Jackie O, I Ain’t!

The trials and tribulations of having knee replacement surgery while struggling with PMR/GCA and on corticosteroids. If interested, go to Google and type in: rantings of a madwoman blog

[teesher]

Lol! Who'd have thought pmr would lead to all this but as you say, it really will be worth it when you are running after your grandson. Be careful out there.

[Jean56]

My husband would agree with you as to the pain and the weird codine induced dreams. I was so thankful when he stopped taking the little white pills. He wouldn’t want to go through a knee replacement again and neither would I like to be ‘nurse.’ I’ve told him if his other knee bothers him hop! Someone may have suggested the following, but here we go just in case. Crutches that have a life of there own. When your not using them turn them upside down they balance better. Honest!

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to Jean56]

They also make great clubs!

[Marymon]

Mel O, !!

Sorry to hear recovery is slow, but it really will be worth it. Honest🙅‍♂️

Codeine Dreams, so vivid and weird, I came out of hospital after 4 days with tablets enough for a week, and then got more from GP, go and tell them the pain you are in. I got a prescription for another two weeks. Only needed them for another three days, if we lived nearer I would drop them off.

I really do hope in another week you will be over the hill and cruising.

And,

At least the crutches don’t dig under your arms these days.

Xx

[Rimmy]

Dear Melissa - some timely advice for any of us brave enough (now) to ever contemplate such surgery .... and as always a totally brilliant and evocative account of an experience most of us are fortunate enough (so far anyway) NOT to have had to 'have'.

This all sounds really HARD and much worse than I ever imagined it might have been - WHY for example would I think they would provide you with effective drug relief !!?? - but of course even if they would - the 'side effects' are clearly awful ... those 'dreams' and I know there's lots of other horrid 'stuff'.

That pic of Jackie always had me worried - it all looked so 'neat' - she pulled that hyper-controlled look off so well during her marriage when JFK was womanising and other dreadful things were happening - but behind closed doors I BET she also had ketchup on her tee-shirt - even if she had a drawer of nicely folded (by a 'maid') ones nearby. Of course she also had herself 'addictions' to various drugs at certain times to get her 'through' - as did JFK - (to many) which is all well documented now.

I am SO sorry you have had this hellish path M. and I won't say it WILL be 'worth it' as that kind of experience is not one anyone should have to go through - ever - but I do still imagine you smiling and laughing as you chase your grandies around one day ... and before TOO long... Sending lots of virtual hugs and bunches of big 'white daisies' !! XXXXX

[GOOD_GRIEF]

I know you're sick and tired of hearing this from me, but it IS going to get better.

And you're going to be out and about without the crutches or a cane or anything else - just being fabulous you!

Jackie, move over! There's a new chic in town!

[patriciawhite]

It will be worth it in time .good luck with the healing process .

[Valnvaughan]

I reacted adversely to pain medication after my hip replacements last year. It upset my digestion. I asked to come off pain medication and felt much better. And joint replacement does make life much better.....I am op plus 10 and 5 months.....just getting mobile. I have rejoined Ballroom dance classes and just started Thai Chi to strengthen muscles, as well as doing the physio exercises. My PMR seems unaffected and I’m continuing a really slow taper using DSNS method with additional Pred on my “really busy” days. Works for me.

So, hang in there it will get better. All the best. Valerie

[Daisychain12]

I have seen my friend go through this and saw first hand the effect. Yes it will be fabulous when you are recovered but getting to that point is hard work. I do hope that you are getting excellent advice? My friend had “ targeted physio” but the quality of the practitioners was varied to say it politely. Only one was really helpful the rest lacked empathy and insight.

When I was in rehab myself it was odd to be with people in their 80s and even 90s who had had knees and hips replaced. Some of them were amazing. One lady aged 89 was fitter than all of us which she put down to living up two flights of stairs and never using the lift.

I too had codeine once. It worked brilliantly until it didn’t. I never got nightmares although I got diverticulitis from the almost unavoidable constipation.

Looking forward to hearing you are recovering in leaps and bounds xxxx

[jannie21]

Hi Melissa, You will get better it is true. I am having my second total knee replacement in either May or June (I know glutton for punishment). I had my first in June 2008 and it was all the things you have said it is and more. However, the pain is so unbearable at the moment that I have to go out in a wheel chair, which is an absolute pain (sorry for the pun). So I really have no choice but to go ahead with another op. The physio is hard and the pain is bad but it does get better, it just takes a time.

You will be able to play with your grandchildren as much as you want to and we both have the summer to recuperate. As Valerie says "hang in there", sending gentle hugs Jannie xx

[Grants148]

Hi Melissa,l hope your knee heals soon,l know it is a very painful operation and l hope everything goes well ,and l wish you a good recovery,sending love and hugs xxx💐

[Telian]

How was she able to smile like that? Bet you didn’t! Best wishes for a speedy recovery - this is the worse time coming off opiates while everything is still settling down. I’ll speak you on the other site when I can remember my password! X