For about six years, I've had terrible pain in my knees. Sometimes it's both and sometime it's just one. My left knee likes to give out on me and at the beginning of January, it started to give me excruitiating pain. I'm taking Celebrex for my arthritis and besides that I use an arthritis cream. Lately, nothing seems to work, so this morning I went to the doctor.
My regular doctor just kind of looks at me when I mention the pain in my legs. Now I have a high pain threshold and for me to say the pain is excrutiating, it is really bad. This week he is away and he had a female doctor filling in for him. She is the one that prescribed the Celebrex last year. I thought maybe she would be able to tell me what was going on.
It seems that my knees are "wrecked" as she put it. The left knee, which is the one that doesn't often hurt, but that lets me down, is really bad. She asked me if I was interested in seeing a surgeon. I wasn't. She asked me if I was interested in having a shot of cortisone put into my knee. I wasn't. So, we have agreed that for the time being we will try to manage the pain.
I'm to continue with 200mg of Celebrex a day and a Myloflex drop that I rub into my left knee four times a day. It's still Myloflex but is called Pennsaid. She gave me samples and when I got home I used it. It's marvelous stuff. Though it didn't take the pain completely away, it dulled it to a level I haven't seen in a number of years. I was able to pick the boys up from school and enjoy some time with them.
The other thing she gave me was Tylenol 3s. I am to take them when the pain gets really bad, but since they are a narcotic, I tend to not take them unless absolutely necessary. The doctor does want me to take them at bedtime because some nights it's 5am before I fall asleep. Even the sheets touching my knees cause terrible pain.
Eventually I will have to have my knee replaced. I'm not really into that and will put it off as long as I possibly can.
I don't mean to complain. I believe in counting my blessings. When I had my accident in 1988, the doctors said I'd be in a wheelchair within 20 years. I don't think so, I told them and I'm still walking without aid... And this won't beat me either. I was taught to look for the silver lining in every cloud.
My blessings:
* I can walk and am not in a wheelchair.
* My legs still move, even though it is painful to bend down or to walk at times.
* I am able to be independent and come and go as I like.
I'm not complaining. Yes, the pain is bad, but then I think of those who have had to have legs amputated or who live in excrutiating pain because of cancer or other diseases. My leg muscles are still strong, even though the bone in my knees is changing shape. So much to be thankful for.
What are you thankful for today? I'd love to hear about your blessings in the comments. Have a great Friday. ~Blessings, Mary~
your words are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI do hope you find relief from this knee pain.
~AM
Bless your heart...... I have had surgery on one knee twice and it is still a mess so I like you am going to live with it..... for as long as I can..... I will pray sweet friend for those knees..... and yes we have blessings to count!
ReplyDeleteI am still very sick and not getting any rest.....Dad now has the bronchitis and mother is an a terrible state..... I will email you tomorrow......
praying for you and blessings
ReplyDeleteI am thankful that we only have two knees- and amazed at how they work for so long --
I am blessed that I can still walk most places where I want to go- have a great rest at night which will help the knee pain each day
hugs from Meme
Oh Mary, I do hope you get some relief from the pain soon. I will have to remember the name of this medication. I googled it and found it is to be appoved in about 6 mths. in the U.S. It would really help my husband.
ReplyDeleteI live with Fibromyalgia and Arthritis and I'm only 37 yrs. old. I'm thankful to get up everyday and put a smile on my face and try to think positive. I've got too much to do to let these things get me down.
I admire your attitude and your will to say No when these Dr.'s tell you what you will be doing in such and such time. No one knows what a person can do but that person.
Thanks for your post.
Your attitude is great and will go a long way in how you do!
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for my health, I'm thankful that I have a job and at the moment I'm thankful that I get to see my son again in 9 days!
Aging isn't for the faint of heart, eh? I'm thankful that almost a sleepless night, I can get up to fine cup of coffee, have a shower, and read your blog. It's the little things that are important.
ReplyDeleteKeep on keeping on, Mary. You're a brick.
There are so many who have knee problems - my dad has had both knees replaced surgically. It has been a blessing to him. But you have to do what is right for you. I didn't realize you suffered so - thanks for sharing that with us so we know how to better pray for you!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, I had both knees replaced two years ago this June and can do anything except knee down on them... I suffered for two years prior to my surgery with bone on bone pain..I am very happy with my outcome and glad I had it done..no pain anymore and I forget that they are not my own knees!!! I hope you find yourself pain free.. Hugs, Baba
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sorry you've had so much trouble with your knees, Mary. I know what you mean...surgery would be something I would avoid unless I just had to...
