Is there anything I can do that doesn’t mean taking lots of pain killers?

Lydia10

Hello all! I’m new here, I’m 27 and have been Diagnosed with JIA (inflammatory) since I was 14. Reading some of your guys stories, I don’t think my experience has been as bad as it could have, mine usually just affects my knees. Anyways, I have irregular flare ups which I just can’t seem to find the cause of, I’ve had my limit of steroid injections on my one knee, I hate taking naproxen, and the doctors are incredibly reluctant to give me any. It doesn’t make me feel great. I’m allergic to codine, I’m currently on Sulfazalazine. I had a flare up about 3 months ago, had the steroid injections, then it settled down for nearly 2 months, but has come back again.

I hate going to the doctors, as no one really listens, oh your bloods look fine, you can basically walk, it’s all fine- be on your way. I used to go running and climbing, but have had to stop in the last few years. I regularly exercise (although it’s difficult) eat pretty healthy, I just feel like I can’t win? Any advise at all? I’ve just started a teacher training course, which is full on, with a lot of sitting lectures, and soon placement lots of walking! I’m also working, although that’s getting more difficult and my knees are bad, and when I would normally exercise my knees are bad.

If I could stop taking and medication that would be ideal! But most likely not going to happen. But I would love to know if medications that do work well? Actual knee related exercises, I have tried the video ones on here but haven’t found them to make much difference, any advise on diet? I find the internet just says so many different things, and I just don’t know where to start. I want a plan, I want to get relatively ontop of this so that I can figure when a flare up is coming, why and try to stop or lessen it, or make it last less time?

Sorry very rambelly! If you mad it this far well done! 😂But as you guys knows the doctors really aren’t all that helpful! Also if anyone is a similar age and lives in the UK ( I live in the south west) let me know! I don’t know anyone under the age of 50 with arthritis so it’s always good to make friends that get it!

susy123

Hi Lydia10 I know exactly how you feel nobody real cares except your family and friends. Plus people in this community here. I'm 63 years old and have OA in my left knee. I have tried every thing going but there is one thing that's helping me and that is tramadol. I dont know if you can take it. I have to push myself to go out it would be so easy to do nothing. I'm thinking of leaving my job in November. I work in a carehome at night and I b on my feet for hours and it's full on. I have worked all my life. I have always just got on with it but now I have to think about my health. I will miss the money lol.

Susy123

EMMALONG

Dear Lydia. I am 48 yrs old but have had knee pain since being a teenager. Everything in your message resonated with me. For the last 30 yrs because I was active & healthy I was very much left to manage the pain by myself. A pain management course at my local hospital taught me how to manage psychologically through mindfulness. I would highly recommend you try & access a program. It was life changing for me. Biking, yoga & swimming have also kept me going. I didn't want to rely on medication so I worked really hard to make mindfulness & exercise a priority in my daily life. After a bad flare up this year I have just had a total knee replacement last week. It's been a painful & emotional week but after so many years of struggling I am excited to start a new chapter. I remember being your age & working as a teacher with knee pain. It is incredibly challenging on your health & relationships You will need to pace yourself & make time to rest with ice. Keep doing exercises but balance this with self care & mindfulness. I really hope you are able to find ways to manage & cope. X

Naomi33

Morning @Lydia10 and welcome to the online community.

Sorry to hear your concerns about OA and flare ups in knees.

I like you tried alternatives with Pain Management courses over the years but actually found a local walking group no Arthritis connection really just health walk.

Amazingly the people on the walk helped and still help with my walking issues and one year on found it the most rewarding thing I have tried since being diagnosed.

There is always someone worse off / whose been there done that /faster / slower than me but support is good and non judgemental.

Hope this helps but as I can see others are connecting with you.

Best wishes @Naomi1933

Baloo

@Lydia10

I tend not to do things unless I know how they work.

One thing I adopted very early on is moving deliberately slow to keep the stress and strains as low as they will go.

The principles can be picked up from doing excercises such a tai chi but they have elements like improved balance, moving at breathing speed instead of heartbeat speed (I like that one), Mindfulness is also a good place to go to develop the kind of focus on breathing and self awareness that is required.

Your physio can pick out some exercise schemes that incorporate Tai Chi. I tried chair Tai Chi for a while and was surprised how hard it is. I soon gave up, and only the exercise that fits my day survives.

You need to know how it feels, until the message clicks into place, and then you can very quickly adapt it into your everyday life. I haven't tried Yoga.

As daft as it sounds I sometimes choose a spirit guide, like trying to move like a Ninja. Any guide will do, I was the Green Hulk for a while, but haven't bothered with him for a long time. Heck. Have fun with it for goodness sake.

Incidentally, I decided to hand in my driving licence at 70. My reactions with arthritis are too slow to be safe. If anyone wants to maintain fast reactions, I don't know how.