I'm back

1. 64

   Julie-Ann Amosposted 15 years ago

   Sorry to be so absent from forums etc.  Not being antisocial, just the double knee surgery didn't go quite as easily as planned!  No knee replacements yet just some "very substantial" last-ditch arthroscopies which have left me massive muscle wastage in my legs and an inability to get about much.
   
   Now I know that SHOULD have tied me to my screen, but more than that it's led to exhaustion so I've not bee on here or twitter much.
   
   I'll be hopefully fully back in action next week.  In the meantime, sorry if I've not replied to anyone or answered anyone I should have - no slight intended and I'll be hanging out again very soon...
   
   Thanks!

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      marisuewritesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!!   sorry to hear about your pain!! 

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   Maddie Ruudposted 15 years ago

   Welcome back, Julie-Ann.
   
   I've recently made my own return to the forums after minimal participation for months, due to personal issues.  We'll be tearing the place up together in no time!

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   gamergirlposted 15 years ago

   Here's to a fantastic time doing the Charleston in the forums!

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   GeneriqueMediaposted 15 years ago

   Nice to meet you Julie-Anne...and like others have said, hope you recover quickly.
   
   G|M

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   Dame Scribeposted 15 years ago

   Ouchy! Julie sorry to hear you're in pain. I know how exhausting it is trying to get around n battle pain simultaneously n it sux big time we and me, have missed you and welcome you back with open arms,

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   AEvansposted 15 years ago

   Julie-Ann , I wish you all of the best and a wonderful recovery.

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   Patty Inglish, MSposted 15 years ago

   I wish you every success in your total recovery, and am glad for no replacements. Get stronger every day!
   
   Patty

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   Lifebydesignposted 15 years ago

   Hi Julie-Ann, great to see you

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   Lisa HWposted 15 years ago

   Hope your recovery is a quick one, Julie-Ann.  (That whole "affair" you described doesn't sound very pleasant, to say the least).   

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    JamaGeneeposted 15 years ago

    Double knee surgery.  Ouch!  No apologies necessary, just focus on getting well ASAP!

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    Julie-Ann Amosposted 15 years ago

    Hey I didn't expect to see lots of replies, which is really kind thanks!  Just wanted to make sure I hadn't upset anyone by a fairly unexplained absence!
    
    Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.

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    Lissieposted 15 years ago

    Being in pain always makes me tired too - welcome back and hope you get well soon!

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    LondonGirlposted 15 years ago

    Ouch, you poor love! Hope you feel better soon.

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    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    Double knee surgery sure doesn't sound like fun!  Watch out for blood clots, got one after my knee surgery!

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    Teresa McGurkposted 15 years ago

    ouch ouch ouch -- my commiserations!  And a hug for good measure!

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    Zsuzsy Beeposted 15 years ago

    Julie-Ann! Glad to hear you're on the mend.
    regards Zsuzsy

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    Anna Marie Bowmanposted 15 years ago

    Welcome back, and I hope you make a full, speedy recovery!!!  Relax, and take it easy!!!

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    waynetposted 15 years ago

    Yes, get better soon and finish them doctor who hubpages!!

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    TheSandmanposted 15 years ago

    Julie Ann, good recovery be your, I have been needing a hip and knee replacement for almost a year, but putting it off for mat reasons, number one reason my wife's health, and at least I still get around, the pain is tough but...how do you feel now?, recovery working

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    TheSandmanposted 15 years ago

    PS I also need Knee replacement, and understand that is worse than hip. Both need are on the same leg

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21. 64

    Julie-Ann Amosposted 15 years ago

    Wow I'm blown away by all these well wishes - must do this more often (just joking!)
    
    Doctor Who?  Ah yes, those.  All written on hubpages just not compoeted or published.  Even the new Doctor.  Promise.
    
    The pain's fine, for those asking.  In fact I have pretty much ZERO knee pain.  The main issue is that the procedure seems to have changed from when I had my first knee op 15 years ago. 
    
    Nowadays they cut off all blood flow to the leg with tourniquets applied around the thighs.  This both cuts off the blood supply for (in my case) a fairly long time and also seems to pinch the nerves (but that's my guess and I don't feel inclined to research this - started to and too many horror stories for my liking).
    
    I came round in recovery literally in screaming agony.  Both my legs felt like the worst nerve & cramp pain ever all over my legs but especially thighs.  Apparently it causes a lot of muscle wastage and I was unprepared for that.  I try to move the leg and not a lot happens.
    
    I try to walk every day - as I say I'm not in KNEE pain!  BUT... (yes there's always a but isn't there?) my right leg in particular seems to have lost a lot of function.  This means - after a short while standing it starts to shake then will simply give way.  I walk on my right leg but when lifting it my leg just doesn't function, so I end up taking an odd "step" with my right leg - partly lifting it but partly dragging/swinging it.  The odd movement of the right leg, combined with that lack of it holding me up means that on my left leg I walk normally. On my right leg, however,  I walk like a cast member from "Planet of the Apes".  Rud called me Galen for a weeek.  Net result, badly balanced action on my back and CRIPPLING (literally) right lower back and sciatic pain.           
    
    I have physio exercises but the loss of muscle usage is a bit scary. Sat on a bed with my legs in front of me I can straight leg raise my left leg about 10-12 inches and hold it there for a count of 10.  Haven't tried more that's what I'm instructed to do, but I think I could do higher and longer.  My RIGHT leg I can only lift 2-3 inches and hold for maybe 5-6 seconds then it trembles and eventually just falls.  Brain tells it to work, nerves send the signal, leg just isn't listening or can't respond.
    
    I too need total knee replacements Sandman, on both legs, and these "extreme" surgical arthroscopies were a last ditch attempt to get a few more years before I need them, that's all.  I wanted to have the time to lose a significant amount of weight - I've lost about 70 lb in the past 2 years but not being able to exercise or even walk far was really limiting weight loss for me, hence the ops. 
    
    I was terrified of the knee replacements, but my physio says when I'm stronger I can join a lower limb class and meet people who've had it done and I'll be surprised - fuction after the ops is so much better than before they all agree it's worth it.  So knowing this is a "when" and not an "if" for me, I can use the time I have before they're necessary to exercise and lose weight, so I'm in perfect shape for the replacements when it's time.  I've already lost 13 lb since my op 3 weeks ago - it's a HUGE effort dragging my arse round at the moment and I'm exhausted all the time!  Plus I got a bad post-op kidney infection and couldn't eat for 4 days - not nice but I'm not complaining about what the scales tell me!       
    
    One rider on all my recovery I have to add is that I'm a homoeopath.  So everything tends to go better for me than if I wasn't.  I spent 15 mins in recovery after my ops, after over 2 hours in theater, whereas other patients were there an hour or more and then sent back to bed still throwing up. Bracing myself for a huge mass of anti-quackery comments, being able to treat myself homoeopathically has made a HUGE difference.  When I walked into the doctor's for my post-op review they were amazed - They expected me to be helped in on crutches, not to walk in on my own.  Similarly, nobody can believe the lack of any swelling, minimal bruising etc... Homoeopathy really supports the body's recovery process incredibly well.
    
    Sandman, in closing, don't leave it too long.  My surgeon said if I'd left it another couple of weeks, he wouldn't have been able to do the ops at all, it would have been mandatory knee replacements or nothing.  I totally get that you need to look after your wife, but sometimes you can do that best by being well enought to look after her long term so you need also to look after yourself.  That's not intended to sound trite in any way.

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