I'm in a bad "funk" and I could really use some genuine KG support about now!

[lenorem9]

Lyndsey, I give you a lot of credit.  I'm not so sure I could do your job with a knee like that.  I feel so badly for those of you that have active jobs on your feet all day when you're trying to rehab knees.  Hope you can get to the point where your knees allow you to do the job without a lot of pain.

[Plumb]

Dontcha just hate the holy crap pain.  I know when I get more and more holy crap pain moments it is time to go to the OS to get a cortizone shot. 

Mostly I get that type of pain when I am sitting at my desk for many hours a day and get up.. and I try to control the look on my face and not mention the pain to others around me at work.  I am so over it at times..  I just go into a mode where I try to control the excessive pain and than try to move on from that.

Last few days we had thunderstorms and .. Well it is overcast and  I blame the unending pain on Hurricane Bill.   This is more of a pressure pain today -- Not so much bone pain from jolts when I walk..     I hate the weather pain as much as the bone pain .. When I have them both together I am one miserable Biatch.   But what can ya do except own it and deal with it.   I am unsure of why the lidoderm patches help more with the weather pain more when combined with the Vicoden IB 7.5.   Just does.    It will take an hour to get out of this pain.  I have it down to a science now.    Well almost.

I have to go to my GP this week and get my insulin refilled and bloodwork.  decided it is best if I had some red meat today.  To boost up my iron levels.

I am on Vacation again this week.    This one is going to be more laid back shopping ,  Redoing the bedroom.

I had sunburn on my shoulder blades now they are starting to itch a week later. I hope i do not peel. 


Just remember your able to get out and do all those things and you have a type of relief .. There are always choices -   I can understand  trying to suck it up as long as you can.    I can also understand the disappointment when you have to choose a pill to get out of the pain.  Just shows your really thinking what is in your best interest when you decide to hold off and when to medicate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-_ZywDWRK8     I always get a chuckle out of this video.  Always careful that taking medication is for pain not getting into some addictive habit.  Just remember your pending a second surgery soon.

 And being in pain for months and months than turning into years. Is not where I would have thought my life would have taken me.  There are worse sufferings in the world.    I have an end game of a TKR when it gets beyond what I can cope with.   Just hate to think I would have two TKR before 50.   So it is prudent for me to keep up with this daily struggle until I am being scooped up off the floor again with pain.   I been to the darkest parts of pain before.   Not fun being in that area either.   

Odd when you know what pain free is like.  and than have to deal with being so close to being out of pain free. but it is out of reach.

Sorry to vent..    Dark day with rain clouds.  bums me out and gets me thinking .. of things I want to put out of my mind.

[Lyndsey]

Plumb,
I hope the weather breaks for you soon! I agree....the weather pain combined with the bone pain is just unbearable.... You are more than welcome to vent here! In a twisted sense it kind of makes me feel better that I am not completely alone in this....although I hate that people are suffering, some even more than me!

What a video! LOL, you are so right....it's pretty funny! I never want to be there though! No way! That's why I watch what I take and when I take it!
I really get what you mean by masking the pain and just moving on as quickly as it is over......that's what I do too!



Soooo, you guys are all going to think I am totally stupid and crazy! I had to work today.....and for me this was my big event at the fair, the Horse Round UP. SO, I had to be at the fairgrounds at 6:30am, and so I was.....I worked until 9:30pm!!!! It was relentless.....I really enjoyed my day, but it was SOOOO hard and painful! I had to take Percocet...and I had my TENS unit on all day....it was cranked clear up to 22!!!!!! I never usually go past 7!

When I left at 9:30 I asked my boss what time I needed to be at work tomorrow, thinking she would say like 3 or 4 since I worked a 15 hour day today! She wanted me to come at like 10am! I told her there is no way I could be there that early and work another day like I did today......so I am going in at noon. That's not a whole lot better! I understand it's the biggest week of the year.....but holy crap am I in pain! My hip is on fire......I have it iced now......hopefully that will help! I hope I won't have to do too much walking or bending over and carrying stuff tomorrow.....I don't think I can take much more..... I know my boss loves me, but I think she knows that I will push myself until I am practically passed out in pain if she needs me too. I have to make sure I don't let her take advantage of me........I just want to prove to people that I am not useless.....but with these legs of mine it's so hard.......

