United StatesHi @cafecortado, I am so glad you got to talk to a different doctor who was willing to help you with pain meds! Now all you have to do is get something to help you sleep!!! I have had sleep problems for a long time so this isn't anything new to me. I would love to fall asleep as fast as my husband does!
TKR Round 2 of the Bionic Bernie
- Thread starter cafecortado
- Start date
- Status
dogwheels
post-grad
Hi @cafecortado - I'll be thinking of you today at your 6 week check, Bernie. I do hope that all goes well. Sadly I think you may be right about your OS ducking the issue over a possible hip problem, unless he does a variety of orthopaedic work, you may have to wait for another appointment with a hip expert. To be honest I am not sure if they have general orthopods, or whether like my man, they only do knees and nothing else.
With a bit of luck your hip problem may be arising from the way you have been walking - mine was achy when I used the crutch for any length of time. Fingers X'd its just a 'by product' of your bilateral and will ease as you become more mobile. Its dire that it is so painful for you though. I do hope they can come up with a solution.
Your physio session sounds a lot like mine was initially, lots and lots of exercises ....... little bit of massage. Thank goodness you have 1:1 - loads of people on here only seem to get group therapy with NHS, working around a set of exercises and equipment. I truly think that these knee procedures need a little more individual TLC and monitoring than just group sessions.
Well let me know how you get on - hope it is all good. Talk later.
XXX
With a bit of luck your hip problem may be arising from the way you have been walking - mine was achy when I used the crutch for any length of time. Fingers X'd its just a 'by product' of your bilateral and will ease as you become more mobile. Its dire that it is so painful for you though. I do hope they can come up with a solution.
Your physio session sounds a lot like mine was initially, lots and lots of exercises ....... little bit of massage. Thank goodness you have 1:1 - loads of people on here only seem to get group therapy with NHS, working around a set of exercises and equipment. I truly think that these knee procedures need a little more individual TLC and monitoring than just group sessions.
Well let me know how you get on - hope it is all good. Talk later.
XXX
OP
OP
cafecortado
member
Hi @dogwheels, @Jozilla @Texan and all. Thank you so much for you kind thoughts and enquiring how I was. Wow, what a lot to catch up on,on everyone's thread! Sorry for my absence, I was totally exhausted after my hospital appointment and went to bed at 8pm! I tried to read the threads then, but had to give up as I was too tired. The good news was I slept WOO HOO! I did wake up every single hour BUT got back to sleep again, so that was wonderful!
My hospital appointment went well. He was pleased with my mobility, my rom is only 95/100 on my LTRK and 110 on the RTKR, but he's confident it will improve. Like Chris thought he wouldn't X-Ray my hip, he said he couldn't without a referral, but he did give my hip and my back a good examination and thought the problem was more to do with my lower back than hip. It makes sense, as I've had a lot of back problems before, so I'm happy with that, although obviously I'm not happy with the pain, which has been aggravated by the visit and I think that's what wore me out so much. He told me to give it more time to settle, but then if I did think it was the hip, to go to the G.P for a referral. I've been to a chiropractor before and she has sorted me, so I might have to do that. The only issue is money of course, but we'll see. I have a sick note for another 2 months and I'm not sure what's happening after that. Sorry if this is a ramble, thanks for caring, you guys are great! Love Bernie xx
Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014
My hospital appointment went well. He was pleased with my mobility, my rom is only 95/100 on my LTRK and 110 on the RTKR, but he's confident it will improve. Like Chris thought he wouldn't X-Ray my hip, he said he couldn't without a referral, but he did give my hip and my back a good examination and thought the problem was more to do with my lower back than hip. It makes sense, as I've had a lot of back problems before, so I'm happy with that, although obviously I'm not happy with the pain, which has been aggravated by the visit and I think that's what wore me out so much. He told me to give it more time to settle, but then if I did think it was the hip, to go to the G.P for a referral. I've been to a chiropractor before and she has sorted me, so I might have to do that. The only issue is money of course, but we'll see. I have a sick note for another 2 months and I'm not sure what's happening after that. Sorry if this is a ramble, thanks for caring, you guys are great! Love Bernie xx
Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014
Hi @cafecortado, I am glad to hear that your doctor doesn't think the problem is with your hip. Hope your back settles down soon and you get some relief. What good news that you got to sleep last night!!!
dogwheels
post-grad
Good morning @cafecortado - hope you scored another decent night of sleep, Bernie.
