What to do to help partner in severe knee pain

[Richal]

Hi there,

Partner currently in tramadol and paracetamol and collecting a prescription today for him for Pregabalin.

Original cause of injury was playing contact sports into his late 50’s and has self medicated with nsaids for at least 10 years when knee flares up. No official diagnosis of what exactly it is and no specialist involved. Nsaids have now had to be stopped as possible bleed in his stomach and is on blood thinners.

Past week been in extreme pain worse ever and is completely immobilised by swelling and pain.

What else is there I can do? Currently waiting for appointment with specialist

Thank you in advance

[Bananas5]

RICE

Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation can help

x

[Richal in reply to Bananas5]

Thank you yes been doing all the normal stuff

[Hidden in reply to Richal]

Hi

I read something the day

You put a towel in a clip lock freezer/sandwich bag and put it in the microwave for 2 minutes, take it out, be careful as it will be very hot. Wrap another towel round it . Put some Vic on the affected area and then hold the compress on it.

Also, do you know which consultant he will be seeing as maybe you could phone consultant's secretary to try and get his appointment brought forward. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[Richal in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I will suggest this to him.

No we have no idea who it will be as only just been referred this weekend via A&E. so I’m guessing it will have to go through his GP.

The doctor at A&E said his knee is extremely arthritic and spoke about a steroid injection and/or knee replacement.

Partner just wants to get back on the nsaids but I think he’d be crazy to do that with possible bleed in his stomach and on blood thinners

[Hidden in reply to Richal]

Hi

Did his Dr ever prescribe him omeprazole. I would advise that he never goes on nsaids again especially with the issues he has with his stomach. Take care Lynne

[Richal in reply to Hidden]

He’s on another PPI that works the same way.

Yes I’ve told him not to ever but he is adamant that they work and nothing else do.

I think that the joint is so damaged now that even if he were to be in the nsaids I think the level of pain he is feeling would be the same.

I just feel so hopeless and useless

[Hidden in reply to Richal]

It must be so hard for you, it's just as hard being the carer as it is being the patient. I've been in both sides of the coin and yes, you do feel helpless. But please try to not feel like this, you are doing a marvelous job and you are there for him as my hubby , family and friends and everyone on here have been for me. Have you got anyone you can talk to and lean on? You have got everyone on here. Pm me if you need to. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

[Emma2017 in reply to Richal]

My husband was put on nsaids for a while and it damaged his stomach, when it was realised he was put on stomach resistant nsaids alongside lansoprazole (for extra protection). But he did not take them much longer preferring the pain to the stomach pain.

As was suggested try ring the consultants secretary to see if there are cancellations or so.

Hot and cold treatment may help a bit in the meantime on his knee. I would be very careful with more medicines for now as a severely damaged stomach lining is no fun either.