[Crook32]

I have a bad knee that I have had 4 surgeries on. I have arthritis and have tried 2 cortisone shots. I tripped the other day because I tend to have trouble bending my knee so I end up shuffling. My dr says he is trying to wait 5 to 10 years before a knee replacement. I am only 40 so I was hoping to go longer. The physical pain is driving down my mood. I have trouble standing up and it is pretty sad. I am limping around work and icing a couple times a day. But the reality of needing surgery again so soon has me depressed. The link between physical pain and emotional pain is very evident at the moment. Which one do I work on first: physical or emotional? Or at the same time?

Sorry I know this is unimportant and I am just rambling.

[unicornlady]

I don't think it is unimportant at all. This pain sounds like it's really affecting you. For me, I need to work on emotional pain first, because sometimes that is linked with physical pain and when I address it some of the physical pain goes away. Like I had really bad pain in my arms, I couldn't even open doors, and then when I addressed my depression, most of it went away. It was crazy. Not saying that would necessarily happen, but like, maybe some of the physical pain is linked. I'm assuming you've done physical therapy? Have you checked with a physical therapist? That might be another thing to pursue at the same time. Just my two cents.

Edit: I have also had chronic jaw pain, and it was important with that to address them at the same time, since I couldn't really eat. Having trouble walking is clearly affecting your quality of life so getting at emotional and physical at the same time might be better.

[fern46]

I am sorry you are experiencing this pain. It is hard to control your thoughts when you have something physically constantly pulling you backward. The advice I was given while in IOP was to address anything physical first so that you can rule it out as a cause of your mental or emotional distress. I see the wisdom in that. However, I feel the physical body, the mental body and the emotional body work together and cannot be separated. They go hand in hand. If it were me, I would begin the process to address the knee issues as soon as possible. If it means earlier intervention than you had planned, so be it. Your current state is no way to live unless you feel some sort of therapy or just giving it time will heal you. I would also address your emotional state at the same time. This should probably include drawing heavily on your coping skills to use as a distraction. You may also want to remind yourself that emotionally you are stronger than you feel and conditions will improve as your body begins to heal. Keep grounding yourself in the moment and remind yourself that the moment is all you can control. Choices come from the moment and it is there we decide how to feel.

Try not to worry too much about what age you are when you need surgery. Everyone is different and different pieces of us blow out at different times. Like cars, sometimes a part gives you the expected mileage and sometimes unknown factors lead it to fail earlier than expected. In that case there is no value in not fixing the part because it crapped out early. You just have to make the repair so you can drive again and then you know you have a good warranty on that new part for a little while.

I think you'll receive some good advice here from other members. Many are struggling with daily pain and yet find ways to be happy. I know you can too. I hope you feel better soon!

[yellow_fleurs]

I am really sorry you are in physical pain and dealing with the prospect of surgery. I have also become quite depressed from chronic pain before. In addition to the pain itself causing depression, for me personally, I found the actual fact of having a chronic condition to weigh on me psychologically especially if relief seemed far away, including grief at what I lost due to the physical problems, such as not being able to participate in things I once loved, social isolation, etc. So, that kind of thing is something to possibly address in therapy, at least for me.

I can't say what is best for you, but I don't see any reason to not address both if they are connected. If the pain is really severe, though, I could see if being pretty distracting from being able to focus on the mental health side of things in the short term. At least maybe some support as you go through this process from a therapist might be helpful, though?

[Zeroid]

Physical. I have a illness called spasmodic torticollis which causes severe neck and shoulder pain, and also causes migraine. I was at physical therapy last week and there was a point near the end when my brain just lifted. The world grew, and I felt like I'd had a revelation that everything would be OK. It was endorphins, but everything got easier to manage because I wasn't burdened with processing the pain constantly.

I get this.

back clicking is the worst (at least for me. hate it)

[*Beth*]

Of course it's relevant! Chronic pain is a serious cause of depression, and I am fed up with pain being ignored in society. I get that opiates are not an effective long-term treatment, so what is? It's my belief that pain issues can cause shortened lives. Put chronic pain together with mental illness and the whole thing can become really cruel.

I have been in general all-over pain, including severe migraines, since I was a child. Now, in my mid-50's I've had a rough and very challenging year with regard to pain. The worst pain problem I'm having this year is a miserable achilles tendonitis. I'm about over the edge from it. Then there's the arthritis in my knees. And other chonic pain issues.

Every one of the 3 MD's & 1 PT I've seen for the problem tells me something entirely different than the other ones did - except that they all agree on the achilles tendonitis aspect.

I have asked for a muscle relaxant (no), a cortisone shot (no). Was prescribed ibuprofen, which at least allows me to walk - so my PT says it's extremely threatening to my health to take the ibu.

Who am I supposed to believe?

I had my first intake appt. yesterday with the PT and he said the treatment he has to do will be extremely painful, so I need to accept that. What he described to me is pretty radical and I have no idea if he knows what he's doing.

Me to GP: "Meds have caused me to gain weight."
GP to me: "Okay, so you need to exercise."
Me: "I can't, because my ankle and knees are in excruciating pain and just walking around my apartment or down the stairs to my car is difficult. Grovcery shopping is seriously agonizing."
GP: "Hmmm. Yeah..." (shrugs).

And I leave feeling misunderstood, isolated, and discouraged.

I'm working on both at the same time, btw. At least my therapist is understanding - unlike the other medical professionals I see.

[Zeroid]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Me to GP: "Meds have caused me to gain weight."
GP to me: "Okay, so you need to exercise."
Me: "I can't, because my ankle and knees are in excruciating pain and just walking around my apartment or down the stairs to my car is difficult. Grovcery shopping is seriously agonizing."
GP: "Hmmm. Yeah..." (shrugs).

