Knee arthritis Advice please

angilee
angilee Member Posts: 102
edited 11. Nov 2012, 07:31 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi Forum freinds,

Sorry to come here and ask your advice again..but I am worried.
I have arthritis in my knee..diagnosed about 2 years ago...all has been fine up until now..even able to still go hillwalking
About 5 weeks ago,for no particular reason,my knee has started huting more..mainly forward weight bearing..coming down steps etc..and is quite swollen.
I went to the doctor...and she just looked at it and said..yes it can do that sometimes..WHAT..???
Anyone help with this...so fed up...and trying to cope with arthritis in hips,fingers and ankles too!!
Sorry to moan...feel as if life is one big long pain at the moment..literally

Angilee :(

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm sorry, Angilee. It comes as a shock when change is sudden and it's certainly not easy dealing with arthritis in multiple joints. I'm afraid your GP is right, if not particularly tactful. It can and it does. If you're lucky this might just 'be a phase' and it might go back to how it was. Meanwhile, a knee support might help for prolonged walking. Going down stairs backwards can be easier as it uses different muscles. And rest and paindullers might be needed as and when. I know this isn't what you want to hear and I hope things will ease off a bit soon.

    I'm sorry, I can't remember what sort of arthritis you have. I was presuming OA. If it's an auto-immune sort I'd ring your helpline.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh yes, it does this. :roll: It's not pleasant and I empathise. Arthritis is a degenerative and progressive but as to how and when it does both is very individual. I've been doing stairs like a three-year old for many years now but so what? I still get up and I still come down, just more slowly (and joint-sparingly) is all. The mantra is good leg to heaven (for going up) and bad leg to hell (on coming down). I have been getting better at going up like an adult (I'm trying to strengthen my muscles for my knee replacements) but I will never be able to do it coming down because it is far too painful. I can come down backwards like an adult but only with our stairs. I have OA in both knees and both ankles and it has altered how I do things but no matter, I can still do them. Arthritis demands constant adjustment by us and it takes time to find solutions to the new problems it presents. It's tiresome to say the least. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Angilee, I know how painful and debilitating a swollen knee is. I would go back to your GP and talk to her about what you can do, i.e. anti inflammatories, steroid injection, whether gentle exercise would help or whether to rest, is hot/cold therapy helpful etc. I also suggest you check out both Arthritis Care 'Living with Arthritis' pages and those of Arthritis Research UK. There is a lot of advice and info on both these sites.

    I am of the view that you don't have to just suffer in silence. Get the help and support you need. I wish you luck with it.
  • mellman01
    mellman01 Member Posts: 5,306
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Been down this road for over 3o years, first they ignored my neck OA then my knee OA for over 3 years of me going to see the ****, in the end I gave up with my GP and simply went to see another doctor and bingo MRI by then it was chronic and a double knee op just made it worse sadly.
    The bottom line here though is the power is in your hands, your paying their wages so don't put up with it, simply go to see the other GP's in your surgery that's what I did, when I found a decent one who helped me I changed to him by e mail.
  • angilee
    angilee Member Posts: 102
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    To All,
    Thank you all so much for your help and advice...it is comforting to know there are others who understand.

    Angilee
  • David50
    David50 Member Posts: 16
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Angilee,

    I have found that as arthur develops lots of things change, I have noticed muscle atrophy occurs much more quickly than it used to. My knee problems began when I was not able to exercise due to illness, now I have found that exercising the muscles on the inside of my thighs helps. I put a football between my knees and squeeze it about 20 times 2/3 times a day, it helps me and I hope it might help you.


    Dave :)
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Angilee, It still shocks me when another joint or area starts to become painful and I should know better by now!! And G.P's and consultants can be pretty harsh when telling you things lack of bedside manner!! We should nickname them the Gordon Ramsy's of the NHS and should put together a list of them and area they are so we all are pre-warned if we have to see them for some reason!!
    If your not happy with your G.P you have the right to see another one if you feel strongly about. And tell them about your knee.

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