I am 75 yrs old and for many years now have had Problems with Aches and Pains in some of my joints.Currently Every Morning when First Wake in Bed, I am in a Lot of Pain in my Body.
Once I Can Get Up and Begin to Move Around, Thank Heavens the Pain goes Away.
I've never had a Diagnosis as such,
.Has anybody got any Suggestions what this might be.
P.S If I happen to Wake in the Night I'm in the Same Situation.
Any Advice would be Gratefully Received and Appreciated,
Many Thanks Ann
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Gus73
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I spoke to my GP a couple of years ago, at the time I had High Blood pressure and all he was interested in was getting this under control, which has been successfully achieved.I suppose the thing I find somewhat misdefying is, Why does all this Pain Disappear after I have been up and about a while in the morning (which I am Truly Grateful for)
But it's back with me every night, and during the night, when I have to make visits to the bathroom.
It's all a Complete Mystery to me.
Do you have any suggestions????
PS I should mention perhaps that Both my Parents Suffered Severely with what was called Rheumatism in those days.
It sounds as if the pains you are experiencing are indeed rheumatoid arthritis you get pain with that after a night sleep, or long periods of sitting in one position but the pain can wear off after a while.
Have you actually had the blood test to see if you do have rheumatoid arthritis …are you taking any prescription drugs.?
I think your best bet is to make a list of your symptoms and how are you feeling in general and make an appointment to see your GP and ask for some blood tests to find out what is causing your pain.
Hi I am diagnosed with RA & have taken methotrexate for about 5 years. It took quite a while to get used to the meds & things seem to quieten down when I am eating healthier & in moderation. I am trying to keep inflammation down & things I eat & drink but also the winter weather ie cold, wind & damp affect me. I hope you can. find what helps for you as we are all different. Best wishes x
I admit my RA is controlled and at 70 I wake up like this sometimes anyway. In my case it's probably age, in my head I'm 50 but the body ain't. I think you could ask the GP for a few blood tests as it could be anything or indeed nothing.
This Happens to me every night and during the night when I have to make visits to the bathroom.However after I have been up for a little while in the morning it disappears (which I'm Extremely Grateful for)
I find the whole thing a complete mystery.
I perhaps should mention that Both my Parents had Severe Rheumatism (which was what it was called in there days)
Please ask GP for blood it might be thyroid? I used to get stiff with that too. I hope it’s not RA but if it is as already said there are meds which work well. X
Thank You I will have to speak with the GPI just find the whole thing a mystery as after I finally get up and get going in the morning,it disappears altogether (which I'm Extremely Grateful for)
I wondered if anyone else had experienced this????
I might also Mention that Both my Parents had Severe Rheumatism which was what it was called in there day.
another one to suggest speaking to your GP to get some tests/checks done as we can’t tell you what it may be, it could be something or it could be nothing. Do you have Osteoarthritis?
I have Been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis as suchI just find the whole thing a Complete Mystery, as after I've been up and about for a while n the morning the Pain Disappears!!!!!(which I am Extremely Grateful for)
Perhaps I should mention that Both of my Parents had Severe Rheumatism (which was what it was known as in those days.
Is it just pain Ann or swelling and redness too ? You really should pester your GP for some answers especially as it’s been going on 2+ years. Let us know how you get on.
When you say 'I've never had a diagnosis as such' what does that mean?
Have you spoken to your GP about the symptoms ? Have they run any tests? If so what were the results?
If on the other hand you mean that e.g. rheumatoid arthritis is in the family and therefore relatives or you have assumed it's RA from the symptoms, then try taking anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen for a few days to see if they help. If they do then that suggests it's inflammation of some sort, and get along to the GP who will run initial tests. If your knowledge is based on family experience from a long time ago then the good news is that treatments are much more effective than in the past.
When I last spoke to a GP at my practice, he was not interested As at the time (some approx 2 years ago) I had quite High Blood Pressure and all he was interested in was getting this under control. Which is now all sorted.
As far as I'm aware No tests have been done by the GP with regard to any Arthritis as such.
What I find strange is that this Pain (Thank Heavens) Disappears, once I'm up and about in the morning.
Any Suggestions with Particular Reference to this????
Something for which I'm Extremely Thankful for.
I will try the Ibuprofen at Nighttime and see if this helps(As you have suggested)
Yes Both My Parents Suffered Dreadfully with what was Known as Rheumatism in those days.
Please check you can take ibuprofen with any other meds you take first, don’t just take what someone on here says as we are not qualified to advise on that.
It's normal with Rheumatoid arthritis to feel at your most stiff in the morning according to my rheumatologist. However the NHS pages say this can happen with Osteoarthritis too.
Have a look at the NHS pages on RA and see whether is seems to match up with your symptoms. An the osteoarthritis pages for comparison.
If you write down any symptoms you have, including anything random e.g. dry eyes and then contact the doctor with the list they might listen a bit more this time. Best of luck.
Thank You I will look these Site's upStrangely enough I don't have any particular joint swelling, Other than swollen feet and ankles,which I put down to water retention at my age.
However last time I went to the Optician he said I had Extremely Dry Eyes.
I will take on board what you have said and see how I get on.
