4 of the past 5 nights, I have been waking up in excruciating pain. This pain is in my knee cap. It's not something I experience when I first wake up in the morning, it's something that attacks during the night, causing me to awaken. You've got to understand and believe me when I say this - this is the most dreadful, awful, intense pain I have EVER experienced in my ENTIRE life, hands down, without a SINGLE doubt. To be perfectly truthful here, I generally cry when I'm physically hurting, as it helps me cope with any ailments I might currently be dealing with. However, crying over my sudden and harsh knee pain doesn't make much sense to me. No amount of tears, and no tantrum I could possibly throw would do this pain justice. I find that it only upsets myself more. In the past I have always be able to rely on my tears to calm myself, and now that I DO NOT have that, I'm unaware of where to turn.
I know that I'll NEVER have a proper diagnosis until I see a doctor. Problem is, I'm not covered by Insurance, as we just moved to a new state, and my father's job does not offer benefits. But who's kidding who; the REAL problem is that I am AFRAID to inform my family. I'm scared they might TRY TO take me to the doctor. I know this is what's best for me, but the doctor/hospital is my biggest fear EVER. I realize if my pain is THIS insane, avoiding the doctor/hopistal is plainly prolonging the inevitable.
I'm not really sure about what it is I am asking here. I suppose I would just like some opinions, suggestions, guesses, ideas, knowledge... ANYTHING you might have to contribute!!! =/
- I'm female; a few days away from 17.
- I'm not exessively large, but I guess I could stand to lose a few pounds?
- Again, this has ONLY occurred 4 of the past 5 nights, and ONLY during the NIGHT.
- I know that the weather can do some funny things to your bones, but the weather in Connecticut has been in the 90's for the past couple of weeks. Always humid and consistent. The weather has never had an affect on me BEFORE - at least not that I've ever NOTICED, so I'm skeptical that the weather is causing my pain. At this point in time, I'm not going to cross ANYTHING off as a possible cause.
- This is ONLY in my LEFT knee. ONLY in the knee cap ITSELF - not the entire leg, and the pain does NOT "jump" around.
- My sleeping position? Generally [and ALWAYS the case when I have experienced this pain] I have been sleeping on my RIGHT side. MEANING, my LEFT leg didn't have much weight to speak of resting upon it, understand?
- I guess it's important to add that I have a "condition" where my legs and feet randomly swell up like Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man in Ghostbusters..... This used to be insanely bad [not to mention highly disgusting] but ever since I've gotten the proper leg braces, that problem seems to be no more. Now, what CAUSES that random swelling? Salt. Basically it's where salt gets stuck within my body, causing it to expand. You might be thinking that it's the LEG BRACES that is causing this, BUUTTT.. I haven't been wearing them for the past three weeks. So the problem IS NOT the WEARING OF them. This has lead me to believe it COULD MAYBE [just as it "COULD MAYBE" be anything else]... but it COULD MAYBE be my NOT wearing them that is having this affect on me. But if this is so, why haven't I ever experienced this in the past??? Yet, problems have to start SOMEWHERE, right? But really, my legs have only been a problem TWICE [as far as swelling goes] in the past 3 weeks since I've neglected to wear my braces. Honestly, I don't believe the cause has anything to do with this. Also, when this swelling is present, it starts at my toes, and works it's way UP my body. It never has a chance to even REACH my knees, because I catch it while still in my foot.
- This brings me to my diet: My diet hasn't changed much within the past 4-5 weeks. I've obviously been cutting back on my salt intake. Other than that, I really haven't been over eating or under eating any. I eat until I'm full, and I then call it quits. I NEVER drink milk or soda; ONLY ONLY ONLY water, and A WHOLE LOT of it. The past week my Mom [who is the one who generally provides all of our meals] has been away on vacation. During this time, I've been properly fed. But to be honest, I've sort of replaced lunch with a package of Austin Peanut Butter Crackers, which are very high in sodium. If this IS NOT having an affect on my SWELLING, I severely doubt it's having an affect on my KNEE CAP. As I previously said, I am not willing to discount ANYTHING as of yet.
- I'm not involved in sports, and since I am new to the area, my friend count is a complete zero, so needless to say I don't really go anywhere. So no... I haven't hurt it during some crazy practice drill or anything. I know that I can hurt it anywhere, but don't you think I would have noticed the pain [at least a TINY bit] if I had pulled or torn something?? And if you think I might have done this, why does it only attack at night? Not even during the day in my long naps in the SAME sleeping position.. but ONLY at NIGHT. Is that just coincidence???
- This pain strikes suddenly, and ONLY leaves when I begin to work my joint like a mad man. I generally lay there in pain for about 5 minutes, before I gather up enough courage and willpower to begin extending my knee. Once it's fully extended and moved around for about 10-15 seconds.. the pain DISAPPEARS ENTIRELY!! I would NEVER know it even happened.
Can someone tell me.. is this a "common" thing? Does it ever happen to YOU? Know any possible remedies or temproray solutions? What do you *ADVISE?
I understand you are not a medical professional, but I would be ever so appreciative of some guesses here. Please, anything you've got. This pain is so intense, my body begins to shake violently, and I get the urge to vomit. :D It's just not a pretty picture. Last night I slept with a huge garbage bag at my side, as I expected the pain. Can I predict the future or what -- I'll be damned if it didn't happen AGAIN. =[
Thank you, all, very very much for ANY information you provide.
Mackenzie
My apologies on the length of this question. I was trying to the best of my ability to NOT leave any details out, clearly.
In case you're curious, you should expect a rating. It's the least I can do.. :D
Do you take a multivitamin or eat bananas? You may need some potassium. I would try that for a few days to see if it give you any relief. If there are exercises you have done in the past for you leg problem, I would suggest making sure to do those. Sometimes it's just a horrible muscle spasm. They usually make me scream bloody murder. But after that, you have got to find some way to go to a doctor, even if it is the local health department. It will eventually keep you from sleeping, make you irritable, and affect your grades. I hope you start feeling better soon.
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(Rating: 5)
Thank you soo soo soo much!!! I appreciate that you even took the time out to read all that I have written, let alone provide an answer. Thank you!!! You have some great ideas here. I've never thought about taking vitamins - I'm sure I'll look that. Thanks!
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