Morning peeps

Johug

Can anyone help I'm struggling with osteoarthritis in my knees, I'm creaking and groaning like an old gate, my knees are permanently swollen and so painful. I have pains in the back of my knees and down the back of my legs all the time as well. I try and get to the gym twice a week and do a small walk with my dogs a few times a week as well. At night time I cant sleep because of the pain in my knees and legs, god forbid if I want to turn over, so the combination of pain and no sleep is making me feel desperate. Any tips for this will be hugely appreciated

noddingtonpete

Hello @Johug and welcome to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I understand that you have osteoarthritis in both knees and this is causing you problems like lack of sleep and looking for tips to help. I am sure others on here will have lots of help for you, but in the meantime have a look at our website which might have some useful hints - I've put a couple of links in below to help get you started.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/sleep/

and

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/april/everyday-tips-for-living-with-arthritis/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on and I am sure that others will connect with you to share their support and experiences as well.

With best wishes

Peter (moderator)

jonr

Hello @Johug - fellow knackered knee sufferer here, let's see what we can do to help - sure some other members will chip in too. There is a good section on the website about pain management here:

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

I presume you're on some GP-prescribed NSAIDs like Naproxen, if so that will help with inflammation but only go so far. Ice cold compresses help with reducing inflammation, fever, itchiness and aching. Heat like Wheatbags is good for stiffness.

I apply a gel called FlexiSeq to my knees which helps lubricate the joint to reduce crunching, grinding and stiffness. It's expensive but works for me, available from good high street pharmacies or online. I may top this up with Red Tiger Balm and 5KIND Hemp Gel if I'm having a flare-up.

For pain, I take Hempura CBD capsules, use a TENS machine and take Co-Codemol tablets but the most effective of all is Acupuncture, it's been a game-changer for me.

For inflammation I take a Capsicum/Peperine capsule, Boswellia capsule and a Montmorency Cherry capsule.

If you've not looked at diet, food with high levels of Omega 3 are proven to reduce inflammation, like oily fish and eggs. Dark green leafy veg is also good and believe it or not, Olives and Olive Oil contain a substance with properties very similar to Ibuprofen.

Lastly, if you suffer from tendon and muscle soreness then a deep tissue massaging gun may help, I swear by mine.

That's a lot I know and whilst these may work for me, they may not for you so it's a case of trial and error.