Hi when I saw my RA last month I was ok, since then I have found it almost impossible to walk. My knees swell up.

[Beeper]

I have had an injection in my right knee which the worst one. I try to excersise to keep fit but it hasn't made any different to my knees. I am seeing my RA on Monday. I getting to the point where I can't climb my stairs to bed. Has anyone any ideas or just wait to see what he says, that's if I can get the house to see him. It is really making me depressed and I and worried this is how it's going to be from now on. I try to look on the bright side but it's beginning to wear thin.

[Hidden]

Well to look on the bright side I guess you are lucky at least that you saw a rheumy last month and are seeing them again on Monday? I dread being fine in June for mine and then going down hill afterwards because heaven knows when I will ever get to see him again!

I do know how horrible it is when knees won't bend and you can't get up and down stairs except on bum or like a crab? This hasn't happened to me since last September but I remember it well and knees are such big joints too. Hopefully it will move on or go away even better sometime soon - I usually find my inflamed joints peak and swell after some weeks or days of pain and then it seems to burn out at last and come back somewhere else after a while but we are all different. Have you got anyone who can help you by giving you a lift to the rheumy I wonder or is it far away could you get a cab? I don't know how your RA works but mine seems to come, cause havoc and then clear off so really hoping yours will too. Take care - Tilda x

[cathie]

Sorry about your knees beeper. Mine are hirrible but they do vary a lot. Thats all i can say that they wont necessarily always be like that

Best cathie

[roger-s]

i was in sever pain and i went to the doctor ,he said when your depress , the pain is worse , when my knees swell i have them drained and a steroid injection , and that lasts quit a wile 3 months+, i also use a elastic support on one of my knees it keeps it worm aswell, some days i just sit in bed and rest my legs, and then i am ok, (well not ok but it a bit better) have you had ra long?

[dapper]

i have psa and have problems with knees ,but they do vary ,im seeing my consultant in june and think it may be time for injecting them again ,i use wheat bags a lot on mine s i find ice packs really hurt more ,knee supports also help but ive been told not to use too much as it may weaken the muscles

[Treesha]

My knees are my main probem. I had the same issue as you. When i saw my rheumy i was ok ish then a week later my knees swelled up and i couldnt bend them. I saw a rheumy nurse a couple of weeks after and she gave me a steroid injection and upped my meds. I have to go back in a fortnight for a follow up but i can already feel the injection is wearing off. I suppose they will do the same for you so get in touch. The rheumy nurses are usually more patient and sympathetic than the consultants. I suppose theyre under lots of pressure to get through a whole clinic each day. Good luck x

[codliver]

Hi Beeper,i can sympathise with the knees. When mine flare the left one feels like the joints moved. Im on my feet 8 hrs at a time for my job and can manage that if i can keep topped up on painkillers but i find once home late at night and showered and rested i cant get out of the armchair to get upstairs! Very painful and annoying.Wheat bags rule.x