TVCH FORUMS HOME . JOIN . FAN CLUBS . ABOUT US . CONTACT . CHAT  
Bomis   Quick Links   TOPICS . TREE-VIEW . SEARCH . HELP! . NEWS . PROFILE
Archive through December 30, 2004

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Mar. ~ 2005 May: Health Center (ARCHIVES): Aches and Pains - YUCK!: ARCHIVES: Archive through December 30, 2004 users admin

Author Message
Ginger1218
Member

08-31-2001

Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 9:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I actually hate to complain, but I am just having so much pain lately, that I feel like screaming. I have been having trouble with my knee for at least 6 months. I have tried ignoring it, and have not checked it out. I think I have no choice now. It feels like there is a hot knife going through my knee from one side through the other.
Also for the past week my right elbow has been killing me, on the bone. It makes my whole arm hurt. I think it is time for me to see an orthopedist.
Also, the herniated discs in my neck are not feeling that great either LOL.
I hate to complain and I do not let these things stop me. Perhaps that is why I don't go to the doctor, I am afraid he will tell me I have to rest or god forbid, have surgery.
Well, thanks for letting me vent.

Mak1
Member

08-12-2002

Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 10:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Gentle hugs for you, (((Ginger))). Of course you know the answer is to see a doctor. I know, I know, I would dread the same things you are, but the doctor might have some non-invasive measures that can help. You won't know if you don't go ask. It's fortunate that you can be stoic and not let this incredible pain stop you....but you deserve to feel better.

A couple years ago I started having severe knee pain, along with near-constant aching in my neck, back and hips. The stabbing knee pain got so bad, causing me to limp, waking me up, etc., that I had to have it checked. My doc said to try an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory daily. I started taking daily Aleve and added an exercise program. I avoided the exercises that put a lot of stress on the knees, though I am able to do them now. Some days, especially stormy days, I still have some pain, but it's far less than what I had before.

The cause of your pain may be completely different from mine, and I'm not saying this will be the answer for you, just offering some hope that it may be easier to treat than you think.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 10:38 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ginger, I think seeing a doc is your only choice.

Anyone know if a pain in the back (upper left side) is any indication of any kind of heart problem? I woke up with a pulled muscle type pain in my upper left back and my arm feels somewhat numb-slightly and I also have had a bit of a chest pain in the area where my heart is... I'm thinking it's more a pulled muscle but not sure.... (maybe I am a hypochondriac)

Ginger1218
Member

08-31-2001

Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 10:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Julie, does it hurt even when you don't move? Does it hurt when you take a breath? If it hurts even if you don't move, then I suggest you go to the emergency room. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Karuuna
Member

08-31-2000

Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 11:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Julie, do you have any shortness of breath, light-headedness or nausea? Cold sweats? what about jaw pain? The symptoms you describe can be early signs of heart trouble, but are generally accompanied by some of these other symptoms.

Ginger, you should see a doctor, but one you really trust and who is very open minded. where exactly is the pain? Across the top of your knee, or middle, or bottom? From side to side? Or down one side (inner or outer)? It can be many different things depending on the exact location of the pain.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 12:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Having fibro, I know how you feel, I hurt every day and I hate it!!!

Ginger, I agree you should see a doc at least for peace of mind and to get some relief

Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 2:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Julie...I had that same thing earlier this fall, but mine was lung congestion. Scared me!

Ginger....hot baths? Alleve or Orudis would be good.

My spinal column (all of it) has ached for the last ten days. I can still put my chin on my chest so I know that it is not meningitis. I had a fever about a week ago, but I'm just feeling like I'm about as old as my screen-name!

I think I have a flu-like virus. Strange headaches, ear ache, ringing in the ears, mild sore throat, etc. etc.

Ginger...have you done some exercising in a pool? It's supposed to be good on the knees. I've had all kinds of knee problems and ACL replacement and lots of PT, but I've never had a sharp knife-like pain except right after surgery. Sounds like you need to see the doc! (ARE YOU WEARING FLAT COMFY SHOES? This is no time to be the "shoe queen!")

HUGS to everyone and may our aches and pains go away soon!

