I might have. I was sitting at my desk at work and moved my knee and it felt like something really popped. I already know that there is no cartiledge left there. Been avoiding knee replacements for several years now.
Anybody else have this happen? It sure hurts and now I'm having trouble putting weight on it. I have a cane to use, but I have use it with my left hand since it's my right knee that seems to have decided to go haywire. And with my left shoulder all screwed up, I really don't want to do that.
Mine will pop and be very painful at times; but nothing quite as serious as your reporting.
Sure hope it's short lived. Hope it feels better soon.
Popping body parts are never good.Thanks for making me laugh. I needed it. I've got a call into the doc already. I'm already in a flare and asking for help with that.
Dumb body. I guess I better get on those new body parts. I'm running out options..
Can you find me a new unbreakable heart? Deanna, so sorry to hear about your knee, as if you needed more pain, right? Hopefully the dr can help you out with that and your flare.Wish I could find one for both of us, Teri. I understand where you are at. Broken hearts are the hardest to fix. Seems it takes a new heart given freely by someone else to make repairs.
I know you will find that. But you deserve so much better than what you got so far. I do too.
Hugs right back at you. Yes, the pain was bad enough. Now I feel and look like Hillhoney's avatar.
If it's any consolation, my right knee is shot to hell too. I am going to the doctor in the a.m. (GP) and am going to have him take a look at it. Whoa. I go away for a couple of hours and everyone goes to pot. Deanna, I hope it's short-lived pain, or something that's pretty easily fixable. You've just had one thing after another. AZ, you need a break, too. I hope your doctors have some good ideas. ENOUGH ALREADY. No one else is allowed to break for at least a week.Wish you could make that happen Fiona. Better find that magic wand.
No arizonara, doesn't make me feel better because I really don't want you hurting either. And, I know you've been having a hard time for quite a well.
This is not the break I intended. Man, I was in tears to the nurse. I hate that. That makes me mad that I get that way, and when I get mad at myself then I just cry more.
I tell you today, one of those motorized chairs sound wonderful. If I ever have to resort to one of those, I think I'm going to get a foghorn attachment and have a devil of a time with it.
People at work are so unsympathetic. Oh well, she has another problem. What's new? Why don't you just stay home?
Because I can't live without the money, honey. Someday, age will make their bodies like this. I wonder if they will change attitudes then. As the saying go, "age is not for whimps." Well, neither is RA. We have the bravest, strongest people alive here. Our bodies would argue the point, but look how hard all of us try.
I was in a restaurant over the weekend, and there was a little person there. He looked like he was 12, but I'd guess he was in his 20's. The cashier was so rude. She laughed at him, and she demanded to see his driver's license. He was obviously frustrated and angry, and you know he deals with this all the time. It was a reminder that there are a lot of us with extra burdens out there. It's amazing how inconvenient or funny or invisible we are, as long as other people are exempt.My friends at work are good people. But they are so hard on me. If one of them hurt themselves, I would be sympathetic no matter what the reason.
I have never understood the attitude of some people. Maybe I have just had a lot more exposure. One of my best friends growing up was severely diabled from polio, epilespy and learning difficulties. Oh, but I loved her.
Sometimes, I think it is because they are jealous of my talents which isn't fair. I have worked really hard to develop my skills. Now, my skills are being torn away from me.
I know in a way, they think that they are being kind. They want me to stay home. But you know how hard it is to survive if you're not getting paid.
Right now, I don't think I could handle this at all if this forum didn't exist. Everyone here is so great.
I really need you guys.
Deanna, we are here!! I know the feeling all to well...I know you do. I just wanted to walk out and quit today. Not out of anger, but because I'm so tired of trying to keep pace with the rest of the world. Why do they make it so hard to go on disability? I don't even want to do that. But my options seem to be dwindling.
Deanna, I wish I had that magic wand to pass onto you. I have a bad left knee, both hands flaring, and rt. shoulder pain. I tried to use my cane last week and both Stan and I ended up laughing hysterically because there was no combination of good body parts that I could use with the cane!!
