TKR New Year, New Knee - Jan. 3, 2017<

[Jockette]

I’m glad you came away with satisfaction!

 

[Knees4Me]

@jaschembra - A big congrats on your one-year review - a year after we got our left TKRs. It sounds as if you're getting there, which is great. By comparison, my knee is excruciatingly painful right now. It got worse two days ago. I can't believe this is happening just before we leave for Jamaica on Saturday! Physio yesterday helped marginally. I 'm taking a page from your book, swallowing my pride and trying to book wheelchairs at both airports. But I was on the phone with Air Canada for three hours today and when a rep finally answered, she couldn't hear me and hung up! I'll try again tomorrow. There's no way I can walk through airports. A difference between you and me is that I can walk only a few steps before I'm in terrible pain, even with my trusty cane. And I had to stop the recumbent bike cuz it made my knee feel as if it's in a meat grinder! Yuck!!

 

[jaschembra]

@Knees4Me Yes! Definitely use the wheelchair at the airports. Even if you don't get through by phone, ask for it once you arrive at the airport. I'm so sorry you are in such pain, sounds so much worse than mine. However, after your trip, which I do hope you can enjoy by soaking up some warmth and sun, you can focus on getting that knee fixed. It may be another recovery, but you can't continue in your current situation. Have a great trip!

 

[SusieShoes]

I’m so happy to hear your implant is sound and you can go forward without fear of that. Fear that something’s wrong with the implant can drive any soul to making themselves sick. It’s even better that your OS has come up with a plan for your pain! I’m crossing all fingers that it works and you get some relief. I just love your positive attitude. Let this be the year that you get the good results you so deserve.

 

[flyaway79]

@Knees4Me Exactly! Don’t even worry about wasting time trying to call the airline. Just ask when you checkin at the airport. They will put it in your record and you will also have it for the return flight.

 

[Knees4Me]

@jaschembra - Thanks, Julie. And thanks for the advice about wheelchairs! I finally got through to book my wheelchairs at each end. Yay! My back has also gone out, so I need them even more now. Thank goodness the resort is small! Are you planning to go to FL this year? Keep taking good care of that knee. Are you still thinking of getting a second opinion? Or did you talk to your OS about further tests or your RTKR? Onward and upward in our own ways in 2018!

 

[jaschembra]

@Knees4Me if I’m still having issues in a few months, I will seek out a 2nd opinion with a revision specialist. As they say here, not to have one, but to have eyes and ears that are trained to look for problems. We did not discuss my right knee since the last time we did he said wait until the left ones becomes my dominant knee. It’s not yet, but I do believe the day will come when it will be. No Florida this year unless it’s last minute in May (no hurricane season this time). My mom just flew down yesterday - last year when she left for Florida, she left one daughter caring for her youngest daughter (me), at her townhouse and her baby was crying with 10/10 pain! Someday I hope to forget that first few days when my OS hadn’t given me enough pain medicine!!

But hey... at the OS office yesterday, I weighed exactly what I did last year! And it’s a good weight. Good for my bionic pieces

 

[Fractured]

I had a TKR Dec 2013. best thing I ever did. Work it and break up that scar tissue. Best wishes.

 

[SpaceGirl]

Happy 1 year kneeaversary! How exciting I have been mia a bit but just caught up. I am sorry you're still in pain so much, but very glad your OS gave you some things to work with. I hope you do well with the new plan!

 

[Knees4Me]

@jaschembra - Thanks. Congrats on maintaining your weight! I haven't and,as I pack for Jamaica, some clothes are editing themselves...because they're now too tight! Must get back on the straight and narrow when we return. It'll nice to get away, despite a less than ideal weather forecast for the next week in Montego Bay. But it'll be a distraction from what I'll face later this winter. Yes, the pain a year ago was brutal and I'm not keen to go through that again. I've read here and elsewhere that revision surgery can take longer and have a longer recovery time. That's hard to believe, eh? My OS said exactly the same thing when I reminded that my bone-on-bone arthritic right knee also needs replacing. Oh, what a path we're on, if to different degrees. But it's great to have you and others on this forum to compare notes and gripe with, and encourage. My family is so over hearing me complain! I'd better close and get some sleep. Stay warm. The cold is brutal up here in Canada too!!

 

[KarriB]

I know you’ll let us know the Gabapentin works for you and I’m happy for a good 1 year check up!

