After my knee replacement in dec 07, I thought I would be up and running around feeling better - able to do more with the new knee. Little did I realize how this surgery would completely change my life. I came down with RSD/CRPS in my knee about 3 months after the surgery. This is an chronic autoimmune disease that gives me constant burning pain, swelling, sweating, limited movement of my knee. After 1 year of trying to get my knee to bend, it still will not and I still have the constant pain. Thank goodness I was accepted for disability since I cannot stand, walk, or sit for any length of time. Then in Feb of 09, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis - a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. . I had a MRI in 04 with signs of this disease, but I put it to the back of my head and did not really have any severe illness signs I could put my figure on that would point to it. A check up in 08 discovered more lesions and symptoms then pointed to the diagnoses of MS. I am still trying to come to grips with this diagnoses. But now in May of 09, I am diagnosed again with another chronic autoimmune disease - Ankylosing Spondylitis arthritis. This is a chronic, progressive, painful rheumatic disease that mainly affects the spine - but can also affect other joints, tendons and ligaments. It can also affect your eyes, lungs, bowels, etc also. This explains why I hurt so bad in my hips, lower back and hands. This disease eventually fuses your spine together. I worry about this disease as my spine is already fused in some areas due to scoliosis I had as a child.
I cant help wonder if all of these are connected in some way together and why I have come down with all of these. Why did this all start after my knee surgery? I can't let it beat me - every day is a battle to move and keep the pain down. I am not the same person I was 2-1/2 years ago - I miss that person. My goal is to somehow regain my life back and live the rest of my life being able to accomplish simple everyday activities.
After my knee replacement in dec 07, I thought I would be up and running around feeling better - able to do more with the new knee. Little did I realize how this surgery would completely change my life. I came down with RSD/CRPS in my knee about 3 months after the surgery. This is an chronic autoimmune disease that gives me constant burning pain, swelling, sweating, limited movement of my knee. After 1 year of trying to get my knee to bend, it still will not and I still have the constant pain. Thank goodness I was accepted for disability since I cannot stand, walk, or sit for any length of time. Then in Feb of 09, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis - a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. . I had a MRI in 04 with signs of this disease, but I put it to the back of my head and did not really have any severe illness signs I could put my figure on that would point to it. A check up in 08 discovered more lesions and symptoms then pointed to the diagnoses of MS. I am still trying to come to grips with this diagnoses. But now in May of 09, I am diagnosed again with another chronic autoimmune disease - Ankylosing Spondylitis arthritis. This is a chronic, progressive, painful rheumatic disease that mainly affects the spine - but can also affect other joints, tendons and ligaments. It can also affect your eyes, lungs, bowels, etc also. This explains why I hurt so bad in my hips, lower back and hands. This disease eventually fuses your spine together. I worry about this disease as my spine is already fused in some areas due to scoliosis I had as a child.
I cant help wonder if all of these are connected in some way together and why I have come down with all of these. Why did this all start after my knee surgery? I can't let it beat me - every day is a battle to move and keep the pain down. I am not the same person I was 2-1/2 years ago - I miss that person. My goal is to somehow regain my life back and live the rest of my life being able to accomplish simple everyday activities.