Knee unstable and buckling under me

[ladyelizajane]

Hi Folks, I have been having a flare for a couple of months now, started on prednisolone last week and Leflunomide this week as well as taken Hydroxychloroquine. My knee has now become week and buckling under me making it really difficult for me to do anything, and really knocked my confidence for getting about - can't get out the house at the moment. Has this happened to anyone else?

[charisma]

Hi LEJ

Maybe you need the doses of drugs adjusted? Best speak to Rheumatology ASAP. When my knee was swollen and not much use in June, I bought a knee support that looks like a support stocking. Available from Amazon, it helped a lot. I wore at night too for a couple of days, and that meant I could sleep as well as walk far more easily.

I hope you get relief soon!

[ladyelizajane in reply to charisma]

Thanks for the reply, I have just started the new meds. I am going on amazon now to order a support for my knee thanks again appreciate it.

[sylvi]

Sending hugs. xxxx

[Sockknitter]

I had a similar problem last winter. Swollen knee, painful and the feeling that it was not reliable, could buckle at any moment and in fact I fell twice because it gave way. I got elbow crutches from my regular physio and eventually a steroid injection from my Rheumy physio which "cured it". Good as gold now.

[ladyelizajane in reply to Sockknitter]

Hi Sockknitter, thanks for your reply, I had a steroid injection, didn't work everything just got much worse, started on prednisone and leflunomide last week in addition to hydroxychloroquine that I take, knee swollen and buckling, hopefully they will kick in and work.

[Hidden]

I have often had that trouble with my knee and asked both my rheumy and an orthopedic surgeon about getting a knee support and they both said not to because it would make my muscles weaker so I am a bit confused over whether it would be a good idea to get one when my knee is bad or not. I have been told that I need both knees replacing but that the left one is by far the worst. I remember it giving way on me quite a few years back when we were in London for the day. I almost fell down in the middle of a very busy road and the pain was awful. I have also been asked on several occasions when the doctors have looked at my X-rays, if I have ever fractured my knee and I don't remember having done so, but wonder if it is possible to have done so without realising it when I have had it let me down sometime.

I can't have my knees replaced at present because I am having a shoulder replacement done next week and won't be able to weight bear on my arms or shoulders. I have so many bits of me that need replacing or that are very painful that I keep saying that I would like a new body for Christmas. Lol. I take prednisolone, hydroxy and mtx but have not felt any benefit from them so after I have had a few weeks recovery from the operation, my rheumy is changing the mtx to Leflunomide so I will see how that goes.

I hope you soon get some relief Ladyelizajane.

[ladyelizajane in reply to Hidden]

Hi Holly-willow, thanks for your reply, it really knocks your confidence when you knee gives way, I ordered a knee brace and am willing to give it a try to see how it goes. I have just started on leflunomide, let's hope it works for both of us.

[Hidden]

Hi again ladyelixajane, I hope the knee brace is good and I would be pleased if you could let me know if you think it is worth getting one. My knees, especially the left one are swollen so I also wonder if I would be able to get a knee brace that would be big enough for me.

As you say, let's both hope that leflunomide works for us. It will be the third dmard I have tried as the first one bought me out in huge red and itchy spots all over me.

[ladyelizajane in reply to Hidden]

Hi Holly-willow, I will let you know how it goes, it hasn't 't been delivered yet. This is my 4th dmard and I will be on to the biologics if this doesn't work. It is a journey we are all on. I am definitely a lot better than I have been over the last couple of months just this left knee, the swelling has gone down and it is not as painful just given way, a new symptom just over the last few days. It is a bit early to tell but I have my fingers crossed with leflunomide and predisolone. Hope you feel better soon and the meds work x

[ladyelizajane in reply to Hidden]

Hello again - holly -willow, I received my knee support today and it has definitely helped me. I feel more confident with the support it is giving me and I did drive my car today aswell, wasn't confident about doing that without the knee support. I have been on prednisolone for 2 weeks now and Leflunomide for a week as well as my usual hydroxychloroquine maybe that is kicking in. Hope you are feeling well.

[Hidden]

I am glad to hear that the knee support is doing it's job and you feel better for wearing it. Maybe it is something I should try even if the doctors are telling me not to get one. I am not too good at the moment as I am in so much pain and not looking forward to going into hospital for my shoulder replacement on Thursday. However I just want to get the operation over and done with now. I hope you soon get some relief on your new medication. xx

[ladyelizajane in reply to Hidden]

Hi holly-willow, I am really sorry you are in pain and not good at the moment, hope all goes well and you are soon on the mend from your op. xxx

[Hidden]

Thank you so much ladyelizajane. xx