Hello I am a newbie

kittymedaughter

Hello everyone, I have suffered from Fibromyaliga for 9 years and for the last 6 months, i knew i was feeling worse. I have suffered really bad knee pain, worse than i have experienced before...My Dr says he thinks i have osteoarthritis and possible torn cartledge...he said he thinks there is a "narrowing" in the left knee. I am waiting for the results of the Xray, which should be mid week. I am also due a MRI next week due to suffering from Vertigo for the last few months, I am hoping this may show up the damage to the cartledge even though that wasn't why i have been referred for a MRI

I have had to phone in work sick, I can hardly walk and the back of my knee seems swollen where the crease is, it really hurts, not sure what that is about? When i try to stand up from sitting, my knee feels weak and i have to use my walking stick in the house, which is something i have not needed to do in the past. I am taking 2 x 50mg Tramadol 3 times a day but it helps some but not enough to kill the pain.

What do i expect to happen next if the Xray does confirm what the Dr thinks it is? I am wondering how long this is going to take to be sorted so I can get back to work, I am also worried as i work in a building a few stories high and It hurts like hell to walk up the stairs if the lifts were broken.

Any tips, Ideas or suggestions are welcome

tjt6768

Hi and welcome from me..
Sorry that you are suffering so much.. We are all so so different when it comes to this, I wouldn't like to say what to expect. I know that some good results can be gained from surgery with osteo in the knees should they warrant that. I know nothing about fybro though..
Best I can do is wish you well and ask that you let us know how you go on and what the results come back as..
This is a great forum for advice and support and I am sure that I won't be the only one to add something.


Best of luck, keep posting

dreamdaisy

Hello foggyjano, it's nice to meet you though I am sorry you have had to find us. If it is confirmed as OA then you are already doing some of the right things in taking the pain dullers, your GP may also prescribe an anti-inflammatory too. If the narrowing is sufficient you may be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon with a view to discussing a possible knee replacement: these ops can work miracles in terms of easing/relieving pain and restoring movement to a joint.

As for doing the stairs remember the mantra of good leg to heaven (when going up) and bad leg to hell (when coming down). After years of arthritis I can only do the stairs like a three year old, ie good leg up, bad leg joins, good leg up etc (and the reverse when descending) but that matters not - at least I can still go up and down. I often do our household stairs backwards as they are very steep and narrow, but commercial flights are usually more user-friendly.

The swelling at the back of the knee could be something called a Baker's Cyst (I had never heard of that until I joined here). Do mention that to your GP, he should know about it. I am using a crutch indoors today (I'm having a rather busy Sunday involving lots of stairs) and I use it on the opposite side to the worst knee, which is currently my left one. The right ain't too happy either but as I am carrying stuff only one stick is an option! I hope you are using your on the opposite side as it gives better support and relief that way.

Pain relief is a very difficult area as the pills etc only usually remove enough of an edge to allow one to get on: they rarely take it all away which is so frustrating. Maybe your GP is the one to talk to about that? We all feel pain so differently, what I find a niggling ache someone else could find intolerable! He knows you best of all and may be able to suggest an alternative. I wish you well and let us know how you get on. DD

kittymedaughter

Thank you for your responses. I did mention the pain to the Dr in the crease of my knee, he did give me a good examination but nothing was mentioned apart from the Xray and Tramadol meds... I suppose i will know more when i return to him for the Xray results.

I have quite a strong pain threshold because of the Fibro, I have had to learn how to pace myself and ignore the pain but this last six months have been hell health wise...I have been lucky because i have been able to reduce how may days i work and my employers have been fab with supporting me with my fibro, that is why i feel so guilty being off at the moment, but i am struggling walking around my house never mind the office..I think i need a magic carpet to get me from A to B!!!

I am due my access to work review, so hopefully they will come up with a solution with me being mobile in work..I am so exhausted walking from my desk to the canteen, the the meds and my fibro make me so fatigued...

Am i going to end up having to have knee surgery with osto...is it likely i am going to need a wheelchair in the future? I am really concerned but need to look at ways that will help me cope with this and increase my limitations..first one is to lose weight!

tjt6768

I have had osteo in my knees for years now, as well as osteochindritis dessicans.. Over the years I have had quite a few arthroscopies, keyhole surgery where they trim and clear out and bad bits etc, I have, on the whole had great success with these, but I will be needing new knees in the not too distant future.. Having said that, we are, as ever, all different..
Hopefully yours will not need replacing for some time if ever..
I have been on and off crutches throughout the years, also use walking sticks, but so far apart from when I had both knees done at once when I was younger, I have avoided a wheelchair.. Excersises are important, try as best as you can under the situation to keep your leg muscles built up..

mig

Sorry i cannot help you but you have found a good place here,even if its just to have a rant or moan.Mig

stickywicket

Hello Foggyjano and welcome from me too. I'm afraid no-one can predict the future. Arthritis itself comes in many forms and we are all so different, not just in how we react to the pain but also in how our bodies react to the disease. Some plod on for years with arthritic knees or hips, others get replacements and are as good as new. (Our builder friend still goes climbing with his hip replacement.) Others find it spreads to other joints. There is no single route.

