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You can make a break, you can win or lose/That's the chance you take. . .
Early to the knee doctor, which took much longer than I had expected. Good job that I'd decided not to mess around with sick leave and swapped out Thursday for Tuesday at the day-job this week.
Verdict, after x-ray and discussion: Some arthritis, not much; some cartilage wear, minor. Possible tear in the cartilage, and thus there is an MRI in my very near future. If cartilage is torn, then laparoscopic surgery to mend it. If not a tear, then it's the arthritis and we'll talk.
Hit Dairy Queen, where we snabbled milkshakes to tide us over while we grabbed Hexapuma, who was still having catbox issues this morning before we left, and raced him back down to Waterville. He received a muscle relaxant shot (for bladder spasms) and a pill. Hexapuma, lest ye be unaware, hatesHatesHATES to be pilled. The doctor called in reinforcements -- a slender young lady armed with a large, floofy towel -- in order to get the first pill in place, and then not easily. He then handed us the bottle with instructions to, "Do that again tomorrow."
We are now home. Steve is a Hero of the Revolution, having accompanied me to the knee consultation and sat through the exam, and! driving like a pro in order to deliver the PumaCat to the doctor before the office closed for lunch.
I am now Officially Exhausted, and am contemplating a nap in lieu of lunch.
Oh, and it's raining.
Verdict, after x-ray and discussion: Some arthritis, not much; some cartilage wear, minor. Possible tear in the cartilage, and thus there is an MRI in my very near future. If cartilage is torn, then laparoscopic surgery to mend it. If not a tear, then it's the arthritis and we'll talk.
Hit Dairy Queen, where we snabbled milkshakes to tide us over while we grabbed Hexapuma, who was still having catbox issues this morning before we left, and raced him back down to Waterville. He received a muscle relaxant shot (for bladder spasms) and a pill. Hexapuma, lest ye be unaware, hatesHatesHATES to be pilled. The doctor called in reinforcements -- a slender young lady armed with a large, floofy towel -- in order to get the first pill in place, and then not easily. He then handed us the bottle with instructions to, "Do that again tomorrow."
We are now home. Steve is a Hero of the Revolution, having accompanied me to the knee consultation and sat through the exam, and! driving like a pro in order to deliver the PumaCat to the doctor before the office closed for lunch.
I am now Officially Exhausted, and am contemplating a nap in lieu of lunch.
Oh, and it's raining.
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My sympathies on trying to pill Hex. I have to tell my vet that a pill is just not an option. Shots are preferable to pills by my kitty.
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I'm going through much the same with my knee right now (though the MRI didnot find a tear, much to the surprise of my doctor based on my symptoms) so I'm currently in P&T twice a week for it to strenghten the bloody thing. The high point of it all (and this may be helpful for you) is that my PT uses a cortisone patch on me (it has to stay on for 24 hours) to help with the achy/pain issues and its been a life saver. I spent a goodly portion of the past weekend in a card traveling/and standing around in lines and while I had some aches, no sever pain enough to break into the narcotics.
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1. I've found that when I skip taking the chronditon/glucosamine/msm I notice it.
2. Try both heat & cold and see which works best for you. It may also turn out to be a combination. I started out being only able to tolerate heat but I can actually do cold sometimes now.
3. When you start feeling actual pain, as opposed to the 'burn' of exercise... rest! Your body gives you pain signals for a reason. Pay attention.
4. If your doctor gives you pain medication, take it. S/he didn't give it to you for a lark. That doesn't mean to overdo it... but don't be a martyr either. Trust me on this one. Especially if you end up having to have surgery. OTOH don't medicate so much that you can't tell that you're overdoing things.
5. PT is a Good Thing™. But make sure that you listen to your body. Remember that you've lived with it all your life and you can interpret its signals much better than someone who just met you. They are experienced with how a body should work and can teach you a lot, but otoh they don't know the particular way that your body works.
6. Check out topical pain relievers such as Tiger Balm (found near the Ben Gay... the red stains btw and don't get it near mucus membranes!) or the sprays. They work for some people but not for others.
7. If it's arthritis, try putting a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water and drinking it every morning.
8. Feel better SOON!!
Oh, and I don't envy you on pilling Hexapuma... I've had to pill Cats Who Shall Not Be Pilled™. It's... an experience.
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Although it's primarily intended for joint health, it also helps reduce irritation in the bladder. We've had good results.
Good luck with the knee, and with the Epic Cat Pilling Battle...
Piling a cat
(Anonymous) 2009-07-04 12:55 am (UTC)(link)Barbara in Texas
Getting pills into cat...
(Anonymous) 2009-07-05 12:10 am (UTC)(link)Foil packet like treats. Comes in multiple flavors for cats and other flavors for dogs. Expensive, but worth it. Get every flavor variety you can get hands on, you'll need it. Smart cats get wise and eat around pill (or avoid entirely) after a week or two, in my experience with my two girls, but while it works, it's WONDERFUL!
Alternative for pills down cats...
(Anonymous) 2009-07-05 12:14 am (UTC)(link)http://www.petrx.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=719
pill pockets for cats
(Anonymous) 2009-07-13 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)Cats loved them so much I could not leave the pouch out in the open - had to shut it in the cupboard. Occasionally give as treats just to keep them interested.
Judy
heyjude72ATgmail.com