Had a MRI scan done today

Fongolio
Fongolio Posts: 3,516
edited September 2010 in The Clubhouse
I haven't posted this yet but in June at work I tore up some cartilage in my left knee. I am a vinyl decking installer. I continued to work despite a lot of pain and then as a result of favoring the left knee so much I tore up the cartilage in my right knee. Yes, I know stupid but the summer is when I make my best money. Here in British Columbia we have what is called Workers Compensation which is insurance that employers HAVE to pay into in order to help injured workers. As of August 5 I have been collecting compensation benefits. All medical costs relating to the injury are covered as well.

Today I had a scan on my right knee which is the one that made me stop working. The cost of the MRI is covered. You see them on TV but in real life they are extremely noisy. They gave me some foam style ear plugs that then plug into a stethoscope type device that pipes music to you while the scan goes on. You get to choose from a decent list of music and I chose Sting's greatest hits. To scan one knee took about 30 minutes and in the end they give me a cd with all the images on it. A copy goes to my doctor who will likely refer me to an orthopedic surgeon who will scope my knee(s) and hopefully get me pain free and playing softball again

I try not to whine too much and haven't mentioned any of this here at all but my knees are both so achy some nights I can't sleep at all and I'm taking quite a bit of Tylenol 3 and Naproxen for pain and inflammation. The upside is I get to spend more time with my son and with the two channel rig and my record collection. The downside is I'll never do decking again as this is my second and maybe third surgery on my knees and I'm almost 50 so I'll have to stop doing work on my knees if I want to be able to walk at 60. Too bad, because it paid very well and I had over 25 years experience at it. A career change must happen. I'm thinking about getting back into computer repair and possibly computer training.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share since this is a big turning point and some of you are like family. Carry on with your regularly scheduled web viewing.

Kelvin
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Post edited by Fongolio on
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Comments

  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited September 2010
    sorry to hear that. hope everything gets better for you.
    mole'
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited September 2010
    Sorry to hear that you have to change professions. I know you said decking made good money, but did you enjoy it? Maybe your next career wil be more enjoyable? I hope your knees and your profession both get a good overhaul and things work out well for you. Prayers sent your way Kelvin.


    Greg
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited September 2010
    Kelvin, that sucks. But it is what it is..... I am sure good things will follow. Good thing you have your compensation and medical bills covered.

    Hoping for the best. Take care of those knees.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,189
    edited September 2010
    Why is it us men always have bad knees? You would think over the years evolution would have granted us better quality?
    I hurt my left knee many years ago and didn't have it looked at. I was young and thought it would heal itself. I did but it's weaker then the other one and has caused me pain over the years.
    I hope you get all fixed up , knee pain sucks.
    Dan
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited September 2010
    SOrry to hear that man.

    Here's a funny (but with bad language) bit on getting old : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzEhoyXpqzQ
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • Fireman32
    Fireman32 Posts: 4,845
    edited September 2010
    So sorry to hear man. I had my knee surgury over 2 years ago and it feels better than it ever did. I hope everything works out well.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited September 2010
    I'm sorry to hear about your medical/physical issues. Hopefully this will be the opportunity to take a new career path that is even more financially rewarding with a lot less stress on the old bones!
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited September 2010
    Sorry to hear this. But it sounds like you have the right attitude to get through it all no matter where it leads. Maybe a new career in a medical field?
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited September 2010
    Thanks guys for your kind words. I am very much looking forward to heading in a new direction.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2010
    Wow Kelvin, I just saw this! Good luck with your recovery and I'll pray for both your recovery and that you find a job that is more lucrative than that difficult job you had. It's a **** doing that kind of work when you are close to 50! Your thought about computers is a good one. Not a lot of heavy joint destroying work and it will keep your mind sharp. I know what it is like to have to change careers at an older age and it can be stress invoking!