I am up on and on here earlier than ever as the Super Mario Brothers (alias my outside painters) were here and raring to go at 8, and so I had to be up and open all the upstairs windows, the side gate etc.
Had a nice evening with my daughter - only got to watch one Glee episode, because as usual we sat and talked and talked and talked .......
Pretty decent night's sleep for me last night, even though I could have done with a few more hours this morning!!
I'm not sure if its good news that your problem may lie with your back rather than your hip - do you think it could be the way you have been having to move about, lay etc following your 2 procedures?? As your physio raised the problem, next time could you not ask her at least for a couple of exercises to help your back? You never know she may massage or at least give you yet another set of things to do which may help ?????
I really feel for all of you that are having to faff around with sick notes and being signed off from work etc. It adds so much more pressure to you at a time when you really need to just concentrate on yourself, the knees and getting back to normal.
Well looks like it is going to be a lovely day today, I cant go in the garden though as it is full of ladders and painters and I don't really want to sun myself with an audience! My cold is finally on its way out, thank goodness, but my nose will now have the fragrant smell of paint to annoy it. Happy days!
Take care Bernie and talk soon
XX
I am up on and on here earlier than ever as the Super Mario Brothers (alias my outside painters) were here and raring to go at 8, and so I had to be up and open all the upstairs windows, the side gate etc.
Had a nice evening with my daughter - only got to watch one Glee episode, because as usual we sat and talked and talked and talked .......
Pretty decent night's sleep for me last night, even though I could have done with a few more hours this morning!!
I'm not sure if its good news that your problem may lie with your back rather than your hip - do you think it could be the way you have been having to move about, lay etc following your 2 procedures?? As your physio raised the problem, next time could you not ask her at least for a couple of exercises to help your back? You never know she may massage or at least give you yet another set of things to do which may help ?????
I really feel for all of you that are having to faff around with sick notes and being signed off from work etc. It adds so much more pressure to you at a time when you really need to just concentrate on yourself, the knees and getting back to normal.
Well looks like it is going to be a lovely day today, I cant go in the garden though as it is full of ladders and painters and I don't really want to sun myself with an audience! My cold is finally on its way out, thank goodness, but my nose will now have the fragrant smell of paint to annoy it. Happy days!
Take care Bernie and talk soon
XX
Jozilla
supremo
Morning Bernie - hope you had a good rest and each day brings you improvement. I have chronic back pain from osteo so I know how bad that can get. Try a heating pad on your back while icing your knee! It does help. In fact I knew my knee was improving when my back hurt more than my knee! Glad you got two months more off work. It can be exhausting dealing with recovery and work. Will stop by later - take care!
hopefaith
post-grad
@cafecortado Just popping in to say hello and how are you today? I was looking for your thread yesterday and couldn't find you. So am glad I did today!! I have nothing profound to say other than you have been in my thoughts.
MaryJean
MaryJean
OP
OP
cafecortado
member
Hi all, I've been away from BS for a few days and it's felt like ages since I've talked to anyone! I've missed you! I had a really bad week last week and depression was winning but I'm happy to say I've been much better the last few days. We bought a 1 bed roomed static caravan recently (the reason for the purchase is a story for another time!) so as the weather was good at the weekend we decided to have our first overnight. It went well, but my knee complained and didn't like the bed very much. Then when I got home I was beyond exhausted for the next few days. However, I have also been for coffee with a friend and taken to a knit and natter group to another coffee shop which got me crocheting again woo hoo....I just couldn't get myself interested after the second knee. I know it doesn't seem like much but all this has done my spirits good and made me think a "normal" life will resume.....eventually.
