Not Again!

[GotSmart]

Yesterday I had what I thought was my last medical appointment. I went in to see Pain Management.  It was supposed to be a short interview to make sure I was not addicted to my pain meds.  The Dr found out what I was wanting, and was shocked that all I wanted was a small supply of Tramadol. No opioids, and no large amounts of Narks.~~~  I left with a prescription in hand.  I have been living with pain all my life. so one pill a day cuts things enough to manage.

Last night the clinic notes were posted on my web portal.  I made the mistake of showing them to my daughter.    She took one look and hit the ceiling.  

She called the clinic this morning and read the riot act to the head administrator.  The Dr called me this afternoon and now I have to go in for a battery of tests, and possible knee replacement.  

Over the last 6 months my request for someone to check out my "trick" knee had been ignored.   :huh:  I have been living with this for years.  Every few months it goes out and I wear a brace for a month or so and use a cane.  Now 6 weeks from RTR My kids are trying to keep me from running away again!   :s

I have the van stocked, and a spare key hidden. :angel:  I might just go anyway!  It would be nice to walk normally again though.  Something that has not happened in years. 

HMMM  Decisions~~~

 

[jimindenver]

I've seen even 80 year olds recover from knee replacement quick and it may be a lot less than that. It's also not life or death so going to the RTR isn't going to change the schedule much if you promise to come home.

 

[GotSmart]

At the speed I drive, that is 4 days one way.  Once I am gone from here ~~~

 

[jimindenver]

Well I see your problem then. A short delay now costing you this years RTR could make a world of difference beyond the RTR. Don't you just hate it when life gets in the way of a good time.

 

[GotSmart]

Life goes on, things happen.

 

[GotSmart]

Two years ago it was spinal surgery.  I have had the C~3 to C~7 vertebrae replaced and fused.  I was driving within 24 hours, which I was told not to do.   :angel:  I missed RTR 2014 on that one.  last year I blew a head gasket in Blyth, so missed most of that one.  

They have excellent surgeons here in Missouri.  It is just the rehab time and restrictions that will kill my driving for days.  

I am going stir crazy!  :-/

 

[B and C]

Here is to God speed and the best for you.  I do hope to see you again this year.  Be thankful you are on the correct side of the grass

 

[Queen]

Go to RTR then go home for the surgery. I had it done last February and like you, I'm used to pain... this is a whole new level during recovery. And your mobility is compromised in ways you'd never expect.

 

[Roadtramp]

Yesterday I had what I thought was my last medical appointment. I went in to see Pain Management.  It was supposed to be a short interview to make sure I was not addicted to my pain meds.  The Dr found out what I was wanting, and was shocked that all I wanted was a small supply of Tramadol. No opioids, and no large amounts of Narks.~~~  I left with a prescription in hand.  My kids are trying to keep me from running away again.

I lived with chronic pain for decades including from structural/functional issues like torn meniscus and acl...on all sorts of narcotics, and accusations of addiction...when I truly began my healing process, I read a book called "the gift of pain"...the doctor writing that said when narcotics are taken for pain, it is impossible to become addicted to them....only when they are taken in the absence of pain does one become addicted...
Indeed, after decades , when I finally found methods that worked to heal me, I spontaneously stopped all the drugs (prescription) I was taking... No tapering, no going to lesser NSAIDS or psychotropic drugs to numb nerve sensation, I just quit...
I also weeded out people who feel it is their place to tell me what I can or cannot do, and replaced them with people who help me grow my dreams and encourage me to be more fully who I am...granted, at times those folks have been few and far between, which has only helped me to be stronger and more self-reliant...so far, my survival of everything life had thrown at me had been 100%, as it appears to be the case with you, also...
I hope you are able to make your own choice - the one that feels right for your soul, rather than the one others want for you...
In my experience, we as individuals are truly the only one who had our own best interest at heart... All others have an agenda - no matter how well intentioned...

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

My father had his knees replaced.  The big thing about that is the post surgery rehab exercises.  It is VERY important to do them, but they can be painful.  My father skimped on them for that reason, and he never recovered full mobility for that reason.

Regards
John

 

[Patrick46]

It sounds like you're only going in for testing at this point.

With the RTR only a month away, I wonder if they'll even schedule surgery (if indeed it comes to that) before the RTR actually happens. Unless it's life or death, alot of things have to fall in line before they schedule a surgery. (at least, that's they way things go in this area.)

I'm kinda betting that a surgery won't happen until the end of January, or early February. You could go to the RTR, and be back in plenty of time if that's the case.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[mockturtle]

Get the knee replacement. You'll be glad you did and wonder why you didn't get it sooner! BTDT.

 

[cyndi]

John, I spent at least 5 years almost totally immobile due to knee pain. Had both knees replaced in 2012 with bilateral knee surgery. It was a piece of cake. I was driving myself to physical therapy within 3 weeks of the surgery. I cursed all the time I wasted distrusting doctors and fear of the surgery.