And I leave feeling misunderstood, isolated, and discouraged.

I'm working on both at the same time, btw. At least mt therapist is understanding - unlike the other medical professionals I see.

Misdiagnosis, or underdiagnosis of the overweight is extremely problematic, and endemic. Doctors will see weight as the problem over everything else and miss many conditions. There is a lot of literature about it now.

It is, of course, worse for women.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Zeroid

Misdiagnosis, or underdiagnosis of the overweight is extremely problematic, and endemic. Doctors will see weight as the problem over everything else and miss many conditions. There is a lot of literature about it now.

It is, of course, worse for women.

Absolutely true. And so many people who are overweight - especially those who have a mental illness and are overweight from meds - avoid seeing doctors because of shame. It's disgusting and so sad.

[sarahsweets]

Hey @Crook32-
So you are supposed to have issues walking, limo, suffer unbearable pain and hang out for 5 years? That is the harvard educated doctors' best opinion? I would get a second opinion.

Originally Posted by Crook32

I have a bad knee that I have had 4 surgeries on. I have arthritis and have tried 2 cortisone shots. I tripped the other day because I tend to have trouble bending my knee so I end up shuffling. My dr says he is trying to wait 5 to 10 years before a knee replacement. I am only 40 so I was hoping to go longer. The physical pain is driving down my mood. I have trouble standing up and it is pretty sad. I am limping around work and icing a couple times a day. But the reality of needing surgery again so soon has me depressed. The link between physical pain and emotional pain is very evident at the moment. Which one do I work on first: physical or emotional? Or at the same time?

Sorry I know this is unimportant and I am just rambling.

[*Beth*]

^^^ I agree.

[Phoenix_1]

Crook32, you are not rambling. I feel your pain. I tore cartilage in my right knee when I was 33, in 1987. I had 2 arthroscopic surgeries and was told I was much too young for a knee replacement. Walking was torture, and my feet and back acted up too because I was limping. I had cortisone shots, which took away the pain for 3 months at a time. Acupuncture worked well too.
By 2013, I had stage 4 arthritis in both knees. I had both knees replaced when I was 60, and the pain is mostly gone.
I was in pain for 27 years, and I know how you feel. I believe that pain does affect your moods. How can it not?

[Crook32]

Well my T convinced me to call the dr. They had openings this afternoon or I had to wait until next Friday. So I went today. He said my kneecap is toast and needs replacing. I have to go get an MRI to see if there is other damage. If there is I will need a total knee replacement instead of just the kneecap. I have heard knee replacements are one of the most painful surgeries with a long recovery. Not looking forward to months of rehab.

[~Christina]

It’s absolute proof that pain runs your mental health on many levels.

I deal with a lot of Chronic pain illnesses. It’s hard to be positive when all you feel is pain

A old friend of mine went through a total knee replacement last year. She really had no choice, she was at the end of her rope. So she got everything set up work wise , FMLA. Had a rehab facility to stay at for the first 2 weeks as that’s imperative to healing and getting excellent results.

It was hard work and she shed a lot of tears but 3 months out she was on top of the world , her back and Hip pain was gone now that her knee was functioning correctly.

We all have to take care of ourselves physically so that mentally we are stronger and vice versa.

Work is making your life miserable. Having knee surgery isn’t a vacation at all but .... it would remove you from that toxic environment, so it would be a break.

Take care of yourself

[Crook32]

So MRI is scheduled for the 14th. Then I go back to the dr and find out if it is partial vs full replacement. Yes I agree the break from work will be nice but this is a painful way to do it. It being my right knee sucks because it will take longer to drive.

I wish I could talk with my T.

[Wild Coyote]

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.

[Crook32]

Ok I was able to do the next step and set up my follow up with the dr. It is on the 16th which feels like an eternity away even though it is just 9 days. I just have a hard time with patience. I want to know all the facts now so I can make a plan. I don’t do well with things in limbo. So much needs to be coordinated and planned. Planning helps ease my anxiety and when I don’t have information it drives it up. Of course my back and other leg are starting to hurt because I am compensating for the bad knee.

Anyone have any ideas that might make post op stuff easier? I might stay at my parents and sleep in there electric recliner because it is a lift and will help me stand up. I am too heavy for either of them to get me up...damn Seroquel.

[Crook32]

Why am I loyal to work when they treat me like crap? I am looking to put off surgery for over a month so I can keep a commitment but they would throw me out with the bath water without a second thought. It is just that I like the people on this task and I don’t want to let them down. They aren’t the ones being jerks.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Crook32

Ok I was able to do the next step and set up my follow up with the dr. It is on the 16th which feels like an eternity away even though it is just 9 days. I just have a hard time with patience. I want to know all the facts now so I can make a plan. I don’t do well with things in limbo. So much needs to be coordinated and planned. Planning helps ease my anxiety and when I don’t have information it drives it up. Of course my back and other leg are starting to hurt because I am compensating for the bad knee.

Anyone have any ideas that might make post op stuff easier? I might stay at my parents and sleep in there electric recliner because it is a lift and will help me stand up. I am too heavy for either of them to get me up...damn Seroquel.

I worked in a nursing facility that had a fantastic post surgery rehab wing.

My friend that had her replacement last year was advised to do the 2 weeks in rehab, it was the right choice, she was able to follow specific physical therapy from the get go. There was always someone to help her if she needed anything. Once the incision healed she was started right into aqua therapy which was a huge benefit.

I understand needing to get everything set up ahead of time to ease the anxiety

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Crook32

Why am I loyal to work when they treat me like crap? I am looking to put off surgery for over a month so I can keep a commitment but they would throw me out with the bath water without a second thought. It is just that I like the people on this task and I don’t want to let them down. They aren’t the ones being jerks.

I’m sorry your bosses are still treating you so poorly.