arthritis in knees need help and advice please

emmasgirl · 10. Aug 2012, 06:05

Hi , i am 45 , i weigh probably 20 stones and im 5 foot 2 inches tall - i have had xrays on my knees and the DR said i have "some arthritis in both knees" he said it wasn't disabling -
i am unable to bend , kneel or squat down , and its painful to walk very far as either knee will either give way or lock-up and it feels like a knife stuck between to bones.

I desperatly want to work but with the pain i cant move very well - my dr has prescibed me TRAMADOL 50MG 2 X 4 PER DAY - i also take 2 paracetamol 4 times a day.

I eat healtherly but am unable to exercise because of my knees , please can someone give me any advice - i just want to be pain free so i can get a job - i had to give up my job as a waitress as my knees just couldnt take the strain of all the running around , i dont claim ANY benefits i live with my partner who works full time.

valval · 10. Aug 2012, 06:23

hi swimming the best exercise you can do it takes pressure off joints. also you can do lots of exercise sat down keeping weight down sounds like a must for you not easy and a refural to physio might help get exercises to suit you.
ice for knee (if swollen) wrapped in towel. wheat bag for aching. do not put up with it if you are having pain that affects your quality of life go back to gp and explaine they start off with minimal meds to see if that helps but there is more help out there and they can not tell the amount of pain you get from x ray you will have to tell them did they give you some exercises to strenthen tendens and muscles around knee to help with the giving way val

emmasgirl · 10. Aug 2012, 06:32

Hi Val - thanks for the reply - the Dr just gave me the prescription for Tramadol - that was it - no advice or suggestions , he didn't even refer to my weight :x He makes me feel that im wasting his time but all i want is the pain to stop so i can go to work!!

valval · 10. Aug 2012, 06:37

they can be like that is there another doc you can see i am over weight and struggleing to loose it but the stronger you keep muscles the better joint will be protected weight can cause extra pain it does not always go with weight loss but anything we can do to ease pain is good mine told me to get some ankle weights and do knee lifts holding for short time and exercise bike suposed to be good rhummy told me that one. if you look at top of page there is living with artheritis and you will find inforkation about oa and exercises there good luck keep intouch val

knuckleduster · 10. Aug 2012, 06:47

You definitely need more help than just painkillers. I suggest you go back to your doctor and ask to be referred to physio where they will guide you through strengthening exercises. Swimming and aqua aerobics are very good forms of exercise and most council pools run special classes. It's not easy to lose weight if you are partially inactive, though it can come off. I and my sister are both trying to lose weight and it is hard and some days I just yearn for an apple and cream turnover, but I know it won't do me any good. Have you got a slimming club nearby you could go to? You could join an online slimming club, but I personally feel you need the support of other people around you which a weekly club will bring. Keep us in touch as to how you get on.

Janet x

GraceB · 10. Aug 2012, 07:24

Hi,
I'm 47 and had a partial knee replacement when I was 44. My other knee is not far off needing doing now so I can sympathise with you completely.
As the others have suggested, keep going back to your doctor until you feel you've had the support you need. I'd recommend hydrotherapy - exercises in a very warm pool usually via your local physiotherapy dept in your local hospital.
Try and keep moving - it makes life more difficult if you just stop moving around. Have you considered using a walking stick? If your left knee is worse use a stick in your right hand and vice-versa. This takes up to a third of your weight off your joints.
Keep posting on here - everyone's great and I've found it to be wonderful to be part of this forum.
Let us know how you get on when you go back to the GP.
In the meantime, take care,
GraceB

elainebadknee · 10. Aug 2012, 07:32

HI

Well Im 44 and now having TKR later this year....Its a long story but to cut it short i did weigh 17stone3pounds and now weigh 13stone9pounds....
I will tell you that the weight does make the pain worse as its extra pressure around the joint, since have lost my weight told my deterioration has not gotten any worse than a year ago...Was like you didnt think could exerfcise but attended a gym and they can give you stuff to do seated or with your arms, they can tailor a programme for you specially and wont make you do anything you cant/dont feel safe doing....Its not easy but if I can do it anyone can, honestly was worst dieter ever!
Youre eating healthy thats good but look at portion size too and what you can cut out, extras, potatoes,bread etc....
Good luck with it all and let me know how you get on...Like said am/was in same boat as you!!!

