For the past week I have been limping and hobbling around. Last monday I went to see my knee dr and got a shot in my left knee. I was originally supposed to get the first of 3 synvisc shots but when I got there, they told me "its your lucky day." Now considering my luck I should have been suspicious right then. But they told me that someone had scheduled getting a synvisc-one shot and cancelled and since they couldn't return the shot, they could give it to me for free. No charge for the shot or visit. So, I discuss the differences between the 1 shot vs the 3, I had major reservations regarding doing the 1 shot, because it was basically taking the exact same formula, and doing the shot all at once vs breaking into three separate shots. I was concerned because sometimes getting the amount in the 1/3 shot was a lot of pressure, but he said he would inject it in a little different place and that would give it more room, so I decided to try it out.
So I got the shot, and it wasn't too bad. A little sore that day - this is typical, usually the day of the shot is a achy and it takes a day or so before it kicks in. I went on to work, same with Tuesday. But then by Wednesday, my knee was killing me. I was hobbling around and could barely walk. M said she thought my knee was swollen, at that point I couldn't see it myself. We got snow, so I took a "snow day" and worked from home. Luckily I can do my job as easily from home as I can from the office. It is just preferred that we go in. Thursday, it was worse, so I took a sick day and even called back into the dr. said my knee was swelling, and achy and I couldn't walk, etc. Spoke to the assistant, and was told that maybe it was just because I did the one shot instead of doing the 3, that it was a lot more fluid and to keep it elevated and ice on it. I slept most of thursday, hoping to "sleep it off and feel better." That didn't really work. I asked about taking another sick day on Friday but was told that no... my boss and the entire rest of my team was already out on vacation, trying to get their last days in before end of year. So worked from home again. Was miserable most of the weekend.
M told me to start using one of my canes... which helped, not sure why I didn't do it myself. I think she is over me being home and hobbling. I'm not sure if it is that she feels a little helpless when I'm sick or "under the weather" or if she just finds it irritating. In any case she has become very irritable, and being irritable myself from being in pain, I'm having a little trouble being sympathetic.
I went back to the Dr this morning, they drained off over 10 cc's of fluid off my knee. Two huge syringes. The amount looked about 4 times the amount of that shot from last week. But it did make a big difference. The achy pain that was my constant friend, throbbing from my knee down into my ankle, keeping a beat all its own with sharp heart beats of pain radiating. actually I think most of the pain was down in my ankle. Think that is a good example of "referred pain". I tried most everything. Ice, heat, elevate, massage, hot tub, advil, vicodin, even alcohol. No not all at the same time. Though, if I had thought it might help, well.... I got the best relief from some pain relief cream that I would rub on my knee and down the back of my calf and around my ankle. Flexerall plus. It has a stronger smell than ben-gay, but unlike ben-gay it helps when I've had bad knee aches in the past. So Why not? I tried it. I think all it did was distract the nerves along my leg. But it helped.
Now after having the fluid removed, my leg no longer looks deformed. and the constant pain is gone. Did I mention that? That is huge! Big difference. my knee still aches, but instead of being a 9-11 on that 1-10 scale, it is now more like a 3. I can ignore a 3. sometimes it aches and the pain climbs but again, it is bearable. I'm hoping I will be able to sleep tonight. I haven't slept much the past week. My knee kept waking me up, I couldn't find a comfortable position. You know, you keep moving hoping to get situated so the pain goes away or calms down, but it wasn't happening. Sometimes it felt better moving than stopping. But it is hard to keep moving and sleep. So my sleep was disturbed. Which meant I disturbed everyone else. Perhaps that was why M was irritable? lol
I even disturbed the cats. Ziggy hates the smell of the "old lady cream" as M calls the flexerall. Must be the strong menthol. He gets a whiff and runs. I should be more considerate of the rest of the family.
I think I will sleep good tonight.
Showing posts with label knees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knees. Show all posts
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
travelling for the holidays
My daughter and I flew to western KY to spend the holiday's with my mom on Xmas eve, and my brother and family drove in from mid-state (5 1/2 hr drive) on Saturday and left again on Sunday. Another whirlwind family get-together. My mom loved it. And was left completely exhausted. She seemed to be doing pretty good this visit. But that can be hard to tell. She is still complaining that it hurts to swallow, talk, basically use her throat. But she'll be ok. We flew back on Thursday the 30th, and then got stuck in Chicago (apparently high winds - hmm windy city?) due to delays. Airlines no longer give you free rooms if you are stranded. They offer "discounts", I'd hate to see what the normal prices of some of these places are. On the other hand, if I think about it, why should the airline have to pay for a hotel for me, when the flight was delayed by weather? Basically they chose to limit the number of flights that could take off or land at any given time due to the high winds. Which in turn caused some major delays and caused us (along with lots of other people) to miss their connections. So is that the airline's fault? I think it makes a little more sense to blame the airline when they just randomly cancel a flight, or they bump you without reason, etc. Last year we had an issue in Cincinnati trying to catch a connection, and went to the gate to be told the plane just left. I said, but I have 10 after, the flight isn't scheduled to leave until 20 after, and had the attendant tell me quite proudly that her monitor said 15 after. When I tried to explain how that still mean the plane left early, she shrugged and said it was already gone, and did I want help getting a replacement flight?
One of my main complaints with flying these days is that checked bags cost at least $25 a bag, unless of course you pay extra to fly first class - then you can get free checked bags (in some cases 3). Ok, if there is a problem with passengers taking too much and they need to limit bags, charging would be a way to do that. But oh, then you hear that they are having to add sand bags as ballast to even out the load since people aren't taking as many bags. Go figure. Then there are all the people that go through security lugging way more bags than the 1 bag plus one personal item (purse, pillow, etc). I guess there are a lot of people that don't know how to count. Also, these same people that can't count are the ones that have the "over-sized" carry-ons and have to gate-check them. Which is free. Which is why these people are doing this. Basically it is like checking a bag, only it is free, and you get your bag back at plane side when you reach your destination. Other advantage I guess is that if you get stranded like we did in Chicago, you got your bag with you. Ours somehow didn't miss our connection (even tho we landed when the other plane was supposedly taking off) even though we did. So we got to spend the night without our luggage. I carry a laptop bag with me that has my essential stuff in it. So I was ok.
We stayed in the Hilton at the Chicago airport - in the airport actually. Cost a little more, but to me it was worth not have to try to go out find and catch a shuttle for a 20 min drive to some hotel and be at their mercy to be able to get a shuttle the next morning and not miss our return flight. It already took us almost 15-20 minutes to walk from the airport itself to the hotel lobby, much less go on outside where the shuttle buses were. The hotel was nice. Not that I ever plan to go back to it. The main down point of the stay in Chicago was walking into an elevator just as a homeless man was exiting to discover he had just peed in the corner. Ewww. and why there? never mind I don't want to know. J wondered how he knew he could be finished in time before the doors opened... I don't know? practice?
