### instruction:
If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patient's description.

### input:
AN MRI SHOWED THAT I HAVE FULL THICKNESS CARTILAGE LOSS IN MY LEFT KNEE. I HAD BEEN TAKING 2 ALEVE EACH DAY TO HELP WITH PAIN/DISCOMFORT. MY DR. PRESCRIBED MELOXICAM 7.5MG 2X A DAY. MY LEGS BEGAN SWEELING AFTER JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS. I STOPPED THE MED. AND CALLED THE DR. HE JUST SAID DONT TAKE ANYMORE AND COME GET A SHOT IN YOUR KNEE IF IT HURTS OR PAIN MEDS. I WOULD RATHER JUST TAKE AN OVER THE COUNTER MED, AS NEEDED FOR PAIN INSTEAD OF PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDS OR SHOTS, DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS. I AM ONLY 51 YRS, SO KNEE REPLACEMENT IS NOT AN OPTION NOW~OR SO MY DR SAYS. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER.

### output:

I suggest taking the pain medication as needed for the pain in your knee. Nor cos are specifically designed to serve for purposes like knee inflammation in the joints, and also for other pains in the body which are chronic. Taking alive and other Tylenol over the counter meds will damage your liver, and probably don't supply nearly half the relief as a small amount of Vicodin would. If your doctor says you can't have surgery because of your age, this is rather bias and is a form of discrimination. If you are facing long term chronic pain for the rest of your life, and surgery is on the market; you should take surgery without a doubt. Ask for a second opinion from a specialist who has experience in the region of the body you are experiencing problems with. Bones and cartilage are a good area to start as far as what type of specialist you should seek advice from. You don't have to settle for one opinion, you can ask for a second opinion on any remark your primary care physician makes about a condition you may have or any pain you are experiencing. They should supply you with a referral to a specific type of doctor who can help you, or who can offer you more in depth insight if your doctor couldn't already do that. The truth is, any good doctor would research before making a hasty decision about surgery for a patient. If your Chat Doctor.  Feel free to seek a patient-advocate if you feel that your doctor is treating you with little respect to your person rather than your chart number. Good luck!