Back from first rheumy appt

Kirsty1979

Firstly, thanks to all of you who were on pocket duty earlier!

Finally home after a long wait and what felt like hours just trying to find a parking space! Grrrrrr...

I'm afraid I wasn't much for the consultant I saw. He was very abrupt which didn't help much as I was so nervous. Neither did having a medical student come in and have a prod!

Anyway, he seems to think it could be reactive arthritis that's troubling me but I've had another load of bloods done to investigate further. I've had the dodgy knees for seven years now so difficult to remember at this point what could've been the trigger...

As a first step they're going to drain the blighters and put in a steroid injection. I'm quite the needlephobe so this is not something I'm looking forward to! I'd be interested to hear people's experience of this - good or bad! Is their any recovery time involved?

Thanks once again for all your lovely messages this morning.

K x x

dreamdaisy

Aspiration is not the most pleasant of experiences it has to be said but the benefits can be worthwhile. One should not drive oneself home afterwards due to the presence of local anaesthetic in the joint/s, and my hospital always told me 48 hours bed rest after was necessary to give the steroid enough time to really soak in, thus improving its chances of working to its fullest extent.

I must admit that I had very little benefit from any steroid injection, whether it be into a joint or my backside: the most was about three days rather than the promised three months. Steroids are temperamental - sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. I hope they can do you soon - take someone with you for moral support and for a lift. I wish you well. DD

frogmorton

Oooh Kirsty!

I found you - just added to your other thread :oops:

l think you did fine for a first time.

Glad they are going to aspirate your knees maybe they can test that too? and I know a lot get tremendous releif from steroid jabs in joints.

Just remember you need to REST afterwards and have painkillers and butties good TV and reading material nearby Let us know when it's happening

LOve

toni xx

tjt6768

Hi Kirsty, hope you go on ok with the knees being drained, and that the steroid injections do help, as the others said, rest for at least 48 hours after to let it work it's way through the joint.. My first lot in my knees in November was wonderful but short lived, at that point I didn't care though as my knees felt better than they had done in over twenty years... Hope you have the same benefit and longer lasting too...

Wishing you well hun

julie47

Hi kirsty

I had my knees drained when my daughter was 7, she is now 23 next month....I can remember this as I missed her playing keyboard at school.
I was in hospital at the time. I had both knees done then injected with steroids...They made me stay in bed for 24 hrs to rest.

My point is I haven't had them done since (touchwood) i haveRa.
They also injected my shoulders and when the steroids all kicked in i felt great.

I have a steroid injection only when i am at rock bottom now and i do think they are very good.

hope it works for you.
juliepf x

chris7

Hi Kirsty

Just checking for an update. Sorry the consultant was a bit stern, no wonder you were nervous. I can't add to the advise but hope it all goes well for you. Keep us posted.
take care
Chris

tillytop

Hello K

Belatedly "well done" for getting through your appt yesterday. Sorry it was a difficult one for you. Hope you don't have to wait too long for the aspiration and steroids for your knees and that it gives you some relief.

Love Tilly xxx