M also had her own fun travelling over the holiday. She flew to SC to see W. Was supposed to fly out on Friday and return Monday, making it a 4 day weekend trip. She got stuck because of a connecting flight through Newark, and had her Monday flight rescheduled for Thursday, and then when it looked like it might be cancelled again, ended up having to get another flight home. She is holding her breath waiting for a refund on the original return flight. Which they did promise, so maybe. I think the worst part of her getting stuck was that she was staying with W and his girlfriend D and she got sick of hearing sales pitches for XANGO. The miracle fruit, cure for MS and anything that ails you, that I wrote about before. You don't sell the product, you just find 5 friends that will join and market it, and they find 5 friends, etc. The other issue was that D's cooking apparently left something to be desired, she said the meals were things that really sounded good, but every time she put any of it in her mouth she was disappointed. The other problem was that it was unseasonably cold in SC. And apparently W & D didn't feel the need to turn up the heat. M was talking about having to put socks on her hands to read so her hands didn't freeze. M doesn't normally complain of the cold.
Western KY is really not that far south of where I live in Central PA. But a lot of people from this area seem to believe I am travelling south when I mention going to see my mom. Now, granted if you listen to the accents of the locals, you will definitely hear a drawl. And like a lot of the south, they don't get in any hurry. But geographically, it is really more west than south. Temperature-wise it normally is within a few degrees of here. In fact, we had a white xmas (about 3-4 inches) which was more than here. In any case, I wish it was further south and that the temperatures reflected it. I am pretty much over winter time. Today was a "warm spell" - regular heat wave with temps climbing into the 40's. Feels a lot better than 20's and below. And this single digit stuff with the wind chill - it really has to go. I truly think my MS doesn't like cold. Maybe it is just me that doesn't like cold, but I like to think it is one thing that we agree on. Something we can both be on the same side regarding. I just really don't like the bitter cold. Especially damp & cold. I don't care for extreme heat either, but the cold just seems to do something to me. And plus arthur doesn't care for it either. So the 3 of us - arthur, MS & me all would greatly prefer if we were done with winter now please. My arthritis in my left knee has really been acting up. I saw the dr yesterday and talked about seeing another specialist to discuss a knee replacement. Hiking across the airport, riding my bike, stepping out in the cold. None of those things are much fun these days. So I think it is time. It isn't going to get any better. And the things that were helping (like the walking, exercising and riding bike) don't seem to be doing it now. So I need to take the next step and see what I need to know to plan.
One of my main complaints with flying these days is that checked bags cost at least $25 a bag, unless of course you pay extra to fly first class - then you can get free checked bags (in some cases 3). Ok, if there is a problem with passengers taking too much and they need to limit bags, charging would be a way to do that. But oh, then you hear that they are having to add sand bags as ballast to even out the load since people aren't taking as many bags. Go figure. Then there are all the people that go through security lugging way more bags than the 1 bag plus one personal item (purse, pillow, etc). I guess there are a lot of people that don't know how to count. Also, these same people that can't count are the ones that have the "over-sized" carry-ons and have to gate-check them. Which is free. Which is why these people are doing this. Basically it is like checking a bag, only it is free, and you get your bag back at plane side when you reach your destination. Other advantage I guess is that if you get stranded like we did in Chicago, you got your bag with you. Ours somehow didn't miss our connection (even tho we landed when the other plane was supposedly taking off) even though we did. So we got to spend the night without our luggage. I carry a laptop bag with me that has my essential stuff in it. So I was ok.
We stayed in the Hilton at the Chicago airport - in the airport actually. Cost a little more, but to me it was worth not have to try to go out find and catch a shuttle for a 20 min drive to some hotel and be at their mercy to be able to get a shuttle the next morning and not miss our return flight. It already took us almost 15-20 minutes to walk from the airport itself to the hotel lobby, much less go on outside where the shuttle buses were. The hotel was nice. Not that I ever plan to go back to it. The main down point of the stay in Chicago was walking into an elevator just as a homeless man was exiting to discover he had just peed in the corner. Ewww. and why there? never mind I don't want to know. J wondered how he knew he could be finished in time before the doors opened... I don't know? practice?
M also had her own fun travelling over the holiday. She flew to SC to see W. Was supposed to fly out on Friday and return Monday, making it a 4 day weekend trip. She got stuck because of a connecting flight through Newark, and had her Monday flight rescheduled for Thursday, and then when it looked like it might be cancelled again, ended up having to get another flight home. She is holding her breath waiting for a refund on the original return flight. Which they did promise, so maybe. I think the worst part of her getting stuck was that she was staying with W and his girlfriend D and she got sick of hearing sales pitches for XANGO. The miracle fruit, cure for MS and anything that ails you, that I wrote about before. You don't sell the product, you just find 5 friends that will join and market it, and they find 5 friends, etc. The other issue was that D's cooking apparently left something to be desired, she said the meals were things that really sounded good, but every time she put any of it in her mouth she was disappointed. The other problem was that it was unseasonably cold in SC. And apparently W & D didn't feel the need to turn up the heat. M was talking about having to put socks on her hands to read so her hands didn't freeze. M doesn't normally complain of the cold.
Western KY is really not that far south of where I live in Central PA. But a lot of people from this area seem to believe I am travelling south when I mention going to see my mom. Now, granted if you listen to the accents of the locals, you will definitely hear a drawl. And like a lot of the south, they don't get in any hurry. But geographically, it is really more west than south. Temperature-wise it normally is within a few degrees of here. In fact, we had a white xmas (about 3-4 inches) which was more than here. In any case, I wish it was further south and that the temperatures reflected it. I am pretty much over winter time. Today was a "warm spell" - regular heat wave with temps climbing into the 40's. Feels a lot better than 20's and below. And this single digit stuff with the wind chill - it really has to go. I truly think my MS doesn't like cold. Maybe it is just me that doesn't like cold, but I like to think it is one thing that we agree on. Something we can both be on the same side regarding. I just really don't like the bitter cold. Especially damp & cold. I don't care for extreme heat either, but the cold just seems to do something to me. And plus arthur doesn't care for it either. So the 3 of us - arthur, MS & me all would greatly prefer if we were done with winter now please. My arthritis in my left knee has really been acting up. I saw the dr yesterday and talked about seeing another specialist to discuss a knee replacement. Hiking across the airport, riding my bike, stepping out in the cold. None of those things are much fun these days. So I think it is time. It isn't going to get any better. And the things that were helping (like the walking, exercising and riding bike) don't seem to be doing it now. So I need to take the next step and see what I need to know to plan.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Rest & Relaxation
This weekend was a great weekend. Not that anything truly remarkable happened, but maybe because it was just an ordinary weekend. W has been off playing casanova the past couple weeks so M and I have the house to ourselves. We both took off Friday, but not to go anywhere or do anything. Not that we did absolutely nothing, but sometimes M feels the need to have an agenda, somewhere to go, things to do, I sometimes like to just relax and have no plans. So this weekend we had no real plans. Friday we got errands ran, and just took care of things that needed to be done during the week but we never seem to have time for while working.
