Visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation Website
Hi Everyone,
So sorry I haven't been around more. I have been busy proving the validity of Rosann Rosanna-danna's life philosophy ("it's always something").
After three family deaths in 2 mos., I was looking forward to getting back to exercising. Well, I apparently did too much too soon and ended up with a torn medial meniscus (cartilege) in my left knee a week after Mom died.. It has not gotten better, so I had an MRI and am now scheduled for surgery (arthroscopy) on Nov. 13th. I am dying because I was SO looking forward to autumn and getting back to the trail, golf, gardening. Sigh. You should see me hobbling around on a cane. Not a pretty sight!
Anyway, please let me know if anyone has had this surgery. I have talked with 3 friends who have and they did fine. The ortho doc told me there was a "0%" chance of this healing by itself. Also told me that gen'l. anesthesia is used - "the one that Michael Jackson ODed on". The good news is that the infection rate is only 1 in 400. Of course, I will be put on antibiotics after surgery - NOT fun for us MCers.
Your stiff and sore buddy,
Polly
A Voice from the Past!
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
A Voice from the Past!
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Oh, Polly, so sorry to hear all your news. I sure hope the doctor can fix you right up with out to much pain and hospital aggravation. At least, you'll be able to handle the latter.
Best wishes for a text book operation and speedy recovery.
If you have any spare time at all, would you please look at the new Pediatric Colitis thread. I think you could really be some help......... http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ic+colitis
Best wishes for a text book operation and speedy recovery.
If you have any spare time at all, would you please look at the new Pediatric Colitis thread. I think you could really be some help......... http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ic+colitis
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barbaranoela
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 5394
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:11 pm
- Location: New York
POLLY----just to ease your mind---Lou had both knees done (at different times naturally)--and he did just fine--
He needed no antibiotics either-came home the next day---no PT---needed---mended by itself --along with NOT DOING any of his Xercizing for a few weeks--
Of course --now they are bothering him slightly ---cus he still thinks he is superman--and has now gone for some PT--he gets *SMART* now and again~~~
I am sure U will do fine cus like U---Louie always kept up with his Xercizing all the time----
Success with your surgery----
Barbara
He needed no antibiotics either-came home the next day---no PT---needed---mended by itself --along with NOT DOING any of his Xercizing for a few weeks--
Of course --now they are bothering him slightly ---cus he still thinks he is superman--and has now gone for some PT--he gets *SMART* now and again~~~
I am sure U will do fine cus like U---Louie always kept up with his Xercizing all the time----
Success with your surgery----
Barbara
the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control
Polly,
It's good to see you posting again, but that's not exactly what I was hoping for.
What a bummer! You've already been suffering for quite a while, so I hope the surgeon can get you back on track quickly, (pun intended).
I'll certainly keep my fingers crossed that everything goes perfectly, so that you can get back on the trail as soon as possible. I don't believe I know anyone who has had that particular surgery, though.
Please keep us updated.
Love,
Tex
It's good to see you posting again, but that's not exactly what I was hoping for.
What a bummer! You've already been suffering for quite a while, so I hope the surgeon can get you back on track quickly, (pun intended).I'll certainly keep my fingers crossed that everything goes perfectly, so that you can get back on the trail as soon as possible. I don't believe I know anyone who has had that particular surgery, though.
Please keep us updated.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Joan,
You have to leave a space before and after an URL, otherwise the system can't tell where it starts and stops, (I added a space in your post).
That's also true for smileys, you have to leave a space before the leading colon, (but not necessarily after the trailing colon).
Tex
You have to leave a space before and after an URL, otherwise the system can't tell where it starts and stops, (I added a space in your post).
That's also true for smileys, you have to leave a space before the leading colon, (but not necessarily after the trailing colon).
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3865
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Hi Polly,
So sorry to hear about what you are going through. It has been a long, hard haul for you this year. My neighbor had both her knees done as well as my old boss and they did fine and also did not do antibiotics after the surgery. Hobbling to the loo after doing the drugs would be really tough.
Hope you heal fast and can get back and enjoy yourself.
Love, Maggie
So sorry to hear about what you are going through. It has been a long, hard haul for you this year. My neighbor had both her knees done as well as my old boss and they did fine and also did not do antibiotics after the surgery. Hobbling to the loo after doing the drugs would be really tough.
Hope you heal fast and can get back and enjoy yourself.
