Swollen knees back almost as bad as ever.

[Bailybiscuit]

Some of you may remember I have had fluid taken from my knees and had steroid injections twice. they worked the first time but it is only three weeks since i had them done again and my knees are swollen. I had hoped my Benapali or Etanercept (It has both names on the box) would be working and would have helped them by now. Has anyone found any alternative treatment that has helped swollen knees? Have you found anything at all that has helped? I have seen a poultice made of comfrey could help but not sure how to do it as it just said to soak leaves in hot water then make a poultice. There is a lot about knees if it is through injury but when I ask my Dr or the rheumy nurse they don't know what to say. My Dr wants me to start taking Gabapentin for burning leg syndrome but when i had the first fluid drawn off the burning stopped so I am sure it is the pressure of the fluid causing it.I did walk on the beach last week and it was a real effort but I wanted to try and do it. After that my knees have just both got much worse.

[helixhelix]

It may be caused by disease rather than injury, but I think some of the treatments for injury could help you anyway. So alternating hot & cold towels (even without comfrey), and keeping your feet elevated as much as you can. Also try to keep off your feet as much as you can for a little bit - and easy walking. I'd have thought the jiggling about your knees have to do to walk on unstable sand is possibly the least suitable?

[Bailybiscuit in reply to helixhelix]

I know but I didn't want to be beaten. I realise now I shouldn't have done it, but at least I did enjoy my paddle.

[Mandalou]

Totally agree with Helix regards her comments about walking on sand or even pebbles if it was a stony beach.

I know the temptation to do ordinary things is very strong but remember the surging inflammation which does indeed give this hot burning feeling ( I used to feel it as a buzzing pretty much through out my body but especially in my knees) when you have this feeling and your disease is active you will not have stable joints and thus is when by over straining you could damage the muscles and other structures too.

Benepali is the product name and Etanercept is the active ingredient.(Biosimilar)

Enbrel is the product name and Etanercept is the active ingredient( Biologic)

Think Nurofen- product name, Ibruprofen the ingredient.

What anti inflammatories are you on Ballybiscuit?

Diclofenac? Naproxen?

Regular doses daily could help a great deal, I still suffered with my knees until I started taking 500mg of Naproxen twice a day. I take Omnaprazole to protect my tummy of course.

Finally, what are your latest test results?

You should be having regular blood tests as you are on Benepali, I have them every 8 weeks and it would be very interesting to hear and for you to know what your CRP is currently?

That way you can see in black and white if your drugs are helping at all.

Hope your knees are feeling better today?

Mx

[Bailybiscuit in reply to Mandalou]

I take co codamol as I couldn't take Naproxen. I thought I should have more regular blood tests than the rheumy nurse said. I had one recently and my ESR was 6 and my CRP was less than 4. Before they were ESR 14 and CRP 37. They were both higher than that a few weeks before.

[GranAmie]

Aaaargh - first rule of RA [ and motherhood lol] or maybe 4 Life - it's not giving in, just temp compromise] - when in doubt sit down - and put your feet up. 4get beach 4 the mo. So sorry 4yr pain, but cold compress 10 mins per hour shd help. Easy compress to manage if hands prob too is a frozen facecloth - i now keep several in separate plastic sandwich bags in freezer. I also find feldene gel -may be ibuprofen based? - a help for swollen painful ankles but use spraringly. Was given it in hospital. cd u sleep with feet up on a pillow or two to continue the drainage? Take it easy on yourself xx

[Bailybiscuit]

I could sleep with my feet up. My ankles at the moment are ok though, they feel like they are swollen but are not. The face cloth idea sounds good I will try that , thank you.

[Bailybiscuit]

Thank you. I've just read it and I have comfrey in my garden so will try it.