Guest guest Posted September 21, 1999 Report Share Posted September 21, 1999 Good luck with the surgery! From someone who has had the op, I can tell you it is wonderful not to have the pain and be able to walk somewhat normally. It will be even better when I get the other knee done in the new year. My one piece of advice-- Do the excersises and physio that they tell you to do and a lot of walking right from the day they allow it. Best wishes Gwen RA 9yrs AP 20 months J wrote: > From: " J " <denisej@...> > > Hello, Everyone, > > I have been scheduled for knee replacement surgery on November 4th. I am so > excited. The latest injury to my knee was more than two years ago and the > pain has gotten worse and worse. Sometimes when I try to straighten it out > it hurts so badly that I cry out in pain. I was going to have my neighbor's > doctor do the surgery but he couldn't get me in until after the Christmas > Holiday. I dreaded going so long. > > I have not taken the DMARDS, and am now off all NSAIDS. The only steroids > I've had were three injections into the knee this year and a few small pulse > doses more than six months ago. Now when the pain in my knee is intolerable > I take a vicodin. > > When I had hip surgery seven years ago I took a lot of aspirin and > ibuprofin. I was lucky it didn't kill me because it caused bleeding. Back > then I didn't know how dangerous that was and thanks to G0d it always > stopped. Five years ago I had some stomach pain and thought to call an > advice nurse who told me to come to the hospital immediately. I was > hospitalized and was given two pints of blood. When the doctor stuck the > camera down and looked at my stomach I could see lots of old ulcers. I > hadn't realized how dangerous it was to have black, tarry stools. Now I > can't take any anti-inflammatory without also taking something like > Prilesec. > > The day of my surgery will also be the one year anniversary of taking my > first dose of generic minocycline (Biocraft brand). > > I believe my rheumatoid arthritis is not active because even with the pain > and stress of my knee problem all I have is a bit of stiffness in one little > finger--no pain. > > I am going to ask the surgeon if I can get I.V. antibiotics while in the > hospital post surgery. > > It has served me well to find all of you who have answered my questions and > held me up while I experienced the herxing. My knee is not wrecked from > rheumatoid arthritis and can only be resolved by replacement. I get scared > sometimes thinking about the surgery but I know that I have been delivered > from a far worse fate due to getting on the Antibiotic Protocol. If all > goes well with my surgery I'll be able to take walks without pain. Who > knows what good things lie ahead? Finding out about the antibiotic protocol > all the help and encouragement I have received from people on this support > list has given me a future that I do not fear. > > Thanks to all of you, > > > > RA 6/7/98 AP 11/4/98 > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2004 Report Share Posted July 31, 2004 a, I had a TKR one year ago on my left knee and THR on my right side 4 months ago. My other knee is ok, so bilateral was not discussed. I know my dad had both done at one a few years ago. I can tell tou from my experience having one side worked on and then the other, even differant joints, it is very stressful on the side not worked on. I know that my hip was damaged more after my knee was done. So I am going to say, as long as the doctor is willing, do them both at once. The physical therapy you will go thru usually suggests you work on both sides even on the non-sugical side. You may be out of commision a bit longer then us that do one at a time, but I am sure you will feel so much better after few months that you will be glad you did both. Good luck. Valeri > Hi, > It was suggested that I repost my message since I didn't get > too many responses. If anyone knows of a group or site > that's more geared to knee replacement, please let me know. > I appreciate any info you folks can give me. > Thanks.......................a > > > > > .........original message................. > Hi > I just discovered this group, and I'm hoping to get some > good information from those of you who have gone through > total knee replacement. My plan is to have both knees done > at the same time in the middle of October. I have been > plagued by painful, deteriorating > knees, for years now, and I simply can't wait much longer. > I'm a formerly, very active 58 year old, who has had a > number of skiing and horseback (won't give that up) riding > injuries, and four previous arthroscopic procedures, the > last one just three weeks ago. My doc > says that I'm bone on bone between the femur, patella, and > tibia on both