Inflammation reduction tips

lyinglow
lyinglow Member Posts: 20
edited 26. Nov 2014, 04:56 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello!

I'm back, 5 years after my last post :? Having a few problems with the same knee! Was in hospital 3 weeks ago to have it drained (removed 200mm) but it's gone back to a balloon. Currently on 25mg methotrexate, working up to 6 tablets sulphasalazine and also 3 diclofenac. With all this nothing is really changing argghh :x

Anyone got any good tips for helping to reduce the swelling?

Thanks.

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Making a few changes to your diet may help but won't solve the problem and will take time to show any result. When resting sit with the knee elevated and ice it regularly, that's what I used to do. My knees used to balloon but now with the triple therapy of humira (an anti TNF), injected meth (15ml) and six sulph per day it is sometimes too low to be measured in the bloods and is frequently below 5.

    I suspect that your disease is not under proper control, I have PsA, what flavour is yours? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Alas, no. Not in my book. I'm with DD - a healthy diet and plenty of low impact exercise should help but..... :roll:

    You are already on some high doses of meds for the RA which should reduce inflammation. When did you last see your rheumatologist and what was said then about your inflammation levels?

    Did you have a steroid jab once they'd drained the knee? And then rest it for 48 hours to help the steroids stay where needed? If so, it sounds as if that didn't work either. Unfortunately, it can be the case that the more we have the less they work.

    Have you had a recent x-ray on the knee? It could have deteriorated significantly. A TKR was the only 'cure' for mine.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • theresak
    theresak Member Posts: 1,998
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sorry, I can`t add to what others have said - when my knee was bad it turned out to be a bursa, but once drained and injected it settled down. Ice and elevation are usually a good idea, but maybe a return visit to your rheumy is in order.
  • lyinglow
    lyinglow Member Posts: 20
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for your replies :)

    I had a steroid after the drain and did rest it 48 hours like you say. It did help for a week but since then the inflammation has returned.

    I last heard of my consultant few weeks ago who added in the sulph. I've left a voice mail on the secretaries phone today. It's quite frustrating. I've also had an ongoing problem with my right ankle 2.5+ years (swelling) so my right leg is getting a right good battering at the moment and I've been hobbling around for all this time. Tried acupuncture, seen the podiatrist watching what I drink and eat etc and I got denied a blue badge which would help me get to and back work (and probably my leg as its about 400m walk back and forth). Taxis are not cheap!

    Looking at getting an electric scooter that I can put in the back of the car which I would use to get me from parking place to work. Not cheap either.

    Currently have my foot and leg on the desk at work. Thankfully I don't have smelly feet :roll:
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I always found steroid injections into the joints useless (apart from one which did help the OA in my right ankle). I have PsA affected toes, ankles, knees and sacro-iliac joints plus OA in my ankles, knees and both hips. I am reliant on crutches (and have been since 2002) for short walks, I use my rollator for longer ones, I have a wheelchair and am now investigating scooters. I have a BB, and have had for some time, but when I applied I was using crutches: if you don't use walking aids then I guess the assumption made by the healthy assessors will be that you can cope. :roll: I am aware that when I am transferred to PIP I will lose some money because I use the aids: so be it.

    Does your hospital have a rheumatology helpline? If so it might be worth giving them a ring: ensure you have your hospital number to hand (well, I need that so presume you will too). DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • lyinglow
    lyinglow Member Posts: 20
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I had some luck with the steroids a few times during the past 15 years so it's disapointing that it is not working this time. I must be getting old :shock:

    Been house bound a few times recently because the swelling has been pretty bad. Still using my crutches a bit and using my umbrella as a walking stick with a few stops along the way. Been looking at these scooters bit pricey though!

    The long walks are not really helping. If I could just park on the yellow line along from the office it would help a lot.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You can only park for three hours at a stretch - methinks you would have to keep moving the car. A rollator with a seat may be an answer and can be bought for around £60. I'd be lost without mine - once more I can join a queue! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I just looked at your link - I wasn't referring to that sort of scooter, I was talking about mobility scooters which are a very different kettle of fish. I tried one or two yesterday in a specialist shop, just small ones and they won't do for me, ghastly on my knees, ankles and hips, nowhere near enough leg-room either (and I'm not that tall). DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think steroid jabs do tend to become less effective the more we have. If you've only added the sulph recently it might be that things will improve a little once it starts to take effect.

    I, too, thought you meant a proper disability scooter. The one you were looking at does look suitably lightweight but requiring extremely good balance. Do you have that?

    Maybe try re-applying for a Blue Badge and ask CAB to help with the form but, as DD says, we only get a maximum of 3 hours at a time so maybe not suitable for work.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • lyinglow
    lyinglow Member Posts: 20
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    These scooters are not mobility scooters but I reckon would be suitable for my current situation. I've good balance so reckon would be pretty easy to ride. Something I can get get out of my car and ride to work and store in a cupboard at work. Would hope my wrists could handle the weight and joints over the bumps!

    Had word from my consultant today. Back in for another drain and longer lasting steroid on Friday. Not sure why they didn't do this first time round as only been 4 weeks since my last injection. Have to then see how next 2 months go before they mix up my meds again.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    If you think you could cope with one then why not? It sounds ideal for you. At speeds of 35-40mph though, it's clearly a road scooter not a pavement one. I think I'd feel pretty vulnerable on the road on one but then I'd also feel pretty vulnerable as a pedestrian on the pavement if someone was careering about on one of those. It might be worth finding out what the legal position is.

    I guess the sulph still has time to kick in more fully. I've no idea what happened with the steroid jab. I'd have thought it was preferable to give you a bigger dose straight off than have to do a second :?
    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
    I don't know what to say apart from 'try before you buy'. What looks ideal on paper often turns out to be far from it in reality. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben