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Suggest Treatment For Low Fever And Joint Pain In An Elderly Person
Question: I am 50 and very fit with a nine month. For the last two days I have been under the weather with a low fever aand really really really inflamed knees and the top of my feet hurt, but knee joints hurt to bend them. Do you have any suggestions for an anti-inflammatory that might help? I went to the doc in the box I do not have flu and they gave me prednisone and something for anti nausea although that has not been a great problem . My stiffness and body aches have been awful
Brief Answer:
Add Tylenol or ibuprofen. Get x-rays and bloodwork if pain continues
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Unfortunately, there is not going to be a stronger anti-inflammatory than steroids or prednisone - It is about the strongest anti-inflammatory there is. However, steroids do no have any pain control or pain relief. Therefore, I would recommend taking Tylenol and ibuprofen with the prednisone.
It sounds like you are having some type of arthritis. Does the pain worse in the morning or after you have been using it? Is there redness associated with the swelling? How far does the swelling go past the knee? There are many forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid, Oateoarthritis, gouty arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
I would say to continue the steroid and add Tylenol or ibuprofen and take it as prescribed in the bottle. Also, get rest and try to ice the active area. I would recommend to get complete bloodwork to make sure there are no signs of rheumatoid arthritis. I Would also recommend to get an x-ray of both knees
Add Tylenol or ibuprofen. Get x-rays and bloodwork if pain continues
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Unfortunately, there is not going to be a stronger anti-inflammatory than steroids or prednisone - It is about the strongest anti-inflammatory there is. However, steroids do no have any pain control or pain relief. Therefore, I would recommend taking Tylenol and ibuprofen with the prednisone.
It sounds like you are having some type of arthritis. Does the pain worse in the morning or after you have been using it? Is there redness associated with the swelling? How far does the swelling go past the knee? There are many forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid, Oateoarthritis, gouty arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
I would say to continue the steroid and add Tylenol or ibuprofen and take it as prescribed in the bottle. Also, get rest and try to ice the active area. I would recommend to get complete bloodwork to make sure there are no signs of rheumatoid arthritis. I Would also recommend to get an x-ray of both knees
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you for your very thoughtful response... hopefully it will go away when I start to feel better. And if not I definitely will pursue it with my primary care physician. I do not have any signs of redness but just definitely thickness around the knees and it's not like I've been over doing squats or running a marathon although I do use my knees quite a bit when I work out regularly along with being active and getting up and down with my 9 month old. The muscle/ body aches are definitely the worst on the front and sides of my knees and tops of my feet oddly enough. Right now icing sounds dreadful is there anyway elevating would do the trick?
Brief Answer:
Elevate, rest, ice, and compress with ACE-bandage
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Elevating your legs will help with the swelling. You can also try Ted-hose. You can also get an Ace-bandage to wrap you legs and feet.
Heat will make the swelling worse. Ice will help with the swelling. The main therapy is usually NSAIDs such as Tylenol and ibuprofen. Steroid are very good anti-inflammatory agents.
Do you have any other symptoms such as:
- scaly dry skin?
- Itchy eyes?
- Recent illness, especially upper respiratory tract infections?
- Nausea or vomiting?
- Fevers?
Elevate, rest, ice, and compress with ACE-bandage
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Elevating your legs will help with the swelling. You can also try Ted-hose. You can also get an Ace-bandage to wrap you legs and feet.
Heat will make the swelling worse. Ice will help with the swelling. The main therapy is usually NSAIDs such as Tylenol and ibuprofen. Steroid are very good anti-inflammatory agents.
Do you have any other symptoms such as:
- scaly dry skin?
- Itchy eyes?
- Recent illness, especially upper respiratory tract infections?
- Nausea or vomiting?
- Fevers?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I have a scaly skin and sometimes itchy eyes. I do not believe the rest are problems although I did have an upper respiratory infection this past July that was terrible.
Brief Answer:
Psoriatic or reactive arthritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
This sounds most like Psoriatic or reactive arthritis.
Reactive arthritis is a syndrome that involves the joints, eyes, and lower urinary tract (such as bladder), as well as skin. It is usually a reaction to an infection such as a recent upper respiratory infection, gastrointestinal infection, or a sexual transmitted disease. Unfortunately, the etiology is mostly unknown, and antibiotics do not help. Steroids and NSAIDs are the treatment.
Psoriasis is a skin disease that can manifest as a joint disease. The treatment is the same.
I would recommend getting blood work and X-ray's if your symptoms continue. In the meantime, I would continue to take the steroids and NSAIDs.
Psoriatic or reactive arthritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
This sounds most like Psoriatic or reactive arthritis.
Reactive arthritis is a syndrome that involves the joints, eyes, and lower urinary tract (such as bladder), as well as skin. It is usually a reaction to an infection such as a recent upper respiratory infection, gastrointestinal infection, or a sexual transmitted disease. Unfortunately, the etiology is mostly unknown, and antibiotics do not help. Steroids and NSAIDs are the treatment.
Psoriasis is a skin disease that can manifest as a joint disease. The treatment is the same.
I would recommend getting blood work and X-ray's if your symptoms continue. In the meantime, I would continue to take the steroids and NSAIDs.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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