To think this isn't normal?

[NemoIsLost]

Aibu to go to the GP this afternoon with this?
I have previously been diagnosed with arthritis in my right knee, got given anti inflammatory meds, rest and ice etc. The knee was painful but bearable, I got on with my life and took pills when needed. Havnt had further pain from that knee.
For the past 2 weeks my other knee, (left) has been really painful. I thought it must be arthritis in that knee too.
But the pain is so so much worse. I'm not sleeping, any movement in bed is agony. The pills don't touch the pain and when I walk, each step is agony and I can feel a grinding.
I also feel ill, flushed, hot, exhausted.
I've asked for an emergency appointment this afternoon but will feel stupid if Dr says it's just arthritis.
WWYD?

Could be septic arthritis. Get it checked out.

ooh what's septic arthritis? sounds bad

I have rheumatoid arthritis and this sounds like mine, bilateral and I have had to crawl to the bathroom on occasion. I once screamed because the blanket touched my knee. But as other poster says, there are other types so you must get it checked.

Yes to the blanket hurting!
Laying in bed is awful, I cannot get comfy atall,
The other knee was diagnosed as wear and tear/arthritis after an x-ray.
Will I need bloods do you think? I'm just so exhausted writing this trying to stay awake!

Surely you are diagnosed with arthritis? Not arthritis of the right knee?

Are you saying you were diagnosed? (How?) given pain medication and just left to it?

You sound as though you are having a flare.

It was 2 years ago I had pain in the right knee, had an x-ray and given a repeat prescription for naproxen.I was told the xray showed wear and tear which is akin to arthritis. After a few weeks the pain went away.
The pain this time in the left knee is.much worse and I also feel ill too

If you feel ill going to the GP is your best bet.

Surely you are diagnosed with arthritis? Not arthritis of the right knee.

No, osteo-arthritis can be specific to certain joints or even just one. It’s perfectly possible to have ‘arthritis of the right knee’.

Thanks, I'm off to the appointment.

Absolutely the right thing to see the GP OP, no guesses at diagnosis from me but your symptoms sound severe enough that an emergency appointment is warranted so don't worry about wasting their time or feeling silly. Hope you get sorted

Of course you can be diagnosed with arthritis of the right knee, if that's the only joint that's affected. You don't necessarily have it in other parts of the body. I've got it in both knees.

But that sounds worse than your bog standard arthritis, could be a meniscal tear? GP appointment in next few days or walk in centre, (or limp in centre, even) may need MRI to diagnose further. I've had a meniscal tear as well, needed an arthoscopy to repair it which is keyhole surgery and worked well for me.

I hope your doctor is empathic and I’d ask for blood tests and a referral to a rheumatologist.

Even if it's 'just' arthritis, that's reason enough to go if you're in so much pain. Maybe they'll give you some stronger painkillers to take when you need them.

Best wishes and please let us know how you get on. Feel better soon. xxx

@Chrunchymym what do you mean?

Osteoporosis arthritis is the name given to “ wear and tear” of the joints. So possible, in fact likely to be one be side only, or the whole joint replacement thing wouldn’t work.

Your illness is arthritis but where is presents / manifests varies.

So you are diagnosed with RA (or in my case PsA) and it currently affects your right knee (or in my case bilaterally in my feet) but it's a degenerative condition and should be medicated.

Pain relief / anti inflammatories are all well and good but once diagnosed you become a rheumatology patient and need to be medicated to manage further deterioration. You aren't (or bloody well shouldn't be) just left to get on with it???

You should be under a rheumatologist OP.

It's osteo-arthritis or just OA.

My Mum had a problem with her cartilage when I was younger and described it as a grinding sensation. She had an operation to fix it.

And often you are just left to get on with it, especially if it comes and goes, in my experience anyway. Just painkillers as required. I've certainly not been under a rhumatologist. The NHS wouldn't be able to cope if everyone with mild to moderate OA was under a specialist.

And if they were under a specialist, surely it would be orthopedics rather than rhumatology.

Just done a google search and I'll give Crunchymum that rhumatology is the speciality. However, I'll stand by what I say that most people with OA rather than RA are managed in primary care.

OA is 'normal' care, RA is auto immune related and there for more extreme.
get to your gp op and ask for a stronger pain killer,

I think Crunchymum is referring to RA or psoriasis related arthritis, which are very different to OA in their causes, presentation and treatment. The OP described originally being diagnosed with what sounds like OA of the knee.

update....
GP unsure (obviously can't tell just by looking) could be gout, meniscus tear, OA etc etc
My BP was high, it's never high! temp was normal.
Have got blood test and X Ray forms but won't be able to do anything until Monday....

oh and he gave me a prescription for codeine.