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Knee Infection* Right knee has been replaced

How're you going Marian? My first script from doctors I followed instructions 1-2 endone every 4-6hrs and it resulted in finishing my script early and pharmacy wouldn't renew script for 5 days but I saw my doctor and he wrote a letter to override the pharmacy.

In Australia we can get repeats of larger amounts of drugs if authority is given from a governing body. Doctor rings a hotline gives info and then is given an authority number.

I think as jas said above anxiety can increase when you know you won't have medication there if you need it. I'm like it with my migraine tablets I always have to be prepared.




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It's two weeks today since I had my surgery. I'm still having difficulty to get comfortable. I just ache and get some sharp pains. My 'old' knee has been a bit swollen and stiff too. It's been hard to not overwork either knee. I don't go back to the OS until next week.

My saga with the pain medications is finally over ( for now ). I received a new script for 60 additional tablets of oxycodone. When my neighbor went to the pharmacy they gave her a hard time. They told her my insurance would only pay for two tablets a day. I gave her cash to pay for the meds so she said she would just pay cash.($30). They told her that this medication is for short term use and if I need another script to be filled again I would need a special ok from a pain clinic. Is two weeks now considered when Pennsylvania decides a patient no longer need medications now? This is truly out of hand. I wanted to take my car and go into the store so they can explain to me why I no longer had pain in their estimation. How ridiculous this system has gotten. All the pharmacies are connected by computer so I guess I've been labeled a drug seeker.
 
Yes, this system is totally out of control now. It upsets me to no end that because some choose to abuse, those who genuinely need medication can't get it in an easy and timely manner. I haven't run out of anything, but my son in law had to drive for 2 hours (round trip) to pick up my second script for oxycodone because the doctor can't give any refills here in Idaho, either. I can't tell you how my heart breaks for what you are going through.
 
Here in NZ, my surgeon is only allowed to prescribe the heavy-duty narcotics for 2 weeks post-op. After that, it was Tramadol +Tylenol (Acetaminophen). As long as I took those meds on a strict schedule, they worked well for me.
It's been that way for a long time. In fact, when I had my PKR, back in 2000, I was only allowed Paracetamol/Tylenol following hospital discharge. No Tramadol in those days.
 
Our legislature recently tried to pass a law only allowing 5 days worth of several meds, mostly painkillers, but also some seizure and adhd meds were included. The special needs community went ballistic and the bill was stopped dead in its tracks. But do these lawmakers ever think of the repercussions for normal, every day people when they propose these things? I got another 90 percoset but my hubs had to drive across town in atlanta traffic to get it. But at least my pharmacy filled it. Geez.
 
It is ridiculous! What happens if Tramadol does not work for someone? It's what I was prescribed when I went home after my infection surgery. Luckily I had been in transition unit for a week and had oxycodone a week after surgery. I went home with Tramadol which did nothing at all, so I didn't take anything. The infection surgery wasn't as brutal as the TKR therefore my pain wasn't as bad.

Marian, I'm so sorry you can't get comfortable. In another week I think you'll be feeling a bit better and hopefully the pain will be manageable.
 
I woke up this morning and an area on the top of my incision is reddened and hard. My OS didn't use staples this time but what's on there is a mesh tape that is clear. I am allow to shower with it and I only did it once because the tape started to come loose in that area. Since then I have kept it dry. I'm going to see the PA on Thursday (I don't have a ride to make it tomorrow). My middle daughter is coming up here from 2 hours away. I was supposed to have my regular checkup next week so I'm going to have to cancel that visit. I'll wait to see what the PA says but I will go back in a couple of weeks when I can drive. The home PT assistant called the OS office to set up the appointment for me. I definitely am taking this seriously and I will not allow I.t to get worse.
 
I hope the hard, reddened area turns out not to be anything significant, Marian. Good move to go see the surgeons, though. Please let us know what the PA says.

While you're there, do mention the problems you have been having getting your medications and find out what you should expect when the next prescription is due.
 