Love, Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
I had that surgery, Polly. It was just sort of a stop-gap measure, as that knee developed arthritis and got replaced 4 years after the arthroscopic surgery. I know it has worked for lots of folks, but just bought me some time. The PT rehab was good though. The best part, actually. Good luck to you. Sorry your year has been so rough. 
kathy
Polly,
I had the surgery on my right knee three years ago, coincidentally the same year my mother died. Sometimes I think that our bodies stay the course until the stress is finally gone and then they collapse. I also had knee surgery that year and double pneumonia.
The surgery was fine as was the recuperation. I had the surgery on Friday and was back at work on Monday. I went to a genealogy conference on Wednesday and flew to Utah on Thursday. Probably a little too soon, but I was feeling good. If you do your physical therapy and follow-up exercises, you shouldn't notice any problem. I never took any antibiotics or pain killer. This was before I got MC, but I didn't want to take the medication.
You're in pretty good physical condition, so you should be fine. I don't know if I'd recommend running anymore, though. Running is pretty hard on the joints, as you know.
Gloria
I had the surgery on my right knee three years ago, coincidentally the same year my mother died. Sometimes I think that our bodies stay the course until the stress is finally gone and then they collapse. I also had knee surgery that year and double pneumonia.
The surgery was fine as was the recuperation. I had the surgery on Friday and was back at work on Monday. I went to a genealogy conference on Wednesday and flew to Utah on Thursday. Probably a little too soon, but I was feeling good. If you do your physical therapy and follow-up exercises, you shouldn't notice any problem. I never took any antibiotics or pain killer. This was before I got MC, but I didn't want to take the medication.
You're in pretty good physical condition, so you should be fine. I don't know if I'd recommend running anymore, though. Running is pretty hard on the joints, as you know.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Thanks for the input and wishes, good buddies!
Barb, Gloria, Mags, and Hazel...................it is encouraging to hear the success stories. Also re the antibiotics - maybe I can talk the doc out of them.
Gloria, I agree with you about the effects of stress on the body. Interesting that your problems were after your Mom died, too. And yep, I think I'll stick with walking now.
Love,
Polly
Barb, Gloria, Mags, and Hazel...................it is encouraging to hear the success stories. Also re the antibiotics - maybe I can talk the doc out of them.
Gloria, I agree with you about the effects of stress on the body. Interesting that your problems were after your Mom died, too. And yep, I think I'll stick with walking now.
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Polly,
I, too, have had a torn medial meniscus with arthroscopy (and 2 ACL reconstructions, which I'm SO GLAD you don't need!). In my case, they repaired the meniscus (I wanted to keep as much as possible), and later went in when it wasn't healing well, and removed a small portion. In all honesty, I don't know that they needed to do that, but that was the surgeon's deduction during the scope.
I also had propolfol, and it is my favorite anesthesia because unlike the others, it has never made me ill. I get ill with medications so easily. I won't even have a surgery or procedudre now, unless propolfol is available. I also love that it is out of your system almost right away.
If they repair your meniscus, you will have a period of keeping your knee straight in a brace and being on crutches to allow it to heal. This was me with a 2-year old. Ugh. If they remove a portion, you won't have any restriction. As soon as you get out of surgery, begin tightening your quadriceps muscle and do as much knee flexion (and full extension) as the surgeon will allow. In the case of meniscus removal, your recovery time shouldn't take more than a week, at most.
Good luck!
I, too, have had a torn medial meniscus with arthroscopy (and 2 ACL reconstructions, which I'm SO GLAD you don't need!). In my case, they repaired the meniscus (I wanted to keep as much as possible), and later went in when it wasn't healing well, and removed a small portion. In all honesty, I don't know that they needed to do that, but that was the surgeon's deduction during the scope.
I also had propolfol, and it is my favorite anesthesia because unlike the others, it has never made me ill. I get ill with medications so easily. I won't even have a surgery or procedudre now, unless propolfol is available. I also love that it is out of your system almost right away.
If they repair your meniscus, you will have a period of keeping your knee straight in a brace and being on crutches to allow it to heal. This was me with a 2-year old. Ugh. If they remove a portion, you won't have any restriction. As soon as you get out of surgery, begin tightening your quadriceps muscle and do as much knee flexion (and full extension) as the surgeon will allow. In the case of meniscus removal, your recovery time shouldn't take more than a week, at most.
Good luck!
Kimberley
MC diagnosed 2004
Suspected Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis...??
Meds/Supplements: Probiotics, Prenatal Vitamins, Vitamin D3.
MC diagnosed 2004
Suspected Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis...??
Meds/Supplements: Probiotics, Prenatal Vitamins, Vitamin D3.
Hiya Kim,
Thanks for your insights.
