Arthritis

[shelleymarie]

Hey all. I'm hoping you can help. I almost 100% sure I've got arthritis in my left knee. I've not had it confirmed by a doctor (my dog recently had to have x-rays for a diagnoses, is it the same for humans?) but the pain has been there several years. Both knees to be honest but the left one can become very painful, I think the main bulk of the damage was obviously being 26 stone but now it seems to be getting worse. I know some exercise is meant to help arthritis and joint problems but I'm thinking because I'm still over 17 and half stone, and have a very tiny 5ft 1" frame that's why it's feels worse with quite a vigorous cardio routine (I don't run on it though) and I've actually avoided the gym the last 2 weeks because of the pain. I don't want to do that as I get such a buzz from exercising now. I guess I need to talk to my doctor about it (easier said that done getting an appointment!) but I was just wondering what others take for pain relief now we can't take nSAIDS? can paracetamol do the job just as well? doesn't seem to be at the moment. I've try some heat pads too which give some temporary relief, but it doesn't do much. How do those of you who have it cope with it? when I went away a couple of weeks ago I did around 40 mins swimming a day, that eased it but my hips really hurt and kept me awake a night so hope it's not in there too. I know it's all real possibility having been so heavy so long. At least my back pain is almost all gone which has been my best benefit from the surgery over all so far as couldn't walk at all before. Any help/ideas appreciated

 

[Ruthiep]

Hi Shelleymarie,

I have osteoarthritis in both knees, my spine and my right instep/ankle. Before my sleeve when I was about 14 and a half stone (and I'm the same height as you) I was in so much pain I could barely walk. I had 3 cortisone injections in my spine the year before my op which helped to some extent.

But what helped me more than anything was losing the weight. Now I am free from pain in my knees and my spine, and only have some pain left in my right foot. But I have full mobility now, can walk briskly along like a teenager and I'm 64. My sleeve and its weightloss have given me back my youth.

I don't know what nSAIDS are. I take diclofenec when my foot hurts, along with a lansoprazole to protect my stomach. But you started off much heavier than me and you had your op six months later than I did so you have time on your side to get more weight off and relieve your symptoms. My spine doc was very skeptical that just losing weight would make such a difference; as he said "you'll still have the arthritis afterwards; it won't have gone away." Maybe so, but to all intents and purposes, it HAS gone away. As I now weigh only 9 and a half stone, the pressure on my joints is so much less. Good luck with your continued improvement!

 

[Caren]

hey Shelley, i have arthritis in both my knees, and although i can walk, exercise etc i still have pain in them, which is a lot worse in the cold and fog. I think you should go to your doc as he will be able to give you the pain killers you need. It might take a while to get an appointment but you might as well just get one, good luck x

 

[chrisa]

Yes Shelley go and let the gp take a look, the last time my knew as bad i was running, but that had to stop since then I have been doing little exercise just bits here and there just got back into using me pilates mat n ball then I got this cold, it is no good exercising when you are like that because the body can;t cope doing everything, so just walking when I can, we walk everywhere we don't have a car. The doc recommended I use a ibuprofen rub on my knee. xx

 

[Bellydancer57]

The extra strong (diflofenic) gel is very good & avoids taking tablets via your pouch.
Do go to the doctors though & he can refer you to a specialist. There are several types of arthritis so diagnosis is really necessary to get the right medication. My mum & sister both have inflammatory arthritis & have been put on methotrexate which is really helping.

 

[lyzzyanne]

I have it in my hip and it was diagnosed by xray. I try and keep the pain under control with paracetamol. If it gets really bad, which I seem to have at the moment despite losing a load of weight (keep telling myself it will get better) I take naprosyn which is a Nsaid. I have spoken to my surgeon about it and he is fine with it as long as I take lanprozole with it (however that is spelt!!)
I really try to get away with the least I can take but the cold is really playing me up at the moment.

 

[Bellydancer57]

I have it in my hip and it was diagnosed by xray. I try and keep the pain under control with paracetamol. If it gets really bad, which I seem to have at the moment despite losing a load of weight (keep telling myself it will get better) I take naprosyn which is a Nsaid. I have spoken to my surgeon about it and he is fine with it as long as I take lanprozole with it (however that is spelt!!)
I really try to get away with the least I can take but the cold is really playing me up at the moment.

Poor you & all you other arthritis sufferers out there. Hope you all get a bit of relief.

 

[gonnabethinner]

Just been diagnosed with osteo arth of the knee. Causing major probs as i do a standing up all day job. And now limp badly Doc has givene omeprazole diclofenac and co-codamol but.not had sleeve yet. Told her I meed to be careful of stomach dont want op to be turned down cos of úlcers etc caused by meds.do worry what will.hapen after op

 

[shelleymarie]

Thanks so much everyone for the advice. I'm hoping to get into see my GP monday. Unfortunately they don't do advance appointments, so if your not on deaths door, which thankfully I'm not, you can't get past the receptionists but I'll keep trying. Definitely think I'll need some pain relief soon so I can continue to exercise more. Thanks again x

 

[gonnabethinner]

Good luck hune!

 

[Ruthiep]

The extra strong (diflofenic) gel is very good & avoids taking tablets via your pouch.
Do go to the doctors though & he can refer you to a specialist. There are several types of arthritis so diagnosis is really necessary to get the right medication. My mum & sister both have inflammatory arthritis & have been put on methotrexate which is really helping.

The diclofenec gel; do you rub it on? I've never heard of that stuff. I don't think I need it although if it would prevent me taking tablets it might be a good idea to rub some on my foot in the mornings when it hurts.

 

[Bellydancer57]

The diclofenec gel; do you rub it on? I've never heard of that stuff. I don't think I need it although if it would prevent me taking tablets it might be a good idea to rub some on my foot in the mornings when it hurts.

Hi ya it's sold under Voltorol emu gel over the counter but there is a stronger version only available on prescription. Just rub it in. It helped my chronic sciatica. I used it as was worried about taking so much , diflofenic tablets & paracetamol pre op. hope it helps.