Saturday we took the bikes down to the Heritage trail and rode 14+ miles, then went to a friend's pool party that afternoon. The weather cooperated, wasn't unbearably hot. The trail is shady so that helps! Sun was out and pretty warm at the pool party but then that just made it feel good to jump in the water. Got to swim a few laps and tease a couple of the dogs that wanted to follow along the side of the pool back and forth... I always loved swiming. I miss having a pool or a gym membership with a pool. I did forget though to watch my knee while trying to swim laps. I have a tendancy to hurt my left knee while kicking unless I either wrap it first or pay close attention and dont kick hard and just use my arms to pull myself along. Well, I forgot. But nothing serious. We had fun.
Sunday we loaded the bikes up again, and went back down to the trail and this time did 18 miles. It was a little warmer on Sunday, but there was a nice breeze and of course the shade on the trail. This was first weekend in over 3 weeks that I was able to get out on one of the trails and ride. I'd been on-call the previous 3 weekends.
Riding helps my knees, but then they are stiff afterward. They were stiff when I woke up Sunday morning, and stiff when I started out riding Sunday, and stiff this morning as I went into work. By now they have loosened back up. Relaxing in the Hot tub also helps my arthritis a lot. I am sooo glad that my MS didn't take that away and I can still enjoy soaking my aching bones in the hot water. There have been some times, usually in the midst of a flare that I can't tolerate the heat but normally it still feels good.
So here's to rest and relaxation. And to a great weekend.
Saturday we took the bikes down to the Heritage trail and rode 14+ miles, then went to a friend's pool party that afternoon. The weather cooperated, wasn't unbearably hot. The trail is shady so that helps! Sun was out and pretty warm at the pool party but then that just made it feel good to jump in the water. Got to swim a few laps and tease a couple of the dogs that wanted to follow along the side of the pool back and forth... I always loved swiming. I miss having a pool or a gym membership with a pool. I did forget though to watch my knee while trying to swim laps. I have a tendancy to hurt my left knee while kicking unless I either wrap it first or pay close attention and dont kick hard and just use my arms to pull myself along. Well, I forgot. But nothing serious. We had fun.
Sunday we loaded the bikes up again, and went back down to the trail and this time did 18 miles. It was a little warmer on Sunday, but there was a nice breeze and of course the shade on the trail. This was first weekend in over 3 weeks that I was able to get out on one of the trails and ride. I'd been on-call the previous 3 weekends.
Riding helps my knees, but then they are stiff afterward. They were stiff when I woke up Sunday morning, and stiff when I started out riding Sunday, and stiff this morning as I went into work. By now they have loosened back up. Relaxing in the Hot tub also helps my arthritis a lot. I am sooo glad that my MS didn't take that away and I can still enjoy soaking my aching bones in the hot water. There have been some times, usually in the midst of a flare that I can't tolerate the heat but normally it still feels good.
So here's to rest and relaxation. And to a great weekend.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The ride and recovery, and knees and things
So we survived the MS Bike Ride. M did the whole 25 miles - she claims she actually did more like 27 miles due to getting lost with another MS Biker that had trouble following the course. I only made it less than 3 miles. I did at least 2.5, but less than 3. So I guess that makes me a 10%-er. Kind of fitting in a way. I am a leftie - like supposedly 10 % of the population. I am gay - another supposed 10% of the population. Who knows there is probably lots of other things I am that matches only about 10% of the population.
Saturday was extremely hot - it was almost 90 at 6:30 when we arrived to register. Plus the heat index. The route was all rolling hills, and not gentle ones. I don't do well with hills. Especially steep ones. My knees can't handle it. So after pedaling what I could and walking the bike up the worst of two really big hills, I was on the side of the road catching my breath. Wondering the wisdom of even being out here in the heat, when a SAG vehicle came by to ask if I was ok. I took him up on his offer of a ride back to the start/finish. He said no shame in calling it quits. Which I didn't feel any shame. I got out and I struggled and I did what I could handle. If I had kept going, I could have gotten myself in a serious mess. M asked me if I was sure I didn't want to keep going, and I said no. I did the right thing for me. I did what I set out to accomplish. I raised over 1175, and I went out and tried. Next year, we are opting for a "flatter" event. Flat and gentle hills I can handle.
Other than trying to ride on a day that was way too hot - temp & humidity, I've been enjoying being back on my bike. I am making an effort to get out and get more exercise and to eat healthier. I know that if I was to lose some weight it would help with my knees. Course that too is a catch 22. If I felt better, I would feel more like exercising, if I lost some weight my knees would feel better, making it easier to exercise to lose the weight to feel better to exercise. Oh well, it is easy to procrastinate, and find excuses. It is time to just get busy and "do" and stop waiting for something to magically happen.
I am trying to decide whether I want to plan to have a knee replacement next year or not. I want to lose some weight and get physically stronger, and get my knee especially physically stronger before doing that. Originally my osteo wanted me to wait until I was 52 at least. Now he seems to think I'm a candidate now, whenever I want to do it he will refer me (he doesn't do that surgery, he does the non-invasive stuff, and surgical alternatives). So seems to me he is saying it's getting time to do it. My concern is that I want it to help give me more of my life back. But what if it doesn't? Not being in pain all the time would be a great thing. If it gave me the ability to exercise and not constantly evaluate things as to whether or not my knee will allow me to do this or that... those would all be pluses. On the other hand, I've also read and heard it isn't for people who are looking for some miraculous cure, or that it won't eliminate all the problems, just will help with the pain, that with a replacement you aren't suppose to run or jump (ok, not that I do either now anyway), but I also can't kneel, crouch, etc. One reason I was always told to wait, and hold off is that the life span on the knees (the plastics) is only 10-15 years, and since you can only replace the knee 2x per knee in a person's lifetime I didn't want to end up not being able to walk at the end of my days. The other thing I keep thinking is that if I keep putting it off and wait for some magic time frame to arrive, what if I wait too long, and MS strikes and I can't walk anyway. So, I've decided I just have to determine if it will help me today. if so, then I should explore doing it. If it won't help me today, then I should wait.
Saturday was extremely hot - it was almost 90 at 6:30 when we arrived to register. Plus the heat index. The route was all rolling hills, and not gentle ones. I don't do well with hills. Especially steep ones. My knees can't handle it. So after pedaling what I could and walking the bike up the worst of two really big hills, I was on the side of the road catching my breath. Wondering the wisdom of even being out here in the heat, when a SAG vehicle came by to ask if I was ok. I took him up on his offer of a ride back to the start/finish. He said no shame in calling it quits. Which I didn't feel any shame. I got out and I struggled and I did what I could handle. If I had kept going, I could have gotten myself in a serious mess. M asked me if I was sure I didn't want to keep going, and I said no. I did the right thing for me. I did what I set out to accomplish. I raised over 1175, and I went out and tried. Next year, we are opting for a "flatter" event. Flat and gentle hills I can handle.