Lenorem,
Thanks for the credit and the support! I'm not sure how I do it either.....a combination of a love for my job, a really high tolerance for pain (that's really critical) my TENS unit, and my medications.......it's so hard, and every single day is a struggle, especially now that fair week is here......it's only a day in and i'm already in so much pain and just exhausted!


Thanks again for the replies! I love checking to see who has replied to my post! You all make my day!
Lyndsey

[Ron22]

Lyndsey,

Just wanted to check in.  Hope you're feeling better.  I know the horses are important to you, but look out for yourself.  The one thing that helps me when it's really challenging (pain and limitations) I try to make each day of a flare a free standing entity. It's a bit less daunting than looking ahead for the coming weeks.  It's been really tough for me lately too.  At the Springsteen show last Wed. I couldn't even stand it in my seat in the overpacked over 100 degrees venue and had to settle for sitting on the outer edges of the lawn of the shed.

First time I really felt like someone who has something wrong that prevents me from doing what other people do with ease.  I gave up playing ball years ago, but this is something else.  I feel ya.  Just take the meds to stay ahead of the pain, listen to your body, and take it one day at a time.

I think you're fielding all of this like a champ.  You're doing great.

Good Vibes and Healing Thoughts for you always.

Ronnie

[Lyndsey]

Hey Ronnie! Thanks for the kind words and the support! That is really good advice about taking a day of rest after a flare.....that's what I try to do as well. I'm sorry to hear you have been having a rough time too....must be something in the air.....lol. I understand about the feeling like a person who is really limited...I don't know about you, but it seems like lately everything has just gone to the next level, one that I really don't want to visit!

So........tomorrow is my last day at work!!!!!!!!!  I love my job, but I am so glad it's going to be over! Now I will hopefully be able to stay off my legs and get the pain back under control without meds...... School starts on Monday, so I don't want to be on anything then......heaven only knows Percocet and college classes just don't end well....... I'm looking forward to it, but I guess I just keep doubting myself because my last semester at saint vincent didn't go to well........so I am already starting to read the chapters in the books so I will be prepared for Monday.

The pain has been tolable with meds......without them it is really painful..... I know it's because of my activity level, so hopefully once I can get off my feet it will be better.

I can't believe how little muscle is left in my left leg.........I have no quad muscle at all! It's just a mass of nothing......I have really noticed lately the weakness seems to be even worse. I am a little worried too because usually when I concentrate really hard on walking correctly, I can without a limp for a while.....I was really focusing today and still couldn't walk normally without the limp.....i'm thinking the muscles just aren't holding me up because I haven't used them because I limp.........I guess i'm just getting a little worried because everyone is after me not to limp and I just can't help it! Any advice???

Later!
Lyndsey

[Lyndsey]

Hey everyone! I have been pretty quiet lately, things have been going good for me. I have been able to watch my activity levels, and just go to class, and that has really made a difference in my pain level. So that's pretty good! I'm really happy with that.

There's always a but, so but today......in my science of abandoned mine drainage class, we had to go on a class field trip to tour an abandoned coal mine! It was really awesome, to see what it used to be like for the miners, I can't imagine having to do that every day....it sure is alot of work in bad conditions! Anyway, we had an hour and a half ride to and from, in a 12 passenger school van with no room to move and or stretch, so before we even got there my plates were starting to scream at me.

We rode in these little mine cars all scrunched up down into the mine, it was really neat, but not so good for the legs or plates. Then I really think I know what put me over the edge.......of course since it was a mine, and i'm fairly tall, almost 6 foot, I had to sort of crawl around all hunched over, so I wouldn't hit my head. I was like that walking with my hips bent because I had to bend over, for at least an hour.......my the time we got out of there I was limping so bad, and I just wanted to lay down and die right there........of course, I had to just put on a face and pretend like it didn't even bother me.......the whole ride home I was in agony......so now i'm sitting here at home, I had to take some darvocet, and have ice on my hips and knees.

