knees and elbows aching!
Posted , 8 users are following.
I'm 23 years old and have been suffering from arthritis since I was a young teenager. It started in my knees, the doctors thought it was just growing pains, but as I got older the pain got worse. Sometimes I feel like cutting off my legs from the knees down just so the pain would go away!! It gets especially horrible when theres bad weather coming. Even sometimes just walking can make it act up, and recently i've been starting to get it in my elbows when weather is coming. I sometimes find it night times as well when i'm trying to go asleep, my knees and elbows ache that bad I can't get comfortable or stay still which makes for a long sleepless night. Any suggestions on anything that actually helps this pain?
1 like, 11 replies
Anhaga serena43933
Posted
Serena, have you tried getting more Vitamin D3? If you have D deficiency it could be harming you. Another important nutrient is magnesium, although you have to take that carefully so you don't get the runs! It's available in a lot of foods, or you can absorb it through you skin by soaking in a bath with Epsom salts. If you can afford it you could also consider getting some Vitamin K2 (not K1) capsules, as K2 helps calcium get into your bones.
I do know is some countries that if people have pain like you do the first suggestion is to take magnesium, so I recommend you do some research, find a form that will work for your lifestyle, and see if it helps you. But almost everyone needs D3 and K2 in supplement form. Lots of good info on the internet.
serena43933 Anhaga
Posted
I've been trying to decide which vitamins I think I should take and couldn't figure it out. Very helpful so thank you !
wknight serena43933
Posted
I would go and see a knee specialist who is the best person to advise what treatments are available. Remember just because they are called a surgeon doesn't mean that they only suggest surgical options. My surgeon has spent 5 yrs trying other treatments
serena43933 wknight
Posted
I've tried everything from arthritis pain pills to tylenol, advil, aleeve, etc and nothing works.
wknight serena43933
Posted
The bottom line is that if you have bone on bone it will be painful. After many years of suffering I am now having joint replacements which means I am pain free.
Are you in the US? Do you have health insurance to take this investigation further
Anhaga serena43933
Posted
You do, as Loxie says, need to see a specialist. I will add that if the painkillers have given you no relief rather than seeking more powerful drugs it's really important to look at your nutritional status. Our modern diet is becoming rather deficient in essential nutrients so consulting a registered dietitian (not someone who has just put out a shingle saying they are a nutritionist but someone who has taken the courses and been certified) could be more useful to you in the long run. A word to the wise: my daughter who is a registered dietitian was not aware of Vitamin K2 until I told her about it, so even the best educated don't know everything. As I said, there is a lot of good info on the internet. Avoid following the "popular' doctors or pseudodoctors. If you are in doubt connection to a reputable clinic, like the Mayo Clinic, or Harvard, or some such institution, publication in a learned journal, those are things that help you discover what are the best sites. And also avoid sites which want to sell you things! Your public library is also a resource for information, and usually a librarian will be more than happy to help you with research.
loxie serena43933
Posted
My best recommendation before taking any supplements etc., is to try to get your doctor to refer you to a rheumatologist for a true diagnosis. Rheumatologists often refer to themselves as 'pill pushers' which just means that they will look to find the best pain relief options suitable for your type of arthritis. It's unlikely to be osteo arthritis, which is usually just 'wear and tear' but may be rheumatoid and there are many treatment options available. Vit D3 is good if you have a deficiency but if blood tests show you arent deficient, taking supplements could do more harm than good. Please push for a referral which will help you determine exactly what you have wrong and how best to treat it. Only go the vitamin supplement route if its proven you have deficiencies, otherwise its not only a waste of money but could be dangerous.
Anhaga loxie
Posted
Loxie, I appreciate where you are coming from, but I think Serena can be reassured that it's nearly impossible to get toxic doses of D, unless one has sarcoidosis which is relatively rare, or K2 which is very hard to find in a standard western diet so most of us are deficient anyway, and even magnesium has its own way of getting out of the body if you've taken too much! But I agree that seeing the right kind of specialist is an excellent idea.
Pjbterry1 serena43933
Posted
I have raised and have had the same problem. Try eating a banana before you go to sleep. Otherwise start taking potassium vitamins 👍
cheryl90571 serena43933
Posted
Hi Serena!
I'm sorry t
cheryl90571 serena43933
Posted
Hi Serena!
I'm so sorry to hear that you are having so much pain at such a young age!😩I'm much older but sure can relate to your comment about amputation! At one point before my two total knee replacements I was watching an amputee in the Paralympics running in those awesome cheetah legs. It was AMAZING!
Pain which is constant can truly change a person! It is NEVER not there! Exhausting!😬
A rheumatologist will do a number of special blood tests which will rule out various types of arthritis and zero in on YOUR specific type, of arthritis. The blood tests isolate specific markers. The tests may show that you have some other issue going on as well. Another reason for doing the testing is that with an accurate diagnosis you can get your own specific plan of treatment.Treatment varies greatly.
Our 17 year old neighbor was just diagnosed with Osteoarthritis. His family has a history of arthritis. His blood testing was helpful to rule out other types of arthritis. His treatment has helped him, and he's glad he got the testing done.
Please let us know how things go for you.
Sending prayers tonight of strength, calm, and easing of your pain.??