Joint Pain

[jennyjoan]

Can anybody reassure me - when I have wakened every morning for about a week or two - my whole body joints are aching.

My knee, my back, my shoulders just about everything when I get up first thing in the morning. However as they day goes it gets just a tiny bit easier - enough for me to be mobile.

It does feel that the accident of February is hitting me now as I didn't have this kind of pain when it happened.

I'm for the Orthaepedic (don't know when tho). I am sorta worried re this pain. Thanks for any reassurance.

[Sqad]

This picture that you give is typical of rheumatoid arthritis, bad in the morning, bur gets better as the day progresses.
Osteoarthritis tends to be the other way round, fine or not so bad in the morning, but gets worse as the day goes on.
A blood test will differentiate the two conditions.
Try not to worry as nothing can be done until a diagnosis is made.

[tamborine]

Not a medical answer but my OH had ostio spondilitis & suffered same. A wood board under the mattress gave relief.

[jennyjoan]

Thanks guys for your answers. Tambo, just got a new bed and compared to rising from my old bed and this one - pain is much lesser. Was in agony in the garden with the old bed.

Maybe Sqad when I go to ortho - they may do a blood test.

[Sqad]

JJ...they will.

[jennyjoan]

Sqad - is there anything I could take to alleviate the pain so that I can ask my doctor when I eventually see her.

[NoMercy]

This sounds very rheumatoid in nature. Early morning stiffness which eases throughout the day is a classic feature and its onset ccould be sudden.

A full set of bloods (immunological profile) could help to characterise this further.

[NoMercy]

Since this is very likely an inflammatory arthropathy, anti-inflammatories are your best bet. You could also try to alkalise your diet which may or may not help.

[jennyjoan]

Thanks NoM - I use an old fashioned computer and use the mouse and find using it causes me a lot of pain in my right arm.

[jennyjoan]

Err Alkalise - what's that.

[Sqad]

Yes Ibuprofen would be the answer taken last thing at night 400mgms.
If you can't take Ibuprofen for some reason, then Paracetamol, last thing at night 1,000 mgms would be a second best.

[jennyjoan]

I have Naproxen Sqad - will start that - I know you are a great advocator of Ibrufen but I have tried it in the past and I never got relief. I do admit I probably stopped it without giving it a chance.

[jennyjoan]

I also take co-codamol from Boots throughout the day and probably unbeknown to me - it probably keeps me mobile - God I dread the day when I can't do things. i cleaned yesterday and lifted mats in the hall etc to wash the floor and found them a ton.

[Sqad]

O.K Naproxen is fine.

[albaqwerty]

Naproxen can irritate the stomach lining.
I know in can be bought OTC, but I'd be wary of taking anything not prescribed by your GP

[NoMercy]

You can Google how to make your diet more alkaline / less acidic.

[ummmm]

I'm suffering quite badly at the moment (I'm hoping it's a side effect to my medication) and the doctor is sending for various blood tests so you're best getting booked in with the GP.

[Sqad]

alba......she is in PAIN.
Her GP would only prescribe what has been suggested and can be obtained OTC.
Yes, they MIGHT irritate the stomach lining...might...the only way to find out is to try them and see.

[jennyjoan]

Yes NoM - have just googled but I have to go now but will take note of the diet later on. Maybe that will help cos my diet is not good. Thanks

[jennyjoan]

Thanks all again. You too Alba - bye for now

[albaqwerty]

yes, sqad, I did notice that.
Naproxen may add to any discomfort.
Having been in pain for the past few years, Naproxen hasn't really helped me.
Am still undergoing blood tests, but on the plus side, at least I've still got blood left and lots of things ruled out :-)