I know I can't do what everyone else can, and it's hard.....I guess this just really hit me because I really had a good time, and if it wasn't for my legs I would have had an even better time. You all know what i'm talking about, it's hard not to be able to do what you want to do, and it's hard to pay for it like we have to when we do something like I did today.

A little support from some KG folks would be really appreciated right now. I love you all!
Lyndsey

[crankerchick]

Lyndsey, glad you were able to do the trip and at least enjoy yourself, even though it was at the expense of the pain now. Thankfully you can at least rest and relax now, so that is good. Shouldn't be too long now before you can get the plates out though, right?

You know the routine better then me, so I can't offer much in the way of advice for what to do for the pain, if anything I am learning what to do (and what not to do) from you. So allz I can say is just try to hang in there and take the meds since you need them. Try to sleep some if you can, maybe curl up with your favorite book or tv show. It will get better, but you know this.

[Lyndsey]

Thanks crankerchick. I am glad I was able to take the trip......I have today to rest and relax, but it's hard. I feel bad because I am usually at college and not around home, and now that i'm home today my mom could really use my help. The problem is I still have a bit of a cold, i'm still feeling the leftover pain from the mine, and on top of all that, it's raining. My hips and legs hate the rain. I counted and I have 80 days of living with plates left! I get them out on December 16th. I can't wait!

I am glad my pain, and sometimes stupiditiy, lol, is helping you figure out what you can and can't do. That's what helps me, is talking to people on this site. I definitely will try and hang in there, and I am taking some Darvocet, and that has really helped. Sleep isn't the easiest thing to do, but I have gotten some. I actually have a huge exam on Monday that I am going to try and get some studying in for. Hopefully i'll do okay on it!

So i'm going to try and not do too much today, and hopefully my legs will feel a little better! I hope all of you are doing well!
Lyndsey

[SuzanneT]

Hi Lyndsey, What's your major?  Geology?  Sounds interesting. 

[Lyndsey]

Hi Suzanne, it's good to hear from you!

Actually I am a Political Science major, but the college requires us to take a Tier 1 and Tier 2 science, and I know Bio and Chem are really hard, and I thought the Science of Abandoned Mine drainage sounded cool. Also, my grandpap's farm has an abandoned mine on it and the stream is polluted from that. So I just figured I would learn some more. I'm really glad I did because it's an awesome class!

It's still raining here......I hope it stops soon! It's cold and rainy. I am studying for my International Relations exam tomorrow, and if I don't move, then my legs don't hurt too awful bad. It's when I move that they hurt......so i'm trying to be still, which is not easy!

Lyndsey

[Lyndsey]

Hey everybody!

The horse show went well! I'm really excited, I actually got 2nd place in my class! That's the best I have ever done! Unfortunately, I am paying for it today. Everything from my hips down is killing me.....especially my left plate. It's cold and rainy here, and the arthritis index is at extreme. I can definitely feel it. I still have to study for an exam I have tonight in my International Relations class. I hope I do well, and the pain doesn't distract me too much.

Take care!
Lyndsey

[crankerchick]

Lyndsey, so glad the competition went well. 2nd place? Congrats! Good luck on your test :-) Show those internationals that you can relate!

[Plumb]

sweet cheese us ..  Hip pain..  mine started a month ago after a little slip on a muddy river bank.  Left hip ..left knee.   gob dang it.   I see my OS this week.   I got to get my six month five shots supartz deal but will mention the added lameness of hip pain.   Imagine this.  Bent knee and move my hip/leg lateral move I feel something go pop if I move it to far to the left.  multi areas of unspecfic pain even when I am sitting.    I feel like maybe i am compensating at the hip bcos of the friggin knee.   I forsee hip xrays. in the near future.. Can ya all freaking believe this.  I have to spend five weeks of lunch time visits to the OS at the surgery center.  May have to do a visit to the  office to get stupid xrays.. than back to the GP go get the A1c tested again.