knees. Guess you can't get much worse than > that. To top it all off, I've been fighting cancer > (malignant melanoma), for the past > year. > I'm wondering what you have to say about having both done at > the same time, as opposed to one at a time. Is it true that > it's the cement that fails after many years, rather than the > joint itself? What about the bolt-in technique? Has anyone > had the minimally invasive total knee replacement done? > What's the average time before you can drive, and get around > yourself? > I have been approved through my insurance, for an electric > scooter, so I think that will make my life easier. I am > married, and my husband can drive me if need be, but he is > disabled from an auto accident (another story), and can't do > anything heavy. We live in a very rural area, so there > aren't any neighborhood kids to hire to help out. I live in > the northeast, so snow is a major factor, and I'm the one > who operates the garden tractor with the snowblower, so I'm > worried about that. Well, I'm rambling on, so I'll stop for > now, and wait for some answers. > Thanks....................a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 Almost two months after my knee replacement, I am still experiencing pain in my knee and thigh. My doctor says that as the muscles in my thigh get stronger through exercise, the pain will go away. Both he and the physical therapists say I am doing " very well. " I tell them that I wish I felt very well. I have to sleep with ice packs to reduce the pain at night. i don't think the pain has anything to do with CLL/SLL, however; I think for some people knee replacements are simply very painful. I have friends who have experienced no pain. We should all be so lucky! Yesterday, the physical therapist told me that in a year I will be very glad that I had the surgery and will be willing to have my second knee done. That is very hard for me to imagine at this point. Kurt may think me brave, but at the moment I feel pretty wimpy. Carolyn, age 77, dx 9/04, stage 1 CLL, stage 4 SLL, w & w __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 A little over a year ago April my husband had a total knee replaced and within in 2 months was doing really good . Then in Sept of last year found out he had Staff infection in the knee. After fighting with it for close to 6 months and 3more surgeries he had the knee finally replaced in March of this year. But as far as the pain he will get better soon and you will be glad you had it done. God Bless CarolCarolyn Swift <swift_carolyn@...> wrote: Almost two months after my knee replacement, I amstill experiencing pain in my knee and thigh. Mydoctor says that as the muscles in my thigh getstronger through exercise, the pain will go away. Bothhe and the physical therapists say I am doing "verywell." I tell them that I wish I felt very well. Ihave to sleep with ice packs to reduce the pain atnight. i don't think the pain has anything to do withCLL/SLL, however; I think for some people kneereplacements are simply very painful. I have friendswho have experienced no pain. We should all be solucky! Yesterday, the physical therapist told me thatin a year I will be very glad that I had the surgeryand will be willing to have my second knee done. Thatis very hard for me to imagine at this point. Kurt maythink me brave, but at the moment I feel pretty wimpy.Carolyn, age 77, dx 9/04, stage 1 CLL, stage 4 SLL,w & w__________________________________________________Do You ?Tired of spam? has the best spam protection around http://mail. Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just radically better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2006 Report Share Posted July 6, 2006 Thank you, Carol, I appreciate the encouragement. Carolyn --- carol teitsch <carolteitsch@...> wrote: > A little over a year ago April my husband had a > total knee replaced and within in 2 months was doing > really good . Then in Sept of last year found out he > had Staff infection in the knee. After fighting with > it for close to 6 months and 3more surgeries he had > the knee finally replaced in March of this year. > But as far as the pain he will get better soon and > you will be glad you had it done. God Bless Carol > > Carolyn Swift <swift_carolyn@...