So frustrated I can't bike right now (rant)...

[windawake]

If anyone will feel my pain, it's probably you guys. I have rheumatoid arthritis in my knee and I've been very lucky that I tend to go years between flare-ups. My last one was in 2009. I'm having one right now.

This means my right knee is like 3x its normal size and it's intermittently painful. I can't get in to see a rheumatologist for the usual treatment (a cortisone shot in the knee which clears it right up) until mid-March. Today I got on my bike, biked 3 blocks, and turned around because my knee is so swollen it's hard to bend.

I want to bike and I feel gross not biking. I just don't really know how to manage this since I don't want to make it worse. Ugh!

[James]

Ouch!
Sorry you can't get in to see your doctor, sad that a simple 30 second shot has to take that long to get. Hope you are back to riding soon!

[caliq]

Would doing underwater exercises help?  Or at least help you feel like you're still getting some kind of workout for the next month or so, even if you can't bike?

I have zero knowledge of RA but I know my family members with various knee issues much prefer swimming over like running or possibly even biking.

You could probably find a local YMCA and do it fairly inexpensively?  That's what my mom does.

[nereo]

So sorry about the knee!  hope the flare-up goes down soon, and you can get back on your bike.  I'm currently off-bike for the next several weeks, but that's just because I'm a wuss and won't bike when there's snowbanks blocking the shoulders and its well below freezing.  Yes, I know I *could* but I always wait until we're down to pavement again.  Looking forward to my first ride in mid/late March...

[MsPeacock]

I am so sorry and can totally relate! I have sucky arthritic knees (and hips and back and hands and neck) and I am only 45! Biking is out - can't push the pedals. I am barely hanging on to a daily walk with my dog at this point. I haven't been able to do much for the past year, compared to my usual activity level. Nothing much the docs can do. I am waiting back on bloodwork to check for RA and a bunch of other stuff.

I know what you mean about feeling gross. You will get that injection soon and it will be warmer weather (at least where I am ... hope this is the case for you) and warmer weather always helps w/ achy painful joints. And soon you will be back to biking and enjoying yourself! In the meantime ice up or heating pad and do whatever helps and let your knee rest.

[Thegoblinchief]

Is your saddle already high enough that you're getting full extension? I know RA is a different beast than OA, but my Mom coped for a long time by minimizing her knee bend as much as possible.

She did finally have to get knee replacement surgery.

They seriously can't just have a nurse administer the shot?

Hope the episode calms down quickly!

[dopeysla69]

the best way is problley take long warm baths and soak the knee in some epsion salt. do this like every single day and your knee should start to feel better i am glad i dont have this issue but i know someone who had the same problem and my method works

[darkadams00]

I had a neck injury last summer that sidelined me for most of the summer. Even now, I'm occasionally doing a bus/bike hybrid commute (bus out/bike home) to try to make sure everything's in better shape this spring. I can definitely relate, although I didn't have much pain if I stayed off the bike. Healing takes longer than you'd like when you're an active person.

Good luck with your treatments.

[Bookworm]

I get it, and I'm so sorry. I hope maybe there is a cancellation or something and you can get in sooner.

[windawake]

Thanks everyone for all the kind words and encouragement. I asked my doctor to call the specialist's office and they were able to squeeze me in yesterday. They drained my knee (it was gross, almost 1/2c fluid came out), and shot it up with cortisone. It's definitely on the mend. Hoping to bike a little tomorrow and to work on Friday!

[jmusic]

Thanks everyone for all the kind words and encouragement. I asked my doctor to call the specialist's office and they were able to squeeze me in yesterday. They drained my knee (it was gross, almost 1/2c fluid came out), and shot it up with cortisone. It's definitely on the mend. Hoping to bike a little tomorrow and to work on Friday!

I just stumbled on this post and I was just about to suggest that 4-6 weeks was a long time to suffer with an "acute" issue.  Glad you were able to get seen.