Hi all, I am having some pretty bad problems for the last 5 or 6 days. First the back of my knee was hurting really bad and then the calf right below it started in. I had assumed that the calf muscle was because the back of the knee was making me walk differently. Then my lower calf was hurting really bad, and the longer that I was on my feet rendered me almost unable to walk any other way than by moving my leg from the hip.
Sunday, my leg was itching and so I raised my pant leg a little to scratch.then the delayed reaction telling me that my leg was very smooth. I think took a look and both of my legs had some pretty severe edema and that is why they were hurting so much and the itching too. Sunday night I was thinking and thinking what to do. Everything could possibly be from my spine which also was acting up a lot; it could be something that is wrong with that knee - the same one that I injured when I fell 14 months ago; it could be a reaction to the Levaquin; or it could be a blood clot. After all of my thinking, I thought it best to go to my primary care doctor and if he thought I needed to go to one of my specialists he would refer me. I woke up too late for the 7:30 am walk-in appt slots; so I went for the 12:30 walk-in appt. I showed the doctor and he said that my right leg was much more swollen than the left, and then he did a 'homan's' test that showed positive for possible blood clot. He sent me to the ER again. I got to the ER about 3 pm and things moved a lot smoother than when I went there in June. I was assessed by the triage nurse; got an EKG, then interviewed by the gals that put all the symptoms and update everything else in the computer; then I saw a doctor who read my docs script for what he saw, did, suspects. That doctor put in an order for the ultrasound to check for bloodclots. I got the ultrasound and then another lady needed me to put in my insurance info into the computer (always about money at the hospital). Then I was taken to a little cubicle where the doctor came and told me that there was no blood clots. This is where the visit was different than the one in June. In June the doc talked to me for maybe 30 seconds and then he had his nurse give me discharge instructions and a prescription for Lortabs, when my medical record showed that I was already taking Kadian. Yesterday.after the doctor told me that I didn't have any blood clots, then he said he wanted to ask me some questions before he discharged me. He asked me how long I was having this pain, if it was the same the whole time, and then he actually examined the legs and the knee. I told him that the knee had a torn meniscus, a bone spur on the patella, and some osteo-arthritis. When he heard that, he went back to look at the ultrasound because with those knee injuries a bakers cyst can form in the back of the knee.but that was not the case for me. He then asked me what I could take for pain, and I told him and he said 'OK, you don't need another Rx for pain'. He was getting ready to write a prescription for me, when I pulled the one out that my primary care doctor gave me in case the hospital didn't do anything like last time. My doctor prescribed Lasix, Potassium, and Voltaren tablets (the gel only works when put on the spine centerline or on the knee.) The ER doctor said that my doctor was very well prepared for what I might need. I just had to wait for my discharge papers and then I left. I went to CVS to get my prescriptions filled, and then I didn't have my new Rx insurance card. I gave them the prescription and told them that I would call with the info when I got home. I called and got another gal and she told me that the meds would not be ready until noon today. This is where I lost my composure.I told her that I had spent the entire day and part of the evening at my doctors office and the ER for severe swelling in my legs and very bad pain and that I NEED that medication tonight. She told me to call back at 9pm. Well.I still couldn't take my pain meds because I can't take them and drive. I called at 9 pm and they told me to give them another 15 minutes. Finally, I left home, got to the pharmacy and got back home again. Needless to say, I am in a lot of pain. I am supposed to keep my legs up until some of this gets better. So, I could move my laptop to where the recliner is but I would have Dolly & Desi on my lap so there would be no room for the computer. So.if I don't respond to something or send new email.don't worry about me. I will try to respond to some emails on my phone, but it can't retrieve the messages with attachments, or the fancy signatures. I will check my email only a few times - if any. Monday I go back to my doctor, so I will update all of you then. Thanks. Joan, Dolly Dee & Desi Lou Permanent residents of the Nantucket Clipper Rehabilitation Facility
