Living with arthritis- new to it all
Hi folks. 5 weeks ago I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my® knee. About 8 or 9 weeks ago after attending the Dr with increasing knee pain, my Dr had said I was in a flare and sent me for an xray . I have been feeling OK the last few weeks, really good actually. However, yesterday and today, the pain is beginning to increase in the way it was before. I haven't changed my exercise routine. Long story short- how often can flares occur for example in a calendar year ? Or is this a " how long is a piece of string ?" query. Being new to it all I would appreciate any advice. Thanks
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Hi @Bowiefan Thank you for posting on the Online Community. I am sorry to hear that the pain in your knee is increasing again. It is good that you went to the GP when you first had symptoms and had an X-ray to ensure the right diagnosis and treatment. Pain limits daily activities and can drag you down. It sounds as if it was beginning to settle down.
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee tends to be a fluctuating condition. The frequency of flare ups varies from person to person. Pacing yourself and balancing activity with rest is important. Sometimes overdoing it can lead to a flare up as well as changes in the weather and other triggers. There is a lot you can do to help manage the pain and a flare up when it does occur.
The right pain medication and gentle exercises a little and often will help you to move more easily and be in less pain. The danger is to leave the exercises for a few days and then do too many in one go. It may help to talk things through further with your GP. Referral to the musculoskeletal (MSK) service or a physiotherapist and an orthopaedic specialist may be worth considering. NSAID gels, such as Ibuprofen or Voltarol, or naturally occurring Flexiseq bought over the counter may help to reduce the number of tablets you are taking. Heat or cold may help too. A healthy balanced diet and keeping a healthy weight will help to put less strain on your joints. A steroid injection may give temporary relief of symptoms.
If you would like to have more replies to your post, you are welcome to repost on our Living with arthritis — Versus Arthritis forum which is a supportive space where you can ask questions and share experiences with others. You are welcome to call our Free Helpline on 0800 5200 520 weekdays 9am - 6pm if you would like to talk things through informally and in confidence.
I hope the information given below will be of some help.
Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.
Best wishes,
Fiona, Helpline Advisor
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@ Fiona. Thanks so much for the advice. Very muchc appreciated
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Hi I have recently joined this Group and also recently been diagnosed with Seronegative Inflammatory Rheumatoid Arthritis. I started off with Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which was extremely painful especially at night. That is better now after treatment of Steroid injections. Then gradually my hands became painful and then my feet swelled up plus are painful at times. My knees also have joined in now too. Previous to this I have had a frozen shoulder which was treated but still have problems at times. I have just started on Methotrexate last week. I know it is early days but although I try to stay positive I do get down and weepy in the evenings when it seems worse. I know I need to see if the Medication works and be patient. I try to stay active and like having a walk each day plus go to Zumba weekly and I am learning Pilates.at a class. I have not had any advice about diet which would help as in if there is any food that I should avoid. My husband knows that I am struggling to cope and get very tired at times. Happy for any advice. I am in my early 60s.
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Hello @Dreamer and welcome to the Online Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.
You might be interested in the following articles from our website about Methotrexate and about diet.
and
Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.
Best wishes
Peter
Need more help? - call our Helpline on0800 5200 520Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm
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Hello @Dreamer, it is totally understandable that you get down and weepy. You’ve experienced pain for a long time, have waited for a diagnosis, and your life has been severely impacted. The feelings you’re experiencing are normal and the good news is that the evidence shows things will improve with the combination of things you’re putting in place e.g., exercise, diet, and treatment. If you’d like to talk things through, please call our helpline, 0800 5200 520, Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm or keep talking to us here. I’ve linked you to information on things you can do to try and stay positive when struggling in case it helps.
I hope you found the link on methotrexate useful. I’ve included information on RA as not sure what information you will have had so far. As you’ll be aware, the methotrexate can take up to 12 weeks to start working, and then your immune systems activity will reduce. Sometimes your healthcare team may need to adjust your dosage or change the medication if it isn’t working for you. Keep talking to them if it isn’t working, or you’re having side effects, so they can take action to help. You’re also taking exercise and looking at your diet, which will really help, both in releasing those endorphin pleasure hormones, and in supporting and taking the pressure off your joints. I’ve linked you to information on eating well with arthritis. Some people find that certain foods can improve their symptoms or make their symptoms flare, but the evidence is that a healthy balanced diet is the best option.
Hope this helps. Thanks, Natalie, Helpline Advisor.
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Thank you Peter and Jean for the advice.
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Hi Dreamer.
Welcome. I was diagnosed with RA in the last two years. I take Methotrexate by self injection. Recently changed from tablets. I have also been given a new tablet called Leflunomide which I hope will help with the pain I have been in. I am taking steroids at the moment, whilst the hospital find something that wiil work for me.
I know where you are coming from, it’s really hard to deal with at times. The despair and feeling of being useless can be overwhelming. I like you have cried many tears. I have excepted things now, and try to make the best of each day. The steroids do help, and I feel almost normal whilst I’m on them.
Tiredness and fatigue are hard, and not always getting a good nights sleep, messes with your head a bit doesn’t it.
I hope you will find the medication that works for you. Be sure to contact your rheumatologist if things get worse for you. I tried to brave it out, which rally didn’t do me any favours, I just didn’t want to be a nuisance.
I found in the early days, keeping a diary was useful, then I could tell them at my appointments. Good luck, stay strong. Ps. I’m in my middle 60’s
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I am new to all this just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and struggling to accept this. The thing that I am struggling with most is my independence and not been able to just do things always been an active person and feel like this has been taken away from me. I am trying to be positive and reading some of the comments makes me feel like I am not alone, with this illness. Thank you
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Hi @peg1
Thanks for your message to the Helpline. I'm glad you are finding peer support useful. You are also welcome to ring for chat about your arthritis on our freephone 0800 5200 520.
All the best
Guy - Helpline Team
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Hi peg1.
You will have these feelings of loss, it’s like a bereavement in a way. I have excepted this condition isn’t going anywhere, so I try to still do some of the things I like to do, but in a slightly different way.pacing yourself will be your new best friend. Knowing when to rest is key. Doing too much will, undoubtedly make you feel more achy the following days if you stretch yourself too far.
You are definitely not alone, we all have been where you are right now. Learn what you can about RA, and treatments etc.
Don’t read past the minor side effects on the medication sheets lol. That way you won’t frighten yourself silly😊 I have found lots of ways to make life a little bit easier for myself. Organising cupboards, getting a few gadgets to help if you struggle to do stuff will help. And most importantly don’t be hard on yourself, it isn’t your fault that you have RA, it just happens.
I am fiercely independent, and hate asking for help, but I do ask now if I’m struggling. Being overwhelmed is going to catch you off guard from time to time, but you will find your own way of doing stuff. And we are here when it all gets too much. 😊
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