Hello Everyone! New Member...

Hi Emkay80! Welcome to the forum... sorry you have to be here but it's a good place to be under the circumstances.

I was 28 when my pain started and diagnosed when I was 29/30. Thankfully my family has been supportive because they know that I'm not one to complain when I don't feel well so when I started having uncontrollable pain, they knew something was wrong.

Now coworkers have been a different story. I have lost a job due to my pain and the work loss through flare ups, doctor appointments, sick time and recovery time after surgeries. I was at a place that loved me before I got sick and then afterwards they felt that I should just suffer in silence and/or get over it and work. It broke my heart. I also lost a boyfriend during the course of my treatments. He wasn't supportive and actually changed his facebook status to 'Single' while I was in the hospital having my hysterectomy (age 30) and then claimed it was a joke between he and his coworker.

If there are people in your life that feel like you are weak for living with a debilitating condition then I hate to say it but it's their issue... not yours! Surround yourself with supportive people, like the ones here. It's not always easy and you may feel lonely at times but eventually you will realize who is healthy to have around and who is not. You'll look up one day and be in a circle of friends, family and coworkers who are supportive and sympathetic when you want them to be.

There are always going to be people with insensitive questions or comments and I usually tend to understand that I am an exception so they may be ignorant (for lack of a better word) and therefore don't understand that what they are saying can be hurtful or insconsiderate. I try to exercise patience and answer questions or smile and then I try to steer them in the right direction to get answers to questions I don't want to answer due to the personal nature of them.

So long post short (too late!) try to remember that others may not mean to make you feel weak or inadequate based on your condition. They haven't met someone who has suffered like you have and the curiosity may come from a good place. But if it's not and they mean to be cruel, start to distance yourself. You might have a long road ahead of you and stress will just add to flare ups and/or depression (which is common in those of us with chronic pain).

I hope that your surgery is successful and that you are able to see a reduction in your pain. You've come to a great place! If you need anything, just say the word!

Linds

Hi EmKay & welcome aboard. Glad that you decided to join us. Sorry to hear that you are getting ready for another surgery on the knee, hopefully it will be an arthroscopic surgery. Lets hope this surgery will be your last & will take care of the problem. I went thru a phase with my knees and after 4 surgeries on the left, 1 on the right, Supaartz injections, bottom line is I need new ones & I am holding off on those.

I am reading a lot of anxiety in your post. What kind of odds is the dr giving for a successful outcome with this pending surgery? Instead of thinking the worse case, try to gear your mind towards this one will take care of the problem & be a success. As far as your meds go, there is no contest here on who hurts the most or takes the strongest pain meds. Pain is just that, it affects everyone differently. How we handle it personally is the same thing, we try to do what helps the most. Relying on medications as the only source of dealing with CP does not work well alone. Some of us have hobbies, or have certain things we like to do to help take our mind off of the pain as much as possible.

One thing I do not do is discuss my health issues with anyone except close family. Friends do not get it as a rule. They may try but unless a person really experiences CP, they have no clue what it is like living like this. I also do not talk about my medications either. You really do not have to justify your condition to anyone that you are not comfortable discussing it with. My on personal motto is the fewer that know the better. Who knows, after this next surgery your condition may change for the good. That is a real possibility.

Anyway,I wanted to pop on & say hello & welcome aboard......Susie

Hi Charlie! A big welcome to you as well! :0)

Hello Charlie6017 & welcome to the forum. We ask all new members to post their own intro thread so that all members will see it & be able to give you a proper hello & welcome aboard. By posting on this thread not many people will see your post.

To start your own thread, look to the left click Post New Topic, fill in the heading, click again & type away. Or you can copy what you have written above, whatever works for you.

Thanks.......Susie

Hello EmK and welcome to HW. I too am a knee painer even though I was 39 when my injury occurred, still young and a Mom to 5 one a 3 month old and working full-time.

Family can go either way as for support, Pittsburgh just best to be conservative as to how much information you give,same with friends and co-workers.

As fairly normal to be anxious concerning any surgery and especially for CPers since we know what living with pain is really all about.

I've had a total of 7 surgical procedures between the 2knees. Some by arthroscopy and a partial knee replacement. The best advice I can give you is do every thing as they order it post-op. If they say "no weight bearing " don't!!. If they order 3 months of therapy then go.

Its vitally important to follow the Drs recommended course of treatment and use every modality possible and don't rely solely on the narcotics.

I've found that to be the key to having the best chance at a successful outcome.

Never lose sight of hope. Dont let guilt take over when things don't get done as fast or as often as they use to. Pace yourself and most of all remember to take care of yourself too.

Good luck on your surgery and keep us posted when you can and I will keep you in my prayers.