Hi, Susan:

You are explaining yourself very good. I can relate as I have osteoarthritis and have had double, total hip replacements and need my knees replaced one day. I had my hips replaced together (not a good idea, but had no choice) several years ago. I still deal with pain and now the knee pain is really bad.

My fiance' has degenerative disc diseas for year's and also cannot take ibuprofen or tylenol. Has your doctor suggested other pain medications?

I use ice gel packs for pain relief during the night, nights are bad with arthritis as the more you are motionless, you get stiff.

The way it was explained to me is bone on bone pain (knees) and other joints have to be moving as much as possible, with resting periods in between. elevated your feet, your husband also, rather you legs also with a bean bag pillow, a small one under your hips.

Sleep is my enemy.

I expected to be pain free after my hips were replaced, Wrong ! I have accepted that I will be in pain all the time and try to alleviate the best I can. Hope I helped some.

p.s. I go to sleep with audiobooks from the library, my escape and my sedative. Can't sleep due to pain and pop on the headset.

Take care, write back if you want.

JANDJANDS

I have degenerating discs, arthritis and scoliosis in my back. For the past 4 months I have had muscle pain and also the pain as Susan has described. My Dr. couldn't find anything out so he sent me to a specialist and on Wednesday (June 23) he did the pressure point thing and told me he is 90% sure I have Fibromyalgia. He took blood tests and xrays to find out what the other 10% of my pain is.

He also said I probably have Myofascial pain syndrome and restless leg syndrome.

I have been on Cymbalta for 3 years for depression and the Dr. said that it is suppose to help me. It has helped with depression but not for any other pain. So they are thinking about increasing the dosage of my Cymbalta.

I understand your pain Susan and you explained it well.

Lynn South Carolina

Thanks Lynn: Fibromyalgia crossed my mind also. It does seem like its more of a Sciatica type pain and Arthritis. When I get up in the morning, it takes me awhile to work out the pain for me to walk. That is more of a Arthritis type thing. Then I am getting up during the night with bladder issues, and everytime I have to get up and walk to the bathroom I am in pain. It feels like weights in my legs when I try to walk. I do not know much about Fibromyalgia. Hope you start to feel better. I was on medication for depression also, but I also have Leukemia. I quit the medication, and actually feel better mentally.
Thanks for your response.
Susan

Hello, I have arthritis everywhere too and find that first trip to the bathroom to be a real test! Sometimes I feel depressed and others just resigned. I have an ache that goes up the outside of each calf sometimes. I figure it's just whichever nerve I've been squishing by damaged vertebrae. Here's to us! faye

So the question is: Why are our bodies hating us so much? That is what I asked my Dr. he looked at me and didn't say anything...okay so much for that answer. smile.

I just have to learn to stop and rest more instead of doing everything RIGHT NOW! But then the guilt rides in. Oh I never thought I would be in this shape at the age of 60.

Hi Lynn: I like that question, maybe I should ask my doctors the same thing. Also, I always feel like I have to do everything. If I do not get it done right away, it bothers me. I have to try to relax and realize that laundry is going to wait for me until I feel up to it.
I have had a little relief with that thigh pain all of a sudden, but it felt like my knees were twisted for 2 days. Felt like my knee cap was on the side of my leg. I am 62. Take Care