Am I too fat or is there another reason my knees hurt so much?

[selfidentifyinggiraffe]

I am quite overweight and I definitely need to do something about that

But my knees have never been so painful 😖

No recent injuries etc, yet if I sit with my knees bent for more than half a minute or so they are making me have to breath through the pain as I straighten them (I'm not saying its as painful as labour but seems to require me doing that to manage the pain)

I will go to the GP but just baffled- it's both knees and been happening here and there through my life but usually went away within a week and was one knee (so I assumed injury)

I now have had both knees do this to me for about 4-5 weeks. It's been fine as in I've still managed to do everything more or less but today it's so bad I have had to lie down and straighten my legs as knees are burning/aching just walking around

I'm only in my 30s.... it's unlikely to be arthritis isn't it?

Depends how overweight you are and how longm you have been overweight. The end of the bones in the knees are coated with cartiledge and if you have been overweight of a number of years the extra pressure on the knees could have worn the cartiledge away causing the bone to rub on bone which is painful. The ligaments could also be under extra strain. Exercises to help would be none Wright bearing e.g cycling or swimming.

5ft 6 and size 18-20 currently I yoyo as low as size 14 and back up to here

It probably is weight related, I've gained quite a bit during this pregnancy and it's making my knees ache

This is a medical question, MN are not doctors

I had this for years when I was much younger and lighter. Going to the theatre etc. was purgatory. But I haven't suffered with it for about 20 years so fingers crossed for you

Whatever is going on will not be being helped by your weight. I'd go to the GP for a chat about the knees but also about losing the weight.

Your too fat and, much like mine, your knees are complaining!

I remember teaching that for every 1lb of weight loss your knees experience 4lb stress reduction... so even a little bit of weight off would do us both the world of good!

I'll happily shout you down a few pounds, if you'll do the same for me

Good luck - this close to Christmas I fear we will need it!

You're ooops!

Im afraid knee pain is often down to weight.

For every pound of weight lost, the impact on knees is reduced by 4 lb

www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/knee-pain/link-between-weight-loss-and-knee-pain#weight-loss-and-knee-pain

I am 31 and have just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. There are lots of types of arthritis, some of which are actually more likely to effect younger people. It could be that or out could be your weight. If you do have arthritis it's likely that that will not be helped by your weight. Either way get yourself to a Dr, there is no need to be in pain if you can do something about it.

My knees were awful when I was fat.

No problems since I lost weight.

And arthritis is pretty common in your thirties. I have it in my fingers.

And any GP will tell an overweight patient to lose weight in the first instance, before they do any tests for arthritis etc. So it is a useful thing to do anyway!

go see the gp.
it's not normal for knees to hurt that much.
yes, the weight doesn't help and you know it, but that's probably not the (only) cause of your pain.
good luck!

There are lots of types of arthritis. You can get it at any age.

If your knees are suddenly much worse than they’ve ever been before than it’s unlikely to be just weight.

I'd see your GP and maybe get a referral to a physiotherapist.

Oh bugger. Ok will call the GP next week and stop telling myself I can lose weight tomorrow instead of ever starting it

I don't know what I was hoping for - flurry of replies telling me there's a harmless knee virus that magically disappears perhaps 🙄🤔

Thank you

Start today as tomorrow never comes.

In the meantime get some fish oil. It won't alleviate the problem but it will give your knee joints some lubrication.

Yes when I was pregnant I had such bad knee pain from my weight gain. Since dropping a stone the pain has magically disappeared! Good luck! Weight loss is not easy but so worth it.

selfidentifyinggiraffe

I don't think it can be (just) weight. I weight the same as I did years ago and used to have this but don't anymore.

The things I do differently now:

• I walk a lot, a couple of hours a day with the dog
• I take Glucosamine

I think the Glucosamine made the most difference.

My friend suffers terribly with arthritis in her knees and she’s only in her 30s. Have you tried taking glucosamine? Meant to be good for joint pain. Obviously see your doctor first to get a diagnosis.

I don't think it is just weight OP.

I am the same height and dress size but quite a bit older and have never suffered with my knees like that. Yes, not brilliant getting up and down to the floor but nothing like that.

I have other ailments that are made worse by my weight though, so I am actively reducing it now.

I would see an Oesteopath/your GP.

I also believe your weight is causing your knee pain. Another issue to consider though is if you do have a condition that's not weight related, and the treatment is knee replacement surgery, you will not be eligible for it due to your obesity. I hope you start a new lifestyle for your health's sake.

Yeah I take metformin (pcos not diabetes) anyway so I will have to run any extra meds past the doc... will look into fish oil and glucosamine

Thanks 😔 it's so painful today I haven't left the house but I will need to excercise more I think

My knees are more likely to be achey if I don't exercise and they are better if I do, but I am much older than you.
But just to inform the doc it might be worth going for a walk so you can tell them how it was afterwards, worse or better.