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 3:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Well I laid down for a bit. I then remembered that I lifted a 40 lb bag of kitty litter upstairs last night. Duh! Shoulda waited and had dh do that. So I think that rules out the back/shoulderblade pain.

But my arm still feels a bit "sleepy" and I do feel a slight tight chest pain in my heart area. So I am not sure what that is.

2 years ago I had something similar and they did one of those echo things where they do an ultrasound of the heart, then make you run on a treadmill, then literally throw you down to take another ultrasound while your heartrate is super high. The results from that showed everything to be ok.

The thing is I normally would just go to my regular doc and ask him. He'd probably do more tests (I am guessing).

The problem is we do not have regular health insurance. We have "emergency" type where the deductible is $2500. We are in enough trouble as it is (dh has been out of work since Aug.) financially. I know my health is very important, but arrgh, I don't know what to do.

Guess I will wait and see if things get worse or not. I'll keep ya posted...




Mak1
Member

08-12-2002

Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 2:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
This week, after hearing news reports about possible heart attack risk with use of Aleve, I quit taking it. This is my fifth day not taking it, and I am in so much pain. It's exhausting me. It takes energy just to walk on my stiff, aching knee, and my back is nearly in spasms. Maybe it is spasming, I don't know, it hurts so bad. I did PT stretches I've been taught, plus some new ones my DD taught me. They hurt. I quit the Aleve because I have a family history of early fatal heart attacks. I know I need to see my doctor, but for today while he isn't open, I just had to come here and whine instead of driving my DH nuts. :-(

Ginger1218
Member

08-31-2001

Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 2:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
awww hugging my little Makster, I know how you feel darlin. But, I am trying to ignore it.

Egbok
Member

07-13-2000

Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 2:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Awww Mak, I'm so sorry to hear this news from you. Also, I hadn't heard that news about Aleve and I sure appreciate learning about it now.

I will say, since turning 50, I've been feeling a few of those aches and pains and I'm not liking it much! The one thing I've come to realize is that once I stopped my exercise routine at Curves, the little aches and pains were very obvious to me. Sooo....I guess I'd better get my hiney back into the Curves routine and fast!

So my dear Mak, please come in here and vent all you want....I hope that while you're venting, it takes your mind off the pain you are experiencing.

((((Mak))))


Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 3:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Mak, how much calcium do you take? I know if I don't take mine regularly (1200 mg), my joints just ache.
I have also noticed when I stopped my estrogen, I ached incredibly. Have you had your hormone levels checked?

Mak1
Member

08-12-2002

Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 7:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks {{{Ginger, Eggie, and Annie}}}. It does help to have friends to commiserate with. DH cares, but he worries so much about me, I hate to do that to him. I thought I would do pretty well without the anti-inflammatory because I work out so regularly, so I'm also feeling disheartened to realize how much pain I've been covering.

Annie, I'm taking 660 mg of calcium daily. I tried to take more but started having those awful cramps in my calves, which went away again when I cut back my dosage. I haven't had my hormone levels checked. Is it important to know my levels?

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 8:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wow, you had cramps with more calcium?

I do take 1200 a day of calcium, plus once a week Fosamax .. my mom had early osteoporosis, which alerted her docs to put her on premarin (this was many years ago) and up her calcium -- later it was just calcium and as much exercise as she could tolerate with empphysema.. so I started taking calcium in my thirties.. still, I had some bone density loss, osteopoenia so did a couple of years of prempro but eased off of it before the problems with long term use of that hit the fan. I also have very small bones and fit in several hi risk groups for bone loss, but.. the cool thing is I've seen actual improvement in the scans taken since Fosamax!! and I'd hope that 10 monthes of Curves has perhaps helped me to at least maintain that gain.

I never started on vioxx or celebrexx although I had samples of each, but my pains and aches are just not consistent enough to make me want to take something daily.

I was sad to see the reports about Aleve, but remember, they are just some reports..

Mak.. I can certainly understand your concern because of your family history and I'm sure you will be on the phone with your doctor tomorrow, but hate to see you go off what has been succesful in such an abrupt, cold turkey way.