> wrote: > Almost two months after my knee replacement, I am > still experiencing pain in my knee and thigh. My > doctor says that as the muscles in my thigh get > stronger through exercise, the pain will go away. > Both > he and the physical therapists say I am doing " very > well. " I tell them that I wish I felt very well. I > have to sleep with ice packs to reduce the pain at > night. i don't think the pain has anything to do > with > CLL/SLL, however; I think for some people knee > replacements are simply very painful. I have friends > who have experienced no pain. We should all be so > lucky! Yesterday, the physical therapist told me > that > in a year I will be very glad that I had the surgery > and will be willing to have my second knee done. > That > is very hard for me to imagine at this point. Kurt > may > think me brave, but at the moment I feel pretty > wimpy. > Carolyn, age 77, dx 9/04, stage 1 CLL, stage 4 SLL, > w & w > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2006 Report Share Posted July 6, 2006 You are Brave Carolyn, everyone out there going through all that pain and surgery is brake and strong and boy, this life is not an easy one to get through at times. I have some surgeries to go through myself soon, as soon as I finish my treatment. So I am using you as an example about how to handle it all. You are brave indeed. Kurt -------------- Original message -------------- From: Carolyn Swift <swift_carolyn@...> .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2006 Report Share Posted July 7, 2006 Kurt, you are very kind, and I appreciate your encouragement. Carolyn --- thel.g@... wrote: > You are Brave Carolyn, everyone out there going > through all that pain and surgery is brake and > strong and boy, this life is not an easy one to get > through at times. I have some surgeries to go > through myself soon, as soon as I finish my > treatment. So I am using you as an example about > how to handle it all. You are brave indeed. > Kurt > > -------------- Original message -------------- > From: Carolyn Swift <swift_carolyn@...> > > . > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 Gloria. I had one knee replaced. If I had to have both of them done, I would do them both at the same time and you only go through the pain once instead of twice. jan " Gloria M. Tate " <miss.gloria@...> wrote: Hi, I scheduled knee replacement surgery for August 23. I scheduled to do both knees at the same time, but I can change it to one. Do anyone have experience with getting knee replacement and have an opinion on getting them both done at the same time? The doctor said that it raises the risks and I would probably need a blood transfusion due to blood loss during surgery. Any opinions? Thanks, Gloria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 It depends on the person, but rehab is faster and easier when you have one knee you can rely on more than the operated knee. The pain levels are less as well. Rehab is painful for the first while, but it's well worth it to work hard. All the best, rheumatic knee replacement surgery > Hi, > I scheduled knee replacement surgery for August 23. I scheduled to do > both knees at the same time, but I can change it to one. Do anyone have > experience with getting knee replacement and have an opinion on getting > them both done at the same time? The doctor said that it raises the risks > and I would probably need a blood transfusion due to blood loss during > surgery. > Any opinions? > Thanks, > Gloria > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 Gloria, Jane Brody who writes about health for the New York Times wrote about having both knees done at the same time. It was some months ago that she wrote. In fact, she may have written twice. I hope you can read her work. Pat At 04:15 PM 8/1/2006, you wrote: >Hi, > I scheduled knee replacement surgery for August 23. I scheduled to do > both knees at the same time, but I can change it to one. Do anyone have > experience with getting knee replacement and have an opinion on getting > them both done at the same time? The doctor said that it raises the > risks and I would probably need a blood transfusion due to blood loss > during surgery. >Any opinions? >Thanks, >Gloria > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 Gloria, I checked. Jane Brody wrote several cols. about the procedure in general and her experiences. The last article was New York Times, Dec. '05, " Personal Health: A year with my new knees: Much Pain but much gain. " In 2005, there were also cols. by her about her decisions on 2-15, 3-1, 3-8, and 5-31. Pat At 04:15 PM 8/1/2006, you wrote: >Hi, > I scheduled knee replacement surgery for August 23. I scheduled to do > both knees at the same time, but I can change it to one. Do anyone have > experience with getting knee replacement and have an opinion on getting > them both done at the same time? The doctor said that it raises the > risks and I would probably need a blood transfusion due to blood loss > during surgery. >Any opinions? >Thanks, >Gloria > >[ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Good for you, Carolyn - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Carolyn, Congrats on your good news. Can you please explain the last two phrases in your email: why is your staging so different for SLL vs. CLL? Are they both RAI? Thanks, Jeanne >From: Carolyn Swift <swift_carolyn@...