Other than trying to ride on a day that was way too hot - temp & humidity, I've been enjoying being back on my bike. I am making an effort to get out and get more exercise and to eat healthier. I know that if I was to lose some weight it would help with my knees. Course that too is a catch 22. If I felt better, I would feel more like exercising, if I lost some weight my knees would feel better, making it easier to exercise to lose the weight to feel better to exercise. Oh well, it is easy to procrastinate, and find excuses. It is time to just get busy and "do" and stop waiting for something to magically happen.
I am trying to decide whether I want to plan to have a knee replacement next year or not. I want to lose some weight and get physically stronger, and get my knee especially physically stronger before doing that. Originally my osteo wanted me to wait until I was 52 at least. Now he seems to think I'm a candidate now, whenever I want to do it he will refer me (he doesn't do that surgery, he does the non-invasive stuff, and surgical alternatives). So seems to me he is saying it's getting time to do it. My concern is that I want it to help give me more of my life back. But what if it doesn't? Not being in pain all the time would be a great thing. If it gave me the ability to exercise and not constantly evaluate things as to whether or not my knee will allow me to do this or that... those would all be pluses. On the other hand, I've also read and heard it isn't for people who are looking for some miraculous cure, or that it won't eliminate all the problems, just will help with the pain, that with a replacement you aren't suppose to run or jump (ok, not that I do either now anyway), but I also can't kneel, crouch, etc. One reason I was always told to wait, and hold off is that the life span on the knees (the plastics) is only 10-15 years, and since you can only replace the knee 2x per knee in a person's lifetime I didn't want to end up not being able to walk at the end of my days. The other thing I keep thinking is that if I keep putting it off and wait for some magic time frame to arrive, what if I wait too long, and MS strikes and I can't walk anyway. So, I've decided I just have to determine if it will help me today. if so, then I should explore doing it. If it won't help me today, then I should wait.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
knee surgery round 2
Had the left knee surgery this morning. This time I'm using one crutch to get around. This one is definitely more sore than when I had the right one. I woke up after the other surgery with my knee actually already feeling better. This time I woke up and it ached. The Dr says he cleaned out a bone spur and that I might be feeling that. Also seems to think this knee is worse than the other one. But then I have felt that all along. In spite of what the xray's showed, I had always thought the left was the bad one. New meaning to "bad to the bone". He also said this one is definitely a candidate for knee replacement. Not sure yet if that means sooner than originally planned or not.
I'm resting (sleeping and dozing) and keeping my leg propped up with ice on the knee. Hopefully in a few days it will be better and this will have been a big improvement. I am thinking positive. I needed to do something, so this was the first step.
M signed us up for a bike ride on Sunday. I had said I wasn't sure if I would be up for riding due to the surgery 3 days before. She wanted me to move the surgery. I couldn't do that. I mentioned after the surgery and after realizing this one hurts more and will take a little more recovery that I wouldn't feel up to riding, she suggests I just wait and see how it turns out. Right now I'm limping with a crutch. But I guess I will see what sunday morning brings. W is also having knee or hip - or maybe just problems with the muscle in his thigh. So he isn't sure he will be up for riding Sunday either. M is is frustrated with both of us.
I just had my 6 month follow up appt with my neurologist yesterday. All is going well there. According to the neuro exam, my reflexes and responses are all good. Dr says this was best neuro exam results yet. I'm to stay on the copaxone and continue on and come back again in 6 mos (or call if anything new, etc).
I have officially started the fund-raising for my MS Bike ride. While I don't think I'll be up for riding in this bike event this weekend that M signed us up for, I do think I'll be ready for the MS ride toward end of July. I just hope it isn't too hot. So far I've raised $85 toward the $250 minimum needed. We are still riding whenever we can to get in shape for it. We went this past weekend and it rained. Riding in the rain (slow drizzle) actually felt pretty good. It wasn't a lot of rain, and it help cool things (and me) off. Only did 6 miles though. I really need to build my endurance back up.
I'm resting (sleeping and dozing) and keeping my leg propped up with ice on the knee. Hopefully in a few days it will be better and this will have been a big improvement. I am thinking positive. I needed to do something, so this was the first step.
M signed us up for a bike ride on Sunday. I had said I wasn't sure if I would be up for riding due to the surgery 3 days before. She wanted me to move the surgery. I couldn't do that. I mentioned after the surgery and after realizing this one hurts more and will take a little more recovery that I wouldn't feel up to riding, she suggests I just wait and see how it turns out. Right now I'm limping with a crutch. But I guess I will see what sunday morning brings. W is also having knee or hip - or maybe just problems with the muscle in his thigh. So he isn't sure he will be up for riding Sunday either. M is is frustrated with both of us.
I just had my 6 month follow up appt with my neurologist yesterday. All is going well there. According to the neuro exam, my reflexes and responses are all good. Dr says this was best neuro exam results yet. I'm to stay on the copaxone and continue on and come back again in 6 mos (or call if anything new, etc).
I have officially started the fund-raising for my MS Bike ride. While I don't think I'll be up for riding in this bike event this weekend that M signed us up for, I do think I'll be ready for the MS ride toward end of July. I just hope it isn't too hot. So far I've raised $85 toward the $250 minimum needed. We are still riding whenever we can to get in shape for it. We went this past weekend and it rained. Riding in the rain (slow drizzle) actually felt pretty good. It wasn't a lot of rain, and it help cool things (and me) off. Only did 6 miles though. I really need to build my endurance back up.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
update, musing on heredity
Well, the knee surgery was a week ago. Right now I'm probably in the best shape I've been in for a while - ankle seems to be 100%, both knees working without too much pain or complaint. The right is much better than it has for some time - the surgery was a major success in my opinion. The left aches on occasion. Both creak and click when climbing steps. Luckily so far that is without pain. I sometimes feel like I could provide the sound effects for snap crack pop commercials between the noises my knees and other joints make. My ankle now joins in the sound effects band and plays popping sounds - reminiscent of popping bubble wrap periodically. Doesn't hurt but feels odd sort of like air escaping and makes noise. Various other joints also occasionally make noise - elbows and wrists, etc. I have only been diagnosed with arthritis in my knees. It is highly possible in my opinion I could have it other places as well. Supposedly osteoarthritis effects targeted joints, and isn't just spread throughout the body, unlike rheumatoid arthritis that can be spread through out. That is if I understand my reading correctly. For example osteoarthritis might only effect one knee and not the other (mine however is with both but in the beginning it was only the left), whereas rheumatoid arthritis normally effects both. Osteoarthritis apparently is more common, and is often due to just normal wear and tear on the body. Not much about it being genetic or hereditary, but my mother has arthritis. She for some time now has complained about having it in her hands, especially her right thumb. She is right handed. Since I started having knee issues she has recently had similar complaints with hers and will empathize with what I go through. She says she feels for me having these kinds of pain and issues at 47 (starting around 40) vs her having same sort of trouble in her 80's (she is 83).
My daughter continues to ask why it is that genetics always seem to pass along the bad things and how lucky she is to appear to be in line to inherit all sorts of lovely things. So far she is lucky (unlucky) enough to have inherited from me (and from my mom) the following:
1) allergy to adhesive - like the adhesive on band aids (not latex, just the sticky stuff).