It is raining here in New Jersey tonight..  OA weather starts in the fall and doesnt stop until summer.   Frankly this summer I maybe had the month of Aug that the stinkin weather didnt get me.   

My boss saw one of my flector patches on my desk and said arent you afraid anyone is going to take one.. I said if someone wants an Nsaid patch that bad go for it..  stinking things fall over me more than they stay on. I must say I am a lidoderm patch girl ..  Numb the suckers up..   Numb numb numb.   I do find that the weather pain is stopped at bay for myself more with the lidoderm patches along with the pain pill. 

so here are my OS visit questions

Right knee... Do  I still need to do pre dental antibodtics.
Right knee..  I was kneeling and cleaning the bathtub and than I felt some discomfort in the tibia area pateller tendon  when going up and down stairs..  for a day ..   It felt tender.. ya know.. almost as if  it was a new implant kinda going up stairs..   anyway it was a 24 hour freaky thing.. rested and it went away..

Left knee. five weeks of supartz,  One cortizone shot -  3 days of high blood sugar s**t.. 
Left hip ..   Well lets just say .. what the heck is going on with it..  with my luck..  OA and another joint destroyed by OA in the making..     I am lucky..  that my OS is trained in hip resurfacing too and is one of a handful in new jersey that is skilled.   

In fact it is odd my OS is known more for shoulders and hips ..  than stinking knees.   but as I am constantly reminded and told..  I am considered  a pediactric case for having a TKR ..   As I close in on 40 in a month or two ..  I look back at my 30's and boy how crappy the last five years had been for me.

But I will let you know a little sumfin sumfin..    I am able to walk and you might not be able to tell I got issues unless you catch me trying to stand up for my desk.. or If I go down a flight of stairs. I must say my right hand must have a death grip on all bannisters..

I am gonna ask for a new Kyro cuff.. maybe ..  I mean i have a collection of them and they get skanky .. and  why not aetna covers it.. and god knows I get enough money deducted from my paycheck for healthcare insurance.  oh god just thought of another thingy.. what if he sends me to PT again.. 

A BIT ON THE CRANKY SIDE TODAY..   


Lyndsey..  Congrats on the accomplishment.    A personal best when you have extra challenges  must give you a sense of pride.   Not letting your pain hamper you..

International relations.. =    Just remember everyone thinks it is all just about them anyway..   You please one person tick another hundred off.  Such is life

[Lyndsey]

Crankerchick,
Thanks! Yea, I am really happy with 2nd! It felt good to get out there and prove to mostly myself that I still have it! lol.

Plumb,
That really stinks.......sounds like you have a ton on your plate! Glad the freaky thing with your right knee went away after 24 hours though! I can really relate about the hip pain. It can really get to you, I know it gets to me. That's why I come on here and talk to all you guys. The weather here in PA is awful too! It's SO COLD! The high for today is like 56, and it's raining! My hips and even my knees are killing me.....I hope it gets warm soon! If this is a taste of what it's going to be like this winter, it's really not going to be fun! It's okay to hae a cranky day, or even a few! I know I sure do! I hope your OS visit goes okay, and you get good news!

GUESS WHAT!!!! I am so excited! The International Relations exam I was really worried about, well I took it last night, and I stayed after and he graded it right there..........I only missed 2!!!!!!!!!      I got a 96%! That's the best I have EVER done on one of his exams! My average score last class was a B. So, even though I was in a significant amount of pain from the stupid weather and my plates, I still did good! I just thought i'd share the happy news with everyone, because heaven only knows most of the time I post on here is when I am having issues!


Hope everyone else has a great day, despite the bad weather!
Take care!
lyndsey

[crankerchick]

Nice job Lyndsey. Glad everything worked out and hopefully the weather improves soon and your pain level will go back down. Only 3 more weeks for me, nerves really starting to get the best of me again.