yes....bits do flare up and cool off at any point....but if your knees are quite bad, this will almost certainly affect your gait and result in referred pain elsewhere. i would make sure you rest as much as possible, keep warm, have soaks in the bath, take your meds religiously, pamper yourself if able to (inc. a massage, accupuncture etc.) and go back to your dr if necessary. i have pain in exactly the same place as you, so i do sympathise. when mine is really bad, i just tend to hibernate and can only cope with work and sleep....nothing else. i hope things get a little better for you. lisa x