Big moan.

mellman01

I’ve only got AO in both patella’s but boy have I had enough of it, I posted on here a while back that things were going so well (and they were) Nortriptyline had kicked in and was doing the job really well but ever so slowly I’ve noticed it’s becoming less effective, and last weekend I had a flare up that’s only calmed down today(7 days), it’s been good for about a month and a half then bam!, back to the old flare ups again, is this normal for AO guy’s can it come and go like this?, also sometimes my knees get really hot red and painful when I’ve walked to far or done to much, does this mean I am doing more damage to the joints or should I rest up any ideas?. Anyway it’s really drained me this morning so feel like a chewed bit of string that needs some sleep. One last thing I keep getting these terrible mood swings at the mo from being up in the air to so down I could cry my eyes out, I’m wondering if it’s a side effect of all the Nortriptyline and Tramadol I take or it’s just me losing the plot!.

woodbon

Hello,
Sorry you've got the pain back, that must have been disappointing.
I'm sorry, I don't know about the drugs you are taking, but, after a while a the body gets used to some drugs. I might be a good idea to talk it over with the doctor who prescribed them for you.

Someone else on here will be along and may well be more helpful to you than me. Love Sue

ninakang

I'm sorry you're feeling bad, I don't have any advice to offer, but I'm sure someone will be along soon.

Nx

frogmorton

Hi Mellman
Good to see you again!
Glad things were going well for you for a while at least.
Sorry about this though. You need to remind me - did you have bloods taken? So RA was ruled out or not?
The moodswings tearyness and heat off knees is more sounding liost inflamatory arthritis, whicxh is why I ask. If not get 'em done! Take your temp as well and see if it's up.
If so then have you been overdoing it?
Either way you were me I would have an ice pack on my knees - bliss!!! Put a cloth over first - don't want to 'burn' you skin!
Good luck and do let us know how you get on.
Oh yes and I would fel teary if I was in so much pain too!
Toni x

lindalegs

Hi Mellman,

As Sue said your body can get used to a drug so you need to talk to your GP/Rheumy about what's happening to you. Flare-ups are common with RA but I'm not sure about OA - sorry I can't help with that one.

You could try to ice pack your knees with a damp towel around the joint and a bag of frozen peas on top and that should help with the inflammation and pain - leave it on for about 20 minutes then gently move your knees about. Refreeze the peas for another time but don't eat them :shock: There's also a fine line between doing too much and not doing enough and you have to find what's right for you - your knees certainly seem to be telling you when you've overdone it ... so that's the time to rest.

As for your mood swings and feeling like crying that's perfectly normal with arthritis and accepting what's happened to you. I read your post on Say Hello and you were obviously a very active person - the enforced life change is devastating, you need to have time to adjust. You will get better times especially when things have settled down more and then you will also feel better in yourself.

I suggest you seek medical advise you could do with a helping hand at the moment.

Take care.

Luv Legs

elnafinn

Hi Mellman

I am sorry to hear you are getting mood swings and are in pain with your knees. Your diagnosis is OA. Have you ever been tested for RA factor via a blood test? I ask this because with RA it attacks both sides of the body ie both knees, both ankles etc. One consultant asked me to be tested for RA to rule it out, although I had been diagnosed all along with OA. The blood test came back positive and on seeing a rheumi and on aspirating fluid from my knee he decided that I did not in fact have RA and it was OA.

Ice packs are a good idea and elevating the leg on resting. You can get flares with OA unfortunately. I do.

The mood swings are totally understandable because of what is going on with you, but it may not be helped by the meds you are taking. Perhaps you should have a chat with your GP about this.

I hope you start feeling better soon, both mentally and physically.

Best wishes
Elna

skezier

Hi Mellman,

I can't add anything I just wanted to say I hope you feel a lot better soon. Take care, Cris

woodbon

I have oa and I know that some days are better than others. As for exercise, its supposed to be good for us to keep the joints moving, but if you are getting a bad reaction and pain then, I would think maybe you are doing a bit too much. I go to a GP referral course at Gym, with trainers who understand about my condition and that helps me. If anything gives me pain they alter the programme for me. It may be time you saw your GP and discussed the options with him, he may recommend physio who will give you the exercises which they design for you. Also your doctor might change your medicaton and that will help. I hope some of this is useful to you and you get sorted quickly. Love Sue