Feeling poorly... really am this time....

[shovelhead]

In 2009 my right knee was replaced. Now the left is 10X the pain at least today it feels that way (cold & rainy Wx) . The Ortho Dr injected cortisone last Thursday.  Friday was sore, Saturday a little help and then downhill spiral.   I'm in some serious pain and the Doc's response.... take Aleve. I'm icing it down and eating Aleve like Chiclets. Dang diabetes keeps me from slugging down a bottle of Bourbon.

I don't want the Oxy stuff even if he'd prescribe it but there has to be something short of a scalpel. My right TKR didnt go well and I'm a wuss.   Between diabetic nerve neuropathy and this arthritis a 38 slug or a sledge hammer is looking appealing.

Any home remedies? GA Governor Deal signed medical MJ bill,  maybe I should go to Colorado cant grow it here.   Is that where John Denver found the words to Rocky Mountain high?

[dh50]

Shovelhead,
Our hearts hurt for you.  The most powerful thing in the world is prayer, whether you believe that or not.  Doesn't matter, we'll believe for you and will be praying for you even now as I type.   Any others reading this now who do believe in the power of Jesus Christ, would you please pray for Shovelhead?  Would you tell him so? 

Next, have you heard of MSM?  If not, please advise and we'll get info. to you, even mail you some.  It's inexpensive, found in your health food store.  Start eating it like 'chicklets'.  Our doc (pain specialist) has it compounded for topical application.  Comes in a tub which we've never seen anywhere, about $60.  We could get you a tub in the mail at cost asap if you but say the word.

Next, bourbon would probably be less harmful than weed, for a diabetic, though not encouraging either.  At least bourbon will knock you out for awhile.  Weed will make you want to eat that jackknife sofa you just ditched.  Weed doesn't do anymore for pain than any other substance, legal or otherwise.   It has use for cancer patients enduring chemo and who need to eat to have a hope of surviving the horrendous fallout from chemo therapy.  But one has to wonder if it might be kinder just to let the cancer take one out, but I digress.  As to weed or prescription drugs, none deal with the problem....just the symptom.  

Next, along with icing it, alternate with a heating pad.  15 minutes of each all day long if necessary.  

Next, LOOSE WEIGHT!  I too have a knee that is not right after lower back surgery 15 years ago.  I came to a point where I could not support myself on it, got very frightened at the prospect of a wheelchair way to early in life and got about the business of losing weight.  It has made all the difference in the world.  Still need to lose more, but it has helped so very much.  Our joints are just no meant to handle all the weight!  Scrap the scalpel and lose the weight...YOU CAN DO IT!  

Since losing weight is easier said than done, I am going to suggest you go online to HULU and view for free the documentary "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead".  Do this immediately.  It will inspire you and will help get your mind off the pain.

Please know there are folks out here that care for you and what you are going through.  I admire the way you are able to reach out and ask for help.  Way too many of us suffer silently.  The best thing, though, is to reach out and ask God for help.  After all, He cares more about you and knows you better than anyone else...He made YOU! Please let us know how you are before going to bed, okay?    

[farmboy]

If you have informed your doctor that Aleve is not reducing the pain, and that the pain is, as you describe it, serious and 10 times the pain that you experienced in the other knee, and he/she continues to tell you to take Aleve, time for a second opinion.    Have you considered acupuncture?  Here is link to some information from the Mayo Clinic:  http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/basics/definition/prc-20020778
Best wishes for some relief from the pain.   A thought just occurred to me; I believe that there are pain management specialists; something to consider.  

[shovelhead]

Thanks for the advice and prayers.  I've been on the Glucosamine / MSM protocol along with apple cider vinegar (Organic yuk)   I called the DR and see  him Monday.  Seems like the cortisone injection really aggravated things.  I had the SynVis in the right knee it didnt help so I doubt I'd go for it in the left.

[whoofit]

Best of luck, Shovelhead.

Skip the weed and go straight to the Cool Ranch Doritos and chocolate milk.

Prayers up.

[leslie]

As someone with arthritis in my right knee, I feel your pain. Glucosamine works for me, and I see that you have been taking it in combination with MSM. Has it given you any relief?

There is a difference between brands with regard to effectiveness. I tried several brands before I decided that CosaminDS is what works best for me. 1500 mg all at once (3 capsules), with a meal works best. Researching glucosamine extensively, I found info that oranges or orange juice consumed at the same meal with the glucosamine will reduce its effectiveness.

I have also found some relief by drinking tart or sour cherry juice. On bad days, I take ibuprofen. Is there a medical reason for your doctor recommending Aleve rather than ibuprofen?

I have had the discussion about knee replacement surgery with my doctor. I will avoid surgery for as long as I can still hobble around.

Good luck. Keep moving. I hope you are able to find relief.

[mitch]

I second the comment about acupuncture.

[dh50]

As to glucosomine, make sure it is glucosomine SULFATE!  Glucosomine CONDROITIN is useless.  I've heard from others about the help they've received from acupuncture, though we have never explored this avenue.  It's certainly worth a try.  Keep us posted!

[daplumbr]

I'm probably writing something you already know, but at least consider surgery because 6 years is a long time in the medical world and it's possible there are much better options than what you went through for the other knee. Joint replacement surgery is big business and will become more so as we boomers wear out our original parts. With the kind of money behind the need, new parts and techniques will be regularly introduced. 

[pinstriper]

If you're bone on bone, the only option is TKR. Powerful meds can take block the pain or make you not care. Both will pretty much make you non-functional.

You probably know from your first TKR , but a key factor in the outcome is how much you weigh before the surgery, and how much you commit to the rehab after.

[shovelhead]

I'm hesitating a 2nd TKR because I saw Elvis in the recovery room .... Twice.  The nurse said I was talking and next thing I flatlined on two occasions.  The shocked me out of it.   Also the rehab didn't go as well and they had to release some scare tissue. I'm going to look at acupuncture. dr also mentioned a "partial replacement" procedure im not sure what that will do.

[solds88]

[p]Shovelhead,[/p][p]
[/p][p]You might want to try a TENS unit, it may or may not work for you?? I have one that's about the size of a pack of cigarettes and uses a 9 volt battery. Over the years I've been in a half dozen physical rehab. facilities and they all treated me with, among other things, a TENS unit. A few years back my knees were so bad that I could only walk for about five minutes as a time. I could not get into my car because I couldn't bend my knees. I lost 50 lbs. and my knees are much better now, but are still problematic on occasion. I have said a prayer for both you and Charliem and hope you both get better soon. [/p]

[shovelhead]

OK going full tilt. The Doc ordered up some Tramadol (sp) My neighbor got me some DMSO, I found 1/2 tube of Volteren, have the TENs machine cranking away, a shot of apple cider vinegar sitting right next to a short glass of Buffalo Trace. Now the question... one at a time... or all at once? I kid... I kid... well partially . No booze and meds together.
 

[dh50]

How are you?  Let us know.     

[admin]

I have no words of wisdom and can only imagine what you must be going through. I'm sure its going to be a tough road with any choice you make but I'm sure it will be the right one in the end. You'll be in my thoughts and I wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted and lets hope for a speedy recovery.

-Sean