Lots of tooth and jaw pain around the bridge in the lower right rear. The dentist took xrays and poked around. Told me to come back if it gets worse.
This area of my mouth has been troubling me for 10 months.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Follow up exam with the knee doctor
It has been almost six months since my knee replacement. Today's visit was for x-rays and an exam by the doctor. He said everything was coming along very well and he wanted to see me again in six months.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Pre-medicating for a root canal
I had a root canal today on tooth #20. And he prepped me for a new crown on that tooth.
The dentist had me begain taking Clindamycin last Thursday. He wanted me to start five days before the procedure and keep taking it for five days after. Three per day, a total of 30. It's strange to take a drug when there's no infection because I had a knee operation six months ago.
I had a bad reaction to the drug and called him and the knee surgeon's nurse about the violent diahrrea I was having. Both told me it was the best drug for pre-medicating in this situation and I should keep on with it. And take lots of Imodium and eat plenty of yogurt.
I finish the pills on Saturday and I can't wait.
The dentist had me begain taking Clindamycin last Thursday. He wanted me to start five days before the procedure and keep taking it for five days after. Three per day, a total of 30. It's strange to take a drug when there's no infection because I had a knee operation six months ago.
I had a bad reaction to the drug and called him and the knee surgeon's nurse about the violent diahrrea I was having. Both told me it was the best drug for pre-medicating in this situation and I should keep on with it. And take lots of Imodium and eat plenty of yogurt.
I finish the pills on Saturday and I can't wait.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Pre-medicating for dental work
Today I had my first dentistry since the knee replacement -- a teeth cleaning. And it was way overdue.
Since the cleaning can insert bacteria into the bloodstream, the knee surgeon prescribed Cephalexin to prevent any possibility of infecting the left knee. I had to take 4-500mg capsules one hour before the cleaning. That's a huge dose of a nasty antibiotic.
The cleaning went well but some decay was spotted heading toward the center of a tooth. So I need a root canal and a new crown in a couple of weeks. For this procedure the dentist prescribed a different antibiotic, Clindamycin, and I am to take it three times a day for ten days starting five days before the root canal appointment.
I checked with the knee surgeon's triage nurse and she has no problem with me doing what the dentist advised.
Since the cleaning can insert bacteria into the bloodstream, the knee surgeon prescribed Cephalexin to prevent any possibility of infecting the left knee. I had to take 4-500mg capsules one hour before the cleaning. That's a huge dose of a nasty antibiotic.
The cleaning went well but some decay was spotted heading toward the center of a tooth. So I need a root canal and a new crown in a couple of weeks. For this procedure the dentist prescribed a different antibiotic, Clindamycin, and I am to take it three times a day for ten days starting five days before the root canal appointment.
I checked with the knee surgeon's triage nurse and she has no problem with me doing what the dentist advised.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Five months after my left knee replacement surgery
It has been a month since my last report and there has been more improvement in the pain levels and in my gait. My left knee itself rarely has any pain at all. The discomfort is nearly always on my right side (the side that didn't have the surgery) -- I get pains in the lower back, right above the right knee and in my right heel and foot. Riding the bike at the gym is helpful as is swimming. I should go to the gym more often; I swim every day.
I have noticed when I am walking my left knee is making more noise than it did at first. There is a clicking now and then and if I'm sitting and extend the knee there is a "gravelly" sensation. If you lay your hand on the knee you can feel it crackling when the knee flexes. It doesn't hurt at all. I will mention it to the doctor when I see him for a followup appointment in two weeks.
Something else to mention to the doctor are leg cramps at night in the lower left leg. Two or three times a week.
Car trips and sitting too long, like at a play, make me very stiff and it takes a few minutes to stand straight and walk comfortably. This is when I need the cane. And I use it. I can't imagine taking a long plane trip and then needing to rush to another gate. But I guess I could do it if I had to.
Going to the circus in Mobile was difficult -- a long drive, a long walk from the parking lot and many stairs to climb to get to our seats. I was lame the next day. My stamina is very low and is slow to return.
On the good side I am having less pain at night and need fewer prescription painkillers. Tylenol works most of the time.