I'll be sending healthy thought your way.
Lindy, right back at you. I can imagine this as that is my approach. Still waiting for the doctor's call. I'm betting I won't hear until tomorrow.
I really need to find those missing body parts. We are in bad shape here.
However, I'm keeping my boobs just like they are. They don't hurt. They not big or gorgeous. But their mine and they don't have joints. I consider that a plus!
Deanna, sounds like you need to prop it up, ice it and get in to the doc soon. You really need to see the doctor, you have been a mess lately (and I say that with affection) but you still have been a mess lately!Crunchy, you are right, 100%. I feel very messy indeed.
I did call the doc last week and was already waiting for a reply. I called today when my knee decided to blow. But they can't get me in for 2 weeks. But the nurse was going to hunt the doctor down and get me an answer. She's been very good at doing this in the past.
I'm icing it now. I'm just worried that something might have collasped inside because the knees were already not in good shape and it felt like something moved.
But maybe it's just injection time.
Actually, Deanna, I woke up feeling quite good today. I don't know why or how, but I am happy to feel better today.arionara, glad you are having a good day. Celebrate, but don't over do.
I do have ice on my knee right now and it feels good. Sometimes, I can't stand the ice. Heat never seems to bother me though. But my knee is swelling, so ice is probably best. But Crunchy probably knows best.
I have the swelling & very painful left knee. The RD has been draining it every month when he sees me. That has happened to me before. I do use ice, as heat bothers the knee. I was afraid to try the ice but my RD said to use it. I will say that it does help for a short period of time. My knee stays swollen.
You feel better. Trisha I just love your sense of humor. Yes, send me the frog legs right away. Send them to: Dr. D. Frankenstein, M.a.D. 4025 S. Rheumy St Constantinople, Remission Land 77777 This will be really amazing as I have been told I couldn't dance before I had RA. I am totally rhythm deaf. Ah! dancing frogs and wolf whistles, what more could a girl ask for? However, could you send a prince to go with the frog legs? And Teri would like a really cool one too. So an order of frog legs and two princes to go, please. Thanks everyone for cheering me up. No, please Marisa, make me laugh. At least it doesn't hurt my knee to laugh. Sorry to hear you are exactly the same. Is this knee thing contagious, like a virus on the Internet. Crunchy, if it ever rains again in Phoenix, and frogs fall from heaven, I'll videotape it, have Kelstev make an avatar of it and post it for everyone. I might just be caught kissing a frog to make you laugh your heads off (more body parts). After some of the guys I've met, frogs sound pretty good. Have you taken a look at the men in the 45-55 age range on these dating sites? A lot of frogs look pretty damn good in comparison. And, it's amazing how many of them are athletic and like to do outdoor sports and want a woman to do them with. At least with a frog, all they want is water and flies. I think I might go with the knee man from Ebay, though. New knees, with a 50 year guarantee sound wonderful right now. Honostly, I dont know the details on it. I have read about it, but I dont have OA so I have never had it personally. I just have heard that it is supposed to be good. Is that hype? I dont know. I will try to find out more about it. I'm biting my lip trying not to be the poster boy again! Lindy, The Synvisc is a not to worry kind of thing. It is just the needle that looks scary. I don't think you are running much risk of infection. It is well worth trying because I got excellent results from it, much better than most. Your knee is swollen maybe a couple of days and then a week or so later you start getting benefits. Some people need three injections before they see results. I believe that's what I had. I highly recommend giving it a try. My doctor is absolutely wonderful with cortisone and synvisc injections. They numb the area first with a freezing spray and then inject right between the joint. But because they already numbed it, it is just the stress of the needle that is bothersome. I had mine over 3 years ago. It reduced my pain immensely. Roxy, I'm still waiting for my doctor. AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!! It won't do me any good to go to a clinic or the ER. Under the circumstances, I would get another big bill and then they'd say see my Rheumy. Most of the time, they are so good at taking care of things. But this is getting ridiculous. Yes, I called again. This the third call I've made since last Thursday. Now, my hip is acting up. I have fluid