There are a range of arthirits type illnesses. It would be best to see your GP. Tell him about any other symtoms, including your dry eyes. They can arrange a blood test to check for inflammatory markers.
As we get older joints can degenerate and become stiffer (osteoarthritis). However, if you have rheumatoid arthirits this is an autoimmune, inflammatory disease.
Than you for your response I am going to endeavour to get a GP appointment. I will ask about this Blood Test which shows inflammatory markersThis has never been suggested to me
Dear Ann. Loads of help and good suggestions already but you really need to take a list of questions and yourself to the GP and tell them what you’ve told us.
Everyone has their own experience and opinions about what you may have but none of us has access to your existing medical records and your state of health and it’s no good anyone, least of all you, trying to diagnose what’s ailing you without the requisite tests. As a retired Practice Nurse I would say we would much rather you came as soon as possible so you stand the best chance of swift treatment if you need it.
Best of luck with whatever it turns out to be - hopefully nothing serious- and do let us all know how you get on.
Just a question. Is there any history of psoriasis in your family? I have what Rheumatologist is calling PMR as I have had psoriasis. They claim there is about a 30% change people with psoriasis get PMR. My symptoms were like yours . I now take prednisone and it's so much better. Good luck.
Not sure if you meant to ask me? I have no RA in family or Psoriasis. My mother lived till 91 no joint issues. I am 62 not long diagnosed Covid triggered my RA.
So what you describe is typical inflammatory pain. Pain and stiffness worse with rest and inactivity, and improve with movement. Mechanical pain is the opposite worse on movement and better at rest. The fact yours is worse with inactivity, warrants bloods doing to look at rheumatoid factor and inflammatory markers. Then they can refer you to a rheumatologist to see which inflammatory arthritis you may have. I have ankylosing spondylitis, which predominantly affects the spine and pelvis, but in my case virtually every joint in my body, with treatment symptoms improve
I have to say I'm stiff in the morning and after rest but dispite all the meds I'm on, the pain doesn't go away during the day it's just a bit easier to work with. The jury is a out on a diagnosis after 6 1/2 years with me. I think it's normal to be a wee bit stiff with age in the mornings but RA and it's associated diseases is on a different level. I'm currently back to taking a couple of co codamol around 5am so I can get out of bed around 7. Sometimes I need my husband to help me get out of the bed or even sit up. I have my stick beside the bed to get to the bathroom.
I'm 46 but in my head I've aged a bit too. I think I'm around 30 now, not the 24 I was for about 20 years, my body thinks it's 90. 🤣
All I can say is I was told if stiffness and pain lasts for up to 30 minutes once you are up it's likely osteoarthritis. Any longer then possible RA. But yes I agree with everyone else. Write down your symptoms and times of day/night. Write down what you were doing before the pain started. Then ask for the tests for inflammation, thyroid, vitamins etc. I have osteoarthritis and RA and although on meds for RA my osteoarthritis still makes me very stiff and in pain during the night and the mornings and if I'm sat still for too long. Testing is the only way plus perhaps x-rays/ scans on your joints that hurt. All the best.
Good morning Gus73, a tip check your blood pressure tablets some of them give muscle pain. Of course if you have high blood pressure it could be part of another illness causing the trips to the loo and pain till you are active. I wiggle my feet before getting out of bed that usually takes some of the pain/ ache down so I can go to the loo. If you want to PM me I will always reply as I prefer not to talk about medical things on the main page. I am not medical but have years of experience of varied illness as I have more than one health issue. Your parents illness would have been an opinion of the Drs at the time , I think you need to persist with your GP to get investigated and rule out all possible causes , after all you may just have a weak bladder or a serious illness. Don't panic just don't be fobbed off your synptoms are strange as you say. Good luck let us know how you get on please.
it sounds like just arthritis. Being stiff from no activity and fine after up and about. Be thankful. I can hardly get into bed, then hardly out of bed, then try to move with difficulty and have to sit after a bit of meal preparation or housekeeping to rest before I can get up again. You may want to check with a rheumatologist to make sure nothing else is lurking about. Have a blessed day! 🤗
Thank You for your response.I am So Very Grateful for All the Blessings I Have, and am Very Very Much aware after reading All the Posts on here that things for me could be a lot,lot,lots, worse
I am Sorry that you and so Many others on here are in so much Pain, All of the time.
What causes the most pain Ann, mine is arthritis in my knees. I have bought some elasticated knee supports which help and like you I am ok when moving about.I play crown green bowls which helps but fine it difficult to bend down like I used to so I have to adjust how I bowl. I was told a few years ago that I would be out on the list for knee replacements if I lost weight. I lost the weight and felt ok so didn't bother going on the list. My knees are worst now but my new GP told me if I can walk so far I'll not get any surgery.
No one here can give you a diagnosis. Make an appointment to see your GP specifically in relation to joint pain. Don’t tag it on to an appointment about something else like high cholesterol. There are blood tests and physical examination and even X-ray the GP can request to aid his diagnosis. The symptoms you describe can be attributed to many forms of arthritis or other health issues. Go see the GP specifically about your joint pain then they can’t be dismissive of it, insist as it is having an impact on your general well-being and ability to function normally day to day.
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