Hello to all,

I was dx'd with osteo about seven years ago. I have it in my hips, knees, and shoulder. I'm not bothered much anywhere except my knee. It's killing me!! I have swelling on the inside of the joint and the pain seems to be located just below my kneecap. I have fallen on that knee several times so that probably hasn't helped. I was taking Daypro but stopped because it wasn't helping. I have another x-ray Monday. My Dr. tried to drain fluid from the swollen part but there was no fluid there. I have had cortisone injections but get no relief from them. The is going to sound crazy, but I feel the pain through my sleep at night sometimes. I don't have much pain while sitting though.

I am tapering off fentanyl transdermal pain patches that I have been wearing since 2005 due to a malignant tumor in the big bone in my upper arm. It took four surgeries to remove the entire bone and replace it with an internal titanium prosthesis. I was on 100mcg/hr and went down to 75mcg, then to 50 and now I am wearing a 25 plus and 12 and ready for my next cut. I hate the fentanyl because it's extremely dangerous and addictive. As with all opiates, it's not easy to get off of by my Dr. has been a big help. I have no pain in my arm but I sure do in the knee. To me that means it will probably hurt more as I go off the fentanyl completely.

If anyone has any suggestions or advice about osteo in the knee I would appreciate hearing from them. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you.

Take Care.....Gypsy

Last June I had a problem knee and had difficulty walking. Someone suggested EMU Oil Cream and Arnica Salve. I was skeptical but tried it. It worked. I still occasionally use both products when the knee feels sore.

Thanks for sharing what worked for you. It's something I will be sure to look into. Maybe it will make my knee a little friendlier to my body.

Take Care......Gypsy

Please, Can't someone out there give me a few encouraging words??

Feeling terribly alone in this. I guess that's how it's supposed to be.

Thanks for reading,
Gypsy

Has your doctor suggested the synvisc injections for the knee? From what I have read it seems to help most people. It is only aproved for the knee.
Newfie11

Dear Gypsy,

So sorry to hear you are hurting so bad. You have had plenty of troubles already. I have psoriatic arthritis in all my joints, fingers and toes, spine and especially my knees. Like you, my knees are extremely painful. Going up the stairs is painful coming down is agony. I take dmards and painkillers and I have been given cortiscosteroid injection in my knees, had them drained (nothing happened), the injections were lovely they helped the pain. I have had the large steroid jab in my backside to help all my body (which does) and I have been on steroids as well in tablet form. The DMARDS I have taken are Sulphasalzine, Methotrexate and Leflunomide. I am currently on Leflunomide, which have the side effects like all dmards, diarhoea, weight gain, sore eyes, sore mouth and hair loss. The pain in the knees is excrutiating at times and I hate steps of any kind. I hope you get the help you need, but after three years, it seems so difficult to find anything for arthritis to ease everything at one time. I have also been recommended Nutmeg spray for the swelling and pain, and to be honest I put it on at night, my knees warm up and I sleep really well. I have sprayed it on my elbows as well and it really works. Try it if you can get it. Good Luck, hope you feel better soon, just remember there are a lot of us out there and all willing to make suggestions.

Take care, Ronnie

Hi sweetie,

So sorry to hear about your pain, I certainly can relate! I have had RA for several years throughout my entire body with DDD along with it. I am on Enbrel injections along with Methotrexate and folic acid. The pain at times and the swelling is unbearable without my pain medication. My doc and I have found a good regime that is tolerable. There are many pain meds that really do take the edge off along with other modalities including warm water
arthritis pool, massage and PT. SOme people need to be on pain meds for life,
chronic pain patients deal with severe pain daily and without these drugs they could not live a normal productive life. I would really talk this through with your doctor and see if there is a combination of meds/therapy that you can start and take it from there. There are also epidural injections and joint
facet injections. I hope you and your Doctor can set up a good program that works for you and I truly hope that you get some pain relief.
God Bless,
Debbie:wave:

Thanks for your reply and I will look into getting the spray. I think anything that holds a chance of helping is worthwhile.

You have so much pain! I admire you because I'm not sure I could handle all of that.

Take Care.....Gypsy

Such good people here!! I have got some info to use now. Through people like you I have learned there is help available. I may never be pain free, but may have to be on pain meds. PT might help in my case, also.

Thanks and Take Care....Gypsy

You are so right about these boards, it is having friends that truly understand
what we each go through on a daily basis. I hope that you feel better really soon.

Debbie