I sure hope you and your doctor can come up with a comfortable alternative. I hate to think of you in pain like that..

YES, it is important to know your levels of hormones.. that can be used to help evaluate what your body might lack and/or need..

Ketchuplover
Member

08-30-2000

Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 8:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
(((everybody)))

Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 8:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I like taking Orudis. (Ketoprophen). It is in a different drug class. I don't know what the side effects are, but it is amazing for getting rid of muscle spasms, cramps, and headaches. I used to have a prescription for 4 times the over the counter dosage, so if I'm really bad I would take two. Try it and see if it works.

Do hot soaks in the bath help? I'm also trying to relieve muscle pain. I shovelled too much snow too fast for a little over an hour. I have found muscles I never knew I had. SIGH.

Keep up with the PT exercises! Get better soon, and I'm glad you are off the Aleve!

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 9:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Mak, I can't believe you had cramps with extra calcium either! That usually happens to me if I had a diurectic, not calcium
I have found if I am low on estrogen, I will get achy joints, that's why I mentioned the hormone check.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, December 27, 2004 - 9:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
{{{Mak1}}} Hope you get something for the pain SOON and get back in the swing of things.

Mak1
Member

08-12-2002

Monday, December 27, 2004 - 12:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks for the care and good advice, {{{Sea, KL, Marm, Annie and Juju}}}.

I have no explanation for this....but today the pain has eased by about 60-70%. I was able to do my complete workout at the gym with no problems. Other than minor stiffness in my lower back and one knee, I feel fine today. There was a storm on the way yesterday which has ended today. I've heard of people being able to forecast the weather with their achy joints, but I don't want to be one of them!

Yes, Sea, it was probably foolish to stop the Aleve cold turkey like that. I decided to go a few days and see what would happen. :-(

The Aleve study that raised the concern was being conducted on patients over the age of 70. I'm holding out hope that it will turn out to be a false alarm. Until then, the recommendation is to use OTC meds as directed. I checked Orudis today, and like Aleve and the others, it says to use no more than ten days. If pain persists after that, you're to discontinue use and see your doctor.

I've only seen my new doctor once, but he seems very sharp. I'll make an appointment with him soon and will be sure to ask about the calcium needs and hormone levels, too. I had a bone density scan and treadmill stress test this month, which both were normal.

Ginger1218
Member

08-31-2001

Monday, December 27, 2004 - 12:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Mak, you mean you're not over the age of 70???

LOL, running out

Mak1
Member

08-12-2002

Monday, December 27, 2004 - 12:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
running right after you, loaded with snowballs!

Kiersten_love
Member

08-03-2001

Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 12:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Mak1, I just want to tell you that I have been taking Naprosyn for about 10 years now...I get and take the generic, by prescription, naproxen 500mg. twice daily, and I can tell you so far it has not caused any problems for me. Oh first let me make this clear, there are times when I don't need to take them, but i would say that i do take it about 2 to 3 weeks every single month twice daily. Perhaps I am just lucky in taking it, but with the pains I have daily, I have no choice but to take them, on top of other meds too. I just had a stress test done, and only because while taking my migraine meds, Relpax, it gave me a false heart attack, in other words i had all the sympthoms, so off to the docs i went and had all the tests done..i told them what i was taking, and to my surprise I am very healthy. So talk to your doctor about aleve, and see if perhaps he can prescribe something else in the non-steroidal pain meds, and if you are really worried, ask him to recommend a cardiologist so you can be assured that your health is fine, and that you can take whatever meds you may need for pain...Thats what I would do. I can only hope this helps in some way for you, Hugs

Mak1
Member

08-12-2002

Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 6:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thank you, {{{Kiersten}}}. I'm actually doing much better now. Yesterday my back was hurting more than it had been, so I took Aleve, and it helped. They haven't told people to stop using it totally, but just to use it as per label instructions. I will discuss it with my doctor next time I see him.

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 1:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
That sounds wise, Mak!! Pain is also not good for you either..

Kiersten_love
Member

08-03-2001

Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 3:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
You are very welcome Mak. I wish you good health always.