on my right hip, so the knee goes and the hip goes. I would just lay down and take it easy for awhile, but my boss is already freaking today because I'm not there. I already had a couple of emails. And, I have to stay home tomorrow to sign for my Enbrel. With the heat here, my last batch got cooked before I could get to it. I'm ready to crawl in a hole some place. But I am afraid they would find me even there. I am supposed to be on a work from home situation per my doctor's note. Maybe I should have just broke the damn thing -- the knee. At least it would be something most people could understand. I swear all my tendons seem to be swelling. I'm in such a flare. Why won't the damn doctor call? Deanna, thanks for the info. I read everything about it and I just wanted a personal account of how it worked. I'm glad to hear that you got good results. My RD suggested 3 injections. Hope your RD calls today. I think it's so irresponsible that drs. don't call their patients back or at least give instructions to their office staff and have them call you. Are you in Phoenix? We drove over to Phoenix yesterday and putzed around. We're in Casa Grande for a couple of weeks, couldn't have picked a hotter month to be here. Love Phoenix. Crunchy, thanks for your infor on synovisc Lindy, Yes, I am in Phoenix, in the Mesa area. It has been really hot. But July and August are the worse. Are you just out having fun? Healthy Healing Knee thoughts ya'll. I am 10 years into one knee replacement and 8 in the other. They still get me around, thank the Lord! I still get the pops, fluid build ups, and swelling though which always freaks me out because I assume fake knees should be beyond that. Ha! I have to prop them up and ice myself. Nice chick flicks help too
I can barely walk. Finally pulled the cane back out. I worked so hard to ditch that thing, now it's back and haunting me. If I fall over, will one of you pick me up? I sure do need those frog legs. When can I expect delivery? Deanna, yes, we're just having fun. I'm trying to golf, seems Remicade has finally kicked in. Also doing water exercises, walking more. Pain and inflamm is less. Got to get some weight off these joints. I keep putting the cane away at the back of the closet but every once in awhile I have to dig around, rearrange everything, and find it. I hate those days. It's so nice in Mesa. We drove around in the neighborhoods for a little while yesterday. We actually went into Mesa to look for another motorhome. The new RV urge....for sure next year. Deanna, what would happen if you just showed up at the RDs office? Could you get there? My mom has faxed a note over to her docs office when they wouldnt return calls. They called right away after that. I'm going to give them until noon today to call me back. I can get to the office, but I am waiting for my Enbrel to be delivered and can't leave the house until then. I am also getting my air conditioning done. Hey, something needs to be working around here. The air unit is really old and of course they are trying to convince me to put in a new unit. But at 00, I don't want to especially when I might have to go on disability. However, swamp coolers don't do it here in July and August. The heat makes me really sick. But he's going to try replacing some valves and adding freon. Maybe it will work. Cross your fingers for me. Seems like everything in my life is breaking down, including me. What I need is some healthy, hot guy to run and fetch for me. Naw, I'd be too intimidated by just those two things, hot looking and healthy. I couldn't keep up. So, I guess I'm looking for the slow moving frog that will turn into a prince when I kiss him. Doctor hasn't called. I think I'll call again. But the air is fixed. Guy wanted to sell me on a new unit for 00. Mine's like 30 years old. But he replaced some valves and added freon and it works for now. Still was a hefty bill, almost 0. But if it can just make it through this summer that would be great. Man, I hurt. My hip and opposite knee are trying to compensate for this knee not working. Then, the back starts kicking in. Of course, the shoulder hasn't stopped with its nonsense. And, my boss keeps emailing me about more work. Can I scream now? Called the doctor's office. All he wanted to do was give me a cortisone shot in my knee and then possibly he could see me next Thursday. I said I don't need a cortisone shot. I've damaged something. I want an xray or MRI. Plus, what about the flare I'm in and upping my medications? None of these questions were even addressed. So, I sent the nurse back to bug him again. But I think I've had it with trying to hold it all together. When I go into the doc next Thursday, I think I am going to go ahead and ask him to write up the paperwork for disability. My structural