Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Knee Pain, Family Time

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One part of Saturday’s BBQ story that I did not mention was a severe knee pain I developed early Saturday morning.  By 8 a.m. I could barely walk over to mom and dad’s house where I knew they had some extra canes.  I had used a heating pad, and continue to use it each morning and night now.  I needed to get Ice for the BBQ, an electrical plug from Camping World, and so I went to a drug store and got some Icy Hot cream, Icy Hot knee patch and knee support brace.  I put them on out in the parking lot, and by the time I got to Camping World, a two minute drive, I could easily walk again.  By the end of the day, I was better.  The pain seemed to stem from a pinch nerve, as there was no swelling, redness or other symptoms.  Perhaps putting the brace and patch on out in the parking lot “un-pinched” the nerve.  Regardless, I was happy to be better for this special day.

sleep

Saturday night I went to bed at the uncharacterized time of 8 pm, and did not get up until after 6 am.  No knee pain for the first two hours…until I put my socks on sitting on the bed, and when I got up there was a slight twist of the ankle/leg and BAM!, the knee started to hurt again.  Not as bad as Saturday, but this time it took all day to slowly go away.  Today is Wednesday, and there has been no return of the problem.  Of course, I have researched and researched the situation.  Some were concerned about a blood clot, but there just wasn’t any other symptoms to show that.  No pain to the touch.  Also, having back pain as a growing kid where my back did not grow as fast as the rest of my body, I am familiar with nerve pain, and this definitely felt like nerve pain.  For now, it is taking it easy, using or having a cane ready as needed, and I am using a Ace Bandage now instead of the bulky knee brace.
family

For the past few days we have just been enjoying family time.  We had a great mother’s day on Sunday, enjoyed leftovers on Monday, and went out to lunch to Panera’s with mom and dad yesterday.  Awaiting the awning from Houston which should be here in a week or so, and then we will get some work done on the motorhome.  In the meantime I have some Duragloss 521 and 581 coming in from Amazon so that I can finally give the new RV a good cleaning….which after that long trip is well overdue.

14 comments:

  1. Sorry to say ., but it sounds just like My Arthritis....

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    1. Well, it did not seem like the Arthritis I have in my fingers, much stronger than that. But it is something that I know I need to look forward to. :)

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  2. Oh, I hope you didn't 'catch' knee pain from me! The nurse in me suggests that you see an Orthopod. Regardless of the cause of the pain, you should have it diagnosed because different diagnoses require different therapies. If the reason is arthritis, there are meds specifically designed for that condition. If it's an injury (like a tear in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament) the conservative therapy might well be in complete opposition to the treatment for arthritis.
    Even having a definitive diagnosis of osteoarthritis over a couple of years ago, when I went to the doc in February and he suggested this would be a good time to contemplate the total knee surgery I had three weeks ago, he prescribed a different medication for me to take in the interim between February and the surgical date April 21st. And, wow, I hadn't had such pain relief of all my areas of arthritis in years. I was able to make a fist with both hands, a movement I hadn't been able to do for about two years. Also, reduction of the pain in the operative knee was significant; the relief in the other knee, my back and neck was miraculous.
    I think you have MediCare, right? Please get to a doc (your mom's?) and get a better picture of what's going on. Diagnosis may well include X-rays; but, shouldn't have to include MRIs or other diagnostic tools if the X-rays show arthritis. Feel free to call me if you'd like, Dave. I hate to hear of your suffering.

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    1. Still a bit young for Medicare....I have insurance from work until I reach that Golden age of 66. Unfortunately, my insurance plan is good in Arkansas, not so good outside of Arkansas. "IF" I need to see a specialist, we will need to make a trip to Arkansas. However, I am doing very well right now. Little to no pain, just a little soreness. But I am going to watch for symptoms of anything which might be a hidden sign of something else. But for now, I am pretty convinced that it was/is a pinched nerve. It sure acts like that's what it is.

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  3. Have you thought about a torn meniscus? Joe had to have surgery on his...he is fine now!

    Take of yourself Dave!

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    1. Yes, thought of a torn meniscus...Marcia has a slight tear that they worked on last year. But the pain did not come from within the knee, more like the back and a spasm around the outer knee. However, it has been fine for 48 hours now, and time will tell. Could have been from all that driving, who knows.

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  4. Please know I am praying for you, and for Marcia. It's not easy having health problems, and with you having walking problems, daily life could become difficult, as you've already seen. Still, I'm grateful that you have some items to help you on a regular basis, if needed. Blessings, Lynn

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  5. I currently have a flare up of a pinched nerve in my neck/shoulder area. I've had it before and the culprit is too much time on the computer. I have a neck wrap that I heat in the microwave that does wonders. However, to really get better I have to cut down on my computer time. I hope your knee heals quickly.

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    1. Yes, I think it is like a pinched nerve in the neck, but this is in the knee area....probably from all that tense driving over the past few weeks. I hate it when I "have" to drive so long due to a deadline....it becomes too tense of a situation. Hope your neck feels better soon Cheryl, hard to dance with a stiff neck.

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