Weight Loss and Knee Arthritis

fastfoodietofitcutie
fastfoodietofitcutie Posts: 523 Member
edited November 7 in Health and Weight Loss
I am in so much pain! I have severe arthritis in my right knee. I had a cortisone shot and it didn't help one bit. I'm under 50 yrs old so my insurance won't cover any other shots, therapy or surgery. I ice my knee as much as possible but that isn't even help much anymore. The biggest problem is I can't sleep through the night because of the pain.

I had to do more walking then usual at work yesterday and it was painful. Today I am up 3 lbs, my guess is due to the inflammation. I'm doing pretty well with my eating and the weight is coming off slowly. I have a lot of weight to lose and know it would be helpful if I could exercise. I keep hearing that exercise is the best thing for arthritis but how are people exercising with the pain? I know swimming would probably be best but I'm hesitant to get in the water at my size as I had a humiliating experience a few years ago. I guess I just need to get over that.

Anyone have any tips on how to ease arthritis pain or lose weight without a lot of exercise? I'm wondering if I should lower my calories and carbs to make up for the fact my activity is limited but I already struggle a bit with food and don't want to make drastic changes that I can't stick to long term.

Replies

  • Unknown
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  • lqichick
    lqichick Posts: 162 Member
    Ask your Dr about OTC NSAID's. The one that helped me the most is Aleve. Ask you DR if you can take this.

    Also why do you have arthritis? Injury? Too rough on the knee? That is as improtant to know. If it hurts that bad are you sure you dont have a torn meniscus, or ACL.

    Young or not your insurance should cover some diagnostics. Do NOT get lots of steroid shots, you will in the long run damage your cartilage even more.

    Please get thee to the orthopod. Good luck !
  • fastfoodietofitcutie
    fastfoodietofitcutie Posts: 523 Member
    I have arthritis from being so overweight my whole life. I didn't know the steroid shots were harmful, I'll have to look into that.
  • janjan595
    janjan595 Posts: 6 Member
    I have moderate to severe knee arthritis and no ACL left from an old ski injury. I wear a unloader knee brace and use walking poles for stability when out for walks.
    I take 2Tylenol Arthrtis (up to 6/day). I also have Rx for Naproxen and Celebrex which I take when going on active (for me) vacations. I have had 3 injections of SynVisc but they are not helping anymore. Neither is the Cortisone.
    I have been riding a bike for 6years and that helps a lot. My husband just bought me an electric bike and biking is really fun again.
    I will be starting water aerobics April. Like you I have gotten over the size and bathing suit thing.
    I have lost 11lbs since January.
  • chunky_pinup
    chunky_pinup Posts: 758 Member
    Are you in the US? Because most states, you insurance cannot discriminate based on age if you are diagnosed with something. They wouldn't tell a 20-year old with breast cancer that they only cover chemo after age 30...

    I have Lupus and Fibromyalgia, which both trigger arthritic flares. When I'm flaring, low-impact exercise is the only thing I can do, which for me really limits me to swimming, or pool exercise of some sort.
  • cathed42
    cathed42 Posts: 88 Member
    I have osteoarthritis in my knees and find the best form of exercise in the gym is the stationary bike and the rowing machine - I found the treadmill was too high impact on my knees. I go to the gym twice a week at 40 minutes each time - on other days I take 30 minute walk in my lunch break. I have lost 14lbs in the first month and this has already made a difference to my knees as far as pain is concerned. I hope you can get through that pain barrier. I only take naproxen or co-codamol as a last resort now.
  • shadowfax_c11
    shadowfax_c11 Posts: 1,942 Member
    edited March 2016
    I have had knee arthritis due to injuries for 25 years or so now. I have found that a good joint supplement of Glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM does help quite a lot. Additionally seeing a chiropractor has made a huge difference for me. The right shoes matter. I found that I needed shoes with little to no heel drop and not to much cushioning. They contribute to instability on the joint. Making sure that my shoes are never worn too much to keep the soles in balance matters too. Also having lost some weight has helped as well but of course changes in the weather are still a bear sometimes.

  • hear2stay
    hear2stay Posts: 12 Member
    Long time knee arthritis also. Second the glucosamine recommendation. Also consider turmeric and try to avoid inflammatory foods particularly sugar and simple carbohydrates such as white bread. If I am inactive my knee hurts worse, but if it is too swollen maybe you should concentrate on weight loss first. Adding some strength training would aid calorie burning.
  • CollieFit
    CollieFit Posts: 1,683 Member
    I would also recommend Glucosamine.

    I saw a knee specialist before I started running again. I have hypermobility and had gained almost 50lb and at 178lb my knees were very uncomfortable in particular walking upstairs and I had severe crepitus in both knees. He recommended that I start non-weight bearing exercises such as swimming and cycling or rowing, told me to take 2000mg of Glucosamine a day and lose weight. I've done this since January and I'm at 157lb now and I no longer have any knee pain. My knees are also MUCH less audible. I've also done some strength training exercises he recommended to strengthen the ligaments around my knees.

    I hope you can find an activity you can do. I was going to suggest swimming but then read about your misgivings. I hope you decide that you can't let experiences like that hold you back. All the best.
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