I have noticed when I am walking my left knee is making more noise than it did at first. There is a clicking now and then and if I'm sitting and extend the knee there is a "gravelly" sensation. If you lay your hand on the knee you can feel it crackling when the knee flexes. It doesn't hurt at all. I will mention it to the doctor when I see him for a followup appointment in two weeks.
Something else to mention to the doctor are leg cramps at night in the lower left leg. Two or three times a week.
Car trips and sitting too long, like at a play, make me very stiff and it takes a few minutes to stand straight and walk comfortably. This is when I need the cane. And I use it. I can't imagine taking a long plane trip and then needing to rush to another gate. But I guess I could do it if I had to.
Going to the circus in Mobile was difficult -- a long drive, a long walk from the parking lot and many stairs to climb to get to our seats. I was lame the next day. My stamina is very low and is slow to return.
On the good side I am having less pain at night and need fewer prescription painkillers. Tylenol works most of the time.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Four months after knee surgery
Four months after and there's been some progress, but the progress has slowed down -- a lot.
I did some research online about this slow down and discovered that it's not all in my head. For many people who have had total knee replacements there are new aches and pains around the third or fourth month after surgery. Nothing serious but they don't see the progress of earlier months.
My complaints typically were not around the surgery site, the left knee, but on my other side -- my right leg, foot and lower back. At any rate I've been sore much of the time and used it as an excuse to avoid going to the gym. And yet when I did go to the gym, even if to simply ride the bike for a few minutes I felt better. But it is so easy to put it off until tomorrow. I must make going to the gym and doing the knee exercises my top priority.
Much of my physical problem is the lack of balance between my weak left side and my stronger right side. Again, this will improve with more gym visits.
I did stay away from doctors all month. Except for an unrelated exam by my primary care doctor when I developed a big blister from a spider bite.
As for the knee replacement and the area around it, it doesn't slow me down. There's rarely any pain at all. It is swollen a lot of the time, especially after exercise or yard work but other than looking weird it's not a problem. I need to ice it more I guess.
The weather in the early part of the month was quite warm and I got in the pool on May 13 for my first swim of the season. The water was quite cold, but bearable. The rain later in the month made the pool colder still, so we haven't been in again. Usually we are in the pool daily by mid-May.
On May 19 we took a road trip. The longest for me so far. We drove to New Orleans, 200 miles each way, with lots of stops for stretching and changes of drivers. I felt great that night and the next day but on the second evening my right leg was quite lame and my lower back was bothering. Probably it was the long time sitting in the car and too much walking in New Orleans' French quarter. There's a lot of rough pavement and I was leaning on the cane pretty hard.
In the morning it was difficult for me to walk but there was no problem driving. Because of bad weather en route we left for Pensacola mid-morning.
Regardless of my hobbling around the French Quarter, New Orleans was wonderful and their recovery as a tourist destination is coming along very well.
A week later I am better but still lame on my right side.
I did some research online about this slow down and discovered that it's not all in my head. For many people who have had total knee replacements there are new aches and pains around the third or fourth month after surgery. Nothing serious but they don't see the progress of earlier months.
My complaints typically were not around the surgery site, the left knee, but on my other side -- my right leg, foot and lower back. At any rate I've been sore much of the time and used it as an excuse to avoid going to the gym. And yet when I did go to the gym, even if to simply ride the bike for a few minutes I felt better. But it is so easy to put it off until tomorrow. I must make going to the gym and doing the knee exercises my top priority.
Much of my physical problem is the lack of balance between my weak left side and my stronger right side. Again, this will improve with more gym visits.
I did stay away from doctors all month. Except for an unrelated exam by my primary care doctor when I developed a big blister from a spider bite.
As for the knee replacement and the area around it, it doesn't slow me down. There's rarely any pain at all. It is swollen a lot of the time, especially after exercise or yard work but other than looking weird it's not a problem. I need to ice it more I guess.
The weather in the early part of the month was quite warm and I got in the pool on May 13 for my first swim of the season. The water was quite cold, but bearable. The rain later in the month made the pool colder still, so we haven't been in again. Usually we are in the pool daily by mid-May.
On May 19 we took a road trip. The longest for me so far. We drove to New Orleans, 200 miles each way, with lots of stops for stretching and changes of drivers. I felt great that night and the next day but on the second evening my right leg was quite lame and my lower back was bothering. Probably it was the long time sitting in the car and too much walking in New Orleans' French quarter. There's a lot of rough pavement and I was leaning on the cane pretty hard.
