Knee aches

I get knee aches that wake me up at night. They last about 30 minutes. I have Type 2 and use a cane to walk. Any ideas to fix them? I use Co-Q-10 and that helps 90% of the time. But when I do get them, they hurt.

Hey Amy

I dont know if this will help - my legs are v painful and my GP sent my to our local Physiowhere I was fortunate enough to get a young physioo who specialises in Ataxia and Parkinsons. What he said made so much sense! He explained that due to our very different way ofd walking and supporting ourselves, muscles and joints that shouldnt 'have to take the strain' are4. Simple! I have exercises which I try really hard to do (remember that is!) and Marcus keeps an eye on me. I know lots of friends on this site don't have much truck with physios but perhaps you could ask your GP to refer you. It'll be worth it!

love and light

S-J

My neurologist sent me to a rheumatologist and she said much the same as S-J - I take anti inflammatories amongst other things too numerous to mention.

Take care, Patsy

I was attending a really good (IMHO) physio, in the end though he basically told me there was no more he could do to help - but he would be there if I needed to go back. :)

I have, for the last few months, noticed the pains in my legs and knees in particular are getting much worse. :(

I have gone from using one walking stick / pole to using two walking sticks in the last two months. I can usually manage with one walking stick about the house as we have rails and such installed but need the two sticks if out and about.

I attend a gym for light to medium exercise twice a week and this does help in general. As my condition gradually worsens though, I'm starting to feel that the gym, other exercises and my meds are not enough or maybe not correct and I plan to visit my GP for further advice soon.

Take care,

Michael.

Dear Michael,

I neuropathy in my hands, but I think hey have passed tghe stage for aches. I don't get knee aches very often, but can't explain when do. They eventually subside, but hurt! I use a cane and have severfal types. Amy

Michael said:

I was attending a really good (IMHO) physio, in the end though he basically told me there was no more he could do to help - but he would be there if I needed to go back. :)

I have, for the last few months, noticed the pains in my legs and knees in particular are getting much worse. :(

I have gone from using one walking stick / pole to using two walking sticks in the last two months. I can usually manage with one walking stick about the house as we have rails and such installed but need the two sticks if out and about.

I attend a gym for light to medium exercise twice a week and this does help in general. As my condition gradually worsens though, I'm starting to feel that the gym, other exercises and my meds are not enough or maybe not correct and I plan to visit my GP for further advice soon.

Take care,

Michael.

I will be interested to hear what your GP says - it must surely be something quite serious that causes your pains to wake you at night.

Best wishes Patsy

Dear Patsy,

I have shared it will sevarl doctors. They said to tke the supplement Co-Q-10. It helps 90% of the time, I guess I shouln't complain! Amy
Patsy said:

I will be interested to hear what your GP says - it must surely be something quite serious that causes your pains to wake you at night.

Best wishes Patsy

I just got my first prescription for CO-Q10 this week - my neurologist wrote to my GP asking for it to be prescribed.

Didn't know it helped with pain - I thought it was just for tiredness..

Patsy

Dear Patsy,

It is an over the counter supplement in the US. It is known for heart healthy here, but it helped. I order it by the gross! I sleep like a log at night because of all I try to do! Amy

Hope it helps!

we can buy it over the counter here too but prescribed medication or supplements are free for over 60 year olds.

Thanks Amy.

Patsy

Dear Patsy,

I might try that. I am only 56, but on medicare. Amy

My neurologist only prescribes 30mg per day. She explained that Co-Q10 is present in the body and unless there is a deficiency, more than 30mg would not be of any benefit. Would just be excreted with urine.

She is going to make enquiries from the hospital who carried out my muscle biopsy whether I do have a deficiency.

Patsy

Would hot pack helps to relieve the pain? It will stimulate blood circulation, maybe worth to take a try.

Dear Charmaine,

I have tried heat packs too. They help some. I don't know why and when I get them. Thanks.

Let me try to explain.

In Chinese medicine, there is a term called "blood gas",

"blood" is similar to "blood circulation" in Western medicine.

"gas" referred to "life energy".

According to the theory, good blood gas status will facilitate self-healing.

If blood gas runs smoothly, tendon > no pain.

If blood gas doesn't run smoothly, tendon > painful.

The cause of pain on tendon will involve many reasons, like stay in the same posture for hours without moving around

e.g. sitting for hours > bending legs + knees > legs : swelling --> reflect: blood circulation not good

other reasons: lacking of exercise, hurt, old wound, sprain....etc.

If you tried hot pack and it helps to relieve the pain, try more days.

If the pain is fading out, it is possible that your knee pain is caused by any of the above reasons.

There is possibility that walking with crane may over extend the knees.

It could be a problem about the joint or tendon.

But no matter what, hot pack will help for this case. It can relieve the pain.

If is is tendon problem, it could be improved and healed over time (but progressively, quite slow).

If it is joint problem, hot pack will only help to relieve pain.

Try to put hot pack on knees before sleeping, do it every night.

Try it for 1-2 weeks and you will see the accumulated results.

Hope it helps ^^

Charmaine

Hi Amy,

One more point. Next time if your knee aches wake you up, please touch and feel the body temperature of your knees, legs .... up to toes. Then compare it to your upper body temperature, see if there is big difference.

Charmaine