ReplyDeleteIt's normal to occasionally feel down about things like that...but how wonderful that you are trying to focus on the positives in your life and what God has and is doing for you, too!
(((HUGS)))
I tell you Mary, my sister in law had both of her knees replaced and my brother in law's sister had them both replaced and both ladies that I know personally have said the same thing: "I wish I'd had it done years ago".
ReplyDeleteMy sil is an avid bowler, so with her knee replacement she is now able to bowl without pain. And my bil's sister is a golfer...she has many tournaments throughout the year, and she now does it all...18 holes of golf 3 times a week!!! That's at LEAST 4 hours on your legs/knees for support ....it is something to really consider, I'd think, from what I've heard. And much better in my estimation than taking drugs. Eventually the drugs don't help, so to me it's prolonging the agony. LOL
Have I told you that I do LOVE your profile avatar? It's so darling!!!
Mary I'm glad the new medicine seems to be helping with your pain. And your thankfulness is an inspiration to us all!
ReplyDeleteThis week I'm thankful for:
*feeling well
*a roof over our heads
*enough to eat
*friends
Oh my! I could have written this post almost word for word, except for the Celebrex, to which I have developed an intolerance.
ReplyDeleteI have an appointment with a surgeon coming up in six weeks and I am really bouncing back and forth on whether to have the worse of the two knees replaced. Will see what this doc has to say.
And I'm blessed to have found your post -- I love this technology that lets people talk together.
I'm thankful that I know Mary!
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful that Mary sees the good in all things.
I'm thankful that my knees are still doing fine.. no pain yet!
I'm thankful that when the time comes for the knee surgery there are doctors that know how to do knee replacements!
I'm thankful that GOD loves me and you!
oh dear Mary, sorry you're having knee and leg trouble. Every once in a while when I walk upstairs my knees give way but yes I'm thankful that I still have my health definitely.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteI really had no idea that your knees caused you such pain. I didn't recall you mentioning them.
How wonderful you've found a medication that is easing some of the discomfort.
My prayers are with you.
xo
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you are in so much pain. I have a neighbor how has had both knees replaced and she is doing really well. You might feel better if you have yours done. It's wonderful what medical miracles we have these days. I just had my first cataract removed and already I can see soooo much better. I'll have the other eye done on the 19th.
Take care!
Katherine
I pray these things help you to feel better. I am so sorry for your pain. What am I thankful for???? YOU!!!!...m.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your knee pain, and your attitude is wonderful. I hope for you some relief, my friend.
ReplyDeleteToday, I am thankful for calm quiet evenings at home with my family.
So true, Mary! I tend to try to overlook the aches and pains -or to poke fun at them whenever I can. For me, when anyone asks "How're you doing" I always say "As long as I am able to be up, moving, out of the house for a brief spell, it's a good day!" Six years ago this month, I was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer, had chemo, radiation and then surgery in June of 2003. About three weeks after the surgery, I began having issues, lots and lots of pain, difficulty walking, sitting, sleeping -you name it. Turns out I had two herniated discs in my lower back and that still gives me fits from time to time. My right knee goes "south" on me frequently so I avoid stairs/steps like the plague for fear it will catapult me forward and I'll break a bone or something. But all in all, I am just very grateful that I can still walk, even if it is a stiff, sometimes painful gait, there are so many things that could be so very much worse than what I'm dealing with.
ReplyDeletePeace.
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteAbout knee surgery - don't delay too long. It's easier the younger you are. I found you on Anni's site and dropped in for a peek. Take care...Mary
my sister had both knees replaced... and her first comment was "Why did I wait so long"... maybe you should consider it...
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you are in so much pain...I have been a little absent from blog land lately but you have never been out of my thoughts and prayers...
{{Hugs}}
Mimi
You are an inspiration to all of us who have aches and pains. Take care.
ReplyDeletePraying for you to be pain free, love you.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who had a knee replacement, and now she said she can't wait to get the other one done. The doctors took me off Celebrex as they think that is what caused my heart attack...so be careful of that stuff. Everything seems to have a side effect these days. I like your attitude. I was given a prognosis of 6 years (systemic lupus) back in '83, and I'm still here!!! I turned all my problems over to God, so I give Him all the credit for me still being here. Like you, I will never give up or give in!!!
ReplyDelete((( HUGS )))