    Good luck my friend and God Bless. BTW you are a better man than me because MRIs spiral me in a panic cycle that can last for weeks. Claustrophobia and all the crap!
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 10,999
    edited September 2010
    Sorry to hear of your situation. I would think of it as a possible blessing so you don't destroy your knees anymore. I have had 3 MRIs done due to my herniated disks. Yes they are very loud even with the headphones on playing music. I also found it gets a bit warm in there as well. Best of luck on your recovery.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited September 2010
    Good luck with the knee--I had surgery on my left knee two weeks ago for a torn meniscus cartledge.I was on crutches for about three days,,and now it's business as usual,,each day it gets a tad better,,did not need PT,,good luck,and best wishes for a postive outcome.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • shadowofnight
    shadowofnight Posts: 2,735
    edited September 2010
    Fongolio wrote: »
    Too bad, because it paid very well and I had over 25 years experience at it. A career change must happen. I'm thinking about getting back into computer repair and possibly computer training.


    I hope you do well , I am basically in the same exact boat...just a few years younger...about same length of experience .....no more going back to changing out mech pumps ( 8-71 gmc blowers ) and Turbo's the size of a coffee table all while being dressed in a bunny suit :)
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    BTW you are a better man than me because MRIs spiral me in a panic cycle that can last for weeks. Claustrophobia and all the crap!

    I am not claustrophobic in the least bit ( Have had at least 7 or 8 MRI's in the past ...all standard tube type...zero issues ) , but last week they tried to shoehorn me into a really tight highfield MRI ( Smaller bore size...higher resolution ) ...my shoulders were absolutely physically too wide.

    The tech said I had the widest shoulders he had seen be tried in the highfield MRI, but that he thought we could do it....I said whats this we **** :D


    Tried head first...hell no....feet first ( He thought being 6'5" the part of my back could get where needed before the shoulders got to the tube diameter.) .....nope. The bore size on the highfield MRI was so small that when attempting head first, my nose was a quarter of an inch away from the top of the cylinder...I could see a claustrophobic person really going nuts in that one even if they physically fit.

    Some brand new highfield MRI's have a larger bore size, I found one in sunnyvale...just waiting for a new approval.
    The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited September 2010
    Sorry to hear a bout the health issue Kelvin. I hope you get better fast and find the perfect new career for your present condition. Prayers sent your way...
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited September 2010
    hey sorry to hear about your knee issues.. that bites.. our knees are so important to everything we do.. just like your back.

    if you get surgery.. hope it all turns out well.
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,035
    edited September 2010
    Good luck in your recovery and hopefully one day you can look back on this and say it was good that it happened or else I wouldn't have done_______.
    On the bright side of the actual procedure, at least you have the advantage of the technology we have today as compared and relatively short recovery time to my cartilage removal surgery 35+ years ago when I spent the whole summer in a half-cast and on crutches.
    Hope things go well for you!
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited September 2010
    My brother was a tile setter for 25 years, in a field where the average workspan is 15 at most. And he had surgery on each knee before he got into the business. He had to walk away while he could and got into real estate and long haul trucking.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2010
    Come on, they're not that loud. I usually fall asleep during them. :D

    Good luck with your knee. I tore something in mine a few months ago and it's been getting better and worse.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited September 2010
    Wait until the middle knee goes out!
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  • munk
    munk Posts: 258
    edited September 2010
    Tylenol #3 has codiene, and what else- tylenol. You may want to ask your doc for a different pain med. Taking tylenol over a long period of time, which may happen to you, is not reccomended. The naproxen is one of the first non-steroidal anti-inflamatories to come out after ibuprofen. If it works for you, great. It's tough on the stomach. I always found plain ibuprofen better on cartiledge and tendon injuries, but it all works differently in different people. They do have 3rd and 4th generation NSAIDS that are supposed to be improvements over both of them.

    They have a lot of new pain meds without tylenol. Tylenol is harsh on the liver. Lot's of people have been hurt taking it with pain meds over a prolonged time. I'm not saying that would happen to you, but it's worth thinking about.

    The right NSAID will do wonders for your knees. Don't take those the way you would a pain med-which is as needed. You will have to maintain a schedule to achieve best results with a NSAID, you should take them even on the days you feel better.

