BrnEydGrl
member
Hello Everyone and Happy New Year,
I am brand new at this and really need some advice and help. I had a right TKR 11/26/2012. I am 62, a relatively new widow, and have just moved to the area one year ago to help my 92 year old mom and step-dad with Parkinsons. They are both now in assisted living and I have moved into their little cape cod.
A little background on me. I was told I needed a replacement from three different doctors in three different states! My husband and I were National Park Rangers and moved quite a bit, it was wonderful. We were married 40 years and he passed with a sudden cardiac arrest, no warning. I was, and still am devastated. I put off the surgery until my parents were safe and situated.
I do not know a soul in the area and did not know where to start. I went to one doctor for a meniscus tear repair a year ago and was not really comfortable with him. I did a web search and found someone to meet with and even though it was a short visit I set up the surgery. He said "not to worry, the surgery is "nothing" and if you have any pain it will be managed." That was exactly what I was told. I then asked anyone, and I mean anyone, store clerks, secretaries, if they have heard of him. I did get one main reaction "he is an 'assembly line' and I would not go to him". Well, I thought, I do not care if it is a assembly line as long as he is good. I do not need anyone to hold my hand. Boy, was I wrong and now I understand what people meant.
Well, I never saw him again, until right after the surgery for five seconds, him saying "all went well." I was pre-scheduled to see him five weeks later for post op.
I had a terrible time with the hospital case worker who evidently did not like to do paperwork. When I went in for blood work, etc I met with her. She showed me what a room looked like, said this particular doctor keeps patients 2 nights and that was it. I explained I did not know anyone, I was a widow and bedroom was on the second floor. She said that insurance would not pay for a bed downstairs and I only had to go up one flight of stairs one time at night. (I have federal insurance and had no problem) She then said I needed nothing else. I asked about a "lift" for the commode, she said it was not needed because "I was short." Then she tried to set up physical therapy and I explained I had no one to take me and wanted it done in the home. She said they did not like to do that and "maybe" I could get someone for a week or two to come to my house. I was devastated and contacted a friend and asked if she could fly out to help me. She came and stayed a week and a half after coming home from surgery. Thank goodness!
I then had the surgery. It was surely not "nothing." I have had surgeries in the past, right after hubby died I was diagnosed with uterine cancer and had a total hysterectomy. I also had the meniscus surgery and bulged several discs in my back years ago and other minor surgeries. I knew one thing, Percoset only worked about 1½ to 2 hours on me and Vicodin was one step up from plain Tylenol. I explained this to them several times.
The doctor did not believe in compression socks or that movement machine, he said they did not work. I had MAJOR swelling and bruising as was told by the nurses that was typical from this doctor because he did not use drains? Needless to say, my pain was never controlled. All I kept hearing was, "this is how your doctor does it." Percoset every 4 hours was not doing it! They finally used dilaudid and I had a few hours of relief but then back to Percoset.
The following day they tried to get me out of bed. My knee was so swollen I could not do any therapy and barely walk five feet. That second night again was hell and the house doctor or someone added Oxycontin on a 12 hours schedule. The following day I told the house doctor it did not work and he said it would take a while to kick in and that pain medication would not take care of all the pain. I was aware of that. The nurses said I should be released that day. I was shocked and the therapist said no way! They kept me one more night.
Another night from hell and a nurse telling me just to "breathe" and she could not give me any more Percoset. I again explained that drug does not work and they wanted to give me Vicodin per the doctor! I just wanted to go home. I still could barely walk but finally the day I was to leave they got be to walk to the doorway and back with the walker. They took out the catheter and released me with 5 days worth of Percoset.
I had a home nurse that checked on me twice a week and a therapist that had her "set exercises" even though I told her I could not bend the knee and cried she insisted on the same exercises. Next time, same thing. I asked if I could do a different one to get it to bend that was not as painful? She ignored me, it was hell. She never even looked at my knee or under the bandages. It was a huge sausage!
The nurse understood but they never spoke or saw one another. My doctor's office never called to check on me so my therapist called them to let them know I can only bend 47 degrees. Guess that meant nothing to them. My friend had to go to the office to get the script again, they only gave it for 5 days. I called them and let them know my friend was leaving and asked if the script could be for 10 days because I will have no one to drive there and pick it up. They said NO! I got so upset they said ok 6 days and stretch it out. I was taking two of the 5 mg Percoset every 4-6 hours. This was unreal and I figured I would tell the doc when I saw him in the 10 days.
Well, no doctor at the post op, just his assistant. My knee was at 50 degrees and he said, work with the new therapist as an out patient, and see you in three months. We do not consider manipulations until then. He did not seem concerned and gave me a script for another week.
I decided to call two days before the meds ran out and they said no more Percoset, only vicodin. I explained my therapist and I felt I still had to have the Percoset since we were trying to push through this ROM.
I am now at 60 with two weeks of hellish therapy. Finally after having a total meltdown and had my insurance company case worker call they gave me 2 days worth. (they have been helping since my husband passed)I insisted to have the doc call me, he did not. They said if I needed any more they would call in Vicodin. I said, fine, I was so tired of fighting but please give me the strongest because it normally does not work. I went today to pick it up and it is the lowest, 5-500.
I am so disgusted, I have a knee I cannot bend and am still in so much pain and alone. I am going to contact my regular doctor, I explained what was going on a few weeks ago and he said if I needed help to call him. He knows me and understands when you need help with pain you should have it, not abuse it, but have it. This is so ridiculous, I could see if I abused the drugs by using to much etc. but have not. It has been a month and I have followed the prescription to the letter, even pushing it a little when I can. I have never been treated this way and being totally alone makes it even worse.(big sigh)
I am brand new at this and really need some advice and help. I had a right TKR 11/26/2012. I am 62, a relatively new widow, and have just moved to the area one year ago to help my 92 year old mom and step-dad with Parkinsons. They are both now in assisted living and I have moved into their little cape cod.