> >Reply- > >Subject: Knee replacement surgery >Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2006 12:09:31 -0700 (PDT) > >Because earlier I answered a question about knee >replacement surgery here, I want to report that 11 >weeks after surgery, things are much better. I have >good range of motion in my leg, with very little >pain. I even am jumping the waves at our beautiful RI >beaches. I still can only drive for 30-40 minutes >without experiencing pain, but I feel assured that as >my leg gets even stronger, driving will be easier >also. I still hope that I do not have to undergo this >operation again because 8-10 weeks of pain is a lot of >pain, but those of you were correct who said that >things would get better. > >My visit to my onc on Friday showed normal blood >counts and some lymph nodes that had gotten smaller. > >Thank you for all the encouragement that so many of >you gave me. > >Carolyn R. Swift, age 77, dx 9/04, w & w, SLL stage 4, >CLL stage 1 > > > >__________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Where would I find her story? Thanks, Gloria Re: rheumatic knee replacement surgery Gloria, Jane Brody who writes about health for the New York Times wrote about having both knees done at the same time. It was some months ago that she wrote. In fact, she may have written twice. I hope you can read her work. Pat At 04:15 PM 8/1/2006, you wrote: >Hi, > I scheduled knee replacement surgery for August 23. I scheduled to do > both knees at the same time, but I can change it to one. Do anyone have > experience with getting knee replacement and have an opinion on getting > them both done at the same time? The doctor said that it raises the > risks and I would probably need a blood transfusion due to blood loss > during surgery. >Any opinions? >Thanks, >Gloria > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 In a message dated 8/1/2006 2:33:06 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, miss.gloria@... writes: rheumatic-unsubscribe UNSUBSCRIBE! PLEASE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 Gloria, I just had my left knee replaced six weeks ago and am scheduled to have the right one done September 27. I lost a lot of blood and had to have two units of blood. The surgeon told me afterwards that it was because he did a complete synovectomy (remove the synovium). The first 24 hours were the hardest but it was worth it. I would not advise having both knees done at once. You do need one relatively good knee right after surgery. After my experience I don't see how I could have managed the recovery therapy with both knees done at once. I asked for an epidural for post-op pain and the anithesiologist said they preferred to do a nerve block of my leg instead. I REALLY don't recommend that one. It hurt really bad to do the block before I was put to sleep, and I still hurt even with a morphine pump on constantly. My surgeon said that I can have an epidural next time. One more thing I learned is about ibuprofen. I take it two or three times a day, every day, 800 mg. and my doctor didn't think I needed to stop taking it before surgery. I think it is the reason that I bled so much. I will stop taking it a couple weeks before surgery and take pain pills instead. I take minocycline twice a day, 100 mg every day. They had me on IV antibotics for four days in the hospital and it really helped the RA. Good luck with your surgery. Do the exercises faithfully. Esther RA since 1999, AP since 2001 > > Hi, > I scheduled knee replacement surgery for August 23. I scheduled to do both knees at the same time, but I can change it to one. Do anyone have experience with getting knee replacement and have an opinion on getting them both done at the same time? The doctor said that it raises the risks and I would probably need a blood transfusion due to blood loss during surgery. > Any opinions? > Thanks, > Gloria > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Thanks for the knee transplant information, Esther. My doctor sent me a study on getting it done on the same day vs. getting it done four to seven days apart. He favors doing it several days apart, so I guess that is what I will go with. It seems like it is prolonging the agony, however. It sounds like you are having a lot of pain with your operation. That is bad and I am not looking forward to it. Thanks, Gloria rheumatic Re: knee replacement surgery Gloria, I just had my left knee replaced six weeks ago and am scheduled to have the right one done September 27. I lost a lot of blood and had to have two units of blood. The surgeon told me afterwards that it was because he did a complete synovectomy (remove the synovium). The first 24 hours were the hardest but