[LDandPasquale]

This may be long..so i apologize in advance.

Ok..so back in January...my left knee started to hurt. I didnt think anything of it cause i'm an RN and I do a lot of lifting at work. I've had back strains and shoulder strains and they've eventually gone away. So i thought the same of my knee. Well it was getting worse, so i took a week off of work and rested my knee. By the end of the week, i could barely walk.

SO..i called the orthopedist. Went in to see him. Did Xrays and a MRI. Called me back in to see him to discuss the results (appt #2). Said he didnt see anything out of the ordinary..some fluid in my knee and a little softening of the tissue...normal wear of the knee. So he gave me a med for inflamation and a narcotic for pain, and also recommended Physical Therapy.

After two weeks of taking the meds and 4 physical therapy appts....i felt worse...much worse. So i called the doctor....*mind you, you never get to speak with the doctor..you have to leave a message and then the nurse calls you back*. Nurse told me the doctor wants me to come in for a Cortisone shot.

So..i drive 40 minutes..YEP..thats how far he is and we're now at appt #3..only for him to tell me in the office that he's decided against the Cortisone shot cause he's not really sure whats causing my pain and just doesnt want to stick me...so he gives me refills on the meds and tells me to take them for another 10 days. Something he probably could have done over the phone.

Well i'm at day 10 and still no change in pain...i hobble around like a 90 yr old woman. It's quite sad. There are moments when i'm alone sitting with my ice pack on my knee and find myself in tears. I've put a call into the doctor this morning...of course i know i wont get to talk to him. I also tried calling another orthopedist that was recommended to me...he's not taking new patients. So i'm just so frustrated.

Well thanks for letting me vent. If anyone has any ideas..please feel free to share. I'll do anything at this point.