I'm too old for sudden gymnastics

Water from helping Wing take a shower (he had surgery on his right hand) made its way under the rubber backed bathmat. I didn't notice that water had made it's way under the bathmat.

I walked in as usual, left foot lead, stepping on bathmat which sudden slid forward, and I found myself doing a 'split'.  I managed to stop the downward momentum by grabbing the shower wall, and the vanity top.

I bent both knees and stood up carefully.  Everything seemed ok.

Until this morning. Left leg only hurts when I move it. 

Umm, ow.

I decided to put a stop watch on rehab workout

From first bend as far as I can, to 5 minutes on stationary bike, it takes me 22 minutes and some seconds.  Since Samsung health tracker doesn't have specific category for what I do, I selected "Circuit Training". 

The only exercise I fudged on was stepping up a stair on my left foot, then raising my right leg up to a 90 degree bend, and hold it for 5 seconds.  I tried doing it on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and all that would happen, is I would lurch into wall.

I substituted one of the exercises Meg showed me. With hands against wall (or other unmovable structure) stand on right foot, lift forward and hold left leg up for a count of 5. Do this 10 times, and repeat but starting with the right leg.

Two months post op

I have my physio table/bed set up and am using it instead of the bed. Bed is too soft to do some of the physio work.  I have used it twice now, and wow, can I feel the difference. I find it easier to do the exercises without hubby and son helicoptering around me. They mean well, but it can be a bit smothering.

 
Doing almost 5 minutes on the bike. I'm supposed to lower the seat, for a greater bend in the knee, when it get 'too easy. I'll be happy to do so, when my left knee doesn't feel like it's trying to tear itself apart when I push down.

Taking bets (virtual ones)

Husband and son set up my physio table last night.  So, today, I did the 'bridging' exercise, the lay on back and pull heel as close to the butt as you can, and the cross legs at the ankles, keeping the surgical leg in the back (the left one in this case) and using the right foot to assist, bend the left leg as far back as you can (to discomfort). 

Got done with that, and used the washing machine for balance, slowly shifted weight from the right foot, to the left, and lifting the right foot off the floor, until at least 90% of the weight is on the left foot.  Repeat, but going the other way, from left to right.

Here's where the virtual betting comes in.  Will I:

A: Hop out of bed, ready to start a new day.

B: Groan, and using right heel on side of bed, haul my self to sitting position, kind of glad it's a new day.

C: Groan, try to move, and realize my legs, glutes and abdomen wish it was yesterday, and just stay in bed.

8 weeks post-op

Had session with Hayden the Horrible. I told him I'd had a session with Matt the Torturer five years ago on my right knee, and it lamed me for the better part of the week.  He wanted to know when. (sardonic laugh)

I searched through my blog last night, using different tag. And hurray, I found the exact date. Since I don't have his exact email address at SporTreat, I sent it in as a general message, asking it to be forwarded to Hayden.

Session was good, but as usual, my left leg is really complaining a lot. Got a bit of swelling around the knee. Regardless of that, I did get some good news. Hayden said that he can tell I've 'put the work in' about home exercises and walking. And it shows that I am on the right side of the bell curve, but he won't tell me what it is, because he thinks I'll go "Good enough." and discontinue the exercising/rehab on the leg.

He needs to talk to Matt, or Meg The Merciless.  I don't just up and quit just because something is going right.  If anything, it increases my determination to do what needs to be done, be damned about temporary discomfort. He's sorta new, but after a few more weeks, he will see I am up for challenges to get my leg strong.

Better living through chemistry... again.

Dr H refilled the slow release and quick release pain killers. Last night I took the quick one after dinner, and the slow release one before going to bed.  That was the best nights' sleep I have had in a long time.. ok, in two weeks.

Got up late, after 8am, and for those who know me, that is very late. Bonus, I didn't need the Zimmer frame, was able to get around with just using the cane. Was also able to completely shower, including a shampooing and conditioner. Still had Wing waiting in the other room, just in case I got vertigo from leaning my head back under the shower head.

