I try not to complain. Stop laughing! I really do try not to moan and complain any more than necessary but I suppose “necessary” is the key word here. You know my knee has been giving me fits. I’ve had x-rays, I’ve had an MRI. It’s just inflammation. Probably in July or August I started seeing a knee doctor in Abilene. He gave me a shot (steroid I think – not the rooster stuff) in my knee and it was amazing. Instant relief. I could walk. I could get up out of my chair. I could sleep. He said if that resulted in improvement, he could do it every three months. I went back in October. got another shot. Horrible result. My knee got swollen and I couldn’t bend it for several days. Could barely shuffle around the house. The swelling went down after a few days but that knee was painful every minute of every day and night. In the past three months, I’ve had three trips to Louisiana and one trip to Missouri so, even though the pain was bad, I just didn’t make time to go to the doctor.
I had an appointment scheduled for today and Saturday, I stepped off the porch wrong, thought I was going to have to go to the ER but wanted to see my regular knee doctor and not an ER doctor. I kept using ice and heat alternatively, taking anti-inflammatory meds and made it through the weekend. I didn’t think I could even drive myself to Abilene so Vince took off and went with me. Wimpy wife.
The knee is swollen and more inflamed than he’s seen it. We talked about why the first shot worked so well and the second shot didn’t. We talked about why various surgeries aren’t good options for me. We talked about getting old and living in an old folks home where you don’t know where you are or who you are. We talked about green grass . . a non-existent thing in this part of Texas. Once we had the world’s problems solved, we decided to do another shot. He poked around on my knee, about had me coming unglued, and once he found the most tender spot, that’s where the injection went. I thought I was going to push his hand away . . it hurt so bad. In our earlier conversations, I had told him that I didn’t want to move away and have to find another knee doctor but during that shot, which took forever, I told him I did think I wanted a new doctor. 🙂
The good news is . . I left there as close to pain free as I’ve been since this all started. We went to eat, walked around at Sam’s .. very little pain! He gave me an Rx for a pretty strong anti-inflammatory so we’ll see how that works. I go back in three months.
Other good news . . we dropped Rita off at the vet when we got to Abilene and picked her up on our way home. She had the best checkup ever. Her pressure was close to normal in both eyes and the vet said she was playful and interacted with all the staff. She said Rita is usually timid and acts like she just wants to get it all over with but today she was super friendly.
Rita goes back next month. I go back in two months unless I have issues. I think my knee is going to be just fine this time.
Dottie says
So glad your doctor visit went well and so glad that Rita’s doctor visit was good, too!!
Sherrill Pecere says
Ooo, that’s GREAT you had such good results today! So awesome to be pain free and walking normal (or near normal). Wonder if Rita was so playful after having visited LA and reacting with other people? Glad she had a good report also!
carolyn says
OUCH!
Mary Jo says
Don’t you enjoy all the fun things that go along with “maturity!” I just hit the 70 year mark and all those parts that were good for so long just don’t function as well as they did even 5 years ago. I am from a family that lives to be in their 90’s and 100’s so I guess I’d better take care of myself!
Nelle Coursey says
I am so glad you had a good experience today! My knee dr. always pokes around on my knee. I almost came off the table I was sitting on when he touched the spot in Dec. I know it seems like we complain a lot but it hurts!! If I don’t feel good I want everyone to know why so they won’t think I am mad at them. See you tomorrow!!
Marie Gilkey says
So glad shot is working for you. Dr even tried a series of get shots in my knee but it didn’t help. Just waiting to see if heart Dr will give ok for surgery. I have major bone on bone and arthritis but knee is shot. I’m not looking forward to another surgery. Open heart last August and blew knee out during rehab so have been in wheelchair ever since. It sucks!!
Verna A. says
So glad you and Rita had good news today! Your story reminds me of when I had to have a cortisone shot in my shoulder. My mother had gotten one once, and told me that it didn’t hurt. She was right–the cortisone shot didn’t hurt at all, but the numbing injection I had first was just awful!
Bon says
So glad the shot helped this time. Hope it lasts for a good while. Them knees can be painful buggers.
cassews says
Wonderful .. Good news all around !!!
Susan says
I’m so glad he got the right spot! Good news on Rita, too.
Wanda says
Great news that it stopped hurting. My dr.putsnumbing medicine in with shot he gives. Like you my knees give me fits. I did read that they build up fluid in them at night and that is why they are worst when you first get up and get somewhat better during the day.
Joyce says
I’m glad the shot helped! I had 2 cortisone shots in my shoulder last year before I had to have surgery. Unfortunately, the shots didn’t help me at all, and it hurt like crazy to get them. At least they admit up front that those shots hurt! (although one doctor told me that HE wouldn’t feel a thing when he gave me the shot.Ha! I kept thinking, “you’ll feel it if I punch you…”)
Judy Laquidara says
I understand completely about the painful shots. Hope your shoulder surgery was successful!
Janice says
I have had several cortisone shots in both shoulders. The only one that gave me any relief was an x ray guided one. I did end up having to have surgery on both shoulders. I have cortisone shots in my ankle. I did major damage to it when I fell and broke it 22 years ago. I had all the metal taken out 2 years later as the surgeon said the arthritis would be a lot worse if I left it in. Well, after several years of pain, 2 years ago I went to see an orthopedic surgeon. He suggested a cortisone shot. After hitting the bone 3 times with the needle I said the next time I have a shot it will be x ray guided. It is so much better as they can see exactly where they are putting the needle. As I have no cartilage in the ankle, it’s all arthritis, I get a shot every 3-4 months. He said I can continue doing that for as long as it gives me relief. When it doesn’t, we can look at an ankle replacement-YIKES!! My husband also has x ray guided cortisone shots in his knee and he gets great relief. Sorry to have rambled on so long!