2) large breasts (I had a breast reduction 3 yrs ago - best thing I ever did and wish I could have done years prior, and she is jealous that she can't do the same yet, and my mother also says she wishes she had known of such a thing years ago, but feels 80+ is too old to do anything now).
3) large thighs - goes with the body type in general I guess that has been passed down. My mother in her youth had a model perfect body apparently - the large breast, small waist, and larger hips, and big thighs (doesn't show much in the pictures from the day due to her normally being dressed in dresses or skirts). So even when she was actually on the skinny side she had large legs. Me, I've never been accused of being skinny, and currently could stand to lose extra pounds, but even when I was thinner, I had the large breasts and big legs, and now my daughter follows along. Her larger than most girls thighs were well muscled and of benefit when she used to swim (the large breasts that developed soon after however were more of a detriment.)
4) while she hasn't developed it yet, we already know that Rosacea runs in the family. Mom has it, as does both my brother and I.
5) Strange immune system things - Dad had Gilliam Barre syndrome (which ultimately rushed his death several years ago), I of course with MS (diagnosed in 2009), and my daughter who had spinal meningitis at 18 months.
My daughter continues to ask why it is that genetics always seem to pass along the bad things and how lucky she is to appear to be in line to inherit all sorts of lovely things. So far she is lucky (unlucky) enough to have inherited from me (and from my mom) the following:
1) allergy to adhesive - like the adhesive on band aids (not latex, just the sticky stuff).
2) large breasts (I had a breast reduction 3 yrs ago - best thing I ever did and wish I could have done years prior, and she is jealous that she can't do the same yet, and my mother also says she wishes she had known of such a thing years ago, but feels 80+ is too old to do anything now).
3) large thighs - goes with the body type in general I guess that has been passed down. My mother in her youth had a model perfect body apparently - the large breast, small waist, and larger hips, and big thighs (doesn't show much in the pictures from the day due to her normally being dressed in dresses or skirts). So even when she was actually on the skinny side she had large legs. Me, I've never been accused of being skinny, and currently could stand to lose extra pounds, but even when I was thinner, I had the large breasts and big legs, and now my daughter follows along. Her larger than most girls thighs were well muscled and of benefit when she used to swim (the large breasts that developed soon after however were more of a detriment.)
4) while she hasn't developed it yet, we already know that Rosacea runs in the family. Mom has it, as does both my brother and I.
5) Strange immune system things - Dad had Gilliam Barre syndrome (which ultimately rushed his death several years ago), I of course with MS (diagnosed in 2009), and my daughter who had spinal meningitis at 18 months.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Knee surgery, recovery
I had the arthoscopic surgery on my right knee on Thursday. Outpatient, the surgery took less than an hour I think. I was told to bring my crutches but didn't need them. They want you up on your feet soon as possible. It appears I worried myself silly over nothing really. I was worried that my unstable left knee wouldn't be able to pull the slack during recovery etc. But I'm in virtually no pain. He told us that it might be like that, since he cleaned out the debris, and cleaned up the irritants, he said my knee might actually feel better after the surgery and not have the sore aches and pains normally associated with surgery. I can walk pretty much normal, even take stairs slow. It aches a bit at night or if I've been up on it for a while - due to swelling but if I keep it iced and elevated it is great. Last night I think my left knee bothered me more during the night than the right.
M is saying maybe we should have had this done a long time ago, and maybe need to go on to have the left one done. Maybe. My concern on the left is that it is not just the pain but the instability. Which I think is due to the ACL injury years ago that was never repaired.
Anyway, it is a good day. The sun is shining bright. A little too hot, but the breeze feels good. I'm sitting out on our deck enjoying it - at least for now, until I get too hot out here and/or the breeze dies down. I'm one of the apparent lucky ones with MS that isn't that effected by the heat. I'm more effected by cold. Doesn't mean I like being hot or don't get uncomfortable from the heat. I just don't have some of the issues a lot of others have with the heat.
M went riding again today. I feel like I should be ready to join back next weekend or so. W went over to the rentals to work in our garden. The rest of the house is being lazy - the dog thinks it is too hot out here and went back in. The cats are sprawled in various locations around the house finding some warm sun to nap in. This is just a good lazy saturday.
M is saying maybe we should have had this done a long time ago, and maybe need to go on to have the left one done. Maybe. My concern on the left is that it is not just the pain but the instability. Which I think is due to the ACL injury years ago that was never repaired.
Anyway, it is a good day. The sun is shining bright. A little too hot, but the breeze feels good. I'm sitting out on our deck enjoying it - at least for now, until I get too hot out here and/or the breeze dies down. I'm one of the apparent lucky ones with MS that isn't that effected by the heat. I'm more effected by cold. Doesn't mean I like being hot or don't get uncomfortable from the heat. I just don't have some of the issues a lot of others have with the heat.
M went riding again today. I feel like I should be ready to join back next weekend or so. W went over to the rentals to work in our garden. The rest of the house is being lazy - the dog thinks it is too hot out here and went back in. The cats are sprawled in various locations around the house finding some warm sun to nap in. This is just a good lazy saturday.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday Bike Ride
This past Saturday the weather cleared enough in the morning for us to a short bike ride. W is in Colorado so he missed it, but I went with M and her sister and a friend of her sisters to ride back at City Island. I did promise M that I would walk my bike up the steep ramps along front street (just in case - after all this was the site of where I broke my ankle the last time I was on my bike back in January.) The weather was nice, although the wind was strong toward the end. I did 7.9 miles, actually closer to 8, since the odometer rolled over while I moved my bike around before putting it back on the rack to head home. So I think I did pretty good.
M & the rest did a lot more than I did. There was a crowd at City Island so they opted to take the regular bridge (with the cars) instead of the walking bridge. I wanted to take it easy while I got over the fear of falling off my bike so I decided to just ride around the Island a bit and by the time I did that the walking bridge traffic cleared so I went across that. I met back up with the others briefly but found I had trouble keeping up. So let them go on without me and took my time. I met back up with them later. I know the last 3 miles or so were tough. My muscles really felt it. And my left knee. In spite of getting another injection last week. M was concerned and hung back to make sure I made it back to across the walking bridge because she figured I had to be tired. I am very lucky to have someone like M in my life. I'm sure I don't tell her that enough.
Riding felt good. I had a little trouble starting off - feeling a bit wobbly (ok a lot wobbly). I had a couple moments of panic trying to push off and or stop when I didn't have the strength in my left leg to get the bike going and was wobbling along with the voices in my head saying "don't fall... don't fall... you going to break something again if you fall..." So getting past the fear was kind of a big thing. I hate being afraid. I don't like being afraid of anything. Sometimes I look back and think what happened to the younger me. The one that wasn't afraid, and the one whose body hadn't yet started to betray her. I could run, jump, climb, even crawl. I played sports, and didn't have to think ahead as to where I was walking, watch my balance (I wobble walking sometimes too - not just on a bike). I can't squat down, my knees can't deal with it. I have trouble kneeling and/or crawling on my knees for the same reason. Run? forget it! And now since falling off the bike a couple times and breaking my ankle the last time, a part of me knows that fear is something real, not just in my head. I do need to watch out, and think ahead and be careful, and try not to fall. So the fear is there, and it has grown. Bah!