Only needed one quick release after breakfast. And when it took affect, I sat down in a chair and slid my left foot back until I felt tightness/discomfort. When the discomfort went away, or dropped to a tolerable level, I would move my foot back a little more. I don't have something to measure, but I'm pretty sure after doing that routine a few times, I was able to bend my knee to about 110 degrees.

I'm manipulating the incision scar. Moving it side to side, stretching it from top to bottom, in an effort to make it more pliable when the 'real' rehab starts in a few weeks.

And, I am back to sitting at my desk, with leg propped up on a footstool,  rather than a medical chair with a hospital type rolling table. The only problem is Loki, the lovable, huge, moggie wants to climb up on my, via my left leg. He doesn't understand why he can't do this right now.

Talk about Deja vu!

Saw Mr F. and it seems I have no other option but a total left knee replacement.  Didn't I do this before? (check tag) Yup, on the right knee, almost 5 years ago.

Not really looking forward to going through all of that again. My weight is an issue (well, hully gee, it took 20 years before an endocrinologist finally diagnosed and started treating me for insulin resistance.) There is a 99% chance of a perfect outcome with a certain BMI, and a 1% chance of problems (DVT, infection, etc). With me, the chances are doubled.  To me, that means 98% chance of a perfect outcome. I like those odds. I don't like what I have to do to achieve them.

Mr. F. want me to stop taking the Lyrica. Yeah, I can do that.  Had to explain to him why I, not a diabetic, am taking Metaformin.

Have to get a C.A.T. scan on the left knee Sunday morning, 10am.  Then about a week before the scheduled surgery, I have to get blood drawn for tests.  And I have to be tested for MRSA.  

Is it 2022 yet?

Have I ever mentioned that the older I get, the less I like the holidays? It's not the years, and it's not even the mileage... it's the fender benders along the way.

All I want to do is pull December over my head, and not come out until the 2nd week in January. My left knee is still screwed up, but at least the nerve pain is gone.

The 'kittens' have really adapted to being domestic moggies, instead of feral strays. Still flinch a bit when you go to pet them, and Trance is still being a bully.

*sigh*

Let's see what happens, shall we?

Although wearing the leg/knee brace does make it easier to get around, sort of, the muscles in the leg get weak, as the brace is doing all the work.

Today, I went for short sortie into the local mall, using just my cane.  I meandered in one of the stores, picking up a few things, for about 20 minutes. I will admit, I was ready to collapse into a chair when we got back. Left leg isn't too sore, but feels very weak.

Oh yeah, I get to do it again tomorrow! Might end  up using the cuff crutches, as tomorrow's usual routine include more than a hour worth of walking.

Rest of my left side still stiff and sore from the fall I took a few days ago.

Yup... gravity does work. Even in the southern hemisphere.

I was getting ready for bed. While removing leggings, I lost balance and started to fall. I put right hand on too soft of a bed (at least it slowed my downward momentum) and I landed on my (wait for it) left knee, elbow and shoulder.

I swear, everything from my eyebrows down hurts. I am in category "Bruised, not broken"

I really need a bathtub or a hot tub. But that isn't going of happen.

Oh wow.

I just came home from my appointment with Dr H. I told him about the Monday Mistake and my knee having no pain on Tuesday. I then old him about how I re-created the Monday Mistake, and had the same results the following day. I have been taking 300mg twice a day for the past two days, and have had no knee pain.

He said the almost instant relief of pain shows it is definitely neuropathic pain. I am now officially on 300mg capsules twice a day.

Dr H did tell me that I have to be careful not to over strain my leg, as the muscles and structures around it are weak from using a brace and crutches, but ya know something. I am just so jazzed by the fact that yes, it's not all in my head, it is neuropathic pain, and there is light at the end of the tunnel... and it's not New Jersey! ;)

I am going to experiment on myself.

Not going to take a chance with the seizure meds this time, but I'm holding off taking the morning nerve pain meds until later in the day. How much later will depend on how bad the nerves start jangling along the fasciotomy scar and the left knee.

