Question:
I don't know why I'm posting this. I'm sitting on my bed right now on the verge of tears, the pain in my knee is so bad.
I also have a pinched nerve in my neck causing my left arm and first three fingers to tingle. My doctor has prescribed Tramadol for the pain in my knee and an anti-inflammatory for the swelling until I can get to the orthopedic surgeon.
I had a nerve conduction study done a while back. The orthopedic surgeon said there were two options: traction or surgery. I tried traction and it didn't work. The latter scares the crap out of me.
I was diagnosed with osteoperesis in my right femur. I am not sure if it is a contributing factor in my knee pain. I have an appt with the orthopedic surgeon on May 25th.
I don't want to be on drugs anymore. I don't like them. The Tramadol makes me loopy (okay, loopier than than usual ) and really doesn't work. The anti-inflammatory does a marginal job. I don't want knee replacement surgery because of the recovery time and the fact that I live ALONE in a third floor apartment.
I have a friend who lives in NY and is a a licensed accupuncturist. I'm going to NYC next week to visit another friend and am going to see if Brendan thinks it will help me.
I'm only 54, but right now I feel OLD I'm tired of feeling this way.
I'm sorry to rant so much, but I just feel like crap right now. I guess I'm asking for some PT prayers. If I feel this bad at 54, I can't WAIT to see how I feel in another 25 years from now.
Thanks for listening guys.


Answer:
I am right there with you girlfriend. As you know I am in agony too, its sure no fun. I did get a referral to an orthopedic surgeon so I am waiting for them to call me. I am so desperate I am ready for surgery I just want the pain gone. Have you tried some capacian cream? Its basically the hot part of the peppers but it does bring me some relief, it is sort of like ben gay but doesn't smell.
I hope you get to feeling better soon, I know its no fun


Answer:
I am sorry you are suffering so. I tried accupuncture for my carpal tunnel, no go, no relief. Maybe a bad accupuncturist? I don't know. I continue to suffer with it.


Answer:
I'm so sorry for you both.
Donna: I've got a pinched nerve and tingly left arm myself. Have you considered a chiropractor? I've had one visit and it's already helped. Also, use ice packs on your back and neck. 15 minutes on, 2 hours off, when you can. Hope that helps some. As for your knee, have you tried MSM? Way before humans were using it, we were using it on our horses and it works great! I hope your pain goes away. I know it's not fun hurting. I addded you on Yahoo. Get my message?


Answer:
I'm so sorry you are in such pain, Donna! I hope the doctor(s) can find some relief for you soon! Is there any chance of transferring to a downstairs apartment in your building out of medical necessity???
Hugs,
Kim


Answer:
Oh DONNA! I didn't know you had such pain.
Osteoporosis...I don't know how much calcium you get in your diet, but sometimes people don't absorb it all. Having a good Calcium tab with vitamin D and magnesium in it really increases the absorption.
A fellow at my church has had two knee replacements, as well as a neighbour near me - and the new knees these days seem to work really well, though you have to take it easy for a while...
I think you are getting some medical disability? Could they be of any help in supplementing income if you have the surgery and are off? Or if you found a main-floor apt that you could afford, might they help you with that?
Can't hurt to ask them.
{{{{{hugs}}}}} I hope a solution comes your way soon!


Answer:
Val,
Kym Goodnow's hubby Jasper recommended a bunch of homeopathic remedies that I'm going to try. I'll try just about ANYTHING at this point. I just want the pain and tingling to GO AWAY!!!
Chiropractors scare me. I've gone to them many times. I don't like it. I actually feel worse afterwards.
Kim,
I don't plan on being here forever. If it comes down to knee replacement surgery, I'll probably have to go into a rehab center till I'm fully recovered. I'll have to find someone to care for my cats. But that's a long way off, I hope.
Caseysmom,
I hope you also find the relief you need. This really sucks Let me now what your doctor says. I'll be very interested to see what he thinks.


Answer:
Gosh, I'm sorry you're in so much pain. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like, but observing my sister and her pain of AVN (avascular necrosis) was just heartbreaking (apparently doctors compare AVN pain to bone cancer pain), so I really feel for people with pains such as these. My sister's hips got so bad that she had to have both her hips replaced...she's only 33 (but had these surgeries about 2 years ago).
Pain management can be (pardon the pun) a pain to figure out, especially when there are so many options that may/may not work. I've always been leery of chiropractors as well, but it wouldn't hurt to try the homeopathic remedies and acupuncture.
Although it's scary, the knee surgery might be something to consider in the future. If it helps you to feel better and lose the pain, it will be worth it.
**hugs**


Answer:
You'll be in our prayers.


