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Painful knees waking me up at night.

Posted , 9 users are following.

Taff1234
Taff1234

i have suffered with a painful rleft knee for several years and was under the  impression it was OA. That was until I requested to see a specialist and found out that my knees aren’t so bad but I have advanced OA of the left  hip.  Had X-rays a few years ago but never connected my left leg pain as a symptom of my hips.

i limp badly and walk with a stick.

My knee respond to anti inflammatory gel but still aches constant.  Recently my right leg has started aching.  

What I can’t understand is why I get woken during the night with really bad aching pain in both knees.

i have been told hip OA can cause leg pain but it’s my knee that causes me the most discomfort.

anyone  else have this problem?

1 like, 17 replies

17 Replies

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  • Chisi
    Chisi Taff1234

    Posted

    I'm 71 yrs old and have that exactly like you.

    I'm waiting for appointment with specialist .

    • Taff1234
      Taff1234 Chisi

      Posted

      It’s no fun is it, my age doesn’t help either and I can’t see it getting any better. Pleased I’m not alone though.
  • constance.de
    constance.de Taff1234

    Posted

    Hello Taff

    It’s not unusual that OA in the hips causes pain in the knees, seems daft doesn’t it?  My OA started in the hips and then both knees played me up not long after. OA pain is often worse in the night - perhaps it is lack of movement, who knows, others will no doubt be more knowledgeable.

    I find gels and creams have limited use, others swear by them.  I take cocodamol (never more than 3 per day as they can become addictive).  Each of us has to find our own way - doctors are not usually helpful “wear and tear” what can we do about it!”

    Good luck.   💐💐

     

     

    • Taff1234
      Taff1234 constance.de

      Posted

      I just never associated my knee pain with hips, even though had the Diagnosis  from X-ray several years ago and was told it was bad then and would need replacement hip in a couple of years. But I have had it in mind it was my knee, although the other knee is hurting now too. it’s the constant ache and swelling in the bad one that made me think my knee was the problem.  The gel helps, but doesn’t take the pain away just the edge off it.  As long as I get some sort of relief I will use it. I take one paracetamol as can’t take high does of medications.

      i just don’t know whether to get my hip replaced as have been told the pain in knee will go but I won’t necessarily be any more mobile.  

      As I have other medical problems one of which may need surgery, I am in a difficult position as to what to get done first..

    • Chisi
      Chisi constance.de

      Posted

      Good luck to you too and thanks for your comment. It's nice to know we aren't alone eh! 👍🌻🌻

  • constance.de
    constance.de Taff1234

    Posted

    It is always a difficult decision ‘surgery or not!  I have other issues and surgery is not an option.  Also I know too many people who have been no better, or not appreciately better, to risk it.  As I am 79 it would have to be something absolutely unavoidable before I would go under the knife!

    However, I don’t know how old you are, and if young/relatively young is might be worth the risk. 

    💐💐

    • Taff1234
      Taff1234 constance.de

      Posted

      I am not young either and the thought of surgery frightens me.  As I have OA in other joints indont know if one new hip would help at all.
  • Anhaga
    Anhaga Taff1234

    Posted

    A few thoughts.  Are your legs nice and warm at night, but with lightweight covers so there isn't too much pressure?  Can you get physiotherapy to help relieve any nerves which may be impacted in the spine and causing referred pain?  

    • Chisi
      Chisi Anhaga

      Posted

      Thanks for your comments, for weeks now I only have a sheet over me as it's so hot so can't be much lighter because it's so hot lol

      I'm on a 6 week physio course too.

    • Taff1234
      Taff1234 Anhaga

      Posted

      It makes no difference in temperature it just seems to come on when’s I lay down. I have tried moving position but nothing seems to help.
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Taff1234

      Posted

      At some point I had a little exchange on here in a different thread and learned about an exercise to improve the circulation in the lower legs.  Just point your toes, then flex your feet back (point your heels so to speak) and move your feet back and forth like that a few times.  Can do it when seated or when lying down.  I've found it helpful, although my painful lower legs seem much better ever since the spring when I started to consume more salt, so I think the pain probably was a circulation issue rather than anything else.  I'd asked my doctor about it but all she said was she wasn't worried about it.  A very unsatisfactory reply as obviously I was worried about it or I wouldn't have asked!  

  • crazy57
    crazy57 Taff1234

    Posted

    I have the same when I go to bed I can’t lay on my sides very painful I have OA in both knees, also bakers cysts and bursitis in my left knee which I had fluid removed and cortisone injections still in pain at night did you have you knees X-ray?
  • vvvv
    vvvv Taff1234

    Posted

    i use magnesium oil and magnesium gel which helps with my pain. i have given it to my friends and some say it works and some say it doesnt. 
  • Chisi
    Chisi Taff1234

    Posted

    Hi Taff

    Sorry to hear this, you describe exactly how I am in bed too. No matter how I lie my knees are very painful to a point of waking me up.

    Doc gave me amatriptiline to take one as I go to bed. Wasn't happy when I read they are antidepressants . I am not depressed so asked doc who said they have other uses. Still unhappy I stopped them. Instead I'm taking 2x co-codamol when I go to bed. Feeling they are helping a bit but still wake with pain.

    I finished my 6 weeks with physio yesterday. Next week get an assessment to see what else I need or could be done.

    Today I went cloths shipping which I'm afraid to say I take an age to decide, after a couple of hrs of browsing I get that dragging heavy feeling and HAD to sit.

    I'm a bit overweight, maybe about 2 stone over which I know doesn't help.

    Hard to diet, hard to excersise too. Nah it's the pits but will soldier on.

    Hope you get relief soon.

    • Chisi
      Chisi

      Posted

      Here's an update to taking co-codamol instead of Amitriptyline. The co-codamol gave me terrible constipation, between the constipation and the pain my BP went sky high!

      i talked it through with a nurse friend who advised me to go back on amitriptyline . Before i did i saw the doc who referred me to the nurse. she gave me a BP machine home to monitor twice a day for 6 weeks. just finished and to my relief she said i was right to come off co-codamol. I'm now on a combo of ibuprofen and paracetamol which is working fine.

      NOW just yesterday i tried a canabis based cream a friend was given for her arthritis called CBD DAILY, it works wonders already. I'm googling it to see where i can get it, seems its US or Canada for $25 approximately for a 1.7 gm tub, small but you only need a small amount to rub in.

      Hope this info helps someone.

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