TKR When oh when oh when

[JusticeRider]

@Jammy I do understand the depression. I certainly dealt with my share of that in this recovery. I had some of the lowest lows I’ve ever had before. It certainly does test your reserves. I hope you are able to unearth stores of determination you never even knew you had. We will both be stronger for all this!

If you try the Traumeel or arnica gel, let me know if it helps with your knee. I will say the arnica cream didn’t work as well for me as the arnica gel. Not sure why, must have something to do with the formulation. The Traumeel is very nice and soothing to the skin as well as the joint, I thought.

I’ve passed a year now (on August 10th) and still improving! So there’s hope that things will look up even if it takes a while. It does sound like you have some concerns that need addressing though. Are you seeing your surgeon when she is back, in October? I hope so. It might be worth speaking to another surgeon in the meantime for another perspective. I always think it’s good to get a second opinion if there’s any doubt. Information can only empower you.

Wishing you the very best in this journey, Jammy.

 

[mystikfairy61]

I am so sorry at this stage that things still aren't going as well as you would like. Just wanted to send healing hugs.

 

[Jammy]

@JusticeRider - Congratulations on your one year post-surgery! And you're still improving, good news! That gives me hope for my future. I'm having a CT scan tomorrow on the knee. (Is it wrong to wish they'd find something, so that would explain some of the issues I've been having?) After that, I am going to try to make an appointment to see my surgeon in October--if not her, then I will see the PA. I find it strange that my surgeon or PA never said anything about Traumeel. I will wait to get it, as I just spent $38 on the generic Voltaren. Maybe after the fifth bad stomach ache I will stop doing that and try the Traumeel, ugh.

@mystikfairy61 - Thanks for the hugs and here's some hugs back at you! It looks like you've gone through plenty of surgeries, like @JusticeRider. You are both my heroines!

 

[sistersinhim]

(Is it wrong to wish they'd find something, so that would explain some of the issues I've been having?)

Not at all. The not-knowing why we are having our pain and/or symptoms in my opinion is worse than knowing why it is happening. At least thing we can move ahead with the correct treatments.

 

[mystikfairy61]

@Jammy. How sweet that you see me as a heroine. I certainly don't feel like one at the moment. At 15 days out from my 4th joint replacement, taking it as everyone else, day by day. I did complain at my surgeons office today because they had me waiting until 24 days post op to get staples out. They are really pulling and being a retired nurse, I see they are ready so I did get them to work me in Thurs to get them out which is a week before the date they scheduled me. Hoping you get some answers when you get the CT. I read your entire post and can see you have been thru alot. It's time you find out what is up. Prayers for relief for you in some way.

 

[Jammy]

@mystikfairy61 - That is not complaining. That is too long to wait. You have to stick up for yourself, that's all. If you don't, who will? Can't believe you read my whole post. I don't think I could do that--too traumatic!

Had my CT scan today. I'm prepared for them to tell me the knee is normal. So far, everything else has been!

 

[Layla]

Best wishes for a favorable result on your CT scan, Jammy.
A peaceful day to you!
@Jammy

 

[Anniemof]

@Jammy, I hope you get some answers from your scan today as to why your knee remains so painful x

 

[Cinders2023]

@Jammy I am sending you hugs. I hope you get some answers from your CT scan. I think of you often, as we had our surgeries pretty close to the same time.

 

[Jammy]

@Cinders2023 - Thanks for thinking of me! I still haven't heard anything on the CT scan or bloodwork. It doesn't matter, really, what the results are. I know that my knee and my leg still don't feel good. I hope you are doing well. This is a long and winding road.

 

[cabland]

I seem to recall another member on here reporting her "tight band around the knee" feeling and ultimately she ended up having a knee revision. One of the components her "revision" doc ( a different doctor) is that the patella puck (the plastic piece they put on the back of the patella) was too thick and, as a result, pulled the knee cap tight against the femur - too tight. I'm not saying that is the issue here for sure, but it is at least something to ponder. Of course, I hate the thought of you pursuing as knee revision so soon, but the revision journeys seem to either be:

a.) an issue that crops up years later
or
b.) an issue that was there from the beginning and FINALLY a revision gets done and the problem (hopefully) addressed.