I’ve been flying a lot lately and took my cane for my left knee. When an airport or airline employee saw the cane they immediately asked if I needed assistance. So, rest assured that someone will be there if needed. Also, you can get pre-boarding if you’re flying an airline that doesn’t reserve seating.

 

[sistersinhim]

at the OS office yesterday, I weighed exactly what I did last year! And it’s a good weight. Good for my bionic pieces

Good for you! You have obviously watched what you've eaten and maintained it well! I wish I weighed what I weighed last year then I wouldn't have to lose so much! Good luck with the Gabapentin.

 

[Jockette]

I started counting Weight Watcher points again yesterday.

In 2011 I became a life time member and let it slip away.

 

[jaschembra]

@Jockette The latest program revisions are GREAT! My OS has a sign in his office that describes the amount of weight your knees carry, a day, based on being over weight by 10 lb, 50 lb, 100 lb and it's amazing so I don't ever want to carry around my extra 50 pounds that I lost (with his chart, walking 4,000 steps in a day, would mean that I was carrying 350 extra tons a day) . When I pick up a bag of horse or chicken feed, I cannot believe I carried that on my body. I don't carry that feed anymore though - I may pick it up from point A and set it down on point B, but no walking. Just can't do it. My upper body can, but not my knees. Maybe someday in the future when they are both bionic, healed knees. Good luck with Weight Watchers. Once a lifetime member, always a lifetime member. You'll get it back.

 

[Jockette]

I know I just need to want it enough! I am doing the 2011 program of Points Plus. Thankfully I kept all my books and info! I need to lose about 20 to get to or close to my goal weight, which was the highest healthy weight for me in their chart.

 

[jaschembra]

...13 months. No change since 12 months except the Gabapentin is allowing me to elliminate anti-inflammatories and acetaminophen from my daily script, for which I am glad. Still trying to listen to my OS in regards to "time... give it time", but I've also been thinking in the back of my mind that I need to seek out a 2nd opinion and I've not had much luck on the internet finding a "revision specialist" to give me the 2nd opinion from someone skilled at looking at problem knees. I do have an OS in mind that does many, many TKR's so I've thought of calling (because you never know how long it could take to get in) to get an appointment. Decisions, decisions...

 

[Jockette]

Yes, these decisions are very hard. I think if I have to go that route I will have to go a bit of a distance. Maybe only 90 minutes to 2 hours, but that’s a long ride post surgery-when your still hurting so much, to go for follow ups and for pain prescriptions when you need to go in person to get them. Both my options will be cities, Baltimore or Philadelphia, so mega traffic. I’m not looking forward to any of that.

I’m still counting on the time thing. Being not fully healed yet I’m not ready to repeat this whole recovery again. At this point I will only do it if there is proof that my implant is loose.

 

[sistersinhim]

I've not had much luck on the internet finding a "revision specialist" to give me the 2nd opinion

I will tag @Jamie to see if she can give you some help finding one.

How is Gabapentin helping you? I haven't been able to get off of Diclofenac yet, and would like an alternative. I don't know if getting off of it causes side effects, but my joints really start to hurt when I'm off for a few days. When I go back on I feel better.

 

[jaschembra]

@sistersinhim Thanks! Diclofeniac is the only anti inflammatory medicine my stomach cannot tolerate. My prescription has always been Meloxicam but it didn’t touch pain really. The Gabapentin doesn’t make it all go away, but it must be helping because I don’t need to take anything else with it (but I do take several anti inflammatory supplements)...but today has been a carryover from yesterday and my water class didn’t make it feel any better - usually does, so I did take some Tylenol arthritis this afternoon.
I’m assuming my heat is from the inflammation - I just wish I knew why I still have inflammation, daily - and it comes on prior to doing anything.

Kyaknlady had her doctor follow up today in St. Louis so I did ask her to ask him who he recommended and he gave some names. And the doctor who does mega TKR’s has great ratings on the sites like pro republica (think that’s it). It’s a start.

 

[sistersinhim]

I took Feldene for about 10 years, but it started giving me breast cysts, so I went off of that. I tried Meloxicam but my tummy didn't like that, so it's now Diclofenac. My knee doesn't get warm like yours, but it hurts on movement sometimes, especially when I'm on either side and life my leg. Walking hurts the upper tibia.

Did you have an allergy test? I'm going to get one. I saw that Paypal will finance it, and that makes it safer.