If it's of any help, mine was originally rheumatoid but osteo also set in years ago. Before then I was trying to go down the stoic I-can-handle-this-without-meds route. My GP told me, if I carried on like that I'd be in a wheelchair before I was 30. I'm now 65 and only use a wheelchair for long journeys.

Try not to get ahead of things. See what the X-ray shows first. Then let us help you to deal with the result. Take care.

traluvie

Hi and welcome from me too..

I have OA in knees so can understand your pain..I use a knee support which helps support the kneed when moving about..If in house i would rest it up with ice to reduce swelling..
I do not know much about fibro but i know a few do have it so i am sure someone will be able to offer you some more advice..
Take care..Let us know how you get on with your xrays..

lalla

Hi and welcome to the forum sorry you are having problems I had a swelling at the back of my knee before I had a knee replacement (TKR) and was told it was a Bakers cyst---Caused by the underlying knee problem( not much room for fluid to go in knee joint so it forms into the cyst) Im not a Ortho Dr but that was my experience.It sounds like you are shocked by your problems which is understandable, but please take things step by step. Having a new knee was the best thing for me and many others. We are all different with our disease and how we cope with it, and its changing challenges, keep us posted how you get on (((( ))))take care Linda

skezier

hi Jano,

welcome to the forums from me as well.

i was also thinking a possible bakers cyst so just keep your eye on it but it does make a roundish swelling in the back of the knee and your gp seems ok so it might just be the fibro reacting with the knee pain?

the xrays will show what your knee is up to. if there is a torn cartilage you need to see the ortho's regardless of the stage the oa is at so if your gp doesn't suggest it please ask him to refer you. they have the expertise on joint damage and oa damage etc.

a replacement wont mean you will be in a wheel chair, they tend to have you up and walking with help the ext day and a lot here can tell you just how good these replacement ops are so don;t let it scare you flower.

let us know how the results go and nice to meet you. Cris x

kittymedaughter

thank you all for your kind words. I am going to take things one day at a time and wait and see what my Dr says regarding how much damage there is

I am worried because we are due to fly in 2 weeks on holiday and it is 4 hour flight....Has anyone else gone on holiday with a torn cartilidge? My OH is worried how i will cope abroad and if there could be any complications or make matters worse?

we really need this holliday

julie47

Good morning foggyjano

welcome to the forum from me too. Sorry that you are having such a bad time at the moment and I hope it isn't too long before you get the results from your xray. I can't advise on osteo as I have RA.

I wonder though if when travelling on the plane you could ask for extra leg room or sit in the seat near the aisle. I hope you have a great time.

Juliepf x

Ankyspond

Hi and welcome,

I have AS so no experience with OA I am afraid but just wanted to say hope the x rays go well and things turn out better than you thought.

Like Julie said extra leg room would be good but go on your holiday it will be good for your mind. Keep in touch. Xx

bubbadog

Hi and welcome Foggyjano, the best thing anyone can say to you is take one day at a time, I myself suffer from both Fibromialgia and Osteoporosis and never know how I'm going to feel one day to the next! But you are on the best site for information! I hope you get some good news and that your employers are good to you while your off sick. If you ever wanna chat about anything you are welcome to PM (Private message) me when ever you want. bubbadog/Amanda.

stickywicket

About the holiday. If you notify the airline and airport the airline can arrange a seat with a little more legroom (usually bulkhead) and the airport will give you Disabled Assistance'. This removes the long queuing apart from anything else.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/TravelHolidaysAndBreaks/GettingThere/DG_4017242

You may want to consider using a wheelchair for the holiday even though you don't normally. The Red Cross used to hire them out. I don't know if they allowed you to take them abroad though.

lalla

Hi all the above good advice, also wear flight socks to prevent DVT and exercise your ankles and tighten and relax your thigh and buttock muscles during the flight. (try not to pull a grimace as you clench ) Passenger assist is great at the airport and if you have problems with steps they take you up/down the plane but it is important you request it now, also make sure your insurance fully covers you for these problems. ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY (((())))) lINDA

kittymedaughter

thank you all for the warm welcome and kind words of advice. I will ring the holiday company and arrange airport assistance

