When Meds Bite Back

[Superbob]

Thanks Laura and Ton,

Aqua therapy and injections are two of the options on the table. Sure am anticipating what the ortho will say Tuesday with MRI film in front of him.

I have bone-on-bone in one knee, too -- that's my "good" knee. It's the other one that's been blown-out as of April. Things sure have moved slowly with the ortho but I guess they want to see if time heals all wounds. (Or is that "wounds all heels")....

Anyway, I'll probably post after I hear something because the support here is terrific and I appreciate it.

 

[bvdr]

Hi Bob. This has been a good thread. I had been taking the glucosamine/chondrotin for quite a while but quit several weeks ago. I have a couple new muscular skeletal type conditions that have recently developed. One of them is something called Dupuytren's disease which causes fibrous nodules/cords to form on the palms of your hands and progresses to various degrees of hand/finger contractures. In researching it, I came across an article that mentioned glucosamine/chondrotin as being suspected of worsening the condition and shouldn't be taken in that setting. That was enough for me. I stopped it the same day.
I've been following your knee saga for a while and now with a more personal interest. I'm getting an MRI on my right knee tomorrow. X-rays actually are pretty decent but the Knee Orthopedic doc thinks I have a meniscus tear. I'm not sure what will have to be done. Some days are just fine but then sometimes it gives me fits. I don't recall any injury. Maybe it is just "one of those things" that happen as we age.

 

[Superbob]

Hi Bob. This has been a good thread. I had been taking the glucosamine/chondrotin for quite a while but quit several weeks ago. I have a couple new muscular skeletal type conditions that have recently developed. One of them is something called Dupuytren's disease which causes fibrous nodules/cords to form on the palms of your hands and progresses to various degrees of hand/finger contractures. In researching it, I came across an article that mentioned glucosamine/chondrotin as being suspected of worsening the condition and shouldn't be taken in that setting. That was enough for me. I stopped it the same day.
I've been following your knee saga for a while and now with a more personal interest. I'm getting an MRI on my right knee tomorrow. X-rays actually are pretty decent but the Knee Orthopedic doc thinks I have a meniscus tear. I'm not sure what will have to be done. Some days are just fine but then sometimes it gives me fits. I don't recall any injury. Maybe it is just "one of those things" that happen as we age.

Hi Betty, thanks, our situations seem similar. Some days I feel like the knee is doing much better, and then the next day I can barely creep around. Maybe something's floating around in there? -- I dunno. Good luck with your MRI tomorrow. Also, I hope the hand/finger problem that glucosamine/chondroitin apparently made worse will ease now that you have stopped taking the supplement.

I've been told I have some knee arthritis setting in that is definitely age-related. Hopefully will have a better idea of a game plan tomorrow. I hate the idea of slowing down or becoming less mobile.

 

[PairoDocs]

Hi Betty, thanks, our situations seem similar. Some days I feel like the knee is doing much better, and then the next day I can barely creep around. Maybe something's floating around in there? -- I dunno. Good luck with your MRI tomorrow. Also, I hope the hand/finger problem that glucosamine/chondroitin apparently made worse will ease now that you have stopped taking the supplement.

I've been told I have some knee arthritis setting in that is definitely age-related. Hopefully will have a better idea of a game plan tomorrow. I hate the idea of slowing down or becoming less mobile.

I actually slipped on ice in the Physician Parking Lot and not only did the twisting cause a bunch of pieces of cartilage to flake off, but also caused a bucket-handle tear of the meniscus. They were able to remove the offending pieces arthroscopically in my case.

Just so you know-diabetics have increased cartilage problems due to deposition of glucose on the cartilage and connective tissues, which weakens it. They also tend to get a lot of ankylosis (stiffening or hardening due to inflammation, among other things) in joints like the ankle(no pun intended) and knee, and this is part of what makes people get foot deformities. There are some new surgical techniques to incise the Achilles tendon and quadraceps tendon to improve range of motion. My husband (the actual OHS patient) has been helping me do range of motion on my ankles, feet, and legs for years, and I am convinced it is helpful. A good foot massage works wonders for your emotional health, as well!

By the way, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes some 11 years ago, but after weight loss I no longer use ANY meds. I am very insulin resistant; during my pregnancies, I was using up to 600 (six hundred) units of insulin per day to keep HbA1C in 4.5-5.5 range! Both parents and two sisters are diabetic as well, so we have the darn syndrome in spades. I probably still have it, but enjoying respite from meds.

Hope you all get those knees fixed!

Nice 'n toasty in Idaho,
-Laura

 

[Superbob]

I actually slipped on ice in the Physician Parking Lot and not only did the twisting cause a bunch of pieces of cartilage to flake off, but also caused a bucket-handle tear of the meniscus. They were able to remove the offending pieces arthroscopically in my case.

