Finally I know for certain that I need my knee to be done. It's been a good time since diagnosis Jan 06, been able to do pretty much anything I wanted in that time except for a few episodes. But they got better and I really thought it might go on that way indefinately! Silly me!
So yesterday I went shopping for a new settee and was amazed to find I was walking without aids and did a good shop in the supermarket as well. That plus 40 min drives there and back. I was amazed.
Until around 2am when almost anything I did in bed in the way of trying to get comfortable was painful. I ended up coming downstairs for some pain pills - first time I've ever had to do that! Managed to get a bit of sleep but now feel zonked 'cus of the pills! Knee still hurts but strangely, is fine when walking and I can do the stairs without any hindrance whatsoever.
So I'm sitting here with my legs up on the settee and my TENS machine buzzing away. Boy, what a wonderful invention! And I just heard from the surgeon's secretary that she's left him a letter to say I'd rung (this morning) and hopes he'll get to it very soon.
Hey ho! Was inevitable, I suppose!
January 7th 2009
What a difference a day makes!
this episode has now been unrelenting for about 6 weeks, it's getting worse, I'm having to take pain killers every day and last night I got little sleep because of the pain all night - which has gone on into today. I also find that everyso often I have to bend my knee to its full limit and at first I can't. I have to force it in stages until it's fully bent and it hurts!!
All of this has never happened before and even if it does settle down (which I doubt) next time it will only be worse. I'm already curtailing my activities to prevent exacerbation; using the electric cart at the supermarket, using a crutch, limiting my outings, etc.
Enough's enough.
...........................
Well, I heard from the secretary just now and his nibs has had me put back on the waiting list. The waiting time could be as much as five months but I also agreed to accept an cancellation so it could be even sooner.
Suddenly I'm all of a jitter! EEEK!
12th January 2009
I cheered myself up with some online shopping last night. I bought
1 Cryo-cuff machine
1 leg lifter strap
1 pr of 'posh' crutches
1 walker with shelves
1 inflatable triangular cushion for leg elevation
Retail therapy!! Can't beat it!
January 16th 2009
I started taking pills and a drink to leave on my bedside table but it doesn't seem to make any differnce even if I do take some during the night. Somehow my knee just doesn't like being in bed! It's okay when I lie on my back but if I turn onto either side - ouch, ooooh! ouch. I bend my leg, it's okay for about 2 mins then the pain starts so I stretch it out, good for 2 mins and then ... I have it on a pillow, makes no difference. So I end up on my back again but guess what - I can't sleep when I'm on my back!
January 19th 2009
Last night I gave up trying to sleep in bed. No matter what I do, it makes my knee hurt more and more. So around 4am I came downstairs and had to argue with the cats for use of the settee! Having made it clear I wanted occupancy, once I settled myself, they both came back and laid on top of me! Still, at least they had the decency to avoid sitting on my knee!
So here I am, after midnight, showered and tucked in on the settee with the TENS buzzing away, ready for a decent night's sleep.
Well, I can wish, can't I?
All I want to know is, why is it a tad more comfortable on the settee than in bed? It's surely one of life's mysteries!
Tomorrow morning I am going to ring O'Brien's secretary and plead like a beggar, complete with tears is needs be, to get an early admission. I can't cope with this for the next three months.
However, when I rang, the sec was out of the office so I decided to fax a letter this evening detailing my woes! Probably better as they can forget a phone call soon as they put the receiver down. A letter is physical evidence ....
January 22nd 2009
Oh woe is me! 3am and pain wakened me. That'll teach me to take cocodamol last thing! Not taking it anymore cus it plain just doesn't cut the mustard! Pain is all the way up to my hip and down to my ankle. Funny thing, it's a diabolical ache but doesn't hurt too much to actually move the joint or bear weight on it. Got my TENS going which is helping a little but can't take anymore meds till 5am. 1½ hrs to go ...
January 24th 2009
The Cryo-Cuff I got is a specially shaped cuff that wraps around the knee and connects to an insulated tub. In the tub is a reservoir that you fill with ice and water then gravity feeds it into the cuff. Because of the pressure inside the cuff, it also applies a little compression as well.
All of which does three things, helps keep the pain levels down, keep the swelling down and stops muscles going into spasm because of the swelling and pain.
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