My knee is still absolutely giving me gyp! Following a flare up post Covid, I have increased my Sulfasalazine, added Hydroxychloroquine and just finished a 3 week course of Predisolone, as well as having had 2 steroid injections. The all over flare has dampened down a little but as soon as I return to normal and walk somewhere my knee swells straight up. The constant pain and immobility is getting me down, I have 2 young children and work 4 days a week.
I have had RA for over 20 years and I have always managed to bounce back after a flare, but now I'm thinking- is this it? I will always be.this way now....has anyone any experience of this and was there ultimately some.sort of structural issue with knee? What can I do to get back to normal? I'm.so tired all the time, I'm worried there is something else going on with me....thanks in advance you lovely people x
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Haylonico
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Same here! Came from nowhere in March and I can’t get on top of it. Funnily enough, the rheumatologist asked if I’d had Covid and I haven’t unless I was asymptomatic. I guess they’re seeing a pattern.
Had scans on Friday and seeing GP today to grovel for more pred. You’d think I was asking for gold bars. GP keeps insisting on seeing me in case it’s septic arthritis which it isn’t. It’s driving me mad now.
I’m got a speaking gig mid June and going on a cruise two days later and having to get transport to both as driving just a few miles brings me to tears. Determined to do both but the two trips will cost almost £900 in taxi fares alone 🤪🤪😩😩😩😩😩
If you find a way through this, let me know. Rubbish isn’t it.
I sympathise with you, for me, it is always my flipping knee, I had a replacement knee in 2017 and thought that would be it, but no it is permanently swollen, much bigger than my left knee. I get 'flare-ups' which are horrendous, (I think it is septic arthritis), - where I shiver and shake, vomit, and actually cannot walk on that leg at all, become totally immobile. Like you say you feel tired all the time, yes it is exhausting. They would drain it before my replacement knee, but now they won't. This is a regular occurrence now for me. I have RA and OA, and am on permanent steroids. I have no clue what brings it on, I just wish they could do something for it.
Morning. I have issues with my right knee. It is usually when I have done ‘too much’ walking. I have RA, but OA that knee also. I have hyper-mobility syndrome to add to the mix so it’s great fun. I use ‘deep heat’ and have a ‘knee pillow’. But if I’m out at the time it’s excruciating 😫.
Hi Halonico, yes I have had exactly the same problem. I tested positive 15th March, wasn’t unwell with COVID & I felt really good, RA hardly noticeable but as soon as I started to test negative I was really bad, the flare was continuous. Struggled to walk, stand, stairs were a real challenge. Like you I had injections in my knees but for me it helped. I had 4 months earlier been referred to physio to strengthen my lower & upper leg muscles as they weren’t helping/ support the knee… by chance those appointments came through at the same time, so I’m now doing the exercises daily to strengthen them & support the knee. It’s defo proving beneficial & the timing was great as without the injections I think it would of been wasted opportunity as the knee pain was so bad, but this has helped so much. I also get in the sea regularly for at least 15-20 mins & I also feel this is beneficial as the cold is cooling the inflammation throughout my body not just my knees & again proving beneficial. So your not alone, I think the Rheumatologist s have had a lot of us at the their door with mass flare, either with COVID or the vax!! Both of which have caused a flare with me..
take care I hope you find a way to calm it down, I do feel for you with 2 children it’s a lot to deal with on top of RA in general let alone with a flare.
Sorry to hear what a rotten time you’re having. I have RA and Fibromyalgia and take Sulphasalazine and Hydroxychloroquine too. I’m never sure which ‘gift’ keeps giving me pain but I do know that when I saw a physiotherapist they said the muscles around my knee weren’t strong enough and were causing problems in the whole limb. Perhaps you could ask to be referred and see if exercises, inner soles for shoes etc will help. Wishing you the very best of luck on your recovery
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