10/9/2023 0 Comments I'm all in...When I decided I needed to move more while wearing the velcro compression wraps, I noticed how badly my knees hurt. I already knew my left knee was almost all bone on bone. I asked the doctor to look into my right knee as well - it is also almost all bone on bone. I feel like I am 90 years old trying to walk up stairs. Or down for that matter. And kneeling just never happens.
But in order to get more active to help my LE, I needed to get my knees healthy. So I decided to get the gel injections. Euflexxa. I don't like needles. As it is, I self inject Emgality once a month with an auto injector and I am anxious the entire day before I do it EVERY month. I hate it, and the auto injector hurts. But, I was trying to be strong. I had looked up the needle before making my decision, and saw they weren't that big. I took the plunge and made the appointments. Today was the first appointment. I was scared. I thought "what am I doing???" as I looked at the stuff all set out on the counter. Yes, I was really worked up. The right knee was a breeze. No pain at all, just a pressure that was uncomfortable but bearable. The left knee hurt the second the needle pinched the skin! Mother of all things did it hurt!!! I got lightheaded as she was injecting the gel. When she was done, I didn't feel so good. I was starting to sweat. I was nauseous. I apparently was flushed because she asked it I was okay (and many doctors ask this, dentists, chiropractors, etc, and everytime I think why are you asking? I'm good, just keep doing what you're doing.) This time I really wasn't okay and I knew it. I think she knew it. I said "I don't feel well" She had me lay right down and she put my legs up, and even gave me a cook rag for my head. My eyes started to water. I don't think I was crying, but I might have been. She told me, this is a Fight or Flight response. You are so tense or worked up about something, then you either realize it's not so bad, or it's over, then your body relaxes quickly, and your BP drops. It's a common occurrence. Once I got up and moving I sat in the car for a moment, and the left one still ached/pinched not sure the correct word to explain it. I started to cry. I admit I can be a big baby, but not like this. I wasn't crying from the pain. I think it was the adrenaline wearing off causing me to cry hysterically. I cried the whole way home. Yes, I should've pulled over. I had planned to stop and get a coffee on the way home as a treat for going through with the shots, but I had no interest in stopping anywhere. I just wanted to get home and sit down. Doctor wanted me to move around after the shots, but the left knee freaking hurts still! And both feel stiff and uncomfortable. This sucks, lol... but I had no idea what to expect. It just feels funky. I'm walking funny because of how it feels. Two more days of injections-ugh... But I do love my doctor and I trust her. I mean, she is the doctor for our city's NHL team... and I'm no athlete, lol.
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AuthorI am living with Lymphedema for the past 20 years, however I wasn't diagnosed correctly until summer 2022. There is no cure, just managing the swelling and uncomfortable heaviness. I am now trying to learn how to make managing it and incorporate it into my daily life. Archives
January 2024
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