Again, I don't want you to fixate on REVISION IS THE ANSWER as you may very well be able to lick this without going to that extreme.

 

[Cinders2023]

@Jammy I am getting a CT scan tomorrow. This certainly is a long and winding road. Hoping you and I both get some answers. Fingers crossed.

 

[Jammy]

@cabland - I hope I don't need a revision. I spoke to the PA finally about my results. Normal, she says--the bloodwork and the CT scan. She said there was a little scar tissue but no biggie. Ugh. My real surgeon still is on leave. She brought up taking gabapentin because my knee or leg often feels "zingy" or tingly aching and gabapentin helps with nerve issues. She also said it can make you feel dizzy and that is the last thing I need. I feel dizzy most times when I walk. I'm not sure why. I am going to ask for a copy of the records and make an appointment to see someone else. Good luck to me finding someone.

Meanwhile. I am worried I'll be like this the rest of my life. I wish I had just left the knee alone. My bone on bone knee hurt the same as it does now. Has everyone heard me? No improvement from this TKR surgery.

@Cinders2023 - let us know what happens with your CT scan.

 

[JusticeRider]

I am going to ask for a copy of the records and make an appointment to see someone else.

I think this is a really good idea, Jammy. Keeping my fingers crossed that you will get some answers.

 

[Jammy]

Who should I see? A neurologist for my dizziness? A different ortho surgeon for my ever-achy knee? A shrink for my depression? Maybe a chiropractor? I think I need all of the above.

 

[mendogal]

Who should I see? A neurologist for my dizziness? A different ortho surgeon for my ever-achy knee? A shrink for my depression? Maybe a chiropractor? I think I need all of the above.

Dizziness is nonspecific - it can be anything from an ear problem to a cardiac problem to a matter of positional change or anemia, so starting with your primary care provider is a good idea.

 

[EalingGran]

doesn't matter, really, what the results are. I know that my knee and my leg still don't feel good. I

wish I had just left the knee alone. My bone on bone knee hurt the same as it does now. Has everyone heard me? No improvement from this TKR surgery.

Ifi you really feel there is no improvement at at over 6 months then I think you need to see a good orthopaedic surgeon. Either your original one when they are back from leave or a completely new one.

 

[Layla]

Has everyone heard me? No improvement from this TKR surgery.

Then if you're able, seek a second opinion. Often times surgeon's are reluctant to offer second opinions when you're less than a year post op, but certainly try if you're not getting any satisfaction from your current OS. Thankfully bloodwork and CT Scan showed favorable results.

Who should I see? A neurologist for my dizziness? A different ortho surgeon for my ever-achy knee? A shrink for my depression? Maybe a chiropractor? I think I need all of the above

Your Primary Care Physician should be your first stop...then go from there. Be as proactive as you're able and schedule an appointment soon so you can hopefully receive diagnoses / advice on how to get back to health both mentally and physically. Know that we're here for you, Jammy, whenever you're in need of support or encouragement. I am really sorry for your struggles.

 

[Jammy]

@Layla - Thanks. Today after not getting a response from the PA for the gabapentin script that we discussed a week ago, I wrote a text to my surgeon that I was going to see a different surgeon and requested my records. Oh, suddenly I got a call from the PA and the PA's assistant. I let them go to voicemail. I am done. The PA did send in the script. I will take the gabapentin tonight. Right now my leg is very stiff. It's not the knee so much anymore, it's the leg. Really zingy at night and I hope the gab helps. Re my primary doctor, she's a nurse and looks to be in worse shape than I am. Not exactly my role model. But she's good at referrals and I will ask her for some names of other knee replacement doctors. Thanks for listening!

 

[Layla]

I am sorry you had to inform your surgeon that you plan to seek a second opinion to get a reaction from him.
Hopefully the Gabapentin allows you to have some pain free rest overnight and your'e able to get some good referrals soon. We'll be here if you need us, Jammy!
@Jammy