I think taking a wheelchair with me would be ideal, but my husband is having problems dealing with me going in one, he thinks it is so final and fears once i start using one, i will use it more and more and then i will not try to walk again in the future. He is so supportive and does a lot for me, to help and support me, but he finds it difficult to deal my disabilities and hates to see me struggle...my grandmother was in a wheelchair at around the same age as me now and she was in it for life, she had RA

I have got my appointment for the MRI on my knee, very quick as it is only next week, still not got the results from the Xray...that gives us a few days before we are due to go on holiday.

thank you guys, you have been very helpful with your suggestions

dreamdaisy

I will be getting a chariot soon, of that I have no doubt, but the received wisdom of a few on here has finally trickled through my solid cast iron gates of horror. It will be an option to enable me to achieve more on the worse days, and on the better days it can gather dust. It's not a case of once sat never to get out, absolutely no way José. I am determined to remain in control of life as far as I can but cede to the demands of the disease when necessary. I am thankful that we live in an age where lightweight and easy to maneouvre chariots exist (even though I am neither! ) Have a lovely holiday, enjoy yourself, keep up with the dullers but above all have fun. DD

stickywicket

foggyjano wrote:

I think taking a wheelchair with me would be ideal, but my husband is having problems dealing with me going in one, he thinks it is so final and fears once i start using one, i will use it more and more and then i will not try to walk again in the future. ...my grandmother was in a wheelchair at around the same age as me now and she was in it for life,

These are not your grandmother's times, foggyjano. I think people really did used to believe 'once in a wheelchair, always in a wheelchair'. At first I used to actually feel embarassed getting out of mine in the street, as if I shouldn't really be in one if I was capable of getting out. Crazy, or what?

Are there some nice places near you which loan out disability scooters? We have a lovely local reservoir which I could never get round on foot but which makes a great morning out with the scooter or my wheelchair, especially when followed with a pub lunch. Show your husband the positives of taking to wheels. (I bet he doesn't consider owning a car means you'll never walk again.)

We have the opposite argument these days. Mr SW always wants to sling the chair in the car boot and I tell him he needn't bother as I've no intention of using it.

kittymedaughter

I think you are all right about using a wheelchair nowadays...I followed your advise and rang the airline, they have arranged for me to have a wheelchair meet me at the airport and extra leg room on the plane not near a exit door...I feel so much better about it and my OH is happy that i have arranged this, I think what i said to him last night has sunk in...to think i have struggled all these years at the airport walking round with my stick when this facility is there for me...thank you so much folks.

I am feeling much more positive today, i have done feeling sorry for myself and will just go with the flow and not worry too much about the future..I have told my boss soon as i can walk without holding on to my husband i will be back in work soon as i can walk with just my walking stick.

I have looked into hiring a wheelchair while we are abroad, it is expensive but i might do it for a few days if we fancy a stroll away from the hotel..

thank you all u have helped me become more positive x

stickywicket

I am very pleased you're feeling more positive, foggyjano, and I love your idea of maybe hiring a chair for a few days while on holiday. That sounds to me like a very good compromise.

I don't know if they told you but, with 'assistance' at the airport, it means you'll be first onto the plane and last off. The reason they don't actually sit you by an exit - where there is loads of legroom - is because people in those seats have to be capable of helping open the doors in an emergency(!)

Have a great holiday and let's know how you got on.

kittymedaughter

stickywicket wrote:

I am very pleased you're feeling more positive, foggyjano, and I love your idea of maybe hiring a chair for a few days while on holiday. That sounds to me like a very good compromise.

I don't know if they told you but, with 'assistance' at the airport, it means you'll be first onto the plane and last off. The reason they don't actually sit you by an exit - where there is loads of legroom - is because people in those seats have to be capable of helping open the doors in an emergency(!)

Have a great holiday and let's know how you got on.

Thanks Stickywicket, she explained it all to me when i phoned, she made it so easy for me, I cannot believe i have struggled all these years. Bit worried about my leg locking sat for all that time on the plane, will make sure i take plenty of painkillers...I have tramadol, Codeine and Ibuprofen...lol..that should be enough.... I would rather be in pain away that at home feeling sorry that i have missed a holiday

x

frogmorton

Hi Foggy (I love your username!)

just popping in to say hello from me and it's good to meet you

l have read your thread from beginning to end and am hoping that you will get your results before your holiday so you know what is happening next, but if not you enjoy your holiday and rest in the sun.

Love

Toni xx

stickywicket

foggyjano wrote:

Bit worried about my leg locking sat for all that time on the plane,
x

Wander about a bit, if only to the loo. It helps to stretch your legs.

cacyhi

Hello Foggy
Just saying hello.
Im new to the forum and folks here are full of lots of tips and info of a practical nature - they are also very supportive.
Have read your thread and hope you enjoy your holiday and start to sort things out when you get back.
All the best