I'm still having problems with my back & hip and am still on the Tramadol but have a massage booked for next week which I'm hoping will help. Take care everyone xxxx
Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014
I'm still having problems with my back & hip and am still on the Tramadol but have a massage booked for next week which I'm hoping will help. Take care everyone xxxx
Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014
Jozilla
supremo
Good to hear from you too! DH and i have been camping on and off for close to 40 years! For the past ten years we have had a static caravan about two 1/2 hours away close to the Atlantic ocean. We are going tomorrow and I can't wait. I hope to live there part time in a couple of years. For now it's vacations and lots of weekends. This is a big holiday weekend - Memorial Day and it is a big kick off to the summer. I am looking forward to seeing my summertime friends.
Not sure how my wifi coverage will be this weekend but will try to pop in and out!
Have a great weekend! Xoxo JoAnne
Not sure how my wifi coverage will be this weekend but will try to pop in and out!
Have a great weekend! Xoxo JoAnne
hopefaith
post-grad
@cafecortado Hi Bernie. I've missed you too. Do I ever get the depression! And the littlest of things help. At my favourite coffee place (tea for me) today the gal I love asked me who my knee was getting along. I about burst into tears. She was just SO kind. I have had many lovely people reach to me.
Nana moon 27
alpha
Hi Bernie. I'm so glad you got a static caravan. Whereabouts is it sited? You'll so love having a bolt hole to go to escaping city life x x well done on doing that x I'm longing to read what led you into buying it! Such lovely news x
The problem I find with the bed in my caravan is that the mattress isn't an anti roll together one like the one I have at home. Therefore if my husband turns over in bed I roll towards him and my knee goes into a funny position and gives me dreadful pain. He spent a couple of nights in the living room just to give me a break.
Bernie you can post on my thread whenever you want. I honestly don't mind x
I have to go now. I have an early appointment with the GP tomorrow and then into work with my sick note x x x
Love Nana moon 27
The problem I find with the bed in my caravan is that the mattress isn't an anti roll together one like the one I have at home. Therefore if my husband turns over in bed I roll towards him and my knee goes into a funny position and gives me dreadful pain. He spent a couple of nights in the living room just to give me a break.
Bernie you can post on my thread whenever you want. I honestly don't mind x
I have to go now. I have an early appointment with the GP tomorrow and then into work with my sick note x x x
Love Nana moon 27
hopefaith
post-grad
Hi again Bernie. I read through more of your thread. We sure have a lot in common with health issues and depression. I need to do the gratitude thing you wrote of. I feel uncomfortable saying too much about my depression on here after all that isn't the focus I realize. I also have anxiety which is off the charts right now. Take care. I am thinking of you.
OP
OP
cafecortado
member
Things to be grateful for this week......
1, I've started crocheting again woo hoo!
Might only seem a small thing, but I'd decided pre both knee op's to do something creative to try to put some purpose into my recovery. I thought I'd have a go at crocheting. My Nana taught me when I was 7yrs but I haven't done it since I was a teenager. I'm doing a throw and my daughter who lives in Spain got me the wool from there as a Christmas present. Well since the second op, I just couldn't be bothered...until this week, so that feels like a real improvement.
2, We stayed overnight in the new (to us) caravan. It was such a lovely change of scenery. Even the week before I couldn't imagine doing this, so that feels like progress!
3, You lot! Even though I'd disappeared for a few days, when I came back you were still talking to me
Thank you, you are all such an encouragement!
Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014
1, I've started crocheting again woo hoo!
Might only seem a small thing, but I'd decided pre both knee op's to do something creative to try to put some purpose into my recovery. I thought I'd have a go at crocheting. My Nana taught me when I was 7yrs but I haven't done it since I was a teenager. I'm doing a throw and my daughter who lives in Spain got me the wool from there as a Christmas present. Well since the second op, I just couldn't be bothered...until this week, so that feels like a real improvement.
2, We stayed overnight in the new (to us) caravan. It was such a lovely change of scenery. Even the week before I couldn't imagine doing this, so that feels like progress!
3, You lot! Even though I'd disappeared for a few days, when I came back you were still talking to me
Thank you, you are all such an encouragement! Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014
dogwheels
post-grad
Hi @cafecortado - great news about the crochet and the caravan, Bernie.