integrity, not to mention my mental, is so strained now. I'm barely able to hobble from one room to another. I talked with my Mom, who is not the best person to talk to. But she said, it isn't giving up, it's giving into a change in directions. She and my dad think I should go on disability and I didn't think they would ever even accept the fact that I have an illness like this. My aunt and uncle, who are very dear to me, have told me I should. My closest friends have told me a I should. I do not want to take this step. But if I don't, I am going to literally fall flat down on my face. I don't want to get to the point where I cannot even take care of myself. Maybe, if I do this, I will be able to exercise better, eat better, rest better, lose weight and come down on some of the medications. If I keep doing this, I am just damaging myself more and more. I just wish it didn't fell like giving up. The nurse got through to the doctor. He's upping my MTX, but not my Prednisone. And they are going to do Xrays of my hips and knees tomorrow. I apologized for being so weeping, but being in a flare makes me that way. She said, and this might help others feel better, that's pretty normal for being in a flare. She's quite used to people being weeping. My daughter also called and wanted to tell me all about how people are going to India for their knee and hip replacements because it is so much less expensive. I knew that, but had forgotten. But I thought it was so sweet of her to try and find something to help me out. She's so worried about me. She really understands about me needing to decide to go on disability. Sometimes, she is just the coolest. So, it's not even the end of the day. I have air conditioning, I have my Enbrel delivery (he was really cool and suggested how I can get it without it being cooked first), my daughter called, my sister called, talked to my mom. I'm getting the xrays, getting the MTX. And, somewhere in all of this, I'm still doing a little work. For such a bad start, this day is having a pretty good turnaround.
You mentioned that you are needing the frog legs.
Now about the frog Prince. I have one out in my pond that has been there for years, a big one, that I call handsome. As soon as I come out of house, he starts. Yes, we talk. Yes, my neighbors think I'm nutzo. LOLO I couldn't part with him but if he should turn into a Prince, he is yours! My hubby wouldn't allow me to keep him. You take care Trisha Thank you all for your encouragement because I have been going nuts with all of this. I feel very nonfunctional. I have to go into work tomorrow and am not looking forward to it. Now, Trisha, you are so funny!!!! Where do find the kissing frogs? That is so cute! That old frog of yours turns into a prince and I might just take you up on the offer. We used to have one that lived under our front porch for years. Never tried kissing him though. Yuck! I've had the Synvisc shots before and they worked really well for me. And, I would more than willing to try them again. I sure don't want knee surgery or hip surgery. But here's the problem. It's already been four years since they first said I needed knee replacements and they were hoping to delay them five. I already wear the knee braces. Now, add this to my right hip has fluid on it and they are watching it for bone necrosis. I've had 2 MRIs on it. It hurts bad now and is swollen. Then, we add in the left shoulder problem that is forcing me to stop the type of work I'm doing. I don't want to go up on more pain killers. Right knee is unstable+unstable hip+unstable left knee+left shoulder with tendonitis, bone cyst, bone spur+right shoulder having similar problems+OA in lower lumbar. I cannot put my weight on my right knee. I really am walking like Hillbunny's avatar. I may have waited too long to get the knee replacements considering my emerging shoulder problems. Plus, if RA has also caused problems along with the OA in my knees, there could not be enough bone for the surgeon to work with. I don't think that's the case. They did xrays last year though and there were more erosions. I haven't had any cartiledge for over 4 years and that means bone rubbing against bone. My legs are always swollen. Something felt like it moved in my knee when it popped. And my right knee has been stronger than my left up til now. It is possible that they can try Synvisc again along with more physical therapy. But I am having trouble doing my shoulder physical therapy because I can't stand properly now. I can't afford to not do it, because then my shoulder will freeze up again. They also did a bone density test and I'm losing ground there too. I sometimes wonder if we can just live with our muscles and no bones. But then, of course, that's where the FM comes because it inflames all my muscles. I'm