I am not having a repair of the meniscus, so I guess that's better for recovery. Ortho thinks there is a piece of cartilege torn off that he will remove and then even up the edges of the remaining cartilege. He's guessing that about 20% of the medial meniscus will need removal, which will amount to 10% of the total (medial plus lateral) meniscus. I'd much rather have a repair - I hate to lose cartilege because I'm concerned that it may set one up for later arthritis. Have you had any problem with that? Do you do any regular exercise (besides running after kids!)? If so, what kind?
Thanks for the anesthesia info. That is so encouraging. I think they also use some gases after initial induction, but I'm hoping I'll feel great as soon as I wake up. Actually, you now have me looking forward to it. LOL! (I do like that Versed (sp) that they use for colonoscopy).
I have already started exercises on my own. I was concerned that surgery wasn't for 3 weeks and that my muscles would continue to atrophy as I hobble around, so I am doing quad and hamstring exercises, as well as hip adductor/abductor exercises. I called the doc's office and asked if they ever recommended P.T before surgery, and they acted like a I was crazy. But it seems to me that it would only shorten the recovery time.
Yes, you are so right that I am lucky the ligaments are OK. I know they are often injured along with the meniscus. I do have occasional "clicks" in my knee which the doc says is due to the floating piece of cartilege.
Anyway, thanks again. You have really helped to decrease my anxiety level.
Love,
Polly
Thanks for your insights.
I am not having a repair of the meniscus, so I guess that's better for recovery. Ortho thinks there is a piece of cartilege torn off that he will remove and then even up the edges of the remaining cartilege. He's guessing that about 20% of the medial meniscus will need removal, which will amount to 10% of the total (medial plus lateral) meniscus. I'd much rather have a repair - I hate to lose cartilege because I'm concerned that it may set one up for later arthritis. Have you had any problem with that? Do you do any regular exercise (besides running after kids!)? If so, what kind?
Thanks for the anesthesia info. That is so encouraging. I think they also use some gases after initial induction, but I'm hoping I'll feel great as soon as I wake up. Actually, you now have me looking forward to it. LOL! (I do like that Versed (sp) that they use for colonoscopy).
I have already started exercises on my own. I was concerned that surgery wasn't for 3 weeks and that my muscles would continue to atrophy as I hobble around, so I am doing quad and hamstring exercises, as well as hip adductor/abductor exercises. I called the doc's office and asked if they ever recommended P.T before surgery, and they acted like a I was crazy. But it seems to me that it would only shorten the recovery time.
Yes, you are so right that I am lucky the ligaments are OK. I know they are often injured along with the meniscus. I do have occasional "clicks" in my knee which the doc says is due to the floating piece of cartilege.
Anyway, thanks again. You have really helped to decrease my anxiety level.
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Polly,
Reading the discussion here, I wonder if I didn't have a torn meniscus a couple of years ago. After kneeling on pea gravel, while working on some machinery, my left knee didn't want to straighten out, without severe pain. After hobbling around on crutches for a week or so, it slowly improved, but I had to favor it for a long time. For a year or so, afterward, sometimes, if I flexed my knee under load, (such as climbing into the back of a truck, where the step up is a long one), my knee wouldn't straighten back out, until I flexed it again, (unloaded). I don't remember all the details, but I remember it making a clicking sound, also. Hmmmm. Whatever it was, finally healed, because it doesn't bother me anymore, (though I do favor it a bit, since it still seems "weaker" than the other knee. It no longer "hangs up", (where it won't straighten out), and it no longer makes any clicking sounds.
I take two maximum strength glucosamine tablets every day, and have been taking it for about 8 or 9 years, now, along with a daily flax seed oil capsule.
Love,
Tex
Reading the discussion here, I wonder if I didn't have a torn meniscus a couple of years ago. After kneeling on pea gravel, while working on some machinery, my left knee didn't want to straighten out, without severe pain. After hobbling around on crutches for a week or so, it slowly improved, but I had to favor it for a long time. For a year or so, afterward, sometimes, if I flexed my knee under load, (such as climbing into the back of a truck, where the step up is a long one), my knee wouldn't straighten back out, until I flexed it again, (unloaded). I don't remember all the details, but I remember it making a clicking sound, also. Hmmmm. Whatever it was, finally healed, because it doesn't bother me anymore, (though I do favor it a bit, since it still seems "weaker" than the other knee. It no longer "hangs up", (where it won't straighten out), and it no longer makes any clicking sounds.
I take two maximum strength glucosamine tablets every day, and have been taking it for about 8 or 9 years, now, along with a daily flax seed oil capsule.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.