baker's cyst :( please help!!

So I have finaly figured out the swelling and increasingly excruciating pain that I have been dealing with behind my knee for the past 8 months (no thanks to my rheumatologist). For the past 8 months, very slowly my pain and swelling behind the knee was getting worse by worse. Sitting for long periods and standing/walking makes it a lot worse in both aspects. Laying down is the least painful position to be in, which makes me very upset and just mad because I am only 22 years old and have been dealing with chronic pain for about 2 1/2 years now. I've been going to my rheumatologist for 2 years now and have been on the same regime of medicine: 60mg cymbalta a day, 4 350 mg soma, and 4 10mg roxycodone a day to deal with what I have been diagnosed with OA, FMS, & CFS.....After reading about baker's cyst I am 100% sure that is what I have. My Rheum. wants me to get an MRI but I've been delaying it due to the fact that I don't have insurance, I just got finished paying off an MRI, and my medical bills right now are almost to much to handle. I have been saying for a couple months now that the 10 mg roxicodone are not relieving me of my pain almost at all. My Rheum. however has me at the max as far as pain meds that he himself gives his patiens. So I am at a loss here as far as what to do. I know that he will refer me to a pain clinic if I ask him to. But I really want to know if there is any one out there with this problem? All of my other issues were more than enough for me to handle much less adding this to the mix. This has been going on for about 8 months so I really don't see it going away? The swelling at the back of my knee is clearly visible, especially comparing it to the other leg. But the pain is so unbearable with my job I am standing all the time and walking. I have no life outside of work, I go home and lay down. I know I am extremely young to be on what I am already but I am at my breaking point, I am tired of crying from the pain in my leg and want relief. Please, any one with any advice I would be extremely grateful. Thank you and god bless!

Thank you so much for your response, I really do apreciate it. It's just hard being 22 years old and walking with a limp. You would think after 8 months of walking with a limp you would get used to it, but that's just not the way it works. Being so young and seeing every other person my age it makes me horribly frustrated why I can't be healthy like them. I know I should stop complaining because there are a lot of people much worse than myself. I'm used to pain with my whole body, but just like have told my Rheumatologist this particular issue on top of everything else is just unbearable. I know the mri would tell me the real scoop, but do you think I tore my mcl 8 or 9 months ago and that tear produced the baker's cyst?

I was recently told that I have a Bakers Cyst in my right knee. I am a Paramedic-so, I strongly believe in learning about your medical conditions and all of the pathological cause and effects. Dr's and Rn's are just people, and so they make mistakes. Plus, I have learned from this field that medicine is just like any science; there is much we have yet to fully understand and, there are different methodologies for approaching medicine. The course of most treatments depends on which philosophy that Dr believes.

That being said, it seems to me that you have to decide what you want as far as your knee health. I understand the insurance issue. I would even look into Medicaid or one of the options from the Health Care Act. Until you get to the cause of the pain, you will never truly fix it. A Bakers Cyst is not a definitive diagnosis: it is the result of sickness somewhere. It could be a response to trauma (ligament or cartilage), or an arthritic condition, or gout. There is no pill or shot you can take that will fix it-that is only relieving your pain, temporarily. Even draining the cyst does not solve the problem; it may (and probably will) come back.
Meanwhile, your other part of the knee and surrounding areas are trying to cope with the swelling. Those parts can only deal with it for so long before they fail from overstress. Then, all you can do is replace the knee.
I hope you are able to get to the bottom of your suffering.

I have lived with pain for many years myself. It is not fun so I can really relate to your situation. I recently stumbled upon a medical treatment that I believe will be the answer to your problem. It is also quite affordable. It is called a BFST which stands for blood flow stimulation therapy. The science behind it is that it stimulates circulation through the use of electromagnetic energy. I understand it is quite effective in the treatment of Baker's Cyst and it's non invasive which is also great. You are way too young to be suffering so much pain. Sometimes all is takes it getting the right information and that is not always so easy. Good luck with your problem.