M & I are planning a trip in July to Ohiopyle. We will take W with us, JJ is going to house/dog/cat sit for us. We are taking the bikes, and will ride some of the rail trails in the area. I'm excited about the trip. I'm hoping I'll be up to do the trails and will be able to keep up. I am a little nervous about the surgery this Thursday and how quickly I'll be able to recover. Mainly I'm worried that my weaker left will be able to handle doing all the work for a few days - going up/down stairs when I get home from the surgery, etc. I'll just have to tough it out I guess. M also wants to go white water rafting while we are at Ohiopyle. I went once years ago (over 30 yrs I think). I think it will be fun, but I'm nervous about that too. She wants to do the upper yough which is the toughest. I am being nervous Nelly and think of all that could go wrong. I miss the me that was adventurous and unafraid. And most of all strong and pain free.
M & the rest did a lot more than I did. There was a crowd at City Island so they opted to take the regular bridge (with the cars) instead of the walking bridge. I wanted to take it easy while I got over the fear of falling off my bike so I decided to just ride around the Island a bit and by the time I did that the walking bridge traffic cleared so I went across that. I met back up with the others briefly but found I had trouble keeping up. So let them go on without me and took my time. I met back up with them later. I know the last 3 miles or so were tough. My muscles really felt it. And my left knee. In spite of getting another injection last week. M was concerned and hung back to make sure I made it back to across the walking bridge because she figured I had to be tired. I am very lucky to have someone like M in my life. I'm sure I don't tell her that enough.
Riding felt good. I had a little trouble starting off - feeling a bit wobbly (ok a lot wobbly). I had a couple moments of panic trying to push off and or stop when I didn't have the strength in my left leg to get the bike going and was wobbling along with the voices in my head saying "don't fall... don't fall... you going to break something again if you fall..." So getting past the fear was kind of a big thing. I hate being afraid. I don't like being afraid of anything. Sometimes I look back and think what happened to the younger me. The one that wasn't afraid, and the one whose body hadn't yet started to betray her. I could run, jump, climb, even crawl. I played sports, and didn't have to think ahead as to where I was walking, watch my balance (I wobble walking sometimes too - not just on a bike). I can't squat down, my knees can't deal with it. I have trouble kneeling and/or crawling on my knees for the same reason. Run? forget it! And now since falling off the bike a couple times and breaking my ankle the last time, a part of me knows that fear is something real, not just in my head. I do need to watch out, and think ahead and be careful, and try not to fall. So the fear is there, and it has grown. Bah!
M & I are planning a trip in July to Ohiopyle. We will take W with us, JJ is going to house/dog/cat sit for us. We are taking the bikes, and will ride some of the rail trails in the area. I'm excited about the trip. I'm hoping I'll be up to do the trails and will be able to keep up. I am a little nervous about the surgery this Thursday and how quickly I'll be able to recover. Mainly I'm worried that my weaker left will be able to handle doing all the work for a few days - going up/down stairs when I get home from the surgery, etc. I'll just have to tough it out I guess. M also wants to go white water rafting while we are at Ohiopyle. I went once years ago (over 30 yrs I think). I think it will be fun, but I'm nervous about that too. She wants to do the upper yough which is the toughest. I am being nervous Nelly and think of all that could go wrong. I miss the me that was adventurous and unafraid. And most of all strong and pain free.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Weekend Getaway, bikes, and things
This past weekend M and I went down to the shore. She rode in the annual Ocean to Bay ride, 25 miles. I am really proud of her. Just think last year neither one of us was riding at all. And this past Saturday she rode over 30 miles altogether. I really wish I had been up to riding as well, but I was afraid to try it. The ride looked great though very little grade. Which is really great for me. We have plans to do it again next year. It was really nice chance to get away from it all too. Good to have a break from work. Good to have some time together. The weather was great. Just a great weekend.
Actually I am a afraid to get back on the bike. Afraid of falling again. Afraid I won't be able to catch myself if I tip over. Afraid to get hurt. I hate being afraid. Seems as the years go by, I lose more and more. I thought it was a part of getting older, but now, I guess it is much more.
I am still doing the Physical Therapy. It helps. I can tell I am re-gaining the strength in my left knee and ankle, the range of motion in my ankle is almost back to normal. I still have trouble with stairs. My knee can't quite pull me up going up steps and my ankle hurts on the way down. My therapist told me today that that is also a function of my lack of strength in the thigh muscle which effects my ability to go up and down. The muscle gives way, and so i feel it in my ankle. Makes sense.
I saw my orthopedic dr last Friday. He said I was back too soon to get new xrays of the ankle. But we talked about the ankle and it seems to be doing fine. Then we talked about the knees. Basically it isn't anything we didn't already know. According to him my knees are well into their late 60's. My actual age is 47. People don't seem to think I look it. I tell people I have a 25 yr old daughter and I'm told there is no way. I guess that is lucky. I don't really have wrinkles. Probably partly due to being overweight. I don't have any grey hair. My mom didn't really go grey until she was in her 60's and then it looked like her hair was frosted. My dad was the same way. I do have liver spots on my hands. so my skin looks old. Anyway, I also talked to the dr about scheduling the orthoscopic surgery on my right knee since my kneecap is driving me nuts. It is very hard to sit still for any length of time. So he gave me a cortisone shot in my left knee to see if that would help it. Normally the shots do help it. And we scheduled surgery for next Thursday 4/29. I hope I'll be ready. But the plan is to get it done and move on.
I have no idea if I will be able to get back in shape to do the MS bike ride in July but that is still my goal. M says I will make it.
Actually I am a afraid to get back on the bike. Afraid of falling again. Afraid I won't be able to catch myself if I tip over. Afraid to get hurt. I hate being afraid. Seems as the years go by, I lose more and more. I thought it was a part of getting older, but now, I guess it is much more.
I am still doing the Physical Therapy. It helps. I can tell I am re-gaining the strength in my left knee and ankle, the range of motion in my ankle is almost back to normal. I still have trouble with stairs. My knee can't quite pull me up going up steps and my ankle hurts on the way down. My therapist told me today that that is also a function of my lack of strength in the thigh muscle which effects my ability to go up and down. The muscle gives way, and so i feel it in my ankle. Makes sense.
I saw my orthopedic dr last Friday. He said I was back too soon to get new xrays of the ankle. But we talked about the ankle and it seems to be doing fine. Then we talked about the knees. Basically it isn't anything we didn't already know. According to him my knees are well into their late 60's. My actual age is 47. People don't seem to think I look it. I tell people I have a 25 yr old daughter and I'm told there is no way. I guess that is lucky. I don't really have wrinkles. Probably partly due to being overweight. I don't have any grey hair. My mom didn't really go grey until she was in her 60's and then it looked like her hair was frosted. My dad was the same way. I do have liver spots on my hands. so my skin looks old. Anyway, I also talked to the dr about scheduling the orthoscopic surgery on my right knee since my kneecap is driving me nuts. It is very hard to sit still for any length of time. So he gave me a cortisone shot in my left knee to see if that would help it. Normally the shots do help it. And we scheduled surgery for next Thursday 4/29. I hope I'll be ready. But the plan is to get it done and move on.