Just so you know-diabetics have increased cartilage problems due to deposition of glucose on the cartilage and connective tissues, which weakens it. They also tend to get a lot of ankylosis (stiffening or hardening due to inflammation, among other things) in joints like the ankle(no pun intended) and knee, and this is part of what makes people get foot deformities. There are some new surgical techniques to incise the Achilles tendon and quadraceps tendon to improve range of motion. My husband (the actual OHS patient) has been helping me do range of motion on my ankles, feet, and legs for years, and I am convinced it is helpful. A good foot massage works wonders for your emotional health, as well!

By the way, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes some 11 years ago, but after weight loss I no longer use ANY meds. I am very insulin resistant; during my pregnancies, I was using up to 600 (six hundred) units of insulin per day to keep HbA1C in 4.5-5.5 range! Both parents and two sisters are diabetic as well, so we have the darn syndrome in spades. I probably still have it, but enjoying respite from meds.

Hope you all get those knees fixed!

Nice 'n toasty in Idaho,
-Laura

Wow! - I didn't know all that about the connections between diabetes and cartilage problems -- thanks, I probably need to find a good diabetes specialist. Meanwhile, I do hope to get the knees fixed.

 

[Superbob]

Surgery for Superbob!

Surgery for Superbob!

Won't put up a new thread for this (it ain't OHS, after all) but several of you have been interested in my knee saga, and some of you have had knee problems to work through as well.

Bottom line is that it took the orthopedic surgeon not long at all to look at the MRI films and find that I have a tear of the meniscus. (The moment it happened back in April I felt like something had torn). He said there is some arthritis in there, too, but appears to be moderate at this stage.

They will be scheduling arthroscopic surgery in a few weeks. I want to get this fixed if at all possible because long walks -- Superbob and Superdawg and anyone who wants to join us -- are important to my quality of life.

 

[zipper2]

Superbob,
Wish you all the best with your knee surgery
Both my parents mom 3 years ago had an old work injury
from years ago,had knee surgery to bring her quality of life
as she was unable to walk on the one leg already.Now it's
wonderful how it improved for her.
Dad had his knee surgery last year april i think and 3 gardens this spring
he is doing well,also an old injury from his logging days.
They both are 83 and 85 and it sure has improved their quality for getting
around.Moms leg too was full of arthritis,they are always comparing their
courage badges as moms scar is alot bigger than dads(LOL)

zipper2(Deb)

 

[Superbob]

Deb (Zipper) -- thanks for your kind and encouraging words. It certainly helps my morale to know of the good outcome your folks have had. Of course, the surgeon has to mention every conceivable bad outcome with you (I think that's required by law) so it makes you a little nervous. But I want to take this shot at getting my quality of life back.

 

[zipper2]

Oh definately they too had those bad outcomes mentioned
Superbob and of course for them it was so bad they felt
it couldn't get worse with their age status. You are right though
Dr's are required to tell us these things do to law requirements
as with any surgery,but you know what?? your gonna do fine
really and it takes time like anything else (RIGHT)? They needed
time to heal too,it wasn't overnite and i feel you too will do well.
Sometimes the requirements sound worse for knee surgery than
heart surgery,prayers and good thoughts are coming your way
Please keep us posted on a date.


zipper2(Deb)

 

[Wise]

Superbob,
Glad you have your next step planned. Cindy and I are glad that you seem alright with surgery. We were concerned this may be disappointing. Hopefully it is just the thing you need since it certainly is "what the doctor ordered."

Our thoughts and prayers have been, and will continue to be, with you.

Wise & Cindy

 

[Phyllis]

Won't put up a new thread for this (it ain't OHS, after all) but several of you have been interested in my knee saga, and some of you have had knee problems to work through as well.

Bottom line is that it took the orthopedic surgeon not long at all to look at the MRI films and find that I have a tear of the meniscus. (The moment it happened back in April I felt like something had torn). He said there is some arthritis in there, too, but appears to be moderate at this stage.

They will be scheduling arthroscopic surgery in a few weeks. I want to get this fixed if at all possible because long walks -- Superbob and Superdawg and anyone who wants to join us -- are important to my quality of life.

Great news- that will definitely be better than knee replacement surgery and you will be back taking long walks before you know it! Be sure to let us know your date when you have it- it's not open heart surgery, but we care and we want to keep you in our prayers and thoughts!

 

[bvdr]

Superbob, I'm glad that, if your have to have something,you at least have something that can be fixed. Do you know if your surgeon is planning on removing the offending piece or is he going to attempt a repair. I know the recovery and rehab time is usually longer if a repair is done. Is your tear in an area of good blood supply? I hope you have a really good outcome with this and get much relief. Thanks for letting us know your results so quickly.

 

[Superbob]

Wise & Cindy, Phyllis, Betty, and Zipper -- appreciate all your expressions of concern. When I get a surgery date and more details, I will post them. Thanks again so much.