STIFF AND PAINFUL KNEES

[Ritaritis]

Morning folks, I started methotrexate the end of June, the pain has lessened, particularly at night so I'm sleeping better. My knee joints are still painful and stiff but the swelling has reduced a little. Is the stiffness and pain now due partly to the fact I rarely go out, spend hours either reading, crafting or studying on line and need to exercise more? Thank you.

[Hidden]

It could be the methotrexate is helping but not quite enough and it’s still very early days . Normally it can take up to 3months till mtx works. As to exercise as my physio says motion is lotion 😁gentle walks will help if your able.

[springcross]

Hi again Ritaritis. It is quite early days yet for the MTX to work properly although it sounds as though it's started to help. I've been on it for almost two years now but I do find that if I sit for too long, when I eventually get up it takes me a while to get going and I think it's due to lack of movement, as if I go out for any reason (which isn't very often), I don't feel anywhere near as stiff.

[Mmrr]

Gentle movements may help, simple stretching without causing too much pain might be a good place to start.

Have you been referred to physiotherapy, if not it might be worth asking about?

[ketiv74]

Hi Rita- My left knee was affected when I first got diagnosed. It was swollen & very painful to get up or bend, it had to be drained and injected with steroid back then. But after Mtx kicked in the pain and stiffness went away. Since then it has been getting better and stronger over last 2.5 years. 2 years back even after Mtx was working well and I did not have pain, I could barely walk half a mile before starting to feel pain and weakens in my knees, legs & ankles. I gradually increased my walking time & went back to Yoga, now I can walk 3-4 miles at a stretch almost everyday without my knees & legs hurting. I would strongly suggest to keep it moving as much as you can tolerate. As the inflammation goes down, you will get the movement back as well. Just keep those muscles strong.

Take care!

[oldtimer]

I have a kitchen timer and get up and move around at least every hour. I tend to become absorbed in work - reading or writing on the computer - and can get very stiff if I don't move frequently. I also vary what I do in the garden for similar reasons.

[Sheila_G]

Well. It could be a bit of both. It is definitely good to exercise but don't overdo it as your body will definitely let you know the following day. It is also early days for mxt to kick in so patience and gentle exercise are my advice.

[Happy5]

My friend with RA has dreadful knee problems turned out he also has Osteo arthritis in them. Maybe helpful to eliminate that possibility ?

[Ritaritis in reply to Happy5]

Hi Happy5, the arthritis is in my feet, knees and hands. The meds are kicking in and the pain is less than it was. My knee swelling has reduced a little and I'm trying to move around more, it's too easy to stay sitting. I'm also taking more breaks from the laptop (I'm studying) and trying to exercise a little more to increase my mobility, I have a portable pedal exercise bike and have a goal of being able to walk around Tittesworth Reservoir, Staffordshire Moorlands near my home again. Many years ago I climbed Mt Snowdon with my mother and enjoyed walking particularly as I worked full time as a typist.🐈🦄