Crochet is a distinct no-go area for me. The last time I attempted it was when I first had the accident with my knee. I took an idiots guide, some wool and a crochet hook in my bag into hospital. They confiscated it!!!! Not for any health and safety reason - well perhaps it was in a way? Even though I had a private room, for some reason the walls stopped about a foot short of the ceiling. They could hear my cussing and swearing over the *****y crochet from the nurses station and I got in such a temper with it (blame it on the post op meds!) I threw it at the door and then - as I was non weight bearing for 2 weeks - had to embarrassingly look on as they patiently picked it up and confiscated it until my discharge.
Caravan sounds great - I cannot wait to go down to our other house. Trouble is I will have to see what my husband has done to it over the last few months in my absence! I chose not to go this weekend and I am glad as he's just phoned and it is pouring, whereas it is currently bright and windy here. Next week is my daughters birthday, but I am hoping to go down the following week and catch up with all my friends.
Well I need a coffee, so I'll love and leave you. Hope the knee behaves today - I'm sure I have had a knock on effect in terms of a bit of achy stiffness from the horrendous storm we had yesterday - or perhaps it has something to do with me taking myself shopping for 2 days running???
Take care Bernie and talk later
XX
Crochet is a distinct no-go area for me. The last time I attempted it was when I first had the accident with my knee. I took an idiots guide, some wool and a crochet hook in my bag into hospital. They confiscated it!!!! Not for any health and safety reason - well perhaps it was in a way? Even though I had a private room, for some reason the walls stopped about a foot short of the ceiling. They could hear my cussing and swearing over the *****y crochet from the nurses station and I got in such a temper with it (blame it on the post op meds!) I threw it at the door and then - as I was non weight bearing for 2 weeks - had to embarrassingly look on as they patiently picked it up and confiscated it until my discharge.
Caravan sounds great - I cannot wait to go down to our other house. Trouble is I will have to see what my husband has done to it over the last few months in my absence! I chose not to go this weekend and I am glad as he's just phoned and it is pouring, whereas it is currently bright and windy here. Next week is my daughters birthday, but I am hoping to go down the following week and catch up with all my friends.
Well I need a coffee, so I'll love and leave you. Hope the knee behaves today - I'm sure I have had a knock on effect in terms of a bit of achy stiffness from the horrendous storm we had yesterday - or perhaps it has something to do with me taking myself shopping for 2 days running???
Take care Bernie and talk later
XX
OP
OP
cafecortado
member
Oh my goodness @dogwheels, I'm crying with laughing at your crocheting story! That's hilarious! Maybe they were worried you would turn it into a lethal weapon and it might become like the shower scene in an Alfred Hitchcock movie....you obviously scared them ;) I have loved to have been a fly on the wall, when they came in to retrieve it! Ha ha ha!
Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014
Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014
Wednesday
senior
I just read through this thread, and I loved the crocheting story. I'm more of a knitter, and I optimistically brought my knitting to the hospital with me so that I could work on a sweater for my soon-to-arrive granddaughter. But it was only about three weeks ago that I actually felt energetic enough and enthusiastic enough to actually get going again. I'm waiting for some crochet hooks to arrive from Knitpicks so I can start on a lovely dress.
Bernie, I think you are sleeping much better, but my internist suggested I try Tylenol PM with the Tramadol at night. Honestly, I'm so clueless that I actually thought the Tramadol was a help to sleeping. Now that I know it's not, maybe I'll just do the Tylenol and see how it goes. I always learn something new on Bonesmart.
Bernie, I think you are sleeping much better, but my internist suggested I try Tylenol PM with the Tramadol at night. Honestly, I'm so clueless that I actually thought the Tramadol was a help to sleeping. Now that I know it's not, maybe I'll just do the Tylenol and see how it goes. I always learn something new on Bonesmart.
OP
OP
cafecortado
member
Hey @Wednesday, thanks for the tip. We don't have Tylenol here in the UK but I googled it and we may have an equivalent called Panadol, I'll have to research a bit more. Sleep is still evading me some nights altogether, so anything that's helps would be good!
Re crocheting, like you I took mine into hospital when I had my first TKR, ha ha! Suffice to say, it didn't go in my bag for the second one ;).
Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014
Re crocheting, like you I took mine into hospital when I had my first TKR, ha ha! Suffice to say, it didn't go in my bag for the second one ;).
Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014
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