That didn't go too well

First night of trying to sleep (emphasis on trying) with the scaffold (high thigh to ankle brace) on my leg.  I don't sleep well on my back, but am being forced to.  If I had a reclining chair, that would work, but we don't have one. I stack pillows so I am sleeping sitting up, but on an angle. Mixed results. Hoping it will work tonight due to sheer exhaustion from not sleeping worth a damn last night.

Good news, bad news

Good News: Left knee is no worse than it was last week.

Bad News: Left knee is no better than it was last week. *sigh*

Dr S has scheduled an MRI for the left knee, and x-ray of right knee, as it's been three years since I've had the hardware installed. Dr S is fairly certain there is no structural issues with the left knee, just a raging case of tendinitis. If MRI shows that, a few (ouch) injections under the kneecap will be the fix.

Dr S has given me script for some pain managing, as he noticed how tired I look,and I admitted to not sleeping well. That's when he told to me to TRY and sleep with the brace on, and to leave it on all the time. (notable exceptions will be not while in the shower, or while getting dressed AFTER the shower. 

Simon the Sadist;  he really is a decent sort of guy, a bit of a wise ass, but he takes as well as he gives.  My range of motion of the leg (the degree to which I can bend it) is great. Straightening it out, however, hurts like $@%#.  He told me to stop with the heel slides, as it might be aggravating the tendon.  He said my core/abdomen strength and control is great, and so is the muscle tone elsewhere. Fekking thyroid.

Oh really? When?

Hayden The Hardliner (physio) told me the pain would lessen.  Really? When? I have been gritting my teeth, and clenching my right hand so hard I leave little crescents in my palm when I do the heel slides. (Lay flat on my back, foot flat on surface, and slide it slowly back as close to my butt as possible, then slowly extend) Gritting my teeth is not a great idea, seeing how I vertically fractured one tooth already.

I see Mr S and Simon the Sadist tomorrow. Not really looking forward to that.

Solution to the chilblains

To reduce the swelling under the kneecap, I have to use an icepack, at least three times a day. 20 minutes a pop.   It helps with the swelling, and subsequently the pain, but would leave me feeling chilled.

Only took me three days to think up 'Hey, use the wheatbag on your lower legs while freezing the knee!". 

I blame it on the meds. heh

*shiver*

Down to using ice packs on my damned knee.  The timing part is easy; just say "Echo, 20 minute timer."   Side effects: I can't get warm!  I'm sitting here bundled up as if I'm expecting snow.  *sigh*

After the weekend, I'm back in the saddle

And if by saddle you think 'Thigh to Ankle Knee Brace" , you would be correct.  As much as I'm beginning to loathe it, my knee feels better when the leg is kept straight, without any bend.  Unfortunately, because of how far up the thigh the brace comes, it makes certain daily tasks and 'bodily functions' (hey, I'm trying to be polite here) difficult.

I think the problem is I have to get it through to Wing that when the doctor and physio says my knee is better, that doesn't mean it's "ALL better". Packing a lot of things to do over the weekend isn't a great thing. Having to keep the leg straight doesn't really work in the car, unless I sit in the back seat behind the drivers' seat, torso facing the passenger window, with my let across the seat. But keeping the safety belt from choking me is more than just a little bit difficult.

So, that only leaves me the "Big Berth", but that one bends too much, because he misplaced the clips that keep the thing from bending. Baby Betty hasn't arrived yet. It would be a happy medium. a brace just above the knee, strapped at the calf below the knee, that can have or not have a slight bend in it.  And it would make certain day to day routines a helluva lot easier to do.

I was so so close

I was down to taking OTC pain medication, maybe at night before bed, so I could sleep.  Now, I'm back to taking prescription strength pain killers.  But I am trying to just do the OTC ones during the day, heavy duty meds at night.

Does the phrase "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired"?   But apply it to being injured instead of ill.