Is This Normal

[jennyjoan]

Recently or maybe more I am waking up with the most greatest stiffness - really bad - is this ok for a lady of 60. I sometimes have to pull myself up with the loop of the bed through the night to go to loo. But the stiffening badly has me a little worried.

Once I get up and get moving I am not too bad at all - as I said is this normal.

[Mamyalynne]

A certain amount of stiffness on waking is quite common , all I would say is there is no yardstick for 'normal' - if it bothers you or hampers your life style get checked out.

[Barsel]

Could it be your mattress jennyjoan?

[jd_1984]

Could be a natural with age and as stated above, this differs with individuals so what is "normal".
Do you have a history of pain or stiffness, an injury earlier in life perhaps?
If it is disturbing your sleep or making your normal routine very hard or impossible then I would have a chat with your GP.
As to a specific condition, I wouldn't feel qualified to make suggestions. Possibly look at changing your mattress, it did my dad the world of good as he was aching a lot after a long sleep and it was put down to a very soft mattress

[jennyjoan]

deffo not mattress - even tho it is some years old - I have been asked many times if I want to sell (as if) to sell it to them cos it is so comfortable.

As you say Mamy you wouldn't know a yardstick for normal but if you have never sort have it before it is not "normal" for me.

Things went well with sista and myself but her and I never ever talk about sickness - either she doesn't be well or I dont be well but we never complain to each other - but yesterday for the first time - she said my arms have got painfully thin compared to the rest of my body.

Anyway for the CU tonight and re diabetes life has to change ie diet etc.

[Mamyalynne]

It's distressing when we start to ache and stiffen up and of course if someone is commenting on you looking unwell or different maybe it is a good idea to get a check up.

I always try to arrange appointments for afternoons as it takes me so long to get moving but then I know the reasons why.

Glad yesterday passed off reasonably well.

[Retrochic]

Do you have any pain and swelling in any of your joints? especially feet wrists hands? I was blaming the mattress for my early morning stiffness and paid a fortune for a new one with no change. Then my feet and hands started swelling up and eventually I went to the GP last year and a blood test confirmed Rheumatoid Arthritis. Among other things I have to take painkillers an hour before I get up in the morning,so that may be worth thinking about, but mention your symptoms to your GP the next time you are there. BTW I was a very fit and active person and am a bit younger than you these things can come on very quickly.

[jennyjoan]

well then I am "normal" LOL

[tamborine]

Try inserting a board under the mattress to firm it up, and roll out of your bed.

[jennyjoan]

tambo - the bed is definitely fine - it is just my body that is just stiff - but I am not going to worry as time goes on the day my body just gets on with it although not as energetic as I would have been in my day.

[tamborine]

I would try anything before I went down the analgesic road.

[Baldric]

I wake up stiff some mornings but once I'm up it normally doesn't last too long, think it's age related tbh.

[tamborine]

Hmmm baldy, choose your words carefully lest excitement raises blood pressure, lol

[Baldric]

I did!
;o)

[Retrochic]

tambo said "I would try anything before I went down the analgesic road. "

A couple of paracetamols before you get up is hardly going to make JJ drug dependant.

[pastafreak]

I wouldn't assume your mattress is fine. Just because its so comfortable is no guarantee it's good for you. It may be you are not moving much as you sleep,and so your joints are stiff. I'd day it's fairly normal.

[ummmm]

I wouldn't rule out the mattress either. Even expensive mattresses have a limited lifespan.

[atalanta]

My mother suffered from something very much like this. Her problem turned out to be polymyalgia. Polymyalgia is treatable, and usually comes to a natural end after some months. Rarely ( as in my mother's case ) it does not burn out. I believe her treatment was steroids. It is commonest in middle-aged women.

[jennyjoan]

Just wanted to let you know - some of you mentioned it could have been the bed - and you were all correct.

Bought a new bed some weeks ago and the pain I had had in the small of my back re the mattress - it has now gone upon waking.