Arthritis?

[Meg888]

My knees are in a bad way, my right one in particular looks awful - it's quite swollen, though it doesn't hurt to touch, it hurts inside, feels like a block of wood and makes creaking noises when bending. I cannot keep my legs straight for any length of time, but nor can I bend them too much. My lower back is also causing me problems; as I cannot fully bend my knees, I tend to tilt if I need to bend down to do anything i.e. load the washing etc. I've had both of the said problems for quite a long time now, I haven't done anything about either as they didn't affect my day-to-day much. But now it is, I'm struggling with housework, anything physically manual and to stay asleep, if I turn in the night, I wake up and I'm having to support myself to turn over, or I have to very carefully change position of the affected area as it causes a lot of pain. I'm also getting pain in my back - different to the one in my lower back, it seems to stretch across the back of my ribcage. I'm probably 2 stone overweight, which doesnt help; 41 yr old and my job is a desk one! I don't get a lot of excercise as quite frankly I havent the energy & plus if I ran/jumped/hopped or skipped I'm sure my knees would break! I know I need to go to the doc, I was just wondering if anyone could shed any light in the meantime?

[divegirl]

Hi, well really you have answered all of your own questions here. You need to see a doctor but if he is anything like mine the first thing he will tell you to do is lose some weight.
You're 41 not 81 so get yourself to the docs asap and get yourself sorted out, there will be no miracle cure though [well maybe some prescribed pain relief] it is all down to getting fit!
I have arthritis in my ankles but all I do is take some fish oils and grin and bare it....Good luck.

Lisa x

[Sqad]

divegirl has said it all......you need assessing by a Rheumatologist.

[netibiza]

May I just say Hi to sqad, just emailed you to see if you are Ok.

[Sqad]

netty...yepp, getting stronger day by day.....glad to be back to the "little island"

[shanti7]

Ist port of call is your GP. You could have a congenital problem eg knocked/splayed knees which hasnt affected you till you are older. The pain in your back could be because you are compensating for your knee pain and doing 'unusual' movements with the tiny muscles in your back. Demand to see aphysio, they can get you straight again and strengthen your core strength. Sometimes orthotic insoles can help with knee problems,made by an orthotist (via your GP/physio) I know this as I have the problem of knocked knees and the physio said there was no point doing physio untill my legs were in a straight position helped by insoles. I didnt think much of it at the time, but he was right! Get advice from the right person and you'll be on your way to managing your symptoms if not curing them altogether.

[diadem01]

I have had similar symptoms and have been advised of and treated for muscle rupture. It seems that the walls of the muscle can rupture and their ability to support you is thereby compromised. Incidentally, it is often accompanied by swellings behind the knee joint and bulging of the flesh to the side of the knee. You do need it looked at and one other thing, do not use ibuprofen gels to relieve any pain unless doctor says so. This simply relieves the pain while you are still damaging the area when moving about.

[starone]

Good gracious girl, you should have gone to the doctors ages ago, not left it until you are in agony. If nothing else happens at least they can alleviate the pain.

[Ing101]

Hi Meg, if it is arthritis, may I suggest something you can take? I recently recommended this to a colleague at work who has arthritis in her knees and was walking with 2 crutches. you need to buy glucosamine sulphate with chondroitin. Buy only the best supplements from a good health food store (not the chains). After about a week on glucosamine she is not so stiff and is now only using one walking stick. I've used this myself for my back pain and I can't recommend it highly enough. Hope this helps. Ing

[shaneystar2]

Hmmm .I have whole body OA and a high rheumatoid factor .I've spent mega money on Glucosamine etc to no avail whatsoever .Once the sinovial fluid round the joints goes there's nothing that will shore it up IMO .
It does sound as if you have some sort of arthritic conditon there Meg888 .
There are many forms of arthritis .
Get yourself to the doctor who will take blood tests etc and perhaps refer you for xrays and give you something to relieve the pain in the meantime until they find out exactly what you have and then you can get the correct treatment .
It sounds very much like osteoarthritis to me .Mine began to creep up in my middle to late forties .

[nannybooby]

Meg , know exactly where you are coming from , last year I felt like you do now ,you MUST go to your GP tell him about your probs , he should give you a blodd test that will measure the inflamation in your blood, check your thirio and calcium levels and all sorts of other things.The results take about 3/4 days then go back and see what they were. If its Osteo Arth. your levels will be normal and he should prescribe painkillersand physio and maybe something to help you sleep like amatryptaline (sorry sprlling not my best subject).If the levels of you crt are high you will be refered to a rheumi and he will pinpoint the type of arthritis you have and start a course of treatment. The longer you leave it with out treatment the more distorted and painful they will become. Your gp wont have a go at you for being overweight -mine never have and like you I am about 2 stone overweight. Get it under control then promise yourself you will cut iut your bad eating habbits.
Good luck I really feal for you.

[Meg888]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer. I have appointment with GP and I'm going to lose some weight, as I know this will not be helping. I've been going up a dress size the last couple of years so I'm obviously 'settling' into middle age spread!

[kippyboo]

Don't leave it any longer, you don't need to suffer like this! Plus you have probably gained weight over the last couple of years as your symptoms have increased your mobility has declined so you don't burn off the calories. Good luck

[Meg888]

Thanks Kippy. Yes I believe that to be part of the problem. At one time I was up at 6am each morning and was a domestic goddess, now I struggle to get up & down the stairs, often leaving it to my partner to carry up/down washing/hoover etc, so yes it definitley has - like I say I've an appt next week & I'm joining the biggest loser online when I've been paid, which seems so far away - January is the longest month of my life!!