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New Member with osteoarthritis, right knee

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Posted 9/26/2012 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all. I recently completed active treatment for inflammatory breast cancer and am now on an aromatase inhibitor, which increases risk of osteoporosis. So where along the way, I also developed osteo arthritis in my right knee. My oncologist referred me to an orthopedist because I need to be able to do weight bearing exercise to counter bone density loss, but the pain in my right knee is making that difficult. The orthopedist gave me a steroid shot which was great but only lasted about 6 weeks, so he will not continue with that treatment and basically told me I just need to tough it out.

So now I am looking for alternatives to pain management. NSAIDS don't seem to be helping much and neither are joint supplements. Keeping it moving helps but I can't walk 24/7. It particularly bothers me at night, waking me up several times during the night and adding lack of sleep issues to the mix. I would appreciate any suggestions of other things that might work for pain management.

Thanks.

Nancy
Posted 9/26/2012 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
HI Nancy,

I take Hylaluronic Joint Complex by Source Natural...it is different than most joint things...for me it really works. I also started with 3- 1000mg Omega 3 fish oil, 2-1300mg Evening in Primrose, 2grams or 2000mg of Turmeric curcumin. Check out the benefits online and check with your doctor and pharmacist before you try this.

All of these brought my pain level from a 6-8 down to a 2-4. Remember that dairy can add to the arthritis pain. Also the evening in primrose and the turmeric are great for anti-cancer. I take a Twinlab Mega Bromelain cap before I get up in the morning and one at least 1-2 hours after dinner. If you take Bromelain with food it will act as an enzyme. If you take it without food it is an anti-inflammatory

Remember that most of the above will thin your blood...so you need to be sure to ask your doctor if these will mix with your prescription meds.

Good Luck and welcome to the forum
Posted 9/26/2012 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
NanJac, I think you still have two alternatives: either get a second opinion from another orthopedist who will hopefully be more caring and work with you on pain relief, or see a rheumatologist. A rheumy can work with you on pain management and other aspects of caring for an arthritic joint.

I'm currently on Mobic (an NSAID) daily to help decrease inflammation and pain. I take Tylenol arthritis two or three times a day. If I'm still having significant pain, I take Tramadol. Generally I only take the Tramadol at bedtime to help me sleep because I hate taking so many meds.

I still have arthritis, and I've acknowledged that I'll always have some pain. My goal is to control the pain enough to allow me to procede with my life and think about something else. Most of the time I can ignore my pain until I sit down to rest. Or until I sit in one position too long, then it stabs me.

The other thing that helps me when I have a specific joint hurting is to feel around with my fingers to see if there's a sore spot. If I find one, I put really firm pressure on it for about 30 seconds. Believe it or not, this often will relieve the pain in that joint.

Hope you find a combination that works for you, and soon.
Posted 9/27/2012 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the tips Anglesway and Judy. I hate taking pills and I'm just about maxed out on that already without feeling like I need a dang day planner just for pill taking tracking. And I really think there is a point of no added benefit with supplements. I'm already taking a multivitamin 2x/day calcium 3x/day, vitamin D, Osteo-BiPlex 2x/day on top of my anastrazole, synthroid, and Aleve.

I've tried a couple of topical things (creams, patches) and they don't seem to help any. I've found too that when I've been sitting for a while, if I massage my knee cap for about a minute before I stand up, it is easier to get up and less painful those first few steps. I also got a cane to use mostly at night. When the pain wakes me up, I also need to go to the bathroom, quickly. So I keep the cane by the bed and it helps me get up and get to the bathroom faster and with less pain by not putting as much weight on the bad knee.

I'm due for my annual physical next month and will discuss other options with my PCP. I'll ask her about getting a referral for a second opinion. I will also qualify for a free gym membership in November (turning 65 and it is a bene of my Medicare Advantage plan) and will work on some rehab with a PT.
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