tired of going to herculean efforts every day. When you throw in the pain and fatigue and all the other complications, the high doses of medications, the length of time that I've been on them (6 years now)--I've just had enough of it. I don't want to destroy what's left of my body to prove the point that I'm tough enough. Until my shoulder started going, I was adjusted to the hip and knee problems. But four years ago, the ortho told me I needed a walker. He also told me I was huge surgical risk. After reading some of the complications from infections that people have posted, I'm not too hot on the idea of getting any joint replaced. If I keep working, I know I am just running this body down. And for all our joking around, there is no real replacement for what we were born with. That is what scares me. This is it. This is my last chance to stop the damage and maybe not have to replace my joints. If I keep working, I can't do all the things necessary to keep things intact. By the time I get home from work, I am too wiped out to exercise. And, right now, I am not stable enough to go in the pool by myself. I can barely walk. I can barely drive. Can't hardly shop any more. Never see friends. If I work, I'm in extreme pain, every day, all day long. This isn't life. It's a torture chamber. And the next time, my heart or lungs acts up will I have the strength to overcome that again? Pushing my health starts affecting my eyes, my heart and my lungs. I keep hoping that when I go to the doctor next Thursday, he will whip out the magic wand and say we can do this and we can do that. But I've been getting a whole lot of we can't do any more for you. You're on a good mix of medications. You're going to have cut down on the working. You have stop doing the kind of work you've been doing. Now, I'm going in there and ask them to start the process of getting me on disability. I am less afraid now of the financial, emotional stress of that than losing the capability of taking care of myself. I don't want to end up in a nursing home at my age. I need to have as much independence as possible and I am on the verge of losing that. Mostly, I am just thinking aloud here. But it has taken me a long time to get to this point and I've been fighting it every way I can. I think I would rather fight Social Security than this disease. I don't think SS is nearly as tough as RA. Then, I can take care of myself and discover a new life. Deanna, I think it is time for you to move on to the next phase...time for plan B. Get you surgery, get your disability. It doesnt have to be a permenant situation. You may just need time to rest and recover. Dont look at these changes as permenant ones. I am glad you got some problems solved today. Deanna, I'm glad your day ended better than it started. I know the struggles your facing with leaving work and going on disability. I agree 100 percent with your thoughts. I too worried about the constant pushing myself and what additional damage it was doing to my joints. Now that I'm officially disabled (I call it just plain old retired), I can see a wonderful differance in my quaility of life. I feel more alive than I have in many, many years! Don't get me wrong the RA still very much runs my life but I can adapt to what ever it throws me. I'm glad your family is behind your decision. That will mean alot to you emotionally as time goes on.
Deanna, How about if we sell our bad knees on ebay. I know if we word it just so, we could get someone to buy them. Then we could take the money and get nice brand new ones with a 50 year service plan. Plus they have to throw in that hot repairman to do any fixing of our knees.
Deanna, all kidding aside, I hope that you're feeling better and stay off the leg.
MarisaI must say you guys have an odd attraction to frogs. I can just picture ya'll after a big rain storm running around your yards, picking up frogs and kissing them. I guess if the online dating scene hasnt worked for you....
My understanding is, it works right away and you should feel relief
very quickly. It is not the same as steroid injections.
Deanna, I am sorry I have not joined in on this thread. I have been doing the before Enbrel acheys and not spending much time on line. Do you have a clinic or hospital you can go to? When I am in pain, if my doctor can't get me in, I go to the next resource. It will also help build your case if you ever do try to get disability. I never thought of that until I had gone to so many clinics and hospitals when I was listing them while making out SSDI application, I thought, they have to believe this. Anyway, what is important is you get your knee taken care of. Knee pain is miserable. Luckily I only get it when I am over active, no popping Thank God. I hope you get in to see someone soon - like today.
