Hey Hippy & Knee~~Sister & Brother Survivors: FYI I have at least 9 Chronic Orthopedic Issues and am currently in need of 3-4 Ortho Surgery's; for which I am not a candidate. Therefore, I am in Pain Management for life. After injury in a near-fatal auto accident (not my fault); I was given a closed reduction on my left hip and told that I would have to have a total hip replacement by 50 years of age, I didn't make it. To date I have had 2 total hip replacements and I'm in need of Ortho surgery on hip, knee, neck, shoulder, arm, elbow etc. Over the past 30 years, I've ran the gamut of therapy for OsteoArthritis & OsteoNecrosis; laser, steroidal/cortisone, injections, physical/occupational; you name it . . .been there/done that and the Ortho Specialists/Surgeons referred me to Pain Management prior to my diagnosis of our bug. I tell everyone that "I Am FANTASTIC!" Hippy Sisters & Brothers, the left hip is the 1st to go for the majority of us, and SuzieQ I used the TENS Unit both times prior to THR in addition to my pain medication. As for age; my problems were initially from the accident. Waitresses who've carried heavy trays over years have shoulder surgery. People who are over-weight/stood 8 hours daily have knee/hip surgery. Jim, I know your 'bone on bone' pain pre TKR and I pray you have a 'great' recovery. I checked into the new 'resurfacing' knee surgery and it's not for us. My understanding is that it would be appropriate for youngsters or patients with sports/slight deterioration only. If any in the Group are diagnosed with OA/ON, do Not; I repeat Do NOT let a Doctor continue cortisone/steroidal injections. My Ortho Surgeon told me that therapy is definitely contra-indicated for OsteoNecrosis and expedited the deterioration of my hip. Also, the Chiropractor wasn't my friend; his manipulation was detrimental to the OsteoNecrosis; looking back, I don't think he was such a good idea for the OsteoArthritis either. I've met a lot of people over the years who swear by the bone manipulation and the injections. Looking back, they did make me feel less pain THEN, but when the pain came back after the insurance ran out. . . my pain level had increased (hehehe). "It was good while it lasted and then my body came back to reality". At this stage of my Chronic Diseases, I can say that my bone pain has increased since diagnosis; but I can't determine the actual degree of pain that's from deterioration, age, trauma per the accident or side effect of our bug. Sometimes, I think I was born with with bug. I was a premie, anemic and Specialists wanted to 'exterminate'/medically abort me to save my Mom's life back in the day; . . .we survived till I was 29 'hence the term, 'born bad' (hehehe). 'I'M A SURVIVOR. . .I AIN'T FINISHED YET ! ! ! My 2 cents: Over the 30+ years that I have dealt with my Ortho issues; I've taken All the Arthritis/Pain medications. For many years I took the ones with Acetaminophen and my Liver's done. If you are prescribed any of the medications with this pain reliever, I suggest that you take the least dosage amount for the minimum time period. This includes Aleve, Tylenol, Motrin, Mobic, Vicodin, Percocet (Percodan contains aspirin..the HMO Insurance plans in US substitute Percocet--generic compound containing acetaminophen for Percodan. I was in the trial for Vioxx, which has been removed and Celebrex worked also, I'm not sure if it's still available. I don't know if Bextra and some of the other 'cousin' combinations are available. Please take the least amount for the shortest time period, your Liver will say Thanx (hehe). Of the evils for minor pain, Arthrotec and Tramadol are options without compromising the liver too much. I realize that I am the 'individual' who cannot be lumped into the Groups 'statistics' medically; but after ingesting Acetaminophen over 20 years; finally my Ortho Surgeon said 'enough is enough. There's no Liver transplant available for you' and he prescribed Oxycodone in 5-10 mg., More pain relief than ingesting 6-10 Percocet or 4 Percodan daily and my Liver function improved. Due to DEA involvement, Doctors in some states will not prescribe Morphine and/or Oxycodone for pain. I had a PM Doctor who didn't give me Oxycodone, but another patient was given it for Migraines. When I had Migraines, I was given Imitrex--go figure. After my diagnosis, I went almost 1 1/2 years without having my pain managed. My diagnosing doctor admitted me to the hospital with low ANC counts and didn't add my pain medication. His comment to me was, 'your cancer doesn't cause your pain, therefore, I'm not giving you narcotics". He over-rode my PCPs orders, wrote Vicodin which I didn't take and I fired him. I say some have the GOD-Complex; is theirs the most important career??? They slap you on the behind and sign a piece of paper when you come into the world. They listen to your heart and sign another piece of paper when you go out of the world . . . The majority of you are having bone pain as a minor 'side effect' of our bug; but there are also those of you who are developing OsteoArthritis or other Chronic Orthopedic Diseases. To you I say; begin your physical therapy "and take your medicine" (hehe). Above all, always remember that 'you are an individual and not a statistic.' OA is like CML~~ a Chronic Disease for which there is NO cure. I've babbled enough, this is my 2 cents worth only FYI. Prayerful that ALL had a Joyful Thanxgiving, Embracing the Xmas Season, Anticipating a New Year~~2007 filled with HEALTH, WEALTH & HAPPINESS ! ! !
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