OT: Knee/Dr. visit update

{{{Kenda}}}

Sure hope (a) you can find a better doctor & (b) s/he gives you options that will get rid of your pain & allow you to return to work! Keep us posted.

Alicia

Kenda... I am so sorry to hear that your knee is continuing to be a problem :( I hope that you get some relief with a change in medication. But in the meantime, it might be worth doing some research into Glucosamine & Chondroitin....which are both used quite extensively in the UK with good effect, post surgery and for osteoarthritis. Both substances are implicated in cartilage production and maintainence of joints.

Take care, Marilyn

*BIG hugs* I know this was tough for you to hear, and actually facing the fact that you'll be forced to retire from a career that you so desperately love and are good at. At least now you can work on the next step of finding someone who will see you and do something to relieve the pain/swelling in your knee. You know I'm here whenever you need a shoulder to lean on or cry on, or just someone to vent to! Think "Dr. Duck" would get the hint if we gave him a duck? LOL

Wow Kenda. Your story gives me a huge case of deja vu. Everything you said would have described my DH 6 years ago. We even built a new house so he could avoid stairs. He was also 37/38 at the time and got the same storing about knee replacement. He tried the Glucosamine & Chondroitin treatments. After getting so mad at one doctor who continued to make his diagnosis without even touching the knee, my DH tried another doctor who agreed to an orthoscopic exam.

Once inside, the surgeon probed the bone tissue and found a "spongy" area between the two leg bones where weight is carried. We were told that it was dead bone most likely caused by a previous injury. (DH banged his knee really bad in high school. 12-15 years ago, he had cartilage removed. A few years later ended up in the emergency room after jumping from an 8' wall during a police related chase.) So, the doctor graphed a bone/cartilage "plug" from another area of the knee. The cartilege graph didn't take so six months later he was back in for another try, but the second attempted worked. My DH has been pain free for going on 4 years. DH has noted that he is having some bad days again but only when he over does it.

Living the past 20 years around fire fighters & policemen, I can understand the anxiety over the posibility of a career change. On the bright side, I have seen some good examples of workmen's comp re- education program. Mid-life career changes are not always a bad thing

-- just different from what we intended. Chin up.

{{hugs}}

-- Amy L.

I'm just boggled that this doctor apparantly has x-ray vision and he can know exactly what's going on inside your knee without even looking at it. While his explanation may 'make sense' I'd be DEMANDING a fresh MRI etc to confirm it. Either that, or demanging a fresh doctor... I hope somebody can give you some REAL answers and possibly find a solution to your problems other than simply writing you off...

Thank you Alicia, I am hoping to find a different doc. but barring that I'm holding out for the 2nd opinion doc. A few of the guys at work have been to see him and have had good success. I now have bone on bone in one portion of the knee, I won't be going back to the fire dept sadly.

I have actually been taking them both since last summer Marilyn, hoping that would help with the knee. I think it has helped but the 2 surgeries sped up the loss of cartilage. I think this would have just happend sooner if I hadn't been taking them. At least the pain was delayed. Thank you for the information, perhaps it will help someone else as well.

Thank you so much Deb. I can't tell you how much of a help you've been, just letting me talk about this. You and a few others on RCS that know me personally know just how much I love my job, and just how much I'll miss it. (I dreamed last night there was a miracle and my knee was better so I could go back to work. I woke up and said out loud, just keep dreaming!) I so appreicate how much you've been there for me. Alan doesn't think the dr. is as much of a quack as he's inexperinced. Which could be the case, I guess they have to get experience somewhere, just wish it hadn't turned out this way.

Sounds like your DH sure went through heck with his knee! So glad it worked out for him, I can imagine the pain he went through.

The career change isn't really a problem, I just hate having to go out of this career this way. I had really hoped to be around alot longer. Unless something just jumps out at me, I won't be going back to work anywhere. DH has told me that if I want to work somewhere part-time to have extra pocket change he doesn't want me feel like I need to return to the work force. He knows I've worked since I was 15 years old, through the births of the boys and the only time I didn't work was while DS #2 was having his chemo treatments while he was in the hospital. He says it's time I relax and take time for me. "You've always done for everyone else, time to take time for yourself. If you feel you must do something to feel needed, go to the hospital and rock babies,or volunteer at the animal shelter. Just don't bring anthing home, babies or pets!" LOL so, I will get through this.

My DM said to me today that this will give us time to play and experiment with our stashes of stuff! I had to laugh, she's also toying with the idea of retirement with allof her recent health issues that don't seem to have an end in sight.

Thank you for your kind and encouraging words Amy!

I too am boggled that he has x-ray vision. I plan on telling them the next visit to do xrays or something else! to see what exactly is going on. i have requested a new doctor, however I can't get an appointment with another doctor because I've already seen an ortho and had surgery! So frustrating. DH and I have talked and if need be I'll go out of the area or state to have it fixed. However I'll be out of a job due to this. This will eventually workout, just in the mean time I'm very frustrated and upset!

Kenda, I feel so bad that you are going through all of this. If you decide to go out of state, you are welcome to come here. My Doctor is considered one of the best in the country and of course you could stay here with Rick and I. We would figure something out. I hope that you can get this resolved soon as I am sure that the toughest thing to deal with is all this waiting!

Big hugs to you and a wave hello to your DH and DSs.

M-C

Thank you Jacqui. They are truely welcomed!

Thank you M-C that is very generous of you! You are right the toughest thing right now is waiting to see what happens next. DH & DSs waved back at you!

{{{{{Kenda}}}}} I'm so sorry to hear this. I know that you love your job and are very good at it. Is there some way that you could be involved in training other firefighters?

I hope you will be able to get a second opinion and find someone that will do x-rays and scans to see what is really going on. My prayers are with you

Kenda- hope things start to get better for you. I'm sure that's a hard thing to deal with. I'll be sending up prayers for your family and your doctors so they can get you some help. Hang in there...

Amanda

I wish there were Cathy. But sadly I can't. Many things are demonistrated and I am a firm believer that in training you can't ask anyone to do something you can't do yourself. And at our dept. the training Lt. rides out with the Battalian Chief after 4;30pm and is in a position to have to actually fight fire or do other related items related to safty. Thank you for the hugs and prayers, they are truely appreciated.

Thank you Amanda. I have actually come one more step towards a resolution. I finally have my appointment for the CFE. (Career Funtionality Exam) It is scheduled for Monday morning. It will last 3 - 3 1/2 hours! I was suprised it will take so long. I will at least get a second opinion after the test is done and the results are in. Hopefully it won't take but just a few days for the Dr. to get the paper work. Thank you for the prayers, they really do help.

Sorry to hear about knee problems. You may not be able to crawl into burning buildings anymore but there are other careers within your field that you could try....investigating fires, administration, education, etc.....so cheer up, all is not lost!