Hello everyone

theia
theia Member Posts: 3
edited 2. May 2025, 08:15 in Coffee Lounge

I’m new here. In the past year both my knees and hands have developed arthritis. I’ve had a couple of steroid injections from the physio, which have helped for a few weeks afterwards but I’m wondering what daily medications people find helpful? I’m using over the counter anti-inflammatory and paracetamol but neither really work. I have a consultation at the knee clinic at the end ofJune.


Good to meet you all and thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have. This is all new to me and totally unexpected!

Comments

  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,945

    Hello @theia lovely to meet you and welcome you to the online community. I am glad to see you have got an appointment due at the end of June to discuss your options with regards to your knees.

    Hopefully someone will be along soon to share their own experience managing their pain.

    I am going to pop this link in if you scroll down to the section titled 'Drug Treatments' it might be useful.

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

    Best wishes

    Ellen.

  • theia
    theia Member Posts: 3

    Thank you Ellen, good to meet you and thank you for the welcome

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,315

    Hi @theia

    Nice to meet you glad you've found us. Hopefully you'll get some half decent help at your appointment.

    In the meantime I personally us a variety of pain relieving techniques from msn gel to ibuprofen gel (I'm not allowed anti-inflams unfortunately) from my microwavable wheatbags to my trusty tens machine. Also exercise really does help even though it seems counter productive.

    I hope you'll decide to keep posting

    Toni x

  • theia
    theia Member Posts: 3

    Thank you for your reply, Toni.

    I don’t know what my appointment will bring. I’ve been assuming that it will offer knee surgery but I’m 76 and am wondering if it will be offered.


    I sank into a gloomy period after the x-rays showed severe arthritis in my knees but I’m out of that now and am trying some exercise. Not much, I would add, because I can barely walk and have to use a stick because my left knee occasionally goes into spasm and gives out. A neighbour suggested concentrating on “soft knee” as she said we tend to tense our knees when in pain. I’m practising that, it seems to make sense. Can I ask more about your tens machine?


    theia xx

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,315

    Hi @theia

    I think at 76 if you are in otherwise good health you really should be offered surgery🤞. Knees are hard work to recover from and the best thing you can be doing is to exercise now in preparation. If those soft tissues are strong it will really help your recovery.

    Take a look at these they are 'official' Versus arthritis ones':

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMkxh1Alz2A

    My tens is a boots own one and wasn't expensive it's really easy to use (there are instructions in the pack) it's odd to start with not painful at all. I've been using one for best part of 20 years you start out with it on very low and increase as needed. I feel as though it confuses my brain and interrupts the pain signals. Ideal for when watching TV or reading before bed.

    I hope you'll let us know how you get on.

    Toni x

  • Arthuritis
    Arthuritis Member Posts: 553

    @theia @frogmorton I completely agree with Toni, it’s important to keep those soft tissues well maintained, particularly muscle, as it’s harder to retain with age, but it prevents you from suffering a fall, in addition regularly gently exercising muscle generates ant inflammatory cytokines that helps prevent inflammatory conditions from getting worse under sedentary lifestyle.

    Here’s hoping you get your knee help soon.

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