My mother suffered from severe back pain due to degenerative discs, arthritis and spinal stenosis. She used a walker to barely get around and had to rely on pain medication to get through the days and nights. She went to a Pain Management Dr. here who suggested a morphine pump. She hesitated because she pictured herself a morphine junkie, but she had it implanted just beneath the surface of the skin. She never had to take pain medications after that and was not addicted. She merely went to the Dr's office every 6 weeks for a pump refill and then went on her way to do her own things. Oxycontin is a drug that patients can easily become addicted to. The pain of withdrawal can be greater than the original pain that required the Rx. Without knowing your wife I would conclude she is now addicted to the medication and giving her more meds is not going to solve her problem. I would speak very frankly with her doctors and voice my concern about this desperate need for Oxycontin. She cannot go "cold turkey" on her own. She needs help. She's already taking such high doses that increasing it could lead to an overdose and death. It sounds like the doctor that suggested she go to a rehab clinic is the only doctor that's telling you the truth. Consider going back to him. The other doctors seem to be taking the easy way out by giving her more meds. I feel for you and your wife. You're in a bad situation.

Usually sciatica is not related to clicking in the knee. Your problem sounds like it related more to a cartilage problem. One problem that causes knee pain is called "chondomalacia of the patella". It generally occurs is young people, and usually in females. Usually the pain with chondomalacia occurs after the knee is in a bent position for a period of time, and can be relieved by straightening the legs. Recommended treatment usually involves NSAIDS such as ibuprofen or naproxen, exercises to strengthen quads, and avoiding activities that irritate the joint, such as climbing stairs. If you have problems with arthritis, that is another possible etiology of your pain. Problems with any other joints?

First DH was put on warfarin(by cardiologist) after two femoral artery (leg) bypasses due to clots. He was on it for 4-5 years. And had blood work every 2 weeks, and they always phoned and adjusted the dosage up or down, maybe only 1/2 pill. When he was diagnosed with AAA (Abdominal aneurysm) and needed surgery, Vascular surgeon wanted him to see cardiologist that he worked with before doing surgery. This cardiologist told him that Warfarin was overkill, and too difficult to manage...and took him off Warfarin and put him on Plavix. Of course, a few days before surgery he had to go off the Plavix. After surgery, cardio told him to stay on the Plavix. Bloodwork never showed any problems after that. He didn't have any problem going off the Warfarin....and actually felt better with the Plavix.

Because so many people confuse signs of aging with signs of menopause, it's impossible to answer this question with an unqualified yes or no. Yes the hot flashes go away or decrease to a level to where you don't really notice them much. The insomnia pretty much disappears. The "fog" disappears. You may find yourself more assertive and a little less willing to suffer fools patiently. The aches and pains that go along with an aging body won't go away though. The wrinkles and grey hair aren't going to go away. The above is true if you don't use exogenous hormone preparations. If you do use those you will not be post menopausal in a biochemical sense. Instead you will remain perimenopausal for as long as you take these drugs and hold back your body's natural transition to post menopause. I had my last period in Nov. of 1994. I still have a few mild hot flashes every day but I seldom even notice them now. I sleep reasonably well, have no memory or cognitive problems, and can honestly say that I've never felt better in my life. I take no drugs or otc supplements of any kind.