Stiffness and Pain

[Seagu11]

Difficult to get moving first thing in morning,why ? Any tips how to avoid or alleviate this condition.Awaiting hip replacement .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You asked this question 2 weeks ago, and received a couple of suggestions. Has anything changed since then?

[carolBF]

Really sorry to hear you are having difficulties in the morning like most of us, I read somewhere on here that if you take some of your steroids in the day and some at night it helps.

I tried this I take 6mg around 12pm and 3mg at 9pm at night and I feel more Mobil in the morning

Just an idea

Take care x

[piglette]

Having a new hip should improve life a lot.

[Blearyeyed]

Have you tried any of the suggestions from a few weeks ago like taking your Pred in one dose earlier in the morning then staying in bed while it takes affect , or, trying the split dose yet?

If so , did it make any difference?

Do you also take Omega 3 , Vitamin D , and a multivitamin and mineral complex each day , and, the standard dose through the day of Paracetamol to help reduce other causes of Pain and Stiffness ?

As the hip will be causing Muscle and Nerve Pain too which will create stiffness that the steroids may not be helping with.

Have you been offered any light Physio via the GP suitable for you to do whilst waiting for the replacement?

This sort of activity can help reduce stiffness and mobility issues?

Short walks and gentle swimming or exercise in water really helped my Aunt whom had two hip replacements both to reduce the stiffness before and speed up movement after she was allowed to be mobile again post surgery.

If the Hip has become severe though stiffness may feel like it is growing daily because the hip just isn't doing its job and will affect your whole posture and gait , making it steadily more difficult to move and walk.

If your efforts are not helping and things are getting worse you need to inform your Specialist , GP or Surgeon and check when your Surgery can be done .

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you have adjusted the time you take your pred, which is probably the most effective option, then you could try using an electric blanket BEFORE getting out of bed to warm up the muscles and then get into a warm shower and do some gentle stretches. Once your muscles are warmed and the blood flow is improved it often helps a lot.

If you are really committed, I used to get up and straight into a swimsuit before my muscles cooled again, staggered to the car and went to the gym to the warm pool for an aquafit class. I showered there to make the start easier. The sauna and steam room also helped a lot. Once I could get moving, the rest of the day was far better - and the effect of the aqua class was enough to allow me to do adapted Pilates and Iyengha yoga classes which also improved the stiffness.

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

Shall I sign you up for the New Year swim across Menai Strait tomorrow then Pro , sounds like you have had enough years of training ?😋😂😂😂😘

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

I didn't/don't swim - only aquafit! Not even that now - none suitable available.

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

That's a shame , I find the exercises in water have helped me more than anything else. It's even helped to improve my endurance in walking and doing everyday things .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

Everyone here who is fit still walk up mountains at 80+! So little demand for aquafit ...

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

Have you got a pool nearby where you can at least enjoy doing the Aquafit exercises by yourself even if you can't get to have fun with others in a class?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

The pool is an all-singing all-dancing tourist pool with slides and stuff. And loud and echo-ey. Yuk.

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

😩😩😩😩😲

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

And I'd need a guide dog ...