Pain, stress and anxiety suck

[skygazer]

I suffer chronic pain at the best of times - I have arthritis in much of my body and it's a constant bother but right now on top of that, I'm dealing with pain in my knees. I recently had the second surgery on my left knee and now my right knee is acting up and I fear I have the same shit happening there (torn meniscus).

The left knee was doing well until a week ago when it started hurting again during physical therapy. My doctor has advised me to back off the PT for a week but I suspect it's simply torn again - I wonder if I'm one of those lucky people who are prone to this. I just had an MRI done on the right knee and am awaiting the results.

It makes it almost impossible to exercise - just walking to my mailbox makes them ache - and in addition, I worry about my job. I'm on leave right now but I need my job and it involves a lot of heavy lifting for which I need my knees.

I can't take care of my knees without the job because the job provides the insurance. I can't do the job with the lousy knees. Catch-22.

All this causes so much anxiety that my libido is about zilch and I can't even enjoy sex because everything hurts. Which makes me more depressed which causes more anxiety which doesn't help at all.

I just needed to express that. Thanks for listening.

:nuke:

[auntAgonist]

1. I can't imagine chronic pain and suffering ..

but I do hope the days get better for you. I have a :hug: to offer you and best wishes for better health :)

aA

[skygazer]

2. Thanks aA

Sometimes I feel ashamed because so many people have it so much worse than I do. I guess I wouldn't do well if I was paralyzed or something. ~sigh~

I've just always been able to do whatever I wanted or needed to and to be limited now frustrates the heck out of me.

[auntAgonist]

5. Never feel ashamed!

So many have it worse than so many of us, it doesn't make your suffering any less.

Hang in there :hug:


aA

[SPKrazy]

3. Catch 22 Sucks

Hyalgen injections in your knee?

:hug:

deep breathing

sleep

mebbe your partner can find ways to help you enjoy sex without causing more pain?

Probably even some information available for that ;)

[Mojambo]

4. Perhaps aquatic excercise might be a help.

I have bad knees as well and swimming allows one to get some cardio exercise without the stress on the knees.

A little cardio should make you feel a lot better, even though you'll still be struggling with the pain.

Best of luck!

[skygazer]

6. That's a good idea, thanks

I've fiddled around with some yoga and pilates but so much of it puts a strain on my knees. I'll check that out - part of what drives me stir crazy is feeling so out of shape.

[NC_Nurse]

7. I know what you're talking about.

My knees are bad too. My job is pretty dependent on my mobility. I have had some sort of upper respiratory virus for a week and I still fell
crappy. I am anxious about MANY things and I can hardly remember what a libido is.

All I can offer is sympathy and a :hug: