Ouch

[Carilovesscott143]

I’m recovering from a total knee replacement and my fibromyalgia is off the charts. I can’t seem to get ahead of the pain. But I’m hoping this is all for the greater good.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Morning, oh dear I feel for you but glad it’s over now, I have been told my knee is past key hole and would need replacing but I agreed with specialist to try do the excerises and prolong it as much as I can I’m 59, but I must admit it’s really hard as plays up nearly every day and cannot go for long walks. I think the NHS has a very long waiting list as well (2yrs ) in our area, I looked going private but that’s coming out very expensive , I’m too sure what to do really , she said because of my age if it was replaced now I’d be looking at another replacement in my later years ? Take care and keep us updated with your progress xx

[Aligil in reply to Yassytina]

Reading your reply Yassytina, your experience is very similar to mine with regard the being too young and keep up the walking bit. I am 55. After several years of pain I was scanned again and told, just before the Covid outbreak, that I was on the emergency list to have a left total knee replacement and that they would perform keyhole on the right one to tidy up the cartilidge. The keyhole went ahead, at which point the consultant told me the knee was in worse shape than he'd thought and that would also need replacing within the next few years. I had one follow up appointment after that to check the right knee was healing and told I was still on the list but everything was on hold as he couldn't get theatre time or staff. I was due another follow up last month, but that morning I recieved a call from a nurse to ask if I really needed to come in? Thinking perhaps there wasn't much point in just being seen if nothing was going ahead yet; as nothing had changed (and I have not been leaving the house other than for medical appointments as my husband is shielding), I said there was no change but I was managing. In truth I wwas grateful for a delay as I haven't been getting out walking and have put on weight, and I thought it a chance to get back on track. Big mistake! Out of the blue, a week later, I recieved a letter from the consultant saying he was glad I was 'doing well' and the nurse had caught me before I set off; and that he thought my condition was ' too good to need to attend clinic as a priority during the Covid situation so I should just keep up the walking'. I haven't responded yet, as within that week the local newspaper had broken the story that the hospital had a Covid outbreak, so it's the last place I want to go to. But also because after a bout of uncontrollable crying I started with an even worse flare up of my fibro symptoms. Yesterday is the first time in weeks that I have woken up feeling a bit better and thinking I might be able to cope with getting up to face everything. I still feel exhausted and the pain is ever present, but I feel a 'time to compose a response letter' coming on.

Please don't be fobbed off with this 'too young yet' if you are not managing, or let up from telling them how bad your knee is. I wish you as well and pain free as possible. Xx

[honeybug]

Oh hun I’m soooo sorry. That looks so painful.

I always say any pain that is endured for a greater quality of life is a hurts so good pain.

I pray you make a full and quick recovery and have a blessed and great rest of your life.

Hugs and prayers

EJ 😊🤗♥️🥰🙏🕊🌿🌸🦋

[rosewine]

I have heard other people say that as with the pain from the operation I would think your muscles are tensing giving you more fibro pain. Hopefully, it will be worth it in the end. My friend swears by her replacement knee she is 82 and can outwalk me now. Hope it heals quickly.

[Aligil]

I am so pleased for you that your replacement was able to go ahead Carilovesscott143, and I hope you are soon well on the way to recovery, with both the knee and the flare.. Having fibro is difficult enough without additional problems making it worse. I am sure it will be worth it once you are up and about again. Xx

[lizmitchell1959]

I am waiting for a knee replacement and go to see consultant this month.I cannot walk barely stand and have had to purchase a commode as my toilet is upstairs.

My fibro is through the roof also and I am just about to throw in the towel, as I can't go out and spend what time I have in bed or sleeping. I am using crutches which are killing my hands and putting pressure on my shoulders.

Let's hope that I get somewhere later this month

[Sergt2840]

I had both knees replaced and it changed my life. That was about 20 years ago and they are still fine. Mind you, if I waggle my feet in cold weather they make a nice rhythmical base beat. Yes, I was terrified of the ops but it tended to put my FMS on the back boiler for a while.