Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction.

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Muscles & Bones
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Help.

TC40
TC40
I have arthritis in both knees, with bone spurs I my right knee. I am in so much pain I feel desperate. I have to walk up and down two flights of steep steps at work. My dr wrote an accommodation letter stating that I really should work on the first floor. My work won't accommodate me. So I have a note stating that I should only make minimal trips up and down and may need assistance at times, getting things to and from downstairs.

I hurt so bad that I wish God would just take me. I have had horrible pain before. I had cancer twice and I had huge major surgeries. However I knew that I was going to heal and the pain was going to go away. With this pain it is just going to keep going on and on.. I feel defeated. And very hopeless. I am also very overweight and I know that doesn't help matters any. I've been trying to cut back and I found out that I gained 5 pounds. I just feel like crying. Will it ever get any better???
Emerald22
Emerald22
Can your Dr not do a scope (arthroscopy) & debride all of the worn cartilage and shave down the bone spur? I would ask about that being an option. The pain probably won't get better until that spur is gone. Injections of cortisone may help after that and in the other knee to help lower your pain levels too. You don't mention cartilage loss but injections with lubricants like orthovisc and similar could add some cushioning back for a while if they're bone on bone.

Your company should have to comply with ADA guidelines. Talk to HR and see what paperwork they need to accommodate the dr's request. It doesn't seem right that they won't move you to the 1st floor if they don't have an elevator.

Hope you feel better!
Emerald
naturegirl65
naturegirl65
That's rough. It's a Shame your work won't accommodate you.
Stairs are difficult to tackle with arthritis in knees. I've been through it myself and I understand.
I know chronic pain is a tough thing to live with at times and can wear us down. Are you on any pain medication?
Be sure to get good pain management.

You are right about the weight. I'm working on losing some myself. I find recording all what I eat has been helpful. if you have a smartphone look for myfitnesspal App. It is free. I am in weight loss support groups here on DS and a couple of others use the same App and find it a great tool to have. And have lost weight. I've lost 4 lbs in 3 weeks because of It. The App is very easy to use.
If you are looking to lose weight maybe check out the groups for some support. There's no judgment and everyone is kind and supportive.
"Diet and weight management". And "one calorie at a time"


For every 10lbs of weight over equals 40 lbs of pressure on the knees. And walking up stairs adds even more pressure. this is partly the reason I'm getting back to working on losing weight. I have knee replacements. And I have arthritis in my feet.

Turmeric can be helpful in reducing inflammation and bone spurs. You can add it to your food or take capsules. I take it everyday and feel it's a good thing to have.

I hope that your job situation changes. Maybe do as Emerald suggests.

If you feel like crying then maybe go ahead and cry. It's good to do that. And it may relieve some stress.

Hang in there and I hope things improve for you.