I bought a stair climber to start getting in some movement. It was cheap, moveable, and didn't have me freezing my tush off outside.

When I am on it both my knees sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies Cereal, snapping, cracking and popping. It doesn't hurt just sounds horrible.

Am I doing more damage to my knees by using the stair climber?

The only one that could tell you that is an orthopedic doctor. If you see one already for your knees I would call them and ask.

I have interesting things that go on with my knees and depending on what is going on with your knees (see a specialist) the doctor may not want you to do climbing exercises only walking. I would check first before doing irreversible damage to your knees.

Its probably Crepitus, look it up on line and see if you think its that..

I would get a doc to check them out. They will be able to tell you if the climber is ok for your knees. I don't like stairs as they put a lot of strain on your knees.

My knees do the same thing every time I walk up and down the stairs in my house. A stair climbing machine would be my last choice for exercise. I use my treadmill almost every day.

fish oil, glucosamine sulfate and investigate removing wheat and/or dairy from your diet. and work on strengthening your quads.

fish oil, glucosamine sulfate and investigate removing wheat and/or dairy from your diet. and work on strengthening your quads.

good advice! For a free way to strengthen those quads, try lunges and air squats. If you feel particularly motivated, try jumping squats and lunges for a little plyo action. For jumping, try and land like a cat on your toes, rolling back to the heel to keep impact minimum.