Linda, It is going to be tough trying to build up your quads with severe knee problems. Some months ago I went to one of the best physical therapists in town - we live in a medical center so we have good choices. We knew between the TM aggravating my arthritis and the arthritis aggravating the myelitis that this would not be easy. But after several sessions, I really did feel stronger in my legs. One day he tried to really see what I can do to build up my quads and, unbeknown to either of us, I had a fair amount of arthritis in my left knee and blew it out. Very painful. It took about 2 months of shots and steroids to get it where it is now and it is doing pretty good. Replacement will be the next step. What I am getting at is that as long as the therapist knows all of your weak or painful areas, usually they can work around it. I start back to therapy next Tuesday and looking forward to it.
As far as exercising - or just moving - in the water, there is nothing better.
Some of the other Tm'ers do it and love
it. You can move without pain. I was doing water aerobics before TM for my
back. Loved it!
Hope this helps,
Janice
----- Original Message -----
From: jrushton
To: L T CHERPESKI ; tmic
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 10:23 PM
Subject: Re: [TMIC] Need some help please
Oh, Linda,
What a spot you are in, dear one. There has got to be a doctor
out there that can and will help you with your knees. The PT certainly won't
hurt you and I've really raved about water therapy but when you have bone on
bone, especially your knees, I just can't see that taking away the pain.
Isn't there somebody out there that has a doctor with enough guts
to help Linda? At least lead her in the right direction for the right
provider? Quality of life is a goal for us and right now, Linda, you must be
in such pain that the quality is pretty tough. I sure wish I had an answer for
you. Don't give up...right back into the Prayer Pot you go...Hugs..Jeanne
-------Original Message-------
From: L T CHERPESKI
Date: 8/11/2009 10:41:09 PM
To: TM List
Subject: [TMIC] Need some help please
Hi everybody,
I'm hoping you guys can help point me in the right direction.
There are so many of us on the TM site there's just got to be someone who knows
somebody with the same or similar dilemma.
Most of you know that I've had Sjogrens for 20+ years
(unfortunately, progressive and aggressive) and 7 yrs ago TM came into my life.
I am on heavy chemo meds (Imuran and Rituxan infusions) to suppress my immune
system to keep it from attacking my body. Last Sept I had a "minor" surgery to
repair a torn meniscus in my knee, and my body went into the longest, hardest
relapse I've ever had. I'm just now getting my arms and hands "back" - I think
this is as much as I'll get this time. Almost everything else has gradually
come back. My one huge problem is that my KNEES took the biggest hit - my
doctors said it was because they were the weakest part of my body at the time.
I have infected knees (right one to the bone) and am walking (trying) on bone
on bone knees. They both need to be replaced. And, I have TM, so already my
walking is not that pretty.
I was sent out of state to a surgeon who does a special knee
replacement surgery that is less invasive. Long trip, big disappointment. He
will NOT do surgery on me either because of the "aftermath" - said it would be
like doing brain surgery due to my autoimmune diseases. Well that's fine - I
have always wanted to do anything but the surgery, but was given no OTHER
choices.
And, I am still being given NO options. So I've done some of my
own research. What about physical therapy to get my thigh and quad muscles
built up so they can take some of the load off my knee joints? (I'm a fairly
small person so we're not talking about losing 50 lbs and that would make
things all better) Water therapy? I'm not quite sure how to get these muscles
built up when my knees hurt so bad I can hardly bend them, but there has to be
a way. My doctors have kind of given up on me, which at first shocked me, now
I'm just really mad.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks guys,
Linda
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