Early signs

[Kayjas]

I'm 59 and waking up in morning with stiffness in lumbar region of back. Sometimes feels stiff in the hole lower spine area. Once I'm up and moving it goes away. Doctor said it could be a form of arthritis and has sent me for some blood tests. Anyone else had similar?

[piglette]

Hope you get blood tests, they seem to be at a premium at the moment with the shortage of bottles.

[Happyrosie]

The older we get the more we’re likely to suffer from osteoarthritis. Whilst you wait for blood test results,,which may tell you nothing, have a look at the website Arthritis Action.

[Hidden]

AHi, it could be anything really. Best to speak with your gp and perhaps get an ex Ray or mri

[Toods]

Yes, I started in a similar way and have Axial Spondyloarthritis / ankylosing spondylitis, a strange form of arthritis. Diagnosed aged 61 after many years of lower back pain which then erupted in a massive flare in Jan 2020 which affected my whole body!! It’s an inflammatory arthritis- needs an MRI and blood work for diagnosis. I am HLA B27 positive.

[Kayjas in reply to Toods]

Thank you for your reply. I don't get actual pain it is more just a stiffness type seized feeling which eases very quickly. Was yours an actual pain?

[Toods in reply to Kayjas]

It’s both a stiffness and a pain, but the stiffness eases with movement. It started largely with an awareness of stiffness which I couldn’t understand- getting out of bed, off the toilet etc was incredibly hard. As the condition has progressed, the inflammation is causing lower back, hip, neck, shoulder and rib pain. I am on biologic injections and anti inflammatory meds.

[Happyrosie in reply to Toods]

Just been browsing through these posts and noticed your comment about AS. Are you aware of the charity that does such good work with AS sufferers? It’s got a new unpronounceable name now.

[Toods in reply to Happyrosie]

Yes indeed - now the national axial spondyloarthritis society rather than the ankylosing spondylitis society. They are a great support and help.

[Kneesandtoes]

It may cheer you up to know that I also had stiffness and backache in my fifties and sixties and it went away. A friend who was on hormone replacement therapy said she had stopped taking that, because it gave her backache. I was taking starflower oil so I stopped that and the ache went. I think the pain was caused by low body temperature. I had several bouts after that and found warmth and exercise eventually made me better. When you are getting older, you do not necessarily feel the cold just the pain it causes. My husband has found the same. Pay attention to what you wear both day and night. I had to get rid of some favourite jumpers, because they were suddenly too short.

Be aware also that pain killers generally lower body temperature and can make matters worse. Keep it warm and keep it moving is my motto.