Hello everyone!
In August I tore my MCL and twisted my meniscus...but thinking it was just bruised I didn't actually go to a Dr. till October, had the MRI in November.
I just rec'd my date for surgery...April 5th.

Now onto my dilemma! I work from home so if I need to elevate my leg, use warm compresses etc... I'm good.

We've had and been saving for a dream vacation to Walt Disney World in March of this year. We are still going, but I'm trying to figure out how to manage my pain. I am taking two extra strength Advil morning and night, it helps a bit.

My husband and I went to Home Depot tonight, and I was very uncomfortable with just the amount of walking I had to do.

I remember taking Tylenol #3 for a sinus infection and found they worked great. Would they work better for this pain as well. I did buy Aleve, but it didn't seem to work as well as the Advil.

I need to be able to walk for a few hours at least! I also need to find some of those hot patch things that stick on maybe...

The best advice I can offer is:
Google: talk doctor pain

Read several of the articles, and have a candid converstion with your doctor.

Doc

Welcome to Neurotalk:

I would try the new OTC Salonpas patches. These are very good at providing relief to the area needed, without taking lots of drugs orally.

I've used the original Salonpas for years. The new one is slightly stronger, and also approved by the FDA: (a rare thing for an OTC product).

http://www.salonpas.us/
http://www.salonpas.us/products/salo...n-relief-patch

The original one: these are smaller and have less methyl salicylate in them, but work well for many things:
http://www.salonpas.us/products/salonpas

In fact I buy the 120 ct large box at Costco.

Other Salonpas products may not work as well for inflammation.
These two I've linked I think are the best for your issues.

Also Biofreeze is often recommended by physical therapists and chiropractors. It is good, but not as efficient as Salonpas IMO.

example:
http://www.iherb.com/BioFreeze-Pain-...-ml/34306?at=0

Some sellers on Amazon now have Biofreeze for less money.

If you want to continue to use an NSAID, I'd switch and try Aleve LIQUIGELS.
Aleve liquigels work much faster and more efficiently than the tablets ever did for me. Aleve is naproxen, and naproxen has the lowest risk for heart disease side effects of all the NSAIDs tested. Advil is ibuprofen, and also comes in a liquigel form, but it is not as safe as Aleve IMO. If you choose liquigel dosage forms you may not need high doses, as they seem to be more efficiently absorbed and and more effective.