If getting as close as I can to repeating what I did Monday evening today, Thursday, and get the same results on Friday, I'm going to have to have a serious discussions with GP and pain specialist. Because if it's the same under medicate me for years bullshit I had to put up with regarding hypothyroidism, I don't have another 20 years to wait for them to pull their thumbs out of their asses.

Saw the Occupational Therapist Friday afternoon

And was shown (painfully) how I was standing and walking incorrectly. Ian apologised for it, but I told him not to worry, because it's like telling a child something is hot, they don't believe it until they touch something hot. I wouldn't have really understood what he was referring to regarding my knee and the rest of the leg.  I have been walking with my feet turned out, and I have to school myself to keep them pointing forward.  I was also sent home with a list of exercises to do.  I did them Saturday, and my left leg is quivering in protest. Oh, and did I mention it #%$%%@ HURTS! At least it's muscular, so maybe paracetamol will help, as it doesn't help with the nerve pain in the knee joint.

Ian also advised me to wear a knee brace to keep knee stable (no side to side movement) and to keep foot pointing forward, not turned out. He was happy to hear I had a couple of DonJoy's to use.

I have to retrain my leg to not have me walking like something from a zombie movie.

I still feel like a walking Pharmaceutical Experiment. And both Ian and Dr L said yes, have to find the right combination and dosage to quell the nerve pain. 

Saw Dr L today

But this time, I had hubby wait somewhere. 

I'd felt last time that D L had a chip on his should regarding my husband calling and nagging him to push my appointment up. And that it was reflected in how talked at me, instead of to me.  All fixed.

He says that concerning my knee problem, I have 'realistic expectations’.  I'm not looking for my knee to magically feel all better. What I want is the pain level of 5 to 7 on a daily basis to lurk around three.  I'm functional at that pain level.  And I need a good night's sleep.  Dr L has given me a prescription that I am to have filled one month after taking 60mgs of Duloxetine a day, a low dose of something (forgot the name) to take around 7pm, in hopes it makes sleeping easier.

Also told me no need to split the Dulox 30mg caps to one in the morning and one at night, but to take the full 60 in the morning.
I told Dr L I was beginning to feel like a pharmaceutical experiment. He said basically, that's true. We are trying to find the right combination to get the nerve pain under control

I feel like a walking pharmaceutical experiment

Been on the Duloxetine for a few weeks.  I saw GP last week, and I told him how it would wear off late in the afternoon, or early evening. Because of that, pain was getting up up at night.  Dr H suggest I go with a 60mg dose in the morning. Uhh, seeing how Dulox hammers me with nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, I made the suggest about taking 30mg in the morning, and 30 before I had off to bed.  This was amenable to Dr H. Tonight will be 2nd night taking Dulox before heading to bed.

Saw both psychiatrist and psychologist. Yes, I have depression. Yes, I have suicidal thoughts. I sometimes actually cried when I woke up, because I woke up. Be that as it may, I'm not doing anything that will prevent me from waking up.  Both have told me when I'm not being rocked with pain all the time, the depression should be alleviated.

Still hopeful.

Tick tock tick tock tick tock

Time and days keep moving forward, but I feel stuck in loop.

I've had three different doctors, specialist, etc etc, look at my knee and I will sum up their findings:

My knee is borked enough to make my life rather miserable, keeping me mostly housebound, or on just short trips, with a healthy dose of neuropathy, but not bad enough to have remedial surgery/measure.

I'm trying to stay upbeat, but I'm tired. Tired of plastering a smile on my face, putting up cheery conversation, when all I really want to do is put my head under a pillow and cry.

I am on medications galore, and one of them makes me queasy, dizzy, dry mouthed,  and drowsy. Two others make me drowsy, another will give me horrible acid reflux unless enough 'with food' is eaten. And two of them give me another problem, but I'm going to give that description a miss.

I've been told that the symptoms from the first one I described 'should' go away after a few weeks.  Anyone else ever want to ask the doctors  "Define 'a few weeks', please."?

I will muddle through, leg propped on foot stool, Loki snugged up next to me, and hope for the best.