I have no idea if I will be able to get back in shape to do the MS bike ride in July but that is still my goal. M says I will make it.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Bees Knees
It seems for me, the odd years (2007, 2009 for example) have been the years that I've had various medical issues, found out that I have various things wrong with me, in 07 I had a couple minor/major surgeries, in 09 I found out among other things that I have MS. I also found out that I had nodules on my Thyroid (found during MRI scans that were for the diagnosis of the MS), I still no nothing for sure about the nodes, other than I get to go back in 9 months for another ultra-sound and that my dr wants to take the wait and see approach.
I also found out in 09 that my "good" knee actually is more bone on bone with Osteoarthritis than my "bad" knee. I still think of it as my good knee since it is still the stronger and more dependable one. What sucks is that since it's got arthritis behind the kneecap it is the one that aches the most at the moment, the other knee is manageable with periodic synvisc shots (at least pain-wise, it still threatens to just "go-out" on my for no apparent reason when I first stand up).
My bad knee has caused me to do my impression of a drunk at a local bar on more than one occasion. I don't know why bar/restaurants have the tables with the high stool seats? I sit for very long on those, and when I stand, I never know if my knee will work with me or not. Just recently, right before the holiday's we had gone out with M's sister and her partner for wings and I went to stand to go to the restroom and I felt the knee go, so I just rolled with it and landed on my back looking up at a couple that were waiting to be seated. The guy was very helpful and concerned and help me regain my feet.
Having lived with the "bad" left knee for the last 8-9 years or so, I was very unhappy to learn last year that my "good" right knee was actually in worse shape. My osteo doc says that xray's and tests are deceiving, that what matters is how they feel. True. And that would be fine if the right knee continued to feel ok and not bother me. But that arthritis behind the knee cap is annoying. It makes it hard to drive for long distances, I want to shift my leg around and find a position that doesn't ache and I can't. My doc calls it "movie theatre knee" because people that have it can't sit through a movie. I also can't sit still through lunch and pity my lunch companions that are unlucky enough to sit across from me. They know when it is worse than normal, guess the kicks in the shins are a good clue. It also wakes me up, and keeps me up at night. Which I'm finding with the MS, interferring with getting enough sleep is harder to overcome than it used to be.
I'm used to dealing with pain, working through pain, but this kneecap thing is something different. I am sure it is not the worst pain I've ever had. It is just the most annoying. And it is getting worse. The shots don't help like they did on the other knee. I saw the ortho doc and he says there is little else to do at this point. As he said, we have talked about the fact that what I need ultimately will be to replace both knees (initially 8 yrs ago it was just the 1, now it is both). And that what we need to do know is to do what ever we can to put off when we will do that. You may ask why? I know lots of my friends did. Well, in order to do the surgery to replace a knee, they have to trim the ligaments and tendons and use them to attach to the artifical knee. Unfortunately the ligaments and tendons are something that the body will not grow longer, so apparently it is only possible to do 2 replacements of that knee due to the length of these. Replacement parts are improving, and the titanium they use for the knee itself is very good and lasts a long time. Unfortunately the plastic they have to use to simulate the cartiledge is not so good and only has a life span of 10-15 yrs. They are finding new techniques and plastics so that might change but they haven't been in use long enough to really know. So the long and short of it is that they don't like to do knee replacements on anyone until they are at least in their mid- to late 50's. I'm in my 40's.
When I saw my dr this past week, I pointed out that I was now in my late 40's - 47 to be exact. But he said he would really rather it be at least 6 yrs from now if not closer to when I'm 55. I can see the point - worst case (have to look at worst cases, because I've found in my life and in my family they often come true - prepare for the worst and hope for the best), I could have a replacement today at 47, have it only last 10 yr, and get my 2nd at 57 and now if it lasts even 15yrs, that will put me at 72 and unable to walk. Not bad maybe. However, my dad was 79 and would have continued on if it weren't for getting GBS (Gilliam Barre Syndrom) at 76 and never completely recovering from it. My mom is still going and is 83. Course if that 2nd knee only made it 10 yrs, I'd be 67 and unable to walk. Not good. I explained this to an acquantance and her response was, well, then at that point why not cut your leg off and get a full leg prosthesis. Hmmmm. Yeah, why wait, do it now?
So my doc offered that our other option at the moment for the pain-in-ass kneecap was to do orthoscopic surgery on it, go in with a camera and clean out any irritants, loose cartiledge, and smooth any rough spots and arthritis. This could help and is less invasive and easier recovery than a knee replacement. The knee would be sore for a while, and I would be on crutches for a bit. Since I work as a network engineer and sit at a desk behind a computer most of the time, I would only miss 3-4 days of work. Risk is that it might not really help all that much. Or it might not last that long.
So, I spoke with my big brother, who is a cardiologist, 11 yrs older than me, and who I trust when it comes to medical delima's and asked for his thoughts. His take was that this wasn't his field, but based on what his friends (in the field) say, my doc is right, we need to wait on the knee replacement. B says knee replacements are still in their infancy. Hips and other things (shoulders?) are well established. Knees are different, partly because of the need for the plastic which we haven't discovered something that holds up well or long enough, because of the only being able to do the replacement 2x in a person, etc. He said his guys say that I would be best to wait until I'm at least "HIS" age - as in 58, before thinking about a replacement. His suggestion was that if the knee was giving me fits, he thought the orthoscopy would help, and anything to delay the replacement was worth doing.
So everything seems to lean toward doing the orthoscopy. I'm afraid though. That's my "good" knee. The dependable, stable one. It may hurt but I can count on it. The other one isn't in pain at the moment - it will in about 6 months or so, start aching and then it will be time to think about another round of shots. But even though the left doesn't hurt, I can't count on it. It might fold. So contemplating having surgery on the good one, and having to depend more on the bad one is a bit scary. I mean I depend so much on that right leg. It stablizes me when I first stand up, until I can feel that my left will carry my weight. That's the knee I kneel on if I have to kneel down (I don't recommend it with knees like mine), and I even kneel on it on the bed each night to climb in. So many things currently depend on that knee - old dependable. "Old" being very fitting in that my osteo says while I might be 47, unfortunately I have the knees of a 67 yr old. I'd like to find her and swap back...
This morning, my knee is really bugging me. I'm having a hard time sitting to write this. I stretch it out and prop it up and that's ok for a while (like 5 min) then i have to move it. I get up and walk around. I sit down to work again. For another 5-10 min. That is like my typical morning or afternoon at work. when the knee flares up, I can't find a "happy" position. Excersise doesn't even help either. My left when it starts flaring is helped when i get on the bike and ride for a while (either the excersise or real doesn't matter). I try that but doesn't help with the kneecap. In fact it stays irritated when I'm riding. So I try to ignore it. I did ride the excercise bike this morning about 15 minutes then i gave up. I also did 15 minutes on the wii fit. I'm trying to get in better shape (one of my "non-resolution" intentions for 2010).
