Pain-Free And Loving Life: A SYNVISC Story Health Article

Pain-Free And Loving Life: A SYNVISC Story

Four years ago, Patt Watson's left knee was in so much pain that she couldn't even keep up with her family while visiting Busch Gardens.

"I was the lagger," she recalls. "I'd have to sit and wait and watch them do things."

But it wasn't just theme parks that were challenging. Everyday tasks soon became impossible as her osteoarthritis knee pain worsened. "Life was miserable. Sometimes I just sat around like a blob doing nothing. I couldn't climb or go down stairs. I couldn't even walk my dog. I could hardly walk to the mailbox."

So Patt went to a rheumatologist for help and was put on a regimen of pain medications and cortisone shots. "I was on hard-core drugs," she says. "Mainly Demerol, plus aspirin and salves you rub on your knee. They worked for a time, but it was just hours and not days. I'd be right back where I started the next morning."

Patt began to look for other options and read about SYNVISC. It was around that time when her doctor started talking about total knee replacement - but Patt wasn't ready for surgery.

"The more I read about SYNVISC, the more I wanted to give it a try. I showed [my doctor] the SYNVISC pamphlets I'd read and said 'I want to try this.'"

Patt was thrilled with the results. "After my injections, I was totally mobile," she recalls, adding that she didn't feel any discomfort from the injections. "I have no swelling, no pain. I can swim. I can run. I shop till I drop."

After her SYNVISC treatment, Patt walked right back into her old life - running the upscale market she owns in Tampa, Florida. "I'm on my feet from 7:30 until approximately 5:00. Then we go out to eat, and then maybe to the mall," she says. "I couldn't do this before. I can do things I haven't done in years, pain-free."

So does she have any advice for OA knee pain sufferers considering SYNVISC?

"I'd just tell them that it really worked for me. They've only got to see me running around now to know that my pain is gone."

As for spending an entire day walking around Busch Gardens, this 58-year-old is ready to go. "I missed out on life and that was the hardest part, not being able to go to theme parks or even the beach with friends and family visiting," she says, looking back. "Now I'm right up there, and they're telling me to slow down."

Only your doctor can tell you if SYNVISC is right for you. Click here to request a FREE Knee Pain Relief Packet with a list of doctors in your area who provide SYNVISC.

This article is a testimonial of one patient's story and her experience with SYNVISC treatment. Individual results may vary.

Important Safety Information

SYNVISC is used to relieve knee pain due to osteoarthritis (OA). It is for patients who do not get enough relief from simple painkillers such as acetaminophen, or from exercise and physical therapy.

SYNVISC is generally well tolerated. However, it may not work for everyone. The side effects most commonly seen when SYNVISC is injected into the knee were pain, swelling and/or fluid buildup around the knee. Cases where the swelling is extensive or painful should be discussed with your doctor. Other side effects such as rash have been reported rarely. Before trying SYNVISC, tell your doctor if you are allergic to products from birds - such as feathers, eggs or poultry - or if your leg is swollen or infected. Talk to your doctor before resuming strenuous weight-bearing activities after treatment. SYNVISC has not been tested in children, pregnant women or women who are nursing. You should tell your doctor if you think you are pregnant or if you are nursing a child.

# S-00376.A 10/2007