joint stiffness.

[PhyllisK]

I have a history of Atrial Fibrillation. In 2019 I had an ablation and am now quite comfortable on rate control medication. I am now 80 years old and like to be active Since Christmas, I find that my joints are remarkably stiff and is progressively worsening. I have seen my Doctor and have had blood tests but all appears normal. I am thinking of using Vitamin supplements but do not wish to compromise my prescription medication. I would appreciate any advise please.

[Teresa156]

Hi PhyllisK,

I think it’s really good that you are looking into possible supplements, but I think it’s going to be quite difficult for anybody on this forum to advise on supplements to ease joint stiffness, but not interfere with your heart as so many other things need to be considered first, including any other medications and your history. I think it’s really best that you discuss this with your GP ( easier said than done, I know).

Could it be arthritic problems you are having now perhaps and you say your blood test results were fine? but can I just ask too, did they check your Vitamin D levels? I had a lot of joint pain a while back and was vitamin D deficient. Many things can cause it though but it’s best to start with your GP first.

[PhyllisK in reply to Teresa156]

Thank you so much for replying to my post. I have spoken to my doctor and he has explained that my blood test results do not show any red flags for generalised arthritis. My knee has been so painful that I am on a week's supply of Naproxen. Other than that I am not sure what the future holds. I just felt that a Vitamin supplement might ward off the inevitable. 🤨

[Teresa156 in reply to PhyllisK]

Thankyou for coming back PhylisK,

I am sorry to hear you are in pain, but I do think you are best to speak to your GP about on- going vitamin supplements. Vitamin D blood tests aren’t usually provided unless you request them and I think it would still be worthwhile asking him about that, especially as you haven’t seen the results. I would guess that Vitamin D levels weren’t part of your blood test. I can see my blood test results via an app but I know not everyone uses those.

I do wish you all the best and hope that the Naproxen helps.

[PhyllisK in reply to Teresa156]

Thank you.

[waveylines in reply to PhyllisK]

I'd ask for a copy of the blood test rests. You are entitled to copy. Being in range doesn't mean optimum. I'd also ask if they would check your B12. Our ability to absorb b12 lowers as we age and can cause a multiple array of symptoms. Again ask for a copy of results.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi PhyllisK

Glucosamine and turmeric combined could help, you can buy pills containing both.

However, you must never take any supplements if you are on prescribed medication without first consulting your pharmacist or GP. Your pharmacist may be the best person to go to.

It would helpful too if you added the prescribed medication you take to your profile. Then members here who are on the same meds may be able to say what they have been told is safe to take.

Please let us know if you find anything that works.

Wishing you well.

Jean

[Frances123 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Jean, my GP once said to me when I was asking him if I could take something, to talk to the pharmacist as they are the experts in drugs, medication and knowledge of supplements. My local pharmacist is a fount of knowledge and very helpful. My prescription is electronically sent there anyway so they can see at the touch of a button what medication I am currently on. Can’t fault it.

[PhyllisK in reply to Frances123]

Thank you so much.

[Singwell]

I'd talk to your pharmacist Phyllis. They're usually very knowledgeable and can check updates about interactions between medication and supplements.

[Peony4575]

Hi Phyllis I am not a doctor but as I understand it blood tests may show up an inflammatory process with raised CRP and ESR levels, you say you haven’t got that so that is good news. Sounds like you have general wear and tear or osteoarthritis which we all get to a greater or lesser degree sooner or later I have a painful knee you have my sympathy . I would be wary of anti inflammatories or NSAIDs, they are what caused my AF in the first place. Paracetamol seems to be ok. I am looking at a supplement called Joint Ace but haven’t taken it yet , am frightened of adding anything ! That was recommended to me by a few people, you could ask your pharmacist if that would be OK

[Nan1]

When my knee first started playing up many many years ago a Consultant recommended Glucosamine but it must be with Chondroitin. I took it for many years and it helped enormously with joint stiffness and pain but I stopped since AF and haven’t been able to get a definite answer as to whether it’s ok to take it. Perhaps you would get more luck than me but I wish you well anyway

[Mowgli44]

I suffer from the same thing Phyllis. I wanted to take Q10 but my GP wouldn’t advise it because of the Edoxaban. Spoke to pharmacist first and he said to speak to GP because of my age!

