knee problems...please help

Ok so I am kind of confused at the fact that my right knee which has been getting worse for the past 9 months and now my left knee is starting to do the same thing, which is inflame a lot behind my knee and makes me walk with a limp. I'm only 22 and have been diagnosed almost 3 years ago with FMS, OA, CFS, and a couple other possible things. I realize since I have been putting more pressure on my left leg that it would get worse over time and it finally has. My Rheumatologist originally agreed with me that my right knee had a bakers cyst which is possible from an mcl tear. However since my left knee is doing the same thing is it possible that it is just my FMS or OA acting up a lot? I'm on my feet most of the day with my job and I can't sit for a long period of time because it hurts the worst. At the end of my work day behind my knee, it is so swole up and inflamed that it's CLEARLY visible. I've been on 4 roxycodone 10mgs a day and 4 350mg soma a day for the past 2 1/2 years along with 60 mg cymbalta. But I honestly feel like my pain management isn't helping right now. I am at a point now where I feel like I honestly should go up on my pain meds because I can't tolerate it much longer. It's slowly been getting worse for 9 months and when I go back to my Rheumatologist he is giving me a cortisone shot in my knee which he claims should help it. I love my Rheumatologist, we are very open with each other and I know he has my best interest at heart, but I am at the maximum dose he personally prescribes for pain meds. I know I'm young but I also know I'm not the only young person in the world that has to deal with pain. It is constant every second, minute, hour, always with me and I deal with it the best I can. I know pain meds are not a good route to embark on but I've already been on them for 3 years and handle them responsibly. He has suggested in the past to refer me to a pain clinic. I just hate the fact that I will have to start over with another doctor and the fact I am 22 doesn't help me. But as long as my files from my Rheumatologist get transfered with all my X-rays and MRI'S I should be fine for the most part I hope. I was wondering if anyone has gone through this and if a cortisone shot will help any? To be 22 and walk with a legit limp is not very fun and the pain is litterally always atleast at an 8. That is saying a lot because I have a pretty big pain tolerance to things but my knees are overwelming me. I have no life, after work I go home and lay down and that's it....I'm sorry I'm venting, but any advice for me would be greatly appreciated!

I also have a bakers cyst behind my right knee and was told I need two partial knee replacements. I have taken so many kinds of anti-inflammatories and some pain meds. Right now I am taking two fish oil pills a day and one or two bromelein supplements and it is really making a difference in my pain and stiffness. Drinking lots of water each day helps with knee pain too. You may want to give these a try. Good luck.

Have you seen an ortho?  Try that, shoot some x-rays of your knees, see what they say.

My PCP said I had a bakers cyst, sent me to ortho surgeon.  Shot film, left knee is going to need replaced 3-4 years.  That's now.  But, I did have a torn miniscus in the left knee.  So what did I do 2 weeks later?  Tore the right knee.  I've got a matching set now. But I'm 63, that makes a difference, I guess. 

The docs like to start with the cortisone shots first.  Some times they do help.  Then they move to the really expensive stuff for knee shots.  So expensive the insurance companies have fits.  That stuff really helps.

So if you decide to do the shots, ask the doc to spray it really well with the freezy stuff.  It's a temporary freeze, you don't feel the needle going in, just a bit of pressure.  It's really not too bad, and I'm a BIG wuss when it comes to needles.