it was worth it. I would not advise having both knees done at once. You do need one relatively good knee right after surgery. After my experience I don't see how I could have managed the recovery therapy with both knees done at once. I asked for an epidural for post-op pain and the anithesiologist said they preferred to do a nerve block of my leg instead. I REALLY don't recommend that one. It hurt really bad to do the block before I was put to sleep, and I still hurt even with a morphine pump on constantly. My surgeon said that I can have an epidural next time. One more thing I learned is about ibuprofen. I take it two or three times a day, every day, 800 mg. and my doctor didn't think I needed to stop taking it before surgery. I think it is the reason that I bled so much. I will stop taking it a couple weeks before surgery and take pain pills instead. I take minocycline twice a day, 100 mg every day. They had me on IV antibotics for four days in the hospital and it really helped the RA. Good luck with your surgery. Do the exercises faithfully. Esther RA since 1999, AP since 2001 > > Hi, > I scheduled knee replacement surgery for August 23. I scheduled to do both knees at the same time, but I can change it to one. Do anyone have experience with getting knee replacement and have an opinion on getting them both done at the same time? The doctor said that it raises the risks and I would probably need a blood transfusion due to blood loss during surgery. > Any opinions? > Thanks, > Gloria > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Hi, I don't have any first-hand experience with this surgery but my cousin has. She made a huge mistake a day or so after the surgery. She was not in pain so she did not take her pain meds every x hours as prescribed. When the pain did kick in and in really did, she felt it to the max and the meds took a long time to kick in and work. So I would encourage you to take the pain meds on time and regularly and STAY AHEAD of the pain because you'll have enough to deal with without that. I hope both surgeries go well, El Re: rheumatic Re: knee replacement surgery Thanks for the knee transplant information, Esther. My doctor sent me a study on getting it done on the same day vs. getting it done four to seven days apart. He favors doing it several days apart, so I guess that is what I will go with. It seems like it is prolonging the agony, however. It sounds like you are having a lot of pain with your operation. That is bad and I am not looking forward to it. Thanks, Gloria rheumatic Re: knee replacement surgery Gloria, I just had my left knee replaced six weeks ago and am scheduled to have the right one done September 27. I lost a lot of blood and had to have two units of blood. The surgeon told me afterwards that it was because he did a complete synovectomy (remove the synovium). The first 24 hours were the hardest but it was worth it. I would not advise having both knees done at once. You do need one relatively good knee right after surgery. After my experience I don't see how I could have managed the recovery therapy with both knees done at once. I asked for an epidural for post-op pain and the anithesiologist said they preferred to do a nerve block of my leg instead. I REALLY don't recommend that one. It hurt really bad to do the block before I was put to sleep, and I still hurt even with a morphine pump on constantly. My surgeon said that I can have an epidural next time. One more thing I learned is about ibuprofen. I take it two or three times a day, every day, 800 mg. and my doctor didn't think I needed to stop taking it before surgery. I think it is the reason that I bled so much. I will stop taking it a couple weeks before surgery and take pain pills instead. I take minocycline twice a day, 100 mg every day. They had me on IV antibotics for four days in the hospital and it really helped the RA. Good luck with your surgery. Do the exercises faithfully. Esther RA since 1999, AP since 2001 > > Hi, > I scheduled knee replacement surgery for August 23. I scheduled to do both knees at the same time, but I can change it to one. Do anyone have experience with getting knee replacement and have an opinion on getting them both done at the same time? The doctor said that it raises the risks and I would probably need a blood transfusion due to blood loss during surgery. > Any opinions? > Thanks, > Gloria > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Hi there - I am new to this board and after reading this post decided to introcuce myself at the same time as I comment on pain meds and surgery. I'm Libby and have had both RA/PA for over 30 years. Cool huh? I try to laugh about my fate, what can I say? I live in Albuquerque. I've been married to the same man for nearly 35 years. What a guy to put