When I tore the meniscus in my left knee (which seems to be the event that started the tumbling down of the house of cards known as my knees), I had difficulty getting medical treatment.
I was in an HMO and had to be transferred from one department to another, each doctor wanted different tests (MRIs, x-rays), everything had to be approved by the insurance company and often communication was less than good.
A few times authorization for treatment expired before I was notified to make an appointment or the appointment had been made but no one gave me the information.
The delay in getting treatment not only caused my knee pain to become excruciating, but my shoulders became injured (from using my arms to lift myself up from a seated position and I developed depression.
I learned that chronic pain often sets off depression.
Depression is caused by a chemical reaction that I can't explain in medical terms, but it was real.
I was angry, short-tempered, sleepy and medication alone wasn't relieving the pain.
Over the next six months not one of the doctors who saw me for this condition, gave any suggestions for pain management.
The doctors gave me plenty of vicodin, but no one gave recommendations on how I could work and drive while taking enough to relieve the pain.
And then I met a woman who'd had several knee surgeries.
She gave me some tips that were simple and they worked.
Here are a few of her tips and some I have developed: 1.
Sleep on your back with a pillow or bolster under your knees.
2.
Whenever possible, elevate your legs when sitting.
A recliner with a foot rest is perfect for this.
I have a lift chair and love it.
3.
Ice, ice, ice.
Especially before going to bed.
That's the most important time.
When I remember to do this, I always feel better in the morning than when I don't.
4.
Try to stay ahead of the pain.
For example, if I know I'm going to be in the car for any length of time, like an hour or more, I take Tylenol before leaving for the trip.
Sitting with my legs at a 90 degree angle for extended periods guarantee that I will be stiff as a board when I arrive.
5.
Sleep.
This one was not so obvious to me.
However, it has proved to be the most effective of all.
I didn't realize the importance of sleeping restfully and the impact it has on overall health.
I was waking up throughout the night, in pain and sometimes in tears.
I would wake up in the morning feeling like I'd been hit by a truck.
Icing my knees and taking pain medication before going to bed has done more for alleviating the pain than just about anything else.
6.
Avoid walking on uneven surfaces (cobblestone, fields, mixed terrain like rock, gravel and broken concrete, sand).
These conditions should be avoided at all times.
Noticeable uphill and downhill slopes are difficult; walking downhill is especially painful.
Stairs are no longer optional for me.
I think it's best to avoid stairs if you have knee problems even if you can walk them without too much pain.
Walking stairs puts a lot of pressure on the knee and the surrounding supporting ligaments.
7.
If it hurts, don't do it, or do less or it.
Any activity that is painful is causing damage.
I want to be clear...
I take pain medication.
I think pain meds have a rightful place in treatment.
I could not live as full a life as I do without pain medication.
My experience has been that since learning to pay attention to the situations where I'm likely to cause myself more pain, and practicing ways to avoid creating more pain, I've been happier and healthier.
Pain medication combined with pain management has allowed me to live a full life.
To prevent further damage, and pain, slow down, watch where you're stepping and be proactive in your pain management program.
You can once again love your life.