New medication, new side effects

GP prescribed duloxetine to help with the 'hyperalgesia' in my left knee.  Been on it for going on a week.

Why is it every medication to 'fix' problem make me drowsy, sleepy, brainfogged?

Current new side effects:  Feeling dizzy, blurred vision, feeling nausea (thankfully, no vomiting) and dry mouth.

I have been told they will lessen with time. Oh gawd I hope so. Walking around feeling half asleep. feeling the room spin isn't fun.

YAY! It's *not* all in my head.

I had a very exacting and precise examination of my left knee, and its surrounds. Here is the prognosis:

S***** has had an MRI scan and orthopaedic review, with the opinion that no surgery is indicated. There are medial meniscal changes as well as knee OA and some signs of anterior knee oedema following her injury on her MRI. She had a local knee cortisone injection which she reports flared her knee for three weeks and provided no overall benefit.

S***** remains very limited in her walking capacity, requiring a walking stick even for short distances. She reports prior to her injury, she was increasing exercise under supervision, losing weight and walking on uneven surfaces without difficulty. *

**** has a combination of local underlying knee pain as well as signs of increased pain sensitisation (including localised sharp hyperalgesia). Her knee strength is mainly limited by pain inhibition. Her antalgic gait is likely also impacting on her recent increase in low back pain.

Got the crutches (uhh yay?) and have been told to use them when walking around outside of the house. Fun fun. Now, I will wait until I hear from Meg The Merciless as to how we shall proceed. And in the meantime, find a pool somewhere, as swimming was one of the recommended things to do.

How about that. 2021

I made it. A bit battered, bruised, and dented, but I made it.

I keep counting down the days until Trump is given his walking papers, but I am worried about what he and his cronies will to to f**k things up before they leave.  Yes, he and his crew are that spiteful and petty.

Wing had a trapeziectomy (save you the google time, he had bone removed from his left wrist because of stage 4 osteoarthritis) and then some of his own body parts used to create a capsule to give the long thumb bone a place to sit.  His hand is already in the proper "hold a can" position. Dr L is very pleased with the results. Now comes the hard yards, of slow physical therapy, and monotonous exercises.  He's doing quite well.

My left knee. Hmm. Today I saw my GP, and told him about the less then stellar performance of Dr B L.  Dr H examined my knee, and said, nope it's not all in my head. There is degenerative arthritis in my knee, and with amount of grinding in there, yeah, it's painful.  He said the medication suggested when I finally get to see the psychiatrist Dr B L referred me to (haven't seen said person yet) is not just an antidepressant, but can also calm nerve pain.  I will keep using the lidocaine patches on the knee to make the skin surface less painful. He has also increased a non-opiate medication dose.  He said if the psychiatrist Dr B L referred me to doesn't contact me in a month, call him and he will write the prescription himself.

He knows me. He knows that when my right knee was going, I was walking around lakes to get photos of wild life. Walking around the woods, and other places, even though yeah, it hurt.  I haven't been doing that with how my left knee is. I have to use a cane, because not only does it hurt worse, it feels like it's going to fold all the time.

I just want the pain dulled. I know the knee will need replacement (family history of osteoarthritis in the knees; mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and now me).

Well, shit..

The osteo-surgeon who did my TRKR three years ago is retired from surgical practice, so he referred me to Dr C. to see what's to be done with my left knee.

I got some good news and some bad news.

Good news is I don't have to go under the knife. (insert muppet cheer here)

Goodish news is there is something to be don. Dr C. said yes, I do have mild arthritis in the knee, but the structure isn't in need of surgery.

However (here comes the bad news) the compression injury from Loki jumping on my knee, combined with the arthritis has cause acute nerve pain. Oral pain meds dull it slightly, but that stuff makes me groggy and fuzzy headed.

Treatment for the knee: rhizotomy. Injections around the front of the knee, under the kneecap, to sever/burn out the nerves. I asked him "If I can't feel pain, will I over do it and cause more damage?"  He said no.  So, my NEXT referral is to a pain management center/doctor.

I'm being referred, seen, referred, seen.. round and round.