HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Frustration......need a little advice and support

Support Forums
>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/29/2006 2:57 AM (GMT 0)

Well, today is my birthday - that's mostly good.  sad However, as I'm walkiing into church I have a bad IBS attack.  Now, running is not an option for me since I've had 7 knee surgeries!!!  So I powerwalk to the bathroom.  I come out of the bathroom only to have to go back in.  Then, when I finally get out, my left knee totally gives out and I fall right on my left knee and brace myself with the palms of my hands.  I had surgery on my right hand and arm in November so I'm still healing a bit, especially in my palm area.  I protected my right knee because that's the one that's had the total knee replacement.  I also have rheumatoid arthritis everywhere and spondylitis in my back and hip joints.  Well, I'm in such a bad flare right now I don't know what to do.  I just had my infusion of Remicade on May 10th so I still have three more weeks to go until my next infusion.  My knee now looks like a baseball and is completely purple and blue!!  Since tomorrow is Memorial Day, the doctor's offices won't be open.  I've had my knee elevated with ice off and on it all day.  Everything hurts to move!!  So much for celebrating my birthday with my beautiful adult daughters and my husband!!  I've been taking as much pain medication as I can just trying to get in a comfortable spot.  I just don't know whether to call my rheumy and her PA or just try to ride it out.  I'm supposed to fly to Mississippi to see my Mother for a week on June 3rd.  I have trouble flying due to DVT.  I'm sure this isn't going to make it any easier.

This is one of those times I just want to close the doors and windows and pull the covers over my head and pretend no one is around.  One big issue......I have a job interview at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon and I'm trying to figure out yhow to walk in there without using a cane and.or limping!  Any suggestions?????VIEW IMAGE  It's just been one thing after another.  I'm feeling so beat down!!!  I need some strength!

Deborah

Posted 5/29/2006 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Deborah and happy birthday! I'm so sorry you are having such a rotten one!


With all that is going on, I wonder if you should hit urgent care tonight or tomorrow. If nothing else, use the excuse you fell on the replaced knee and it's causing you a ton of pain since. Make sure everythign is okay in there because if it's black, blue, and swollen even though you tried to protect it - that sounds worriesome. 

Possibly they can also give you some meds that will help the flare and you can get to your interview on Tuesday.

Hang in there and let us know how  you're doing.

**

 

Posted 5/29/2006 10:35 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Deborah,

wow--it seems like you've had quite a time of it.  I agree with camama--if your knee is still swollen and black and blue today, I would head over to urgent care today.  Then follow-up with your rheumy tomorrow.

With respect to the interview, my personal opinion is that it would be better to walk in with a limp and a cane, then with just a limp.  The cane kind of legitimizes the limp, kwim?  If I were interviewing someone, I don't think that a walking device and/or limp would affect my decision either way, unless I was interviewing someone for a construction job.

In any case, I hope you feel better soon and that things start going super for you.  good luck on your job interview!

Elcamino

Posted 5/29/2006 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Deborah, Happy belated birthday. I hope your pain is better. I couldn't help but read that yo are coming to MS. I live in MS. I was wondering where you are coming too. I live in Meridian, MS. If you are anywhere close to here when you come and need medical attention we have great doctors and hospital right here.

I agree with the rezst of the posters, go to urgent care if you are still in bad pain.
Posted 5/29/2006 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Well, thanks for the replies. Swelling is down a little but the pain is still pretty bad and yes everything is black and blue. Guess I'll make a trip to urgent care as soon as my daughter can drive me. I did sleep a little thanks to pain meds and ambien. I'll keep you posted. You guys are the best!!! I've been reading the posts for awhile but never written one. Thanks so much for the support. I really needed it!!!

Jbrat-I'm going to Jackson and Columbus. I actually grew up in Columbus so that's pretty close to Meridian. I don't get back but once a year. I live in Texas now and driving is not a good option for me.
Posted 6/2/2006 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Just an update 5 days after the fall.....

I saw my rheumy's PA.  She is awesome and I trust her.  It looks like i've got some tearing in the meniscus and some bone spurs or bone chips that are loose and "floating around" in the leg.  It is stil swollen and painful so I'm sitting with my leg propped up doing pretty much nothing.

 

I had to postpone my trip to Mississippi because walking is out of the question for a while.  Walking with the cane helps from one room to the other.  It at least gives me a ittle support.  I've gotten some relief to my back with the muscle relaxers but I sleep alot.  Guess that's not all bad.  I can't feel the pain when I hurt. 

 

Anyway, it looks like I'll be seeing an orthopedic surgeon next week just because I can't tolerate this pain consistently not on top of everything else!!!  So.  My family's been awesome trying to get through one more "adventure with mom."Hope you all have a good night!  And thank you for all your advice and support.  It truly means so much!!!

Posted 6/2/2006 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
hi deejane.... just saw your posting now  happy belated birthday.... glad you finally wrote ... i too am new here and what great support everyone is! sry to hear you will need surgery again sad glad you got to see your doctors though.  wishing you well soon  *~yalinda
Posted 6/10/2006 2:47 PM (GMT 0)

Hi all!  Just thought I'd post an update.  I saw an othopedic surgeon this week about my knee. It's been two weeks and I still have swelling, bruising and too much pain (or so the doc says!).   He did x-rays and said it looks like a tear in my meniscus or possibly a small fracture.  Sent me for an MRI and I'll see him early next week to get the results.  He doesn't know if surgery is an option due to the previous 5 surgeries on that knee and he doesn't want to put me into a bad arthritic flare!  What a guy!  This is the first orthopedist that I've seen who is familiar with all the AI diseases and their effects.  I was impressed!  So.....just keep me in your prayers and hopefully, good things are to follow.

Posted 6/16/2006 9:32 AM (GMT 0)
hi deejane!  super belated happy birthday! yeah i hope you would continue to meet up w/ your doctors regularly.  how's your knee now?

 

stay well :-)

Posted 6/17/2006 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
hi roza!  The answer to your question is posted on the thread right up above this one titled Update......after the fall 5 days ago.  Thanks for asking but a more complete is there.  Basically, I'm taking it one day at a time.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply