I Need support

[Pauluk601]

hi all well the day as come both knees gone about 3 times they gave way most of you will know the prob frames !? Op 74 Big boy maybe to big any other advice choices to try

[KittyJ]

Here’s some help and where to get it

nhs.uk/conditions/social-ca...

Or you may want to have a look and see if there’s a mobility centre near you (especially if there’s a long waiting list, plus some will come to your home) where you can go and get advice on what is right for you and to ensure you are buying the right size. Good luck.

[nomoreheels]

You could ask if you could be referred to Occupational Therapy. They've been helpful for me in the past, supplying as well as recommending options for me to try.

Was there a specific reason you've opened a new account Paul? I ask as it's dated August yet we've been able to respond to your original account.

[pauluk60 in reply to nomoreheels]

you spotted nomore at daughters wont login on had to use 601and then no reply got a laptop now seems ok i dont fancy op but all them frames freak me out ass well WHEELCHAIR ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH just read report that get both knees going its normally ra is that right

[Neonkittie17 in reply to pauluk60]

Doesn’t mean it’s RA. RA is a systemic disease (meaning it can affect the whole of the body.) It could be wear and tear/osteo arthritis in them. You need a professional opinion. Hope you can ask your GP to organise x-rays to your knees.

[pauluk60 in reply to Neonkittie17]

hi neon had x rays stage 4 left i dont think right far behind

[Neonkittie17 in reply to pauluk60]

Yes, sounds like wear and tear. 😑 I’ve got OA in both knees but I’m still quite fit and move well. Once they hurt me enough I’ll have them replaced. Don’t be in constant pain, Paul. See if you can ask to go to the hospital physio.

Will just add, RA attacked my knees early on after same two toes, both feet being the first affected. We’re so different though and RA usually attacks finger and toe joints in pairs first. There are always exceptions to any RA rules or formats though! I feel yours doesn’t sound like it’s RA and do hope not.

[helixhelix in reply to pauluk60]

No, not common that RA attacks knees. Or at least not until it’s destroyed lots of small joints first. Much more likely to be osteoarthritis.

imhave osteo in both knees, and RA. The pain is very different.

[nomoreheels in reply to pauluk60]

Not necessarily. Tell me, I don't recall you saying if you have a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Disease/Arthritis. I ask because generally it's more likely to affect small joints before larger ones, specifically hands & feet at diagnosis. It would likely be OA if you don't have other affected joints.

[pauluk60 in reply to nomoreheels]

hi nomore knees alway the main prob rhumy says fibromyaligia but the main one to me was a flare from hell seemed to do a lot of damaged and took months to get better and they never sent me to anyone only time markers showed when i had cellulitus

[weathervane]

would a steroid injection give you some relief for a while , worth contacting your rheumy. My brother in law got 6 months out of the last one in his knees.

[pauluk60 in reply to weathervane]

injection does very little tbh but steroid tabs wow can walk again but doc says no no no

[Babaj12345]

I have RA and have been in a wheelchair i now have sarilumb injections every two weeks it has helped I came out of chair and had hip op last year 2020 . I have just had a knee op I made sure I lost weight before op and now I’m doing all the rehab I’m determined to walk again . I had no help I live alone I know how difficult it is both mentally and physically it’s so hard dealing with pain and trying to have some normality of life. I had to wait 2 years for hip op and nearly year for knee but the wait was worth it. You will get through it.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Babaj12345]

Well done for your determination and resolve. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Babaj12345]

sorry forgot to say work on your quad muscles it helps the knees and upper body muscles you can get help from your dr as to what exercises to do they can be done in a chair. Get an Occupational health referral they are excellent. I meditate to deal with the frustration anger and pain.

[oldtimer2]

I've been using a walking frame for several months now since my back pain has made it impossible to walk without support.

It has made it possible to get out and about and do things, although everything takes longer. I have to find a route that doesn't involve steps and have to wait for people to open other doors and sometimes provide ramps. But I'm determined not to let it affect what I do as far as possible.

I bought mine, but you can get them supplied by both physio department (and it would be worth contacting them anyway for help with exercises and stability), or from occupational therapy, or social services supplies.

[Hidden]

Hi Paul, I have issues with my knees; ridiculously painful sometimes, crunchy at others, and sometimes unable to walk at all. Rheumatologist says it’s OA (I also have RA and Fibro and Hyper-mobility🎉).

Exercises from a physio is the way to go, as is upping Calcium & Vit D, and losing weight if you’re not already slim. Knee replacement is a major surgery, so should only be used as a last resort. I can’t use walking aids because of my wrists, but the ‘frames on wheels’ with a seat that doubles as storage is what I would go for, and a mobility scooter depending on your needs etc.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Hidden]

I totally agree re the activity and a great physio can tell you what’s right for your knees as sometimes we don’t get the exercise level right. Also excess weight is a no no and that’s so hard to shift but worth it for many reasons if one can. I think the wheeled frame with a seat is an excellent idea and just saw one in a country park recently. I don’t need that as such but it’s a brilliant way to get out independently. Glad you’re benefiting from it.

[Hidden in reply to Neonkittie17]

Not yet. Just eyeing them up for later 😂. I also borrowed a ‘Tramper’ recently from a National Trust place as my legs were bad. It was great!!

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry, Thought you meant you had one. I’d have one if I needed and the fact you’ve got a seat so it is excellent as there is nothing worse than not being able to find a place to sit down. I’ve seen people on the Trampers going up and down fields/low terrain at NT venues (as we are NT members since 1982! Fave place is Fountains not too far away from us) but at present im able to walk well, but we know that can fluctuate with RA. I’ve met people using the Trampers at Fountains who were having a fantastic time, and independence! 💗 Sounds like it was great fun. 😁 Are you strapped on them like a seat belt? I can’t recall but seem to think yes! x

[Hidden in reply to Neonkittie17]

No. I don’t think so. I didn’t wear one anyway 😂. First time I’ve been on a mobility scooter. Anxious at first but it was great 😎

[pauluk60 in reply to Hidden]

hi criplady will have to try physio trouble is 5ft 2 20st

[Hidden in reply to pauluk60]

Being heavy will make things worse. I need to lose some 🙄.

[Hidden]

I would also get one of these:

grannygetsagrip.com/product...

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Hidden]

I used to use one but my knees aren’t troubling me at night for many years, but it’s there if I need it. Really useful.

[Hidden in reply to Neonkittie17]

I have a bag of things for ‘as and when’. Haven’t worn my splints for ages, but it’s been warm I suppose.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Hidden]

I keep a bag too of helpful things in case I have a difficult spell. You can sprain things so easily so I have support bandages and cuffs etc and always a can of freeze spray!

[Hidden in reply to Neonkittie17]

I’ve never heard of ‘freeze spray’🥶.. I prefer ‘deep heat’..🥵

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Hidden]

Always gives me a few hours of being able to walk without pain which is good. They sell the freeze spray most places. My late father formulated one of the first freeze/physio sprays used in quickly treating footballers’ injuries in the early 1970’s! It’s whatever works for you best .. heat or cold.