|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 854
|
Hi Lyn,
Sorry to hear that you are having such problems with your knees.
Hope that you don't have to wait too long for help with this.
It is not easy at all trying to live with this crappy condition and for that so well informed (not) member of staff to make such an ill judged comment was the last straw I am sure. Would make a lesser person weep. Wonder if a few posters to adorn the wall of the school would be acceptable or even giving her a leaflet? Makes me so annoyed and I am sick to the back teeth of such assumptions being made re age.
Hope that you are not in too much pain.
Eleanor x
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
|
Hi Eleanor Thank you so much for your kind thoughts; it was lovely of you to post  The knees are a bit of a mess but bearable as long as I don't do stupid things! They are both very swollen and if I'm honest have been worsening over the last 18 months or so. I have kept putting off visiting the GP as I seem to spend so much time there already but decided I really ought to deal with it plus I wasn't sure whether I'd actually caused some damage when I fell in (or should I say out of) the shower in January!!  He did say both knees really need replacing and I think he's probably right but the prospect of not being able to drive in the next twelve months is not a good one (loads of university visits for the twins). If I can persuade the orthos to do a further synovectomy on my left knee I can probably get by. The previous one lasted 9 years so a really good result. I just feel under too much pressure to go with anything major right now. Unfortunately my blood test had just come back so I got more than I bargained for! My neutrophil count has taken a substantial dive and I've now got neutropenia ... nothing left to fight infection. Checked me over decided I had a throat infection and prescribed penicillin!!! Duh ... only went about my knees, I don't have a sore throat!! So I'm off methotrexate until the neutrophil count gets back to normal. Don't like the stuff anyway so don't mind that too much but didn't think to ask about Enbrel so might check that on Monday! As for the stupid woman ... makes me very cross too!! I just couldn't be bothered putting her straight but I should have done really. Thanks again for thinking of me Eleanor, Lyn x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
|
Dear Lyn,
Aw, I sympathise with swollen knees, they are the bane of my life. I also know what you mean about having to think ahead about what you'll not be able to do should you have to have surgery!
Are your knees the worst affected joints? Mine are, and always were right from the outset.
I am sorry about the upsetting comment, you should have taken the snake out and had a swig of pernod! LOLOL
Much love,
Amanda
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
|
Hi Amanda Thank you for your thoughts Amanda. My knees are probably the worst joints at the moment with hands and feet running a close second! I'm sure the problems seem to move about just to keep me on my toes. It's difficult, as you know, when you have children because there is always someone whose needs must take precedence so consequently my problems fade into the background. My own doing, I must say, as I'm always there regardless of how I feel and invariably try to keep my independence by not allowing people to help me. Just take a few more painkillers when needed!! I guess I knew surgery was the next stage, it's already been threatened, but fitting it into the schedule and being able to give myself the best opportunity to recover is a difficult one. A 'temporary' measure for the next 12/18 months would perhaps be ideal but I guess it will come down to the orthos thoughts. Previous surgery (in particular wrist replacement) hasn't always been as successful as it might have been so slight reservations on that score too. Wish I'd taken the snake to school I could have had a lot of fun with it and certain staff  Thanks again, Lyn x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
|
So sorry to hear that surgey is the next option Lyn. My RA is not half as bad as yours nbut I undersatnd how you put everyone else first and just take a few more painkillers - that's exactly what I do. What did you do in the Civil Service Lyn? I am also an HEO, working for the home office at the moment.
Julie
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
|
I know it is difficult Lyn, but do try and rest...occasionally! You are a heroine!
Mark is always suggesting I have a siesta but i just cannot do it! I do, however, make myself a spiced tea in the afternoons and play scrabble (confirmed addict) with one of my sons who is fast becoming a keen competitor! LOL
Oh, and you know I have an attachment to the red stuff, I do that instead of pain relief! LOL
Much love,
Amanda
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 854
|
Dear Lyn,
Will 18 months be when you would have the op then? What a dilemma which only you can make a decision about. If there is a short term solution which would get you through with no further damage , I suppose that has to be the choice you make. Trouble is, that there will always be someone else's needs coming first. That is the price of being a wife and mother, I have found, but long term it may need thinking about.
Hope that you can be seen quickly and that the best option is offered.
Eleanor x
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
|
Damned76 wrote: What did you do in the Civil Service Lyn? I am also an HEO, working for the home office at the moment.
Julie Hi Julie A large part of my career was in the NHS Pension scheme where I worked my way up from Clerical Assistant (AA as it is now!) to HEO. I latterly moved on to manage a Legal Aid Office, a job I absolutely loved, before having to take ill health retirement. A real bummer when I'd worked so damn hard to get where I had. The 'upside' of the illness was getting to spend time at home with my young family; I would have missed out on this had I been working. Do miss my job though even after so long  amanda_lewin wrote:You are a heroine! Nice thought Amanda but actually all I do is what needs to be done! Sometimes, if I'm in an organised mood, the afternoon is 'me' time and I put my feet up but invariably my mornings take ages to get started then I overrun and before I know it children are arriving home!! C'est la vie prioryc wrote:Will 18 months be when you would have the op then? Hi Eleanor, well it will be if I can persuade the orthopaedic surgeon to organise his schedule around me!! Perhaps optimistic but heyho, no harm trying!  Goodness knows how long it will be before I get the initial appointment; my previous ortho legged it to manage a hotel in France  Lyn x PS Just got my ortho appt, Friday 16th April, pretty good eh?! Only 5 weeks away and just about time to get my bloods sorted 
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 854
|
Had you cut your previous ortho's hair Lyn?
Eleanor x
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 854
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
|
I'm glad you managed to get an appointment Lyn and hope they can offer you the advice you need to help you keep going. I took the same route as you into the Civil Service - casual AA to start and 23 years and many different jobs later - am still hanging in there. Take care.
Julie
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