up with a entire marriage of chronic illness, surgeries, and medical crisis. We have two children, both grown and married. Our daughter is 33 and she an her hub have a 2 1/2 year old son and our son is 27 and has been married for a little over a year. They both have psoriasis; he has PA and she fibro. She has just become pregnant again and is terrible pain from fibro and not able to take meds. Breaks my heart. My RA began with a vengance right after she was born, and continued through and beyon my pregnancy with our son. I've had psoriasis since I was 12, when it hit with a vengance as well. I have had multiple joint replacements over the years, all of which have been successful. I enjoy reading, beading, and doing counted cross stitch. Not to mention spending time with our grandson. MDH (my dear husband) and I are retired and travel in our RV about 5 mo a year during which we show our pure bred dogs and/or work in various locations. K - i guess that covers my intro - now for my opinion. I agree completely about pain meds and knee replacement surgery, but I would take it one step further and say it applies to all surgeries. I believe it is important to keep a blood level for several days. My personal experience is for about 5 days, the pain is simmerig down, and I then wean myself off the meds. Suddenly dropping those narcotics can cause some withtdrawal symptoms such as tears and depression and frankly that just can be miserable for a couple of days. I guess I have hogged the space, so I shall quit. Thank you for including me. Best, SeabreezemomGrandma (Libby) --------------------------------- Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Hello from New Zealand Six years ago I was the first person they trialled and I had my knees done by two surgeons simultaneously as they thought me being in my 30's that I would cope. It was an absolute nightmare for the nurses and physio's afterwards. I didn't have a good leg to stand on and rehabilitation was slow and frustrating. To make it worse four and a half weeks earlier I had received a total hip replacement so they were all terrified of me dislocating it. At week five I unfortunately fell and smashed the hip badly. Now in NZ there is a minimum of six weeks between knees. One day, yes I will need my knees revised and I intend to have them done six weeks apart. Email me privately for more information. Regards: Mel RA since 15 years - eight total hip replacements, knees, C1-C2 fusion with halo traction for 13 weeks and so on .... Gloria M. Tate wrote: > Thanks for the knee transplant information, Esther. My doctor sent me > a study on getting it done on the same day vs. getting it done four to > seven days apart. He favors doing it several days apart, so I guess > that is what I will go with. It seems like it is prolonging the agony, > however. It sounds like you are having a lot of pain with your > operation. That is bad and I am not looking forward to it. > Thanks, > > Gloria > rheumatic Re: knee replacement surgery > > Gloria, > I just had my left knee replaced six weeks ago and am scheduled to > have the right one done September 27. I lost a lot of blood and had > to have two units of blood. The surgeon told me afterwards that it > was because he did a complete synovectomy (remove the synovium). > The first 24 hours were the hardest but it was worth it. I would > not advise having both knees done at once. You do need one > relatively good knee right after surgery. After my experience I > don't see how I could have managed the recovery therapy with both > knees done at once. I asked for an epidural for post-op pain and the > anithesiologist said they preferred to do a nerve block of my leg > instead. I REALLY don't recommend that one. It hurt really bad to > do the block before I was put to sleep, and I still hurt even with a > morphine pump on constantly. My surgeon said that I can have an > epidural next time. One more thing I learned is about ibuprofen. I > take it two or three times a day, every day, 800 mg. and my doctor > didn't think I needed to stop taking it before surgery. I think it > is the reason that I bled so much. I will stop taking it a couple > weeks before surgery and take pain pills instead. I take > minocycline twice a day, 100 mg every day. They had me on IV > antibotics for four days in the hospital and it really helped the > RA. > Good luck with your surgery. Do the exercises faithfully. > Esther > RA since 1999, AP since 2001 > > > > > > Hi, > > I scheduled knee replacement surgery for August 23. I > scheduled to do both knees at the same time, but I can change it to > one. Do anyone have experience with getting knee replacement and > have an opinion on getting them both done at the same time? The > doctor said that it raises the risks and I would