[bassets in reply to Mowgli44]

Hi, I have been taking Edoxaban and want to take Q10. Do you know why the pharmacist said this was not advised?

[KathleenV]

Hello Phyllis,I used to be just the same but I have found the solution for me. I stretch as much as I can and rarely miss my daily stretch routine. I don't know how mobile you are but even sitting in a chair you can stretch. It's what animals, especially cats do naturally, babies too. I hope that idea helps.

Kathleen

[Ppiman]

At nearly 70 and on similar medication, I am guessing (apixaban and bisoprolol) I have noticed increasing issues in my knees and lower legs. I think mine is related to the neuropathy I have, though.

In terms of supplements, I doubt any will help much having seen my mother work through so many over her life of osteo-arthritis. But we are all different! If you are on a modern anticoagulant (such as the one I am on, apixaban, i.e. edoxaban or rivaroxaban) rather than the more traditional warfarin, I gather these supplements are all perfectly harmless and safe and won't interact but do check with your pharmacist or doctor.

Steve

[Ecki]

Did you have any change of medication around the time the symptoms started? I was put on atorvastatin and developed severe and progressive joint and muscle pain and weakness. It started soon after I was put on this statin and got worse and worse. Talked to my GP and changed to rosuvastatin and these symptoms went away over the course of the next few weeks. Something else to consider is that it could be a reaction to your current medication. I'd been on fexofenadine for hay fever for 12 years, all fine, then I started getting severe headaches and dizziness so changed to a different antihistamine and the symptoms went away.

It might be worth a conversation with your GP/pharmacist to discuss this.

[PhyllisK in reply to Ecki]

my doctor did explore the possibility of Statins being the cause but it seems that Statin musculoskeletal problems are never painful just a stiffening problem. I hope I am making sense.

[Ecki in reply to PhyllisK]

Mine was extremely painful. I'm accustomed to walking 2 or 3 miles daily but could barely manage to walk round the garden as it was so painful.

[Auriculaire in reply to PhyllisK]

What nonsense doctors come out with! Many people report intense muscular and joint pain with statins. They just don't want to admit they are poisoning people with this stuff. Elderly women who have not had a heart attack do not benefit from statins and large epidemiological studies have shown this. Apixabam worsens my joint pain and gives me awful backache.

[Poochmom in reply to Auriculaire]

I agree. Doctors have tried to push statins on my other half and he is having no part of it. He tried it once and his legs got so weak he could barely walk. Statins are not good. IMHO

[Maxim10]

Vit D is usually OK. Fat sulouble vitamins are A,D,E,K and are stored in the body so careful titration is needed.

Best wishes,

Maxim

[PhyllisK in reply to Maxim10]

thank you.

[Qualipop]

The only thing I would definitely take would be Vit D. Almost everyone in this country is deficient and it certainly does have an effect on joint pain.

[BaileyC57]

I have AFIB and my age is 80 and I am stiff all over and I take supplements Vitamin D3 AND Vitamin B12, helps a little but I still hurt!

[BaileyC57 in reply to BaileyC57]

I did get blood work and was low on vitamin D and B12!

[kocoach]

Drugs.Com will tell you just about anything you need to know about most medications. Interaction with other drugs, usual dosage, what it's used for, side effects and a lot more.

[Teresa156 in reply to kocoach]

Hi kocoach,

I wouldn’t actually believe everything that tells you - it differs quite a lot with the NHS - NICE guidelines for interactions, so I don’t look at it anymore. Take care with that.