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Arthritis pain in knees
Posted: Nov 22, 2010
I was diagnosed with arthritis in my right knee in January and I cannot believe how fast it is progressing. I now have it in both knees. Transcribing makes it really ache because of the foot pedal. I take Vicodin but some days that doesn't help and sometimes it makes me very sleepy. Does anyone know of anything else I can try? This is really affecting my ability to get my line counts and therefore my income. Thanks!
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I understand. I have it, too. - sm
[ In Reply To ..]As far as work, I was saved by doing ASR. No footpedal. Only keyboard.
For pain, I learned that I cannot do any one activity for a prolonged period of time. I changed my schedule (had a very heart-to-heart talk with my supervisor). I work for about 1-1/2 hours then I need to get up for a few minutes and walk around the house, do a minor errand, get the mail or something like that. Then I can sit still for a little bit. Being free of the footpedal allows me to move my legs, though. I can put them up in the recliner, sit on the couch, etc.
I use one of those heated barley bags when the aching is present.
I swore off the narcotics completely; they eventually made my pain WORSE (yes, worse). I alternate between 2 aspirins a day or 2 Tylenol or 2 ibuprofen. That's it.
I swim as often as I can (a few days a week) in our local community pool and hot pool.
I stretch my knees in bed before sleep and before getting up. I pull the toward my chest and hold for several minutes. Stretches my lower back out, too.
I always take an ibuprofen in the parking lot before going shopping. Break shopping into 2-3 smaller weekly trips rather than 1 big one.
Learn to gauge my activity along with weather (yes, cold and humidity make the aching worse).
The biggest thing, though, for me was doing ASR so I have no more footpedal. If ASR isn't an option for you, learn to use your left foot. Takes practice but you can do it. Or, sit in a recliner, put the footpedal on the armrest (left arm probably will work best for you), a hand towel folded up on it and just use your elbow to "drive" the footpedal. You can keep your feet up on the recliner and use a heating pad on your knee or heated barley bags or frozen veggies, etc.
Hope this helps.
Knee pain - kat
[ In Reply To ..]Mine got so bad that I had to go on disability. Luckily I have worked 28 years doing this and got a pretty good disability check. I also have it in my hips, and feet/ankles. Not fun. I take 2 ES Tylenol a day and 2 Aleve, and that keeps my pain under fairly good control, but yes shopping trips, etc. play havoc on all of it. Good luck.
Arthritis - kat
[ In Reply To ..]Sorry, I forgot to say I could not believe the difference when I stopped using the foot pedal. I never even thought about it until I stopped using it, and Wow what a shock.
knee pain - orthogirl
[ In Reply To ..]First of all, narcotics are not really good for arthritis but if that is the only thing you can take then that is what you need, but Ultram and Ultracet are usually better choices for arthritis pain rather than narcotics. The first line treatment should be anti-inflammatories. Over the counter Aleve or ibuprofen but do not take them together or with aspirin. You can take Tylenol with anti-inflammatories. Also, glucosamine with chondrotin sulfate is very good for arthritis. You can use ice and/or heat, whichever makes it feel better. Strengthening you quadriceps muscles is important. Exercise is good for arthritis. If the arthritis is worsening on x-rays quickly, this is called rapid onset osteoarthritis and you might want to have a consult with a rheumatologist to make sure there is not something else going on, but at least should probably have inflammatory lab work, sed rate, CRP, Lyme titer, rheumatoid factor and CBC. The orthopaedic can give you cortisone injections. You can have those once every three months with a total of four per year in a joint. There are also hyaluronic acid injections, which lubricate the joint and you get a series of them and can repeat about every six months if they work. Physical therapy usually can help, even if you go once for a home exercise program. I have knee arthritis and pain in almost all of my joints. It is not fun but some days ice 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off can help. You can put an ice pack on it while you are typing, use a bag of frozen peas and secure it in place with an Ace wrap. I hope this helps you. I feel your pain, literally! Good luck.
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