A little background on me. I was told I needed a replacement from three different doctors in three different states! My husband and I were National Park Rangers and moved quite a bit, it was wonderful. We were married 40 years and he passed with a sudden cardiac arrest, no warning. I was, and still am devastated. I put off the surgery until my parents were safe and situated.
I do not know a soul in the area and did not know where to start. I went to one doctor for a meniscus tear repair a year ago and was not really comfortable with him. I did a web search and found someone to meet with and even though it was a short visit I set up the surgery. He said "not to worry, the surgery is "nothing" and if you have any pain it will be managed." That was exactly what I was told. I then asked anyone, and I mean anyone, store clerks, secretaries, if they have heard of him. I did get one main reaction "he is an 'assembly line' and I would not go to him". Well, I thought, I do not care if it is a assembly line as long as he is good. I do not need anyone to hold my hand. Boy, was I wrong and now I understand what people meant.
Well, I never saw him again, until right after the surgery for five seconds, him saying "all went well." I was pre-scheduled to see him five weeks later for post op.
I had a terrible time with the hospital case worker who evidently did not like to do paperwork. When I went in for blood work, etc I met with her. She showed me what a room looked like, said this particular doctor keeps patients 2 nights and that was it. I explained I did not know anyone, I was a widow and bedroom was on the second floor. She said that insurance would not pay for a bed downstairs and I only had to go up one flight of stairs one time at night. (I have federal insurance and had no problem) She then said I needed nothing else. I asked about a "lift" for the commode, she said it was not needed because "I was short." Then she tried to set up physical therapy and I explained I had no one to take me and wanted it done in the home. She said they did not like to do that and "maybe" I could get someone for a week or two to come to my house. I was devastated and contacted a friend and asked if she could fly out to help me. She came and stayed a week and a half after coming home from surgery. Thank goodness!
I then had the surgery. It was surely not "nothing." I have had surgeries in the past, right after hubby died I was diagnosed with uterine cancer and had a total hysterectomy. I also had the meniscus surgery and bulged several discs in my back years ago and other minor surgeries. I knew one thing, Percoset only worked about 1½ to 2 hours on me and Vicodin was one step up from plain Tylenol. I explained this to them several times.
The doctor did not believe in compression socks or that movement machine, he said they did not work. I had MAJOR swelling and bruising as was told by the nurses that was typical from this doctor because he did not use drains? Needless to say, my pain was never controlled. All I kept hearing was, "this is how your doctor does it." Percoset every 4 hours was not doing it! They finally used dilaudid and I had a few hours of relief but then back to Percoset.
The following day they tried to get me out of bed. My knee was so swollen I could not do any therapy and barely walk five feet. That second night again was hell and the house doctor or someone added Oxycontin on a 12 hours schedule. The following day I told the house doctor it did not work and he said it would take a while to kick in and that pain medication would not take care of all the pain. I was aware of that. The nurses said I should be released that day. I was shocked and the therapist said no way! They kept me one more night.
Another night from hell and a nurse telling me just to "breathe" and she could not give me any more Percoset. I again explained that drug does not work and they wanted to give me Vicodin per the doctor! I just wanted to go home. I still could barely walk but finally the day I was to leave they got be to walk to the doorway and back with the walker. They took out the catheter and released me with 5 days worth of Percoset.
I had a home nurse that checked on me twice a week and a therapist that had her "set exercises" even though I told her I could not bend the knee and cried she insisted on the same exercises. Next time, same thing. I asked if I could do a different one to get it to bend that was not as painful? She ignored me, it was hell. She never even looked at my knee or under the bandages. It was a huge sausage!
The nurse understood but they never spoke or saw one another. My doctor's office never called to check on me so my therapist called them to let them know I can only bend 47 degrees. Guess that meant nothing to them. My friend had to go to the office to get the script again, they only gave it for 5 days. I called them and let them know my friend was leaving and asked if the script could be for 10 days because I will have no one to drive there and pick it up. They said NO! I got so upset they said ok 6 days and stretch it out. I was taking two of the 5 mg Percoset every 4-6 hours. This was unreal and I figured I would tell the doc when I saw him in the 10 days.
Well, no doctor at the post op, just his assistant. My knee was at 50 degrees and he said, work with the new therapist as an out patient, and see you in three months. We do not consider manipulations until then. He did not seem concerned and gave me a script for another week.
I decided to call two days before the meds ran out and they said no more Percoset, only vicodin. I explained my therapist and I felt I still had to have the Percoset since we were trying to push through this ROM.
I am now at 60 with two weeks of hellish therapy. Finally after having a total meltdown and had my insurance company case worker call they gave me 2 days worth. (they have been helping since my husband passed)I insisted to have the doc call me, he did not. They said if I needed any more they would call in Vicodin. I said, fine, I was so tired of fighting but please give me the strongest because it normally does not work. I went today to pick it up and it is the lowest, 5-500.
I am so disgusted, I have a knee I cannot bend and am still in so much pain and alone. I am going to contact my regular doctor, I explained what was going on a few weeks ago and he said if I needed help to call him. He knows me and understands when you need help with pain you should have it, not abuse it, but have it. This is so ridiculous, I could see if I abused the drugs by using to much etc. but have not. It has been a month and I have followed the prescription to the letter, even pushing it a little when I can. I have never been treated this way and being totally alone makes it even worse.(big sigh)