New here

[Dizzy412]

Hi there. I thought I would introduce myself. I have lots of o a. It’s in my hands thumbs neck and elbows. Over the last few months I Have developed it in one knee which is particularly painfully. I saw a doctor in urgent care a month or so back as the pain was so severe. Got some better pain meds and he thinks a steroid injections into the knee will help. Unfortunately due to COVID He has no idea when I can get the x ray and injection. I’m trying to wLk each day as advised. I’m 61. Retired. Mum and nana and enjoy being creative.

[DorsetLady]

Yes that’s the problem with Covid isn’t it? Is he willing to give injection? Although they do seem loathe to at the moment, or do you have to wait until x-rayed?

This arthritis site is good - versusarthritis.org

I have tried CBD cream recently from a well know online sure beginning with A! - and it seems to help better than some, although many swear by Flexiseq - but I found it didn't do a lot for me.

[kohai OA Ambassador]

Hey Dizzy412,

Welcome to the OA forums ☺

While we're not doctors and are not permitted to recommend lotions, pills, creams etc, we can say what we have found has worked (or not) for us personally.

While an x-ray can determine arthritis, but that option is delayed, a rheumatology appointment can still be made. Their areas are usually nowhere near the wards themselves.

I've been into both A&E and had a spinal MRI, both at separate times and during the middle of lockdown.

With the knee steroid injections, this can vary.

When I first had mine, it'd last about three months, but with each injection, that time span grew shorter.

*Please note, that while leaflets and online info may state steroid injections can only be given at certain time frames (like once a month, or once every three months), I was having steroid injections in my shoulder once every two weeks by my GP (Only some gp's are trained to do these injections).

The rheumatology dept did the steroid injections on my knees.

I have OA in every joint, and though never had a knee replacement, have had surgery to clean out both... it didn't cure the OA.

What I didn't find helpful was creams and lotions.

One nurse on my night shift told me, "Often, its not the cream that helps, but the massaging we do as its rubbed in". (None of the creams or gels worked on my knees).

What I did find useful was TENS machines, placing patches on the painful areas of my knees. While my machines work 15 minutes, if my knees still ached, I just kept switching the tens back on. I didn't feel any arthritic pain during this time, just the pulse from the tens patches.

Cold and heat can make arthritis worse, as can some foods (which have inflammatory properties, like tomatoes).

Please do try to keep as mobile as you can, use a can if needed.

If you kneel down, please place something like a folded towel under your knees and solid items to grab onto if you have trouble getting up, it makes it easier on the knees.

I didn't find tubigrips helped me much, daft things shredded on the edges and rolled down, so I went onto ebay and brought knee supports from known, trusted brand names (at a cheap price).

I hope some of my experiences may give you some ideas, and please do let us know if you do manage to get your x-ray or find anything that helps you.

kohai

[Dizzy412 in reply to kohai]

Thank you so much for your reply. There are some very useful ideas and tips which I appreciate.

[Bcol]

Hi Dizzy, have to say I can agree with pretty much everything Kohai has said. I also found the creams of various makes completely useless. I have had a full knee replacement, back in 1999, so it is actually now well past its sell by date but it has been, still is brilliant. Also have bones fused in left foot which took away that source of pain as well. Other pains kept in check with Co-Codamol, generally just 2 a day. The knee injections will help for a short while but the more you have the less effect they have. Sadly until Covid is out of the way I suspect it is going to be a slow process for you. Try and keep the exercise going as much as possible, it is important.