Elainex

emmasgirl · 10. Aug 2012, 07:53

many thanks for your replies and tips - i shall be going back to the Dr's as Tramadol and paracetamol are not killing the pain - is there any pain killers anyone would recommend?

Until i can get back to work we can't afford gym/swimming/diet clubs as my partners wage only just covers the rent/gas/elec/food

I don't live a life at the moment , i just exist from day to day, i dont leave the house , i struggle with everyday housework and even stepping into the bath for a shower is painful

I am taking anti-depressents , mood stabilizers and sleeping pills but im just misrable everyday and in pain.....i really have had enough!!! i want a reason to get up every morning, i just want to be happy and have a job - I WANT A LIFE!!!!

dreamdaisy · 10. Aug 2012, 09:41

I feel for you, I'm in a similar boat with bad osteo-arthritis in my knees and ankles and other joints affected by my auto-immune form. It's not fun.

The first thing to realise is that to lose weight you don't need the expense of joining a gym, or a diet group, or buying 'slimming' foods as they can be anything but. Aim for portion control, no nibbling or seconds, serve your food on a smaller plate and don't eat whilst watching telly. Sit and concentrate on each mouthful, the taste and texture and chew thoroughly, at least thirty times before you swallow. Losing weight is a matter of will power and self-discipline and if you want to do it badly enough you will. It's not about denial, it's about reclaiming your life and helping your joints. A wheel-chair bound lady on here lost over five stone, she's proof it can be done.

Aim to exercise a little every day. Exercise your upper body by sitting and lifting soup cans or bags of flour, then do the same for your legs by stowing a can in a pair of oven gloves, slinging that round your ankle and do leg raises. Even just going up and down the stairs a couple of times will help (if you have stairs that is!) There are ways to get yourself moving that won't need too much energy but that will benefit your over-all health, I think AC has a leaflet on arthritis and exercise, if you search through their publications bit I'm sure you'll find it. I used to do lamp-post walks, I would totter to a lamp-post then walk home again. The next day I would go one lamp-post further and build from that day by day, even if it was raining. I'm not walking too much at the moment for a number of reasons but I am still trying to do a little every day.

I was turned down for new knees last August as I was too young (rubbish) and too fat (true). I have lost some weight by coming off the steroids but now the rest is up to me and I will shift it. I have to go back in another two years when I'm 55 and that is my spur.

As for pain relief, well, I use the term pain dullers because that is all they do. They remove the sharper edges and we have to cope with what's left. The pain doesn't stop, it doesn't go away and it's there as a reminder not to over-do things. Always stop every activity when you think you can do more, rest when you can and most of all try to regain control of things. I wish there was a magic wand but there isn't. We have to make that magic for ourselves - it's not an easy skill to learn. We will help you and encourage you all we can because we know how tough and miserable things can be. I wish you well. DD

elainebadknee · 10. Aug 2012, 17:56

Hi

There is ways...Ask your gp if there is hydrotherapy if so they can refer you and you pay a small price for going into a lovely heated pool where your joints feel so much better, do leg exercises sitting in the chair/on the bed, the straight leg raises and bended knee ones....Also as another has said used whats in the house as weights...Another thing to do is have you a broom or something with a handle, put it behind your head and turn to one side, to the middle then the other side, it works your side muscles....Do exercises in the bath if you cant get to a pool...
I understand things are tough nowadays with finance etc and it can be a struggle but a little every day would help...Honest! You will get your life back, it doesnt seem it now but you will, chin up!!

Elainex

caroldeeg · 11. Aug 2012, 03:18

Hi
I have been in your situation, I had terrible pains in my knees, I couldnt walk more than about 50 yards, I was depressed and really felt that life was not worth living,
The best thing I did was go and see another doctor who referred me to see an orthopaedic surgeon. They xrayed my knee again and then scanned it & told me I needed a total knee replacement. I was 18 stone at the time and they did it, They moaned a bit but they still did it and it was difficult as I lived alone and far from family and friends, but I got there.
Im not going to say that your knee is or isn't that bad but u need to go and see another more sympathetic doctor, U dont need to take the " its all wear and tear now take these pills and lose weight" excuse. U DESERVE better treatment that that. Its your right!!!
Excuse my rant at the medical profession but if u dont stand up for yourself u will get no where.
send me a message if u need some more advice.
I hope this helps
We are all here for u
Carol

