2 months 'till doc gets report, 4/6 months 'till OS appointment and (yes) 6/12 months untill procedure. Often these steps happen in the same facilities. The care is essentially the same but its obvious where the Insurance gets you.

On a lighter note. ONLY IN IRELAND Going to an opera tomorrow night at the seaside on the east coast. I'm not an opera buff but I always enjoy It. Its a yearly event. Outdoors weather permitting. Just got the News that its on. Forecast 4 degrees. Pass me my hat, coat, boots, scarf, gloves. Blow it, get me a other coat.

Did I say I was done with long posts.

Be well good people..... Joe.

 

[Cas]

don't mind your "bad humour" we all have bad days and it's good to vent your emotions on here where we are all in the same boat! Know what you mean about within a year you can't do all the things you used to. Foolishly I thought once I had the surgery I would only be a few weeks before I was back to "normal". Now I know better and it's true what they say - it's a roller coaster ride! Things do improve though, day by day it gets better. Patience is not my strong point ( at least not with myself - used to teach 5-7 year olds with endless patience and love ). Those were the days, I couldn't wait to get to school LOL ! Keep going and be kind to yourself.

 

[Josephine]

Thanks for the advice re ibuprofen. I know it can be hard on the stomach though it doesn't seem to bother me at all.

Evidence is that you can get adverse reactions form NSAIDs after only one or two doses and never mind if you've taken it a lot previously or never before - it doesn't matter.

What actually gets to me the most (though I would call myself positive) is that in 2014 I could run, jump, walk anywhere and do a full days work and socialise without thinking. Then one day I get a pain in the groin and now in 2016 I can hardly manage a 6hr day at work never mind the rest.

Don't fret about that. Within the year you'll be prancing around like a youngster again. I think you could do with some positive encouragement so I suggest you take a browse in here and see how other hippies have faired Stories of amazing knee recoveries

I'm going to try to keep my posts shorter from now if I can.

Don't you worry about that! We're more than accustomed to long posts here!

 

[Irish Joe]

@Josephine. Thanks for the observations re NSAIDs. Do you think I should chuck them altogether and just stick with the paracetamol?

Also the recovery stories are inspiring. Talk about Positive Encouragement........ eldest son says to me this evening that I should have a Multi-Joint donor card to go with my multi-organ donor card. You wouldn't be in the doldrums in this house for to long believe me. I'm sure you'll be delighted to learn that 3 in the house are Nurses (wife and 2 sons).

Thanks BoneSmart.

Keep well. Joe.
(MRI Sunday 9am)

 

[julesglass]

Ohhh @Irish Joe! You are such a card! You got hand warmers for those gloves? I've never been to an opera, sounds "cool". I'm going to bowling party Sunday. Going to throw one ball. It will either be in the gutter or not make it to the pins. I don't care, just to do it after I figure 16 years. Having some fun in the journey.

 

[Irish Joe]

One Word before I turn in @julesglass.
......STRIKE........
Slán.

 

[SwimGirl]

@Irish Joe So happy you have a houseful of Nurses! You are most fortunate! Just giving my 2 cents worth.....chuck the NSAIDS! An ulcer diet is no fun! No chocolate, coffee, wine, sweets, all the things I love I gave up for about 5 months. Lost 20 pounds! Not the way I wanted to. So, get off that stuff. Wish I had someone tell me that in advance. Stay healthy! Fresh fruits and veggies! No NSAIDS!

 

[Irish Joe]

@SwimGirl. I tossed the ibuprofen this morning. Just took paracetamol today. Lets see how things go. What do you take for pain/stiffness. What does the BoneSmart community think about Glucosamine and Krill oil.
Joe.

 

[Josephine]

What do you take for pain/stiffness.

Paracetamol! But is the 1,000mg 4 times a day not managing your pain?

What does the BoneSmart community think about Glucosamine and Krill oil.

Not a lot! Of all the studies I have read, I have yet to find one that says anything positive about them. Just placebos, really.

 

[Irish Joe]

@Josephine. We'll see whether the 1000mg X4 paracetamol does the trick over the next few days. My right knee is very stiff all the time but I wouldn't say its painful if you understand what I mean. Before the BTHR I had uncomfortable back pain but I still have a little due to somewhat poor gait I think. I wonder sometimes am I still not fully recoverd from the Bi-lateral surgery even though its 9 months. What do you think I Should take if the paracetamol doesn't do the trick.
MRI in the morning on knee so I'll know more then.
Thanks Josephine. Joe.

 

[Josephine]

My right knee is very stiff all the time but I wouldn't say its painful if you understand what I mean.

Stiffness is a form of pain, my friend.

I wonder sometimes am I still not fully recovered from the Bi-lateral surgery even though its 9 months.

Very astute of you! Full recovery can take a year or more.

What do you think I Should take if the paracetamol doesn't do the trick.

I would speak with your GP.

 

[Irish Joe]

Thanks @Josephine. Informative and helpful as always. I recently chatted with a lady who had 2 hips replaced (not Bi-lats). The first she said was better in 16 weeks. The second took 18 MONTHS. There's no set of rules for this.
Joe.

 

[Josephine]

Nope, that's a certainty for sure! It's even worse/longer for knees!

 

[SwimGirl]

@Irish Joe I agree with Josephine. Tylenol extra strength for pain and stiffness. I know that long term use can affect the liver as well. I take it sparingly. Only as needed. It is only to take the edge off of discomfort!
I believe paracetamol is same as Tylenol.

Also, my left hip is not happy about recovering like my right hip. Has a mind of it's own!
Therefore have not rushed PT. Not doing anything til January. Thanks to Josephine saying hips will recover on their own if given half a chance. A pass to relax! Merry Christmas!

 

[Irish Joe]

@SwimGirl. Panadol extra strength (as its called here) from now on thanks to you and @Josephine. Give your leg ALL the time it needs. I got both done together and one was way slower than the other.
Knee saga continues. MRI Today and app with OS (same guy as hips) on Thu. We'll see what happens. Maybe a shot of cortisone will help. Its bothering me less at the moment.
Be well. Joe.

 

[julesglass]

Augh@Irish Joe. I came up one short of a strike. It was best of throwing 3 balls. Not to say I don't pay, however just to do it..

 

[Irish Joe]

@julesglass. Well done your a pro.
I went out last night for a while too. Winter opera semi-outdoors. Very enjoyable. We all need to realise that its really the simple things that matter most. Family, Friends, Good Health, Contentment.
Stay well on your Journeys everyone.
Joe.

 

[Irish Joe]

Hi Guys.
I had my MRI report with the OS today ( guy who did my hips ). He said in simple terms that I have arthritis on the underside or back of my kneecap. He called it something else though he said that otherwise my knee area was normal. I'll put the technical name up when I read the report myself He made no suggestion of anything regarding surgery. He said he has (a touch of) it himself and he keeps it under control with injections. He gave me one of the Injections there and then. Cortisone I think with a little local (anaesthetic I presume) and sent me on my way to return in 3 Months when I have my 1yr hip appointment.
Knee felt "different" straight away but I think the cortisone takes a few days to settle perhaps @Josephine would know.
Here It is "significant osteochondral disease in the lateral patellar facet consistent with degenerative change". The report goes on for quite a bit about the other parts of the knee but basically states that everything else is normal.
I think I should be relieved.
Answers on a postcard please.
Thanks in advance Guys.
JOE.