OT: knee voodoo

Oh yeah, doctor also made an appointment for me with another doctor who maybe can help get a grip on my Lupus.

Sunny

Don't keep us in suspense. What was the lump from? and don't tell me it was from the rolling pin falling off the counter when you were making Christmas cookies.

Butterfly (Today, I'd believe you--not sure about tomorrow ; )

Sunny, my mom had severe RA for the last 20 years of her life. She loved to dance more than anything. She'd get a shot on Friday in both knees and dance, Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. She'd pay dearly for it come Monday, but I was always thrilled that it could help her enough to do what she loved to do. The doctor would only allow her a shot ever 3 months so she'd time it so she could attend the most dances.

Prednisone cut her life short because she lost the ability to heal, but it gave her a better quality of life than if she hadn't taken it.

I don't know how someone lives in that kind of pain day after day. She was almost always in a good mood and optimistic.

Cindy

Butterfly, the lump was actually pus hardened in the muscle tissues, he said. That's why he couldn't really drain it. I don't want to think about that, to tell the truth.

Cindy, I live in pain all the time. It's nerve pain for me mostly, in my face and head, teeth and ears and the like. I got off prednisone in September because I was having opportunistic infections, one after another. And I'd taken all the big name antibiotics they'd allow me and was still coughing. The dr. today said he wouldn't put me back on prednisone ever, even if all my hair falls out. And yes, it's trying. Fistfuls of hair all over the place. It's scary. I've easily lost half my hair in the past two months. Makes me want to cry.

Anyhow, how to live in pain...... well, you just get up in the morning and put one foot on the floor and then the other and before you know it, you're committed to living for one day. And it's too hard to stop living at night when you might actually get some rest and relief. So you sleep (sometimes). And the next day you just do the same thing over again. I really don't know how long I can do it. That's the truth and it's all I know.

So I'm drawing and cutting birds out and maybe by Thursday I can show you what I'm doing. :) I like it very much and I'm proud of it so far.

Hugs, Sunny

Sure wish I could tell you something that would help. My ex has RSD, very painful as well. But from the sounds of it you have had this for a bit and probably know everything I know if not more. So I'll send my prayers for you and keep you in my thoughts. Know that there are a lot of us out there that live with pain, every min of every day. Every need to ramble or vent feel free. Just remove quilt from the email. Take Care Joanna Alberta

Wish i had some words of wisdom, here, but i dont other than sending prayers & good thoughts your way. Glad to see you're going to a Lupus spec.

{{{Hugs to Sunny}}}

amy in CNY

There is an alternate. I think it'd drive you and I crazy but my sis tells of her MIL doing it until she passed away. MIL fell on ice during the winter and after being released from the hospital (They found a goose egg on the back of her head and NO OTHER INJURY) she sat down on the LR couch and STAYED THERE, she refused to get up for anything. Kidlets ended up coming to bring her lunch & dinner daily after her DH passed on. There was NO REASON she couldn't do for herself. Dr thinks the head bump had a lot to do with it. her DH even bought a home in FL so they could go there for the winter, so she wouldn't have to woozy on falling again. She refused to move. All she did all day was watch TV and snooze. so you do have a choice.albeit.a weird one.

Butterfly (who rather find a way to live around the pain than just sit)

Gosh sunny, I sure hope the new doc can offer you some relief. My thoughts and prayers continuing your way. Hugs, Taria

Several years ago (about 2002) I had a similar treatment and message for problem in shoulder. I have NOT needed the surgery. Unless I sleep on that shoulder, I am pretty much okay with it. So, don't be thinking that surgery is right around the corner! Best wishes, PAT in VA/USA

You know Pat, if I had the money I might actually be considering knee surgery. But I can't afford it. My little ol' knee is probably going to stay happily uncut for a long, long time yet.

Sunny

Sunny, I've been watching your knee trauma and was hoping for a 1/21 report. Is it a wee bit better after the injections? Polly

Can your dr give you some thoughts on physical therapy or massage you can do on the area, or some such like that?

G> You know Pat, if I had the money I might actually be considering knee

Sorry Polly, yes -- the pain is better and I can go down the stairs without fear of it buckling. No weakness in it at all. It's aching a bit tonight, but then what doesn't ache at night??

It's much better and I'm quite happy with the results.

I have a question for you guys: When I was a kid the "old folks" talked about getting cortisone shots in achy joints and they carried on something fierce about how painful it was. They talked about like it was sheer torture. And these were some tough old birds too. Well, I've had both elbows shot -- one of them three times now -- and this knee twice. Yeah, it hurts. But it's not exactly horrid and it fades immediately and fear of the shot wouldn't keep me from going back for another.

Do you think that cortisone shots used to be more painful? Do you think they hurt bad? Maybe the doctors I've had for the procedure have all been really good? It's just curious to me.

On that note, good night and all get some sleep. Sunny

I have had arthritis in both my knees for years now and it's bad enough that I need a cane if I am going to walk any distance at all. One of the most painful things for me has been going down stairs -- down not up mind you. Years ago, I started going down the stairs backwards and you would be surprised how much easier it is! I ALWAYS hold the handrail just to make sure that I don't trip and fall. If I am in a very public place, I try to not hold up traffic -- you should see the strange looks I get when out and about -- LOLOL! Most folks don't really believe that it makes a difference but it does. Several of the ladies in my Needlework Group also have arthritis. It has taken me months and months but I finally got them to try doing the stairs backwards. They now swear by it and are spreading the word

-- LOLOL! Give it a try and see if it isn't MUCH easier on your knees! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

I endorse this! My father started going downstairs backwards many years ago. He said it was much safer, as well as easier. . In message , Tia Mary writes

My mother in law is the same. I thought it was funny the first time I seen her go down the stairs backwards, but she's been doing it for a long time. She's a laundry fanatic. Washes everything all the time. So she does a lot of laundry. She says if she couldn't walk backwards she would never get the laundry done. So I say if you have doubts try it as long as you have a hand rail to hold. Take Care Joanna Alberta

Sunny, I had two cortisone shots for a heel spur. The first one was horrible and probably like the ones the sheer torture stories were about. When I needed another one I was real apprehensive based on my prior experience... but that one wasn't bad at all. The first one though YIKES! I don't really know what made the two different as far as pain levels.

-Debbie

Sunny wrote in news:4b57e0a0-ccb6-466d-8ce6-5fc7854de784 @t26g2000prh.googlegroups.com:

stairs

aching a

folks"

carried

about like

too. Well,

and this

it fades

back for

Do you

procedure have

please visit

please visit