I agree with Celle. Let them know how difficult it's been for you. I hope the red spot is nothing at all, but it's good to get it checked.
 
Please let us know what you find out. I hope everything's OK. We're here for you.
 
I'm sure it's just superficial. The mesh tape seems to just be irritating my skin. It's a new type of closing dressing my OS has been using. The instructions say it could have been removed in 7 to 10 days post op but when the visiting nurse called to ask what they wanted her to do with it they told her to leave it on until my first visit which wasn't supposed to be until the 10th. It's 16 days today since it was applied. I plan to keep it clean and dry until Thursday. My ice packs tend to rub against it.
 
You're probably right about the tape irritating your incision, Marian, but maybe this is a blessing in disguise to give you a chance to talk to the surgeon's office about your problems getting your medication and ask for help. Good luck and be sure to let us know what he says.
 
It probably is just the adhesive on the bandage. It happens to me also. The medication issue is crazy. My husband is on pain meds for his back and gets a monthly RX (has to call). They make him do UDS's. They called him today because he didn't have any in his system...wanted to make sure he wasn't selling them. It wouldn't be so bad but they give him 56 pills, 1 twice a day....wonder why there is none in his system when he has been 5 days with out??
 
I just returned from an awful visit to the OS. My pain levels have been above 7 for my whole recovery no matter what I've done. My middle daughter and I went in to see the PA and by the time I got into the exam room I was already crying from the amount of pain I was in. She was truly concerned to see how much I was hurting. We reviewed my pain medications and we discussed how I was taking them. She wants me to take the full amounts around the clock. She put some antibiotic ointment on the dressing to moisten it so it will come off easily. The top of the incision was very angry and there was a small amount of blood draining.

The PA sent me for X-rays and wanted me to come back after that was done to see the OS. My knee was very swollen . He asked me to lay down on the exam table. He told me he was going to take some fluid out of it to culture. He gave me a lidocaine injection and then drawn some fluid. My pain levels went off the top and I was crying uncontrollably. (Not something that I usually do). In the middle my daughter had to leave the room. He told me is was bloody drainage and probably not infected. Apparently a lot of blood drained out and that's what sent my daughter out of the room.

He told me usually an infection comes on at about two weeks post op. The usual scenario is the person is doing fine and then all of the sudden pain shoots through the roof. I have been in pain like this all along. So I'm going to be on an antibiotic, oxycodone, OxyContin, robaxin, tramadol and a steroid dose pack to help bring down the inflammation. I'm to keep the top part of the incision covered in a dry dressing and not get it wet. The OS will let me know about the culture when it comes back and I have an appointment next week. There is a stitch that's fighting it's way out. He wants to keep a close on on me. He gave me a hug and told me he will take good care of me. I barely got home to get to the bathroom and vomited. I'm just trying to relax a little now. My daughter went to pick up my meds from my regular pharmacy. She also gave me scripts for more pain meds in case I need them. I'm just trying to relax a little bit and took my zofran and my pain meds.

It's been a rough couple of weeks but hopefully it will get better soon. I'm just totally beat.
 
I am sooooo sorry. I hope your meds help and that you are out of pain soon. Hang in there!
 
I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. What a good job you went to see your surgeon.
With the extra fluid removed, you should feel a bit more comfortable. I hope your pain starts to settle down now.

Here's hoping the testing comes back negative for infection.

Spend as much time as you can resting, icing and elevating for the next week, only getting up briefly, to do the essential things.
 
Praying for no infection and just a nasty buildup of fluid that can be easily resolved. So very sorry to hear you're in such pain.
 
Oh man. I'm so sorry. I hope the new meds work well and that the culture comes back negative.
 
Oh Marian! I'm so sorry it was that bad today. Is your daughter staying with you or going home? I hope there's no problem getting the meds and you can take the full dose as the dr said. What did he say about the problem with the pharmacy and meds?
 
I hope the new medicine regime works for you and you are feeling better soon!
 
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