If the knee keeps up I guess I will proceed with orthoscopy. If that works, then I'll still be able to depend on my stable knee and it won't drive me nuts. So if I look at it that way it could be a win situation. Least enough to buy a little more time.
I also found out in 09 that my "good" knee actually is more bone on bone with Osteoarthritis than my "bad" knee. I still think of it as my good knee since it is still the stronger and more dependable one. What sucks is that since it's got arthritis behind the kneecap it is the one that aches the most at the moment, the other knee is manageable with periodic synvisc shots (at least pain-wise, it still threatens to just "go-out" on my for no apparent reason when I first stand up).
My bad knee has caused me to do my impression of a drunk at a local bar on more than one occasion. I don't know why bar/restaurants have the tables with the high stool seats? I sit for very long on those, and when I stand, I never know if my knee will work with me or not. Just recently, right before the holiday's we had gone out with M's sister and her partner for wings and I went to stand to go to the restroom and I felt the knee go, so I just rolled with it and landed on my back looking up at a couple that were waiting to be seated. The guy was very helpful and concerned and help me regain my feet.
Having lived with the "bad" left knee for the last 8-9 years or so, I was very unhappy to learn last year that my "good" right knee was actually in worse shape. My osteo doc says that xray's and tests are deceiving, that what matters is how they feel. True. And that would be fine if the right knee continued to feel ok and not bother me. But that arthritis behind the knee cap is annoying. It makes it hard to drive for long distances, I want to shift my leg around and find a position that doesn't ache and I can't. My doc calls it "movie theatre knee" because people that have it can't sit through a movie. I also can't sit still through lunch and pity my lunch companions that are unlucky enough to sit across from me. They know when it is worse than normal, guess the kicks in the shins are a good clue. It also wakes me up, and keeps me up at night. Which I'm finding with the MS, interferring with getting enough sleep is harder to overcome than it used to be.
I'm used to dealing with pain, working through pain, but this kneecap thing is something different. I am sure it is not the worst pain I've ever had. It is just the most annoying. And it is getting worse. The shots don't help like they did on the other knee. I saw the ortho doc and he says there is little else to do at this point. As he said, we have talked about the fact that what I need ultimately will be to replace both knees (initially 8 yrs ago it was just the 1, now it is both). And that what we need to do know is to do what ever we can to put off when we will do that. You may ask why? I know lots of my friends did. Well, in order to do the surgery to replace a knee, they have to trim the ligaments and tendons and use them to attach to the artifical knee. Unfortunately the ligaments and tendons are something that the body will not grow longer, so apparently it is only possible to do 2 replacements of that knee due to the length of these. Replacement parts are improving, and the titanium they use for the knee itself is very good and lasts a long time. Unfortunately the plastic they have to use to simulate the cartiledge is not so good and only has a life span of 10-15 yrs. They are finding new techniques and plastics so that might change but they haven't been in use long enough to really know. So the long and short of it is that they don't like to do knee replacements on anyone until they are at least in their mid- to late 50's. I'm in my 40's.
When I saw my dr this past week, I pointed out that I was now in my late 40's - 47 to be exact. But he said he would really rather it be at least 6 yrs from now if not closer to when I'm 55. I can see the point - worst case (have to look at worst cases, because I've found in my life and in my family they often come true - prepare for the worst and hope for the best), I could have a replacement today at 47, have it only last 10 yr, and get my 2nd at 57 and now if it lasts even 15yrs, that will put me at 72 and unable to walk. Not bad maybe. However, my dad was 79 and would have continued on if it weren't for getting GBS (Gilliam Barre Syndrom) at 76 and never completely recovering from it. My mom is still going and is 83. Course if that 2nd knee only made it 10 yrs, I'd be 67 and unable to walk. Not good. I explained this to an acquantance and her response was, well, then at that point why not cut your leg off and get a full leg prosthesis. Hmmmm. Yeah, why wait, do it now?
So my doc offered that our other option at the moment for the pain-in-ass kneecap was to do orthoscopic surgery on it, go in with a camera and clean out any irritants, loose cartiledge, and smooth any rough spots and arthritis. This could help and is less invasive and easier recovery than a knee replacement. The knee would be sore for a while, and I would be on crutches for a bit. Since I work as a network engineer and sit at a desk behind a computer most of the time, I would only miss 3-4 days of work. Risk is that it might not really help all that much. Or it might not last that long.
So, I spoke with my big brother, who is a cardiologist, 11 yrs older than me, and who I trust when it comes to medical delima's and asked for his thoughts. His take was that this wasn't his field, but based on what his friends (in the field) say, my doc is right, we need to wait on the knee replacement. B says knee replacements are still in their infancy. Hips and other things (shoulders?) are well established. Knees are different, partly because of the need for the plastic which we haven't discovered something that holds up well or long enough, because of the only being able to do the replacement 2x in a person, etc. He said his guys say that I would be best to wait until I'm at least "HIS" age - as in 58, before thinking about a replacement. His suggestion was that if the knee was giving me fits, he thought the orthoscopy would help, and anything to delay the replacement was worth doing.
So everything seems to lean toward doing the orthoscopy. I'm afraid though. That's my "good" knee. The dependable, stable one. It may hurt but I can count on it. The other one isn't in pain at the moment - it will in about 6 months or so, start aching and then it will be time to think about another round of shots. But even though the left doesn't hurt, I can't count on it. It might fold. So contemplating having surgery on the good one, and having to depend more on the bad one is a bit scary. I mean I depend so much on that right leg. It stablizes me when I first stand up, until I can feel that my left will carry my weight. That's the knee I kneel on if I have to kneel down (I don't recommend it with knees like mine), and I even kneel on it on the bed each night to climb in. So many things currently depend on that knee - old dependable. "Old" being very fitting in that my osteo says while I might be 47, unfortunately I have the knees of a 67 yr old. I'd like to find her and swap back...
This morning, my knee is really bugging me. I'm having a hard time sitting to write this. I stretch it out and prop it up and that's ok for a while (like 5 min) then i have to move it. I get up and walk around. I sit down to work again. For another 5-10 min. That is like my typical morning or afternoon at work. when the knee flares up, I can't find a "happy" position. Excersise doesn't even help either. My left when it starts flaring is helped when i get on the bike and ride for a while (either the excersise or real doesn't matter). I try that but doesn't help with the kneecap. In fact it stays irritated when I'm riding. So I try to ignore it. I did ride the excercise bike this morning about 15 minutes then i gave up. I also did 15 minutes on the wii fit. I'm trying to get in better shape (one of my "non-resolution" intentions for 2010).
If the knee keeps up I guess I will proceed with orthoscopy. If that works, then I'll still be able to depend on my stable knee and it won't drive me nuts. So if I look at it that way it could be a win situation. Least enough to buy a little more time.
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