Don't Know What To Do

[Barsel]

About a year ago, I saw an orthopaedic consultant who said I needed a knee replacement but for me it wasn't an option, so I asked if he could offer something else.
He gave me a steroid injection which didn't help very much and referred me to physiotherapy where I had a 6 week course of acupuncture which made no difference at all.
Now the pain is worse and constant, keeping me awake at night and making it really difficult for me to walk.
The pain also seems to be spreading into my thigh as well and it's now beginning to worry me.
Anybody have any suggestions please?

[pat2604]

/I could probably feel better if I lose another stone, but no more than that or else I would look old and ill. Oh, hang on a minute....... :-) x/

LOL Barsel. At least we still have our sense of humour!!

[jennyjoan]

Sorry barsel to hear of your pain. I'm in a lot of pain with fibromyalgia and old injuries have resurfaced particularly my foot when I was in an accident and slammed brakes. I was hit by an articulated lorry who forced me into a car and that car was forced into front car. We were waiting for traffic lights to change. LCg can you tell where you can buy potent CBD OIL hope you get some relief barsel

[pat2604]

It's good to chat and this thread shows how good AB can be. I get so depressed some days. What happened to the young lady who could dance all night !!

[ladybirder]

Barsel have you tried Zapain for the pain, on prescription only? It helps me.

[Barsel]

JJ that sounds horrendous. I'd be interested in where you get the oil from too.

[Barsel]

LB is that a cream/gel?
I have something called Capsaicin cream which takes the edge off a bit.
Love the name of it, obviously foreign, Zapain for Za pain. :-)
Yes Lottie, I still have my sense of humour. :-)

[Mamyalynne]

Zapain is codeine/paracetamol, 30/500 tablets.

[Barsel]

Thanks Mamya. have a feeling I can't take codeine as it gives me stomach pain. I take 2 paracetamol, between 6 and 8 a day.

[Sqad]

Barsel....why can't you take Nsaids, like Ibuprofen?

[Barsel]

Sqad, it's never been mentioned to me. I used to take the equivalent of Anadin Extra as I felt the aspirin helped with the inflammation, but I was told I shouldn't take aspirin so I just take paracetamol now.

[Sqad]

Well in my opinion, the anti inflammatory powers of Ibuprofen is much greater than Paracetamol and unless there are strong objections to your use of Ibuprofen I would suggest that you change.
You could even combine the two.

From your description of the pain, modest doses of ANY pain killer may not be adequate.

Pain is debilitating particularly joint and bone pain.

Talk it over with your GP.

[Barsel]

Will do Sqad. I have an appointment for a blood test tomorrow so will check what my chances are of getting a phone consult or if I'm lucky, a face to face with my GP.
I could probably contact the Rheumatologist as well.

[-SharonA-]

When my Aunt had a stroke, she was transferred to a nursing home as she lived alone, far from us. And it didn't cost her anything, Microsoft d you I am going back to the late 80's.

[bednobs]

hi barsel, dont you have 3 daughters reasonably close by?
recovering from an op will be temporary, and i know children have lives but it's not like you are asking to move in (or perhaps you could?)

[davebro]

I have zapain - as said it's cocodamol. 2 tabs gives me a pain in the chest - like bad heartburn. 1 tab helps but causes constipation.

[burlyshirley]

I'm similar to you Barsel. I have bad knee pain in one leg and don't want the op. for the same reasons as you. I take Zapain on prescription and have been doing so for years, they don't work as well as they used to, but do take the edge of and I know I couldn't walk without them. I have considered getting a mobility scooter in the future, I can still take my dog out for walks with one, as I see a lady regularly doing this ! I prefer waking around though as I've been told it's best to keep the leg mobile. Have you thought of using patches on your knee, there are loads available on line ? If I decided to use them, I would buy the more expensive ones in the hope they would work better. You say the pain is now travelling to your thigh, I wonder if you have an infection ? A GP could prescribe antibiotics. As for any private treatment you may wish to undertake, I would just Google this to see how expensive it would be in your area. Lastly, I find heat on my knee area helps and often use a hot water bottle at night while watching TV. It's quite comforting.

[Cloverjo]

Davebro, ask your doctor for Omeprazole to help with the heartburn

[Barsel]

bednobs, I do have 3 daughters. One hasn't spoken to me for over 2 years but even if she did, all 3 of my girls work full time and they all have young children so I wouldn't want to put any pressure on them to look after their old Mum.

[Barsel]

Shirley, I might ask my GP about Zapain as it sounds like it would be worth trying.
I still drive because I have an automatic Motability car, so I can still get to places and as it's my left leg, I don't need to use it when driving.
I also have a lightweight rollator that I can just about lift into the car for when I arrive at wherever I'm going.
Thanks for suggesting patches, I forgot about those.
I used them when my shoulder was bad.
Instead of a hot water bottle, I use a heat pad on my knee, and although it doesn't cure it, it feels nice. x