Okay – so.. typically when I ride it's during a lesson, show, or clinic and I'm in the saddle for an hour at the very least. Lupus runs in my family and I've already got symptoms of it + rheumatoid arthritis. After riding for an extended period of time, I start to have knee pain – mostly in my right knee. I've tried jointed stirrups and ironically they caused MORE pain than they relieved. I've thought about trying the Bow Balance stirrups but I'm afraid it'll be the same thing. I have "conformational issues," as my trainer likes to put it, because I've got a 33" inseam but I'm only 5'4". This makes it hard for me to fit really nicely in a saddle without my leg looking too long (even if my stirrups are at the right level).
I know I have a problem of turning my toes out when I jump, so could this be part of the reason for my knee pain? Could it be the fact that my legs are so long? Does anyone else have this same problem and if so – what have you done that has actually worked?
I've had blood tests done every year for the Lupus. With the test – they're looking for I think three specific things.. if you only have two out of the three, they still name your results as "negative." My Dr. has said, "It's just a matter of time before the test comes back positive" – I don't really know how to interpret that.. I'm assuming that one of the things they look for is possibly age related. Who knows.. and Yes, I've tried ace bandages, I've tried a knee brace – it doesn't help. Ibuprofin sometimes works but I'm not a huge fan over taking stuff. My massage therapist has recommend Arnica – which I've yet to find – but otherwise I'm not on any medications other than the occasional Flexiril after a horseshow (which is when it's the worst).

First off, are you sure this isn't related to the RA. Are you on anti-inflammatories or steroids etc. If you are suspecting you have lupus, they can do a simple blood test, but you probably already know that.

So start there first, see if there is actually something CAUSING your knee pain vs a conformational issue.

Are you riding english then? Sorry not familiar with Bow Balance stirrups. I know that my mom had really bad knee pain that was cured when she went to the things that actually turn the stirrups the correct way. I can't remember the name of them.

I really think that if you have RA, you probably should investigate that further with this issue.

Good luck!

I was recently diagnoised with RA and I am in horrific pain. My elbows and knees hurt terribly and in the morning my hands harldy work. The worst part is I am a mother of two small boys who are very active outside and want to play all the time with me! It hurts my heart so much when the pain is to much to do this with them. My primary DR. put me on percocet until I saw my Rhumatologist who didn't feel comfortable perscribing that to me so he put me on vicodin which is like taking Tylenol (it does nothing.) My primary wants my Rhumatologist to be in charge of my meds now but he doesn't get it like she did. Any suggestions? This is my fist time ever writing on something like this.
Thanks to anyone who can help!

i dont understand how ur rheumatologist "doesnt get it", i think u need a new rheumatologist because a primary care doc cant treat your RA……u need to be on RA medication, and pain meds, not only pain meds cus they prolly wont work, atleast they dont really for me…..and pain meds deffinitely wont stop doint damage…………….for stress and depression try marijuana instead of psych drugs, it works for me….good luck

Such as antibiotics, Thyroxin, meds for rheumatoid arthritis?
I have actually been prescribed Thyroxin and I also have rheumatoid arthritis so these drugs are something I take daily.. I also work in hospital, so follow-up is always there. I was just looking for a reliable alternative for buying more of these drugs.

Mexico, for one. This includes a lot, but not all, prescription drugs. For example, not even they sell OTC narcotics. U.S. Customs will allow you to bring back only a three month supply and you must state to them that is for your own personal use only!! However, many of the Mexican Pharmacies are starting to get smart, and reserve a lot of the drugs they used to sell cheaply to "gringos" for internet sell, where they fetch a much higher price.

I am 25 years old and I have a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis. I have had this chronic, debilitating disease for 3 years now. I just need advice, comments, ideas, or anything to help me cope with this disease. I am trying to education myself about this illness.

Also, does anybody know where I can get support from others? Sometimes I just need someone to listen or who can relate to me.

Hi specialme9,
Rather than put a long message in here about RA and all of this email me at poohinmissouri@yahoo.com, I have had severe RA for 7 years now and it has put me in a wheel chair and I deal with the severe pain of it every day along with the severe fatigue and I will be glad to chat with you all about it, and I own a totally free chat room that deals with diseases like fibro,ra,ms,lupus etc and you could come and talk to others with fibro about the problems they face everyday and the different pains they have everyday, and how they deal with the pain, the chat is totally free and it will put you in touch with real people with this disease, and we also have a totally free message board with all types of different health infomation including a RA message area with lots of RA information including a tutorial video about RA, so just email me for the link and we will be glad to help, we look forward to hearing from you

I used to crack my knuckles and elbows alot, but last yr. I managed to stop. I still crack my toes. My knees and right ankle cracks by themselves, such as when I walk or exercise.

yeah i use to do that alot when i was little but i was able 2 stop because i had heard that it does cause arthritis(i asked my health teacher and she said that its true) but thats if u do it alot and like if its on purpose