What area of the valley are you in? We should try and do lunch
some time. I work downtown Phoenix and am downtown almost
daily. I live in the East Valley. Just thought I would
throw that out there. ;)
Come on up to Michigan, AZ & Deanna. We're in the high 60's today, with a nice breeze blowing and some rain (of course, the rain isn't great for joints, but in general, it's pretty nice).
Deanna, I can't believe you're STILL waiting for a phone call. I hope it has come by now. I know the doctors are busy. I know every one of their patients has the same kinds of problems, but that is what they're there for.
Good luck. Think cool thoughts. I have my fingers crossed for your air conditioner. We're in the same mode here, where something seems to be breaking every other day (refrigerator, vacuum cleaner, blinds, door hand - and oddly, the door handle has been the hardest to replace).
My unit was over 35 yrs old. It was in the dining room. Turn the thing on and if you moved 3ft. away you couldn't feel it. I thought that at least it should cool down the dining room. I told my apt. manager and he told me that I neede to understand that it was a old unit and that it won't cool down the whole place. I walked away before I blew up at him. After thinking for a couple of days, I ask him to check something in my apt. I made sure that it was over 90 degrees out. The drapes were closed and the air was on. I position him at the farest point from the air in the dining room. We started to talk and I waited to see what was going to happen. The beads of sweat start to form on his forehead and as he was swiping them off, he asked if my air was on high. I told him it was and had been running for about an hour. After that I told him to move closer to the unit. He had to almost sit on it before he could feel the cool air. He left my apt. telling me that he was going to call the repairman to check my unit.
The repairman came the next day. He turned on the unit and waited to see what was going to happen. After 15 mins., he told me that it wasn't working properly and that he neede to pull the unit out of the wall to clean it out. He takes it down to the back and proceeds to wash the unit with water. Now I'm no genius but it didn't sound right that he was doing this. He put the unit back into the wall and tirn it on. It made this terrible noise and got all hot. I very quickly unplugged it. He then told me that I neede a new unit. I just looked at him with my mouth open and pointed towards the apt. manager's place. The unit didn't get replaced, instead they sent another repairman to look at it. This one pulled the unit out of the wall and took it with him!!! I'm now sitting in my apt. with this uncover hole in my wall with a view of the neighbor's wall and the bushes. This isn't a good thing. I got on that phone and called my apt. manager and in no uncertain terms did I accept this. The repairman came back and cover the outside of the hole with newspaper and duct tape. It stayed that way until the cold weather started. I'm freezing and the heat was going outside through the newspaper covered hole in my wall. Again I called the apt. manager and told him that this was illegal and he needed to do something. He did. He covered the inside of my apt hole with a broke down cardboard box with duct tape. When the warm weather finally came I told my apt. manager that I was buying a new air conditioner and that the cost would be deducted from my rent. Two days later I had a brand new air conditioner. The landlord was afraid that I was going to stick him with a huge bill and that's why he got the new unit. Plus I was going to call the public health dept. on him. You wouldn't believe how they fix things around here.
MarisaDeanna: Your day is ending on a higher note. Good for you. Even though I've applied for disability I'm not labeling myself as disabled - I'm malfunctioning. You will find more time to do the things that you've always wanted to do. You'll be able to exercise more and diet. I know that the most important and serious thing for me to do is diet and get the weight off. I'm working on it - am down 7 lbs. My joints will all do a little happy dance, especially my legs and feet. Go girl and start that paper work and we'll cancel the frog leg order!
There is nothing WRONG with going on disability. That is what it
is intended for. You deserve to have some quality of life and
something enjoyable to look forward to. No one faults you for
pursuing that.
You didn't choose RA, it chose you. Now you are just having to
deal with the consequences of it. We could all be in your
position some day, and that is reality.
I believe if you can get away from your job, you can find other
work or experiences to fill your life with. I had a friend tell
me, you are supposed to work to live, not live to work. It hit
home a lot for me.
How could you possibly be denied disability (yes, I know it's possible, but only if the person who does your interview is a heartless weasel) when there's not much on you that works anymore?
Whatever your decision, take care of yourself. You've been so encouraging to others - now, it's your turn.
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