    I hope your knees get better. Mine got torn up some when I was in my 30s. Today it's my back that has trouble....
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited September 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    MRIs spiral me in a panic cycle that can last for weeks. Claustrophobia and all the crap!
    I could see them being a huge problem for some.I had one done of my head and neck area,my nose was only a 2-3 inches from the top and was in there for 30 minutes.:eek:
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2010
    Face wrote: »
    Come on, they're not that loud. I usually fall asleep during them. :D

    Good luck with your knee. I tore something in mine a few months ago and it's been getting better and worse.

    Loud isn't the problem for me, in fact I welcome it as it keeps my mind off the tube closing in on me. I literally can't breath in those damned things.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2010
    munk wrote: »
    Tylenol #3 has codiene, and what else- tylenol. You may want to ask your doc for a different pain med. Taking tylenol over a long period of time, which may happen to you, is not reccomended. The naproxen is one of the first non-steroidal anti-inflamatories to come out after ibuprofen. If it works for you, great. It's tough on the stomach. I always found plain ibuprofen better on cartiledge and tendon injuries, but it all works differently in different people. They do have 3rd and 4th generation NSAIDS that are supposed to be improvements over both of them.

    They have a lot of new pain meds without tylenol. Tylenol is harsh on the liver. Lot's of people have been hurt taking it with pain meds over a prolonged time. I'm not saying that would happen to you, but it's worth thinking about.

    The right NSAID will do wonders for your knees. Don't take those the way you would a pain med-which is as needed. You will have to maintain a schedule to achieve best results with a NSAID, you should take them even on the days you feel better.

    I hope your knees get better. Mine got torn up some when I was in my 30s. Today it's my back that has trouble....

    Two Tylenol 3s work just fine for terrible tension headaches and the such. They probably with go with oxy's but you need to use them on a short term basis as they are highly addictive whether you have a propensity for addiction or not. Good luck and prayers Kel.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2010
    FTGV wrote: »
    I could see them being a huge problem for some.I had one done of my head and neck area,my nose was only a 2-3 inches from the top and was in there for 30 minutes.:eek:

    UGH! That made my heart skip a beat. That is by far the worst even with your eyes closed and sedated! EFF those tube MRIs, I found one locally that the MRI is wide open and the top is in a horse shoe shape and I feel no Claustrophobia at all in it. Thank God they realized that even people who aren't Claustrophobic have problems in those coffins.
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited September 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    UGH! That made my heart skip a beat. That is by far the worst even with your eyes closed and sedated!
    Sedation!Hell no the only thing they gave me was a set of ear plugs.:D
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2010
    FTGV wrote: »
    I could see them being a huge problem for some.I had one done of my head and neck area,my nose was only a 2-3 inches from the top and was in there for 30 minutes.:eek:
    It may feel that way, but doubt it actually was unless you're Murry the cop. :D
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • cristo
    cristo Posts: 231
    edited September 2010
    Regarding Tylenol (acetaminophen). The liver normally metabolizes Tylenol to non-toxic metabolites that are
    easily eliminated up to a certain point. As such, normal doses of Tylenol (no more than 2 extra strength
    up to 4 times a day at least 4 hours between doses, or an equivalent dose of different strength for a
    normal size healthy adult) are extremely safe, even long term.
    However, if you take more than that, or if your hepatic (liver) metabolism is impaired or challenged
    (moderate to heavy alcohol intake, other hepatotoxic meds, or underlying liver disease, etc.), then
    the usual pathway of metabolism can become saturated, and the liver instead converts some of the Tylenol
    to hepatotoxic metabolites, which as the name would suggest, can be very bad for your liver.
    This is why normal doses are very safe, but a tylenol overdose can wipe out your liver and kill you.
    cristo

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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited September 2010
    Face wrote: »
    It may feel that way, but doubt it actually was unless you're Murry the cop. :D

    My snoz isn't huge and I didn't have a measuring tape but that top was definately in the nearfield.;)
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited September 2010
    cristo wrote: »
    but a tylenol overdose can wipe out your liver and kill you.
    It sure can.Not something you want to take too much of.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2010
    FTGV wrote: »
    Sedation!Hell no the only thing they gave me was a set of ear plugs.:D

    Hahaha, but little did you know the ear plugs were infused with 20mgs of Valium! LOL!!!:D
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