OsteoArthritis

Between pain and just a blue mood, I am having a harder time than usual, motivating myself.  It is only Tuesday, but woke up feeling less than perky, so I skipped my walk.  Losing weight will make the pain less aggravating, at least that is my hope.  In the meantime, I will keep smearing on the Voltaren, taking anti inflamitories, and gritting my teeth while I keep on moving...

Brena  : )~

 This may be a dumb question, Brena, but have you tried physical therapy??

I have meniscus that's torn in two places in my right knee and the pain was gut-wrenching before I started therapy. Most of my exercises are done lying down, but it's made the hugest difference in my ability to walk painlessly.  (Cortisone also helped, but as you noted, it's time-sensitive.)  

My left knee is also screwed up -- the last 30 lbs. did it to me...but I have gotten some help, even though the ortho surgeon said arthroscopic would do no good and the only thing that will permanently solve the problem is a knee replacement. 

Just thought I'd mention it. Apologies if you've gone down this route before.   But it might be worth a shot.  

First off -- OUCH!  Man, you have a bad one.  I hope you get your new knee ;)

As for PT, yup.  I have had it five different times - done ultra sound, iontophoesis, casting, supports, swimming, stretches, you name it, I have had it perpetrated on me ;)

It bums me out, as I was at a smaller size when it all happened - so I have very quickly gained back the original 135 pounds lost - and THEN SOME... Ah boogers!

The buggaboo with my leg is that I have been told it is doubtful much could be done if & when I get to a "normal" weight, but my thoughts are:  If I have less weight pushing down, maybe the pain will be tolerable.  Sad, but I figure I was able to make it 14 years with my ex husband & 8 of those HIS MOTHER lived with us -- I can stand a LOT of pain (ha ha ha!!!)

The big problem with me - I have ALWAYS been a "large land mammal," and really forget I should not do a lot of the activities I do ;)  Oh well -- I guess it will be some other 300 pound woman on waterskis!!!  Thanks for chiming in -- and I hope you get your pain resolved!

Brenda  : )~

 Like you, I am hoping the surgery will reduce the pain on my knee.  

Can't help thinking some therapy might help a little. I just do simple exercises, mostly on my back, sometimes with 2 or 3 lb weights on my ankle. It's not perfect but it's helped a lot. 

One thing: my therapist is in his 40s...his philosophy is that if you push too hard at the beginning it's one step forward and two steps back. So he says he just takes one and a half steps forward. I went to one therapist in his 20s who was really gung ho and pushed you...but the result was a tremendous amount of pain the next day.  So you might want to consider somebody who takes the easy approach.  I only say this because it has helped me.  

Let me get through the RNY before I go on to the knee replacement. I am a little worried about surgery since you can't take NSAIDS afterward. I usually take three at night to sleep. Tylenol generally isn't as effective, but perhaps it will help.  

I am right there with you on this Malkee!

I went to University of Washington - did a few sessions, then laughingly, they said I was already in decent shape (was not breathless from walking - it was more for cardio therapy for the surgery).  I went to a closer PT Clinic, did their program for three months, exercise & Ultrasound.  I was not getting any imrpovement - their words - so I said I would continue the work I do daily, and maybe check back after Weight Loss Surgery.

The main component to weight loss & living for that matter, is movement.  I get it.  The pain wears me out, hurts, frustrates me, then I fight to not lose momentum.  I made a decission yesterday, the Tramadol isn't enough.  On my next appointment, I will ask if there is another drug between Tramadol & Oxycodone - if I can try that.  If not, I will go back on a daily ONE pill of Oxycodone.  I am sure that if I do not just take it to be taking it, I could posibly take it every other day.  My big question to her will be:  If I do not feel the pain, am able to exercise more, would I be doing any additional damage?  I think this is an improtant question.

Without pain, weightloss was easier, sigh!  Weird, when I lost 135 pounds 13 years ago, it was a breeze!  I have only lost 17 pounds in five months - sad.

Brenda  : )~

 I am a little scared of the pain medications.  I know it is better to be pain free, but not at the cost of an addiction. If you can, let me know if and when you get back to therapy how it goes. But I think that is the major concern.   

You do know that if you went with the Sleeve or the DS you could still take NSAIDs, right?

I am getting the sleeve because of many reasons, but one of them is my cardiologist has me on aspirin... and this really takes the edge off of my other pains... knees, thumbs, feet and hip. I thought about getting the RNY, but the thought of malabsorption, and not being able to take aspirin really was a turnoff for me. I was also low on D3, started taking supplements, and this has helped my knees and thumbs about 50 percent. I hope with the weight loss, I wont have so many problems with the joints. Also helped low grade depression. I will look into dry D3, I'm using gels right now (5000).

How much weight do you need to lose? I've lost 173 pounds, and while my joint pain is no doubt less than it would be if I hadn't lost weight, it's byno means gone. I still take NSAIDs daily.

I honestly think I hurt just as much now as I did pre-op, but at least now I'm getting something in return for the pain---mobility.

Check with Vitalady---I take the D3 50,000IU capsules once a day, and it's made a big difference.

I need to lose about 90 lbs. I'll look into taking a higher dose of D3... my Dr told me that D can give you constipation....which is already a bit of a problem....its always something!.. It looks like I may need to add some magnesium.