probably need a > blood transfusion due to blood loss during surgery. > > Any opinions? > > Thanks, > > Gloria > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 Hi, Welcome to the list, Libby. I see you do counted cross stitch. Have you had any corrective surgery to your hands, or have they not been damaged by the RA? My hands are also really becoming a problem. I have to pick up everything with both hands and it is getting hard to type and write. I am wondering what can be done. My fingers go to the side a lot. Thanks, Gloria RE: rheumatic Re: knee replacement surgery Hi there - I am new to this board and after reading this post decided to introcuce myself at the same time as I comment on pain meds and surgery. I'm Libby and have had both RA/PA for over 30 years. Cool huh? I try to laugh about my fate, what can I say? I live in Albuquerque. I've been married to the same man for nearly 35 years. What a guy to put up with a entire marriage of chronic illness, surgeries, and medical crisis. We have two children, both grown and married. Our daughter is 33 and she an her hub have a 2 1/2 year old son and our son is 27 and has been married for a little over a year. They both have psoriasis; he has PA and she fibro. She has just become pregnant again and is terrible pain from fibro and not able to take meds. Breaks my heart. My RA began with a vengance right after she was born, and continued through and beyon my pregnancy with our son. I've had psoriasis since I was 12, when it hit with a vengance as well. I have had multiple joint replacements over the years, all of which have been successful. I enjoy reading, beading, and doing counted cross stitch. Not to mention spending time with our grandson. MDH (my dear husband) and I are retired and travel in our RV about 5 mo a year during which we show our pure bred dogs and/or work in various locations. K - i guess that covers my intro - now for my opinion. I agree completely about pain meds and knee replacement surgery, but I would take it one step further and say it applies to all surgeries. I believe it is important to keep a blood level for several days. My personal experience is for about 5 days, the pain is simmerig down, and I then wean myself off the meds. Suddenly dropping those narcotics can cause some withtdrawal symptoms such as tears and depression and frankly that just can be miserable for a couple of days. I guess I have hogged the space, so I shall quit. Thank you for including me. Best, SeabreezemomGrandma (Libby) --------------------------------- Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 I, too, have had many joint replacement surgeries. What meds did/do you take? I have dealt with this disease for 30 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Ah, just logged in after being too busy to check email for days because Mom had her knee replaced on Tuesday. Cartilage was all gone, her right knee was bone on bone. Hope the surgery helps! Can't imagine that it won't, she's been in major pain for some time. - kjdel1977@... writes: > I, too, have had many joint replacement surgeries. What meds did/do you > take? I have dealt with this disease for 30 years. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 Hi everyone, If you are facing knee replacement surgery, I am writing this to encouraqge you and to say that it isn't that bad. My surgery was 3 weeks ago tomorrow and I am doing great! Today I start outpatient physical therapy and my doc has said that I can drive myself there!! I was so afraid of this surgery and so unsure as to whether it would be worth it. Yes it is!!! I hope this helps anyone considering having this surgery done. Take care all, Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2008 Report Share Posted September 4, 2008 Pat, How wonderful! I am so glad that you are doing so well. My mother had both of hers replaced simultaneously when she was 80. At that time she was the oldest patient for both at that hospital. As you can imagine she went through much therapy but was happy about her decision and getting out of a wheel chair. Your encouragement for others is pro-active for many facing it now and in the future. Thanks. Keep us posted on your recovery. Shirley > > Hi everyone, > If you are facing knee replacement surgery, I am writing this to > encouraqge you and to say that it isn't that bad. My surgery was 3 > weeks ago tomorrow and I am doing great! Today I start outpatient > physical therapy and my doc has said that I can drive myself there!! I > was so afraid of this surgery and so unsure as to whether it would be > worth it. Yes it is!!! I hope this helps anyone considering having > this surgery done. > Take care all, > Pat > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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