Answer:
Donna, your fur and furless will come here we have already talked of this. You need to get your pain under control, love you. Call me if you need me.
oh yeah and quit whining
hugs hun,
Me


Answer:
I had no idea you were in such agony, either, Donna.
I lived with a pinch nerve for 25 years off and on. The "on" part finally last 24/7 for 2 years. Even morphine was no help, nor were the cortisone shots. Unless you know the exact reason for the pinched nerve, don't go to a chirpractor, as it can do serious damage. As you know, I HAD to have cervical spine surgery or become paralyzed and it was 2 years in January, and the best thing I ever did. I was one of the lucky ones. I have a new life in that respect. I occassionaly get a tingle but it's nothing at this point. The recovery is more of a pain in the neck (pun intended) and so inconvenient but, honestly, time flies. It's nothing to mess around with. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Did you have an MRI??? That'll show the exact reason for the pinched nerve.
I don't know much about the knee, but I think I read about a new injection for knees (oesteoarthritis). Your doc will have a heyday with you. I'm so sorry. I wish I lived closer. Please call me if you want to vent or need a shoulder to cry on. {hugs}


Answer:
Donna, I'm sorry to hear that you're in so much pain. I hope that you'll find something that will help you get some relief and that the doctor will be able to help you. Please take care. (((HUGS)))


Answer:
Originally Posted by moosmom
I don't know why I'm posting this. I'm sitting on my bed right now on the verge of tears, the pain in my knee is so bad.
I also have a pinched nerve in my neck causing my left arm and first three fingers to tingle. My doctor has prescribed Tramadol for the pain in my knee and an anti-inflammatory for the swelling until I can get to the orthopedic surgeon.
I had a nerve conduction study done a while back. The orthopedic surgeon said there were two options: traction or surgery. I tried traction and it didn't work. The latter scares the crap out of me.
I was diagnosed with osteoperesis in my right femur. I am not sure if it is a contributing factor in my knee pain. I have an appt with the orthopedic surgeon on May 25th.
I don't want to be on drugs anymore. I don't like them. The Tramadol makes me loopy (okay, loopier than than usual ) and really doesn't work. The anti-inflammatory does a marginal job. I don't want knee replacement surgery because of the recovery time and the fact that I live ALONE in a third floor apartment.
I have a friend who lives in NY and is a a licensed accupuncturist. I'm going to NYC next week to visit another friend and am going to see if Brendan thinks it will help me.
I'm only 54, but right now I feel OLD I'm tired of feeling this way.
I'm sorry to rant so much, but I just feel like crap right now. I guess I'm asking for some PT prayers. If I feel this bad at 54, I can't WAIT to see how I feel in another 25 years from now.
Thanks for listening guys.
Moosmom,
I'll put in my two bobs worth here if you don't mind.
Two years ago, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my neck, the C5 and C6 vertabrae, caused me to have the same symptoms.....that is the "pins and needles", tingling in my left arm and hand. I was told at the time, to just live with it, as surgery REALLY is the last resort stuff when you are talking about spinal column surgery. I visited a very good friend of mine who is an acupuncturist, I was subjected to her treatment for two visits....no difference, it simply never worked on me. She suggested fish oil pills from my local health food shop (I have told one other here on PT about that). So I started taking them......now I'm 58.....no tingling now. And I only took those fish oil pills for like 3 months....and that was two years ago......and now I have NO pain at all. It may well be beneficial to at least try a natural remedy like this before getting into those heavy duty painkillers, or acupuncture, or surgery. If your knee is also arthritis related, then those natural remedies are definately worth a try.
Wombat


Answer:
Donna,
I am sorry you're having a rough time!
I have a lot of pain in my shoulder and knees (birth defect or something). I went to an orthopaedic doctor and he suggested that I correct my posture . I had to point out to him that I have good posture.
Now, my dad has a lot of pain (military accidents and whatnot) and what he does are a variety of stretches and he has a little therapy machine where he puts the little pads (like they use for a heart monitor) on his arm and it's supposed to help (He's had surgery and is on meds, too). It was suggested to me to take potassium for muscle aches.
I'm not sure what else to suggest, though. *hug* We're here for ya, though, and rooting for you!


Answer:
Wom, please tell us more about the fish oil pills. What does that do? Does it cause you to have a fishy odor?
I PM'd Donna about my "problems" yesterday. I am facing knee surgery in May and I have some long ongoing nerve issues that I'm just getting a diagnosis for. I can't avoid the knee surgery but all the other pains being eliminated, could give me a whole new quality of life. I would be interested in hearing more about the fish oil deal. Thanks.
Not trying to hijack, Donna. Sorry. I hope this will give us all something to try.