I am very sorry for the pain you and others on this thread endure.

I also live with chronic pain. I have had to take morphine daily for over 20 years now. I have found that chronic pain can trigger mood changes. I have also found that mood changes (and stress) can also trigger worsened pain. I agree with fern re: the interconnection of our physical, emotional, mental (and spiritual) selves. If one area is affected, they are all affected, for better or for worse.

I am glad your knee pain is being taken seriously. ( It is not uncommon that ortho docs tell patients they want to wait until the patient is older before attempting any joint replacement surgeries.) It is clear, in your case, that you cannot wait any longer. I hope things will move forward with ease.

Please do not focus too much on how painful the procedure may be. It can be a very painful procedure,; however, i have known several people who have had knee replacements and they have had very different experiences as to the level of pain, the need for ongoing PT, any complications, etc. You may be one of the luckier ones! Why not intend on being lucky in this regard?

If I were about to have knee surgery , or any other surgery, I would check myself as to how I am speaking about it and how I am thinking about it. I would not focus on the idea of post-surgical pain, even though I know there will be some. I would talk to my body about the need for the procedure and about how me and my body are going to work together to optimize everything about the surgery and about post-surgical challenges and healing.

I would do my best to prepare myself on all levels, as all aspects of my Being are going through this event. It is important every aspect of my Being cooperates with one another for optimal healing and recovery. It's not just your knee, but also your emotions, your immune system, etc.., etc.

All of these things are very important: our words, our thoughts, our intentions, our beliefs, etc.

I hope you will be able to access surgery in a timely manner.
Please keep us all posted?
My Best

I know this sounds like hocus pocus. I do not see it that way. You can take it or leave it. It is the very best advice I could possibly share with you today.