Questions about osteoarthritis.

Posted by ssbionicknee @ssbionicknee, Aug 24, 2018

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 2009. I have a high tolerance for pain and waited until I was bone on bone and my leg was locking up before going back to the doctor. By the time I went to the doctor a TKR on my right knee was my only option.I have been out of work since April 29 and my surgery was May 14. I was put to the head of the line because my knee was a mess. This is my question about osteoarthritis. I have OA in my left knee as well. In fact it is slowing down the healing in my right knee because it is now hurting from being the weight bearing leg. The plan is to get the 3 injections in my left knee to help my right knee improve, but I know I am close to needing that one replaced as well.The surgeon said it was borderline. I also have osteoarthritis in my neck, spine, and shoulder and I have a herniated disc in my neck. I am 52 and I have a job that is physically demanding. Heavy lifting and on my feet all day. Because of this I am often in pain, which I tend to ignore, but am realizing I need to be listening to my body a little more. I do not think that I can do my active job anymore. I also can't sit at a desk for long periods of time. That hurts my lower back and sciatic nerve. I am at a crossroad here.At what point does it become a disability? I have the left knee that is going quickly downhill followed by my right shoulder. Has anyone had to make this decision and how did you know it was time?

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@grandmar

@lioness
What I had was not related to Bell's Palsy at all.
It was just the Shingle's virus that travelled to my eyes.
Other than the 2 little dots behind my ears, I didn't have any other spots and no breakouts anywhere else.
I don't know anyone else who had my experience.
Ronnie

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Grandmar yes I dont either glad your o.k. Now have you gotten your show ngles shot?ask your Dr about it ,if not

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@lioness

Grandmar yes I dont either glad your o.k. Now have you gotten your show ngles shot?ask your Dr about it ,if not

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@lioness
Good Morning!!
First off, please 'call' me Ronnie. Thank you!
It's funny because when I actually got the Shingles, my hubby and I were waiting for the doctor to get the shot in. It came in during all this and gave it to us then.
Our doctor informed us that there is a new Shingles shot for us to take. It is a two parter. You get one part, wait a few weeks and then get the other part.
We got the first part. We went back, when we were told to, for the second.
Would you believe that they haven't gotten it?
Apparently, they are making something like a million dosages in a clip and distributing using a lottery.
No one around here (Central Florida) has the part 2 dose!
The second part has to be given within 4-6 months and it's already been 1 month.
Isn't that interesting?????
Oh well, it is what it is!

Have a wonderful and pain free day!
Ronnie

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@grandmar

@lioness
Good Morning!!
First off, please 'call' me Ronnie. Thank you!
It's funny because when I actually got the Shingles, my hubby and I were waiting for the doctor to get the shot in. It came in during all this and gave it to us then.
Our doctor informed us that there is a new Shingles shot for us to take. It is a two parter. You get one part, wait a few weeks and then get the other part.
We got the first part. We went back, when we were told to, for the second.
Would you believe that they haven't gotten it?
Apparently, they are making something like a million dosages in a clip and distributing using a lottery.
No one around here (Central Florida) has the part 2 dose!
The second part has to be given within 4-6 months and it's already been 1 month.
Isn't that interesting?????
Oh well, it is what it is!

Have a wonderful and pain free day!
Ronnie

Jump to this post

@grandmar

Good morning Ronnie,

I was also thinking about the newest Shingles vaccine however, I found that my insurance didn't cover very much of it and my portion was going to be nearly $200. Is it the same price in Florida? My insurance, Medicare Part F, usually covers everything.

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@grandmar

@lioness
Hi!
It was really strange! I used to be an elementary school principal.
It was at the end of the day and my students were trying out for our yearly talent show.
I went into the all-purpose room (that is what they build now, a catch all room....lunchroom, gym and auditorium) to watch.
My vision was blurry and I had a headache over my brow.
I thought I was tired and that my allergies were bothersome.
I went home and I was OK.
The following day, I was driving to work when all of a sudden I felt my eyes crossing and I had to work hard to uncross them.
I got to work. Thank goodness it was around the corner from where I lived.
When I got to work, my eyes were blurry and I had a hard time focusing, even with my glasses.
Later on in the morning, I was walking down the hall and I felt my eyes crossing and I was not able to uncross them.
I made an emergency appointment to see the eye doctor.
He was the one who said he thought I had Shingles in my eyes.
No rash and not really painful, just blurry and weird.
He suggested I see my primary care doctor, which I did.
She was puzzled. I didn't have a rash. I did, however, have 2 little pimples behind my right ear that was irritated. I thought from my glasses.
She took a culture and told me to keep in contact with her.
The following day she was very worried and sent me for a brain scan. I was terrified.
When I got the call and they said everything was alright, I broke down and handed the phone to my hubby.
Things did not get any better for a couple of days so I was sent to an eye institute in Philadelphia.
They looked at all the scans and took a ton of blood.
They said I had 6th Nerve Palsy.
Two days later, the results from the culture...…..I had Shingles!
Apparently, the virus part (ONLY) of the Shingles went into the nerves of my eyes.
It took about 3 months for my eyes to straighten out. It made working difficult!
As a result, I have a difficult time tracking when I read, I lost some peripheral vision, and sometimes my eyes move involuntarily.
I am told that it is possible that the palsy can return, especially if I get another virus that goes into my eyes.