In the morning it was difficult for me to walk but there was no problem driving. Because of bad weather en route we left for Pensacola mid-morning.
Regardless of my hobbling around the French Quarter, New Orleans was wonderful and their recovery as a tourist destination is coming along very well.
A week later I am better but still lame on my right side.
[Aside from my medical complaints, this month we also lost the old air conditioner and heating unit and had to get a new one; the pool was infected with green algae and has taken most of the month to clear up, with much fussing with filters and adding nasty chemicals; and two days ago the house was struck by lightning, again. It was the second strike in five years. This time the lighting strike fried all the outdoor electrical circuits including the pool pumps, but it spared the new air conditioner compressor. We look forward to a long time without visits from salesmen, estimators and repairmen.]
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Joined a Health Club
Yesterday it had been a week since my last physical therapy session and I was feel creaky. I went to the local gym and joined up. The deal was if I paid for a full year they would give me three extra months free, plus no membership fee and they wouldn't charge me the annual $25.00 "Facilities Improvement Addendum."
It came to about $28.50 per month for 15 months. Best of all it's only a mile away from home.
I told my salesman that for the first couple of months I wanted to simply continue my physical therapy exercises. If it turns out I am having a good experience I will add other exercises, but for now it will be my prescribed knee and leg work out. He was pleasant and bright and appeared to understand what I needed and wanted. He also introduced me to one of the trainers. We chatted and he was someone I could work with. Later on. Months from now.
I went there this afternoon to ride the bike and do some gentle knee exercises. At 2:00 P.M. the place was nearly deserted. Good sign.
Before I could begin I had to sit through a long and pointless lecture on the value of exercise by one of their "personal trainers." He was not the person I met yesterday and with whom I was planning to speak today. This guy was going to custom-design my workout. Based not on what I asked for but on what he wanted me to do -- in light of my physical condition and his goals. He refused to listen to anything I told him.
I agree right now I am fat and out of shape: I have been disabled for the past four years and have not done much exercise. But I am not lazy and stupid. And that's how he made me feel.
I told him several times that right now I am not ready for a "total fitness," and massive weight loss, program. However much I may need one. Get serious, in a month I'll be 67 years old and need to get back in the habit of going to the gym three times a week and working up a sweat. To get in the habit I will need to enjoy the sessions at the gym.
Finally I invoked the three-day cancellation clause in the purchase contract. He then angrily said I could do whatever I wanted to. He left the gym, got in his truck and drove off.
The personal trainers apparently are subcontractors and do not work directly for the owner of the gym. Strange.
It came to about $28.50 per month for 15 months. Best of all it's only a mile away from home.
I told my salesman that for the first couple of months I wanted to simply continue my physical therapy exercises. If it turns out I am having a good experience I will add other exercises, but for now it will be my prescribed knee and leg work out. He was pleasant and bright and appeared to understand what I needed and wanted. He also introduced me to one of the trainers. We chatted and he was someone I could work with. Later on. Months from now.
I went there this afternoon to ride the bike and do some gentle knee exercises. At 2:00 P.M. the place was nearly deserted. Good sign.
Before I could begin I had to sit through a long and pointless lecture on the value of exercise by one of their "personal trainers." He was not the person I met yesterday and with whom I was planning to speak today. This guy was going to custom-design my workout. Based not on what I asked for but on what he wanted me to do -- in light of my physical condition and his goals. He refused to listen to anything I told him.
I agree right now I am fat and out of shape: I have been disabled for the past four years and have not done much exercise. But I am not lazy and stupid. And that's how he made me feel.
I told him several times that right now I am not ready for a "total fitness," and massive weight loss, program. However much I may need one. Get serious, in a month I'll be 67 years old and need to get back in the habit of going to the gym three times a week and working up a sweat. To get in the habit I will need to enjoy the sessions at the gym.
Finally I invoked the three-day cancellation clause in the purchase contract. He then angrily said I could do whatever I wanted to. He left the gym, got in his truck and drove off.
The personal trainers apparently are subcontractors and do not work directly for the owner of the gym. Strange.
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