pegleg · 11. Aug 2012, 05:09

Hi there

, I'm 48 and had a knee replacement 3 weeks ago , got turned down 2 years ago because , quote, "there was still life in the joint and your too young" , I'm not overweight but I did have it stressed to me that any weight gain does put more strain on your knees , but I'm sure you know that anyway . I used to go swimming 3 times a week and also used to make myself walk our dog for 30 mins every day ,I only stopped both activities a week before my op because it was too painful . The golden rule is to keep the joint (s) moving, the more movement you have before the op determines how much you will have after , If I were you I would see a different Doctor who is willing to work with you and offer support where and when needed , its no good just packing you off with tablets :x , good luck , there is lots of help out there , make sure you get it xx

pinkbritishstars · 11. Aug 2012, 08:12

Hi

I too think you should be getting more help. See if you can be referred to orthopaedic consultant.

Thinking of you

Pink x

freesia · 11. Aug 2012, 12:20

Sending you a BIG HUG....

I'm early 40's too, with OA grade 4 in both knees... I too have been really struggling lately....

Like you "I WANT MY LIFE BACK"

Had major surgery several months back (first surgery / arthroscopy / which turned into a major 'patch-up' job) and was told the extent of the damage was very severe, feel angry that the OA was not diagnosed by GP & physio's earlier, but slowly learning to get over that anger.... Now in Limbo, my consultant will replace both knees when 'we mutually' agree the pain is too much and my quality of life is low.... Well I'm nearly there, but struggling to make the final decision to have bilateral knee surgery again, IT WAS TOUGH last time.... Like you Need to shed some weight but it is really hard when you can't exercise......

Thinking of you......

barbara12 · 11. Aug 2012, 13:09

Hi emmasgirl
The others have said it all, I just want to add my support, has for the painkillers I have dome quite a few now, and its a matter of what suits you, but none of them take away the pain completely.
I do wish you well with it all, and hope you get some help very soon x

Kathyjam · 12. Aug 2012, 09:06

Hi
Like you, I am pretty new to this forum but I came on here a few Sunday's ago out of desperation and feeling old before my time (I am 52). I have oa in my left knee and I too was like you, felt that I had been let down by my GP but I went back last week and stressed how disabling the pain was. I have now been referred to the muscoloskeletal unit (pain clinic). At last I think I am getting somewhere but from reading others on here, it could still be a long road.
I too need to lose weight and hard to when it hurts so much to exercise, but I do walk little and often if I can.
Also, the painkillers, or paindullers as I first heard them called on here and it's so true. I assumed the pain would just go, but it doesn't, they take the edge off. I am take a mixture of co-codomol and naproxen (with stomach protectors for the Naparoxen. But check what works for you with your GP.
All the best
Kathy

emmasgirl · 17. Aug 2012, 12:39

Thank you all for your replies and support - i have an appointment to see a different Dr on wednesday so hopefully i will get some help from this one! I do find it difficult to put into words how to describe my pain and symptoms

i just end up in floods of tears

((

dreamdaisy · 17. Aug 2012, 12:58

It's not easy to put these feeling into words but it is worth keeping a diary of how things go from day to day because then you can hand that over for the doc to read. Keep a note of pain levels, how tired you are, what helps and what hinders, this helps to build a clearer picture of how you are being affected on a day-to-day basis. I wish you well. DD

emmasgirl · 17. Aug 2012, 13:20

Many thanks i will try that , i just want a life, any life would be better than this!!! i just want to be able to work without feeling pain and being so miserable!!! Ive been on anti depressents for about 4 years but they are useless ! , im not living a life, im just excisting from day to day

stickywicket · 17. Aug 2012, 14:19

Hi Emmasgirl. I think you need to take control of your own life. No-one else can do it for you and paindullers aren't a solution only an aid. You've been given lots of good advice by the others. Exercise produces endorphins which make us feel good. You don't have to join a gym. Download AC's booklet on exercise. Your muscles will strengthen and your pain lessen. It really does help. You'll never know what you're capable of until you try. However, a painfree life is unrealistic. Less pain, and more enjoyment, is definitely possible though.

dreamdaisy · 17. Aug 2012, 17:22

You have a life. I realise it's not the one you want or would like but it's the one you have. I reckon that none of us like our lot but this is what we have and it's up to us to deal with it. I wish that someone else could change matters for me but only one person can and that's me. Dammit. DD

arthritis in knees need help and advice please

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