Interesting? Huh?
Have a pleasant evening!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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@grandmar

Ronnie, I never knew that Shingles could be so difficult to diagnose. Your case was really unusual. I appreciate your sharing that story. It might help someone down the road.

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@grandmar

@lioness
Good Morning!!
First off, please 'call' me Ronnie. Thank you!
It's funny because when I actually got the Shingles, my hubby and I were waiting for the doctor to get the shot in. It came in during all this and gave it to us then.
Our doctor informed us that there is a new Shingles shot for us to take. It is a two parter. You get one part, wait a few weeks and then get the other part.
We got the first part. We went back, when we were told to, for the second.
Would you believe that they haven't gotten it?
Apparently, they are making something like a million dosages in a clip and distributing using a lottery.
No one around here (Central Florida) has the part 2 dose!
The second part has to be given within 4-6 months and it's already been 1 month.
Isn't that interesting?????
Oh well, it is what it is!

Have a wonderful and pain free day!
Ronnie

Jump to this post

Hi Ronnie I didn't know about the newest shot. I did have to get the newest pneumonia shot I,ll have to check with Dr.about that.have a good day If my grammar is off its this Kindle that cant spell !lol

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Hi @hopeful33250, @grandmar, @lioness and everyone else. My doctor told me about the new shingles vaccine earlier this year. I had the old one a few years ago but he recommended getting the new one also which is a two shot series like you mentioned. I found out I could get it at my local Sam's Club Pharmacy and that's where I found out it wasn't covered by Medicare or my Minnesota UCare plan. I'm still on the fence on getting the shot but I know how painful shingles is from relatives and friends so I will probably get it this year. Here's some info that may be helpful:

Mayo Clinic Q and A: New shingles vaccine recommended for most adults over age 50
-- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-new-shingles-vaccine-recommended-for-most-adults-over-age-50/

What are my options for the shingles vaccine? If I've already had shingles, should I get the vaccine so that I don't get shingles again?
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/expert-answers/shingles-vaccine/faq-20057859

John

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@hopeful33250

@grandmar

Good morning Ronnie,

I was also thinking about the newest Shingles vaccine however, I found that my insurance didn't cover very much of it and my portion was going to be nearly $200. Is it the same price in Florida? My insurance, Medicare Part F, usually covers everything.

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My insurance company told me they would not cover the shot if I got it at a clinic or hospital. They would cover it if I got it at a pharmacy outside of a clinic or hospital but I would still pay about $85.

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@johnbishop

Hi @hopeful33250, @grandmar, @lioness and everyone else. My doctor told me about the new shingles vaccine earlier this year. I had the old one a few years ago but he recommended getting the new one also which is a two shot series like you mentioned. I found out I could get it at my local Sam's Club Pharmacy and that's where I found out it wasn't covered by Medicare or my Minnesota UCare plan. I'm still on the fence on getting the shot but I know how painful shingles is from relatives and friends so I will probably get it this year. Here's some info that may be helpful:

Mayo Clinic Q and A: New shingles vaccine recommended for most adults over age 50
-- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-new-shingles-vaccine-recommended-for-most-adults-over-age-50/

What are my options for the shingles vaccine? If I've already had shingles, should I get the vaccine so that I don't get shingles again?
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/expert-answers/shingles-vaccine/faq-20057859

John

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Thanks for that info, John. We don't have a Sam's Club nearby, most have closed. However, I'll call Costco and see what they are charging.

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@bonnieh218

My insurance company told me they would not cover the shot if I got it at a clinic or hospital. They would cover it if I got it at a pharmacy outside of a clinic or hospital but I would still pay about $85.

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Bonnie, Was this your prescription plan that said that or your Medicare supplement insurance?

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@hopeful33250

Bonnie, Was this your prescription plan that said that or your Medicare supplement insurance?

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This was my supplemental insurance plan. I live in MN and have Blue Cross. I have the Blue Plus policy which is a MN policy.
I didn’t think of my prescription plan. I am going to call them next week and see what they say. Thanks.

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