Early onset arthritis

[YoureAllABunchOfBastards]

Been to doctors today and this is what she suspects my knee pain is.

Right knee is swollen and sore, sometimes hot to the touch. Flares up every so often and has been doing so more recently. Last night it was so painful I didn't sleep.

I have got Naproxen and codeine. I am also taking glucosamine.

What can I do to help myself? I am 41, overweight but losing weight steadily (1.5 stone down, 3.5 to go), reasonably active - on my feet a lot at work, like walking and swimming when I get the chance. DH has suggested exercise bike.

Not an expert but I have had knee trouble since my 20s. Cycling IMHO is not particularly good for knees - well mine and DH anyway! Dh swears by cod liver oil capsules.

I also have arthritis, in hands, knees and worst of all in neck, I take ibuprofen and paracetamol together, which does help, or rub diclofenac cream onto the area, but to be blunt nothing really works and I was actually on here today like you to post for any advice. I was told by the chemist that glucosamine takes 6 months to start working, it is so expensive that I gave up, I am trying devils claw but only been taking for a few days so not sure if works or not. Swimming is really good as you are not putting pressure on the knees. Sorry have no real answers just wanted you to know I understand how you feel

Steroid injections can keep things at bay. My MIL has them directly into her knee and they work v well. That said, she is having knee replacement soon. Are these an option? Is it osteoarthritis?

Pilates is great for imflammatory arthritis, keeps joking moving gently. I find it relieves my achyness and stiffness x