As someone above mentioned, the exercize need to be a priority,

As for the pain killers? I've been an addict in recovery for over 26 years. I use pain killers, now, sparingly. I test myself frequently to make sure they don't control me. Except for an RA or FM flare up, I just use them so I can get a few hours of sleep, at night.

 

[GotSmart]

I lived with chronic pain for decades including from structural/functional issues like torn meniscus and acl...on all sorts of narcotics, and accusations of addiction...when I truly began my healing process, I read a book called "the gift of pain"...the doctor writing that said when narcotics are taken for pain, it is impossible to become addicted to them....only when they are taken in the absence of pain does one become addicted...
Indeed, after decades , when I finally found methods that worked to heal me, I spontaneously stopped all the drugs (prescription) I was taking... No tapering, no going to lesser NSAIDS or psychotropic drugs to numb nerve sensation, I just quit...
I also weeded out people who feel it is their place to tell me what I can or cannot do, and replaced them with people who help me grow my dreams and encourage me to be more fully who I am...granted, at times those folks have been few and far between, which has only helped me to be stronger and more self-reliant...so far, my survival of everything life had thrown at me had been 100%, as it appears to be the case with you, also...
I hope you are able to make your own choice - the one that feels right for your soul, rather than the one others want for you...
In my experience, we as individuals are truly the only one who had our own best interest at heart... All others have an agenda - no matter how well intentioned...

First, Thank you to everyone who answered.  Having been in in 12 major incidents so far that have put me down, I have every reason to be addicted to Narcotics, but I hate the spaced feeling of pharmaceuticals.  One Oxycontin lasts me a year.  I cut it in half for when something major happens, then I use it to completely relax and done.   Opioids make me mean.  Not an option. 

I am allergic to NSAIDS.  That is not an option.  

Alcohol has sugars, and being diabetic~~~ 

The pain is making me forget things, so I should just get the knee fixed.  

We will see what the Dr's say.

 

[bigsallysmom]

Wouldn't replacing a knee in the cold, dark winter let you run wild by summer?

 

[wayneL]

Hello friend
I have both my knees total replacement
A few thoughts...
Do you have need of one or two replacements?
Have you paid your full deductibles for the current year?
If you had surgeries this year would you have any major health problems need to be paid next year?
Knee replacements are very expensive. If you are in need of two you could save a lot of money if you had both done at same time. There was a couple of folks taking therapy with me who had two at same time.
Depending on your insurance if you have met this years deductibles you could save a lot of money by having charges made this year.
If you will have significant expense next year besides knee problems and have your heart set on RTR by all means go ahead... at this point you can hardly do any more damage than you already suffer.
Other thoughts...consider a surgeon in a high volume hospital. My surgeon did on the average of six knees twice each week. He has a team that works together doing the same thing over and over. The OR they work in has all the latest equipment for doing exactly what they do. The hospital is staffed with all the appropriate specialists in the unlikely event you have complications during the surgery
As for recovery there is a lot of trauma with knee replacement. You will be given more than adequate pain meds. If you have a reasonable tolerance for pain you will be just fine. You will be up and walking with a walking device the next day. The third day you will go home. Within five days I was going to therapy and visiting friends. In three weeks time you will only have mild swelling and if you put in the work you will only use mild painkillers like loritab or Tylenol..In three months you will have no swelling or pain. In six to twelve months the implant will not even be noticed and will feel as natural as any other part of your body
Good luck for an outcome as good as mine
wayneL

 

[Queen]

Just need to point out, everyone has different responses to the surgery. I was told the same things wayneL is saying about recovery and mine was no where near that good. Not saying this to scare you, just be aware not everyone does quite that well. I'm nine months out and even with excellent PT I still limp some and am VERY aware of the implant.

 

[GotSmart]

I looks like I can hit the road on the 2nd!!!

MRI at 8AM, and then WEST!

Not too soon!

 

[Cammalu]

Gotsmart. There are several ways that surgeons are doing knee replacements now. Years ago when my sis had to do it we did research and ended up with a new-at-the time minimally invasive surgery that was only being done by a handful of surgeons here in the US.

Sis decided to go that route and went to Nashville and had it done. A day and a half later she stopped by my house on the way home from the hospital and swept my whole house for me. In therapy she was months ahead of the other patients who had knees replaced elsewhere.

Later my ancient mother had a knee replaced by the same guy and she was up and walking down the hall within two hours of returning to her room.

My sis subsequently had her other knee replaced by the same surgeon and has done equally well.

It's my turn now and I'll be seeing him on the 7th of Jan. I don't think I'll be able to have the surgery right now because my leg is still broken and healing from a crunch in Jul but at least I can see what he says and find out how long I need to wait. I need both of mine replaced - boo hiss...

If you want his name and number anytime let me know.

 

[Goshawk]

It's funny how the perfection of this is dependent on the surgeon.

My grandfather died from an infection he got after the surgery. Make sure it's done in a big hospital with strong infection control standards. Minimal invasive means better infection control. So sounds like above discussion is spot on.