My darn knees (update)

Okay.. now this is ridiculous. Doc's can't pin point the *cause* of the pain. Treating it with narcotics. They found some fluid with mri last year, but not enough to "drain" as two docs put it. Now, it's worse. Not sure of the point of going TO the doc's again, with same complaint, to get same answer.

I'm 33 years old, mother of four children, and I'm losing my ability to walk. Tried Walmart today, quarter of the way through, the pain starts to "hurt", half way thru, the pain becomes "PAIN", by the time I get done, I'm barely able to shuffle my feet. Almost tripped a few times. Driving hurts my knees. Standing really, really hurts. I just can't figure out what is causing it. And I guess the cause is the driving force behind any treatment. I thought about getting some stabilizing over the counter knee braces at the store today, but afraid to make them worse, if that is not appropriate treatment.

Any ideas???

Sarah

Hey Sarah.. not sure how I've missed this post.. so sorry for taking so long in getting back to you.. You said you had an MRI done last year.. have you had one done recently? What about a bone scan? I know you've probably heard this before, but is the pain like "in" your knee? Behind the knee cap? I'm so sorry you are in so much pain.. I do wish there was something I could do for you. To me, it doesn't sound like the fibro.. I am wondering if you do have more fluid built up.. is your knee swollen? What time is your appt tomorrow?

Hang in there.. {{{{{[[[[[(((((Sarah)))))]]]]]}}}}}

Ooookay. Had my MRI on Wednesday, and today, docs office called, said they had results and wanted me to make appt. and come in. ( I made an appt. for tommorrow morning). That doesn't sound good to me. I've NEVER seen such a quick turnaround on any tests coming out of my docs office. Normal procedure is to wait for a little yellow card in the mail telling you whether test was normal/abnormal and with instructions. They've never called me before. I'm really stressed now... kinda like.. oh my god, what did they FIND???

The swelling has moved on down now and is in one ankle. The other one is sore and gets stiff easily, but no noticeable swelling. It's definately some issue with my joints... sigh.

I'll update with docs results when I get a chance. If anyone wants to throw some "It will all be okay"s my way... feel free!!!

Okay, results are in. My knees are basically bye bye. I have ACL damage in my left knee, and chondromalacla patella in both knees, which is basically degeneration of the cartiledge under the patella. Doc said the problem is now irritating my ankles which is causing one to swell. Sooo.. I'm going to have to wait for my ortho appt. In the meantime, my doc said my left knee is on shaky ground as far as being able to keep using it. She wrapped it and my ankle just for support.

The funny thing is that her "official diagnosis" was that I have "crappy knees"...LOL. She said they got me in so fast due to the fact that a loss of my left knee is going to happen, just a matter of when, and whether I can get into ortho and get something done first.

I know where you are coming from and I feel so sorry for you because I have been there done that and am doing it again.A little back ground..........I have Crohns,RA,OA,AS,Sejerens and I have PG (pyderma gangresume)sorry for the spelling.

So moveing on when I was diagnosed with crohns on Feburary of 2003 I was put on some really harsh drugs and about June of 2003 I started swelling first noticed this in both ankles and with the right one being worse.I was starting to have some really sever pain and buy this point I was in a majore flare with my crohns.

From the first time I started swelling it took about three month and not only was I dealing with my ankles but my knee's were very swollen ass well and you could push on my skin on the lower legs and it would leave an indention ansd they were both very swollen and they were so red about the color of a coke can and very hot to the touch.

Well at this time I was sent to a Rheumy and she did alot of blood work and ex-rays it came back not only did I have crohns but not one but three different typs of Arthritis and test showed that I have no cushing in between my knee so it's bone against bone and my left hip is also deteriating.

By July of 2003 my Rheumy wrote me a script for a wheelchaire because it had gotten to the point that I no longer could walk or stand for more than about two minutes and I was so swollen that you could not tell what was my ankle and what was my feet.

I was in that wheel chaire and in the mean time we tried different meds hoping that we would find a med or meds that would help and in the mean time I was having to have fluid drained off and I was so misserable.

We did the Remicade and I had two thing's that played a roll in having to astop the Remicade the first thing is that I was building up anti-serum sickness and I was gewtting one infection after another so no more Remicade.

We tryed Methotrexate and for awhile it did seem to help some what but for not long.We then tried Humira (JACK POT),When it was all said and done I had been in that wheel chaire for a year and once we got me on the Humira I started noticing a big differents.

I was not able to walk for so long I had to take phyicale theraphy (sp) to learn to walk again.The purpose of me telling you this is because I don't want you to think that you are the only one that is having this typ of problems and that it will get better with time.

If you ever want to talk just e-mail me youy will find my e-mail by clicking on my name .

Sarah P.,
Hang in there! I hope they can get you into the ortho's office ASAP!!! I know a little something about knees and knee pain! All total I've had 8 knee surgeries inclluding two total knee replacements. So glad those are over with but I'm also so glad I got them done!! The second one took me a little longer to get over due to the RA and other joints involved but now I know I would not be walking without it! And I'm pretty much way back off the pain med except when my hip acts up so that's doing real well, too! Take extra help, if you can get it, from friends, family, etc. When your knees hurt and are out of sort, it can cause problems with your back, hips, legs so just try to take things real easy and protect yourself! I was in your boat just last summer before I had this last knee surgery in December. It's not easy. I hope you get some good help and some good medical advice and help soon! You're in our thoughts and prayers!