Intermittent painful joints and fatigue

[mrspainful]

Hi this is a bit of an odd one but every so often (roughly 2-3 months) I go through a period of having really stiff joints, everything hurts, I can't stay in one position for long as moving is agony. I have to crawl up the stairs on my hands and knees. I also get quite fatigued, noticeably more tired than usual, need to go to bed at 8pm etc.

It's not so bad that it stops me from doing everyday things, although getting in and out of the car/ bed/ getting up from sofa is really painful and slow.

But then I'll wake up one morning, like this morning, and I'm back to normal! Normal energy levels and the stiffness and joint pains have gone. Just like that. This time I also had pins and needles right down my left arm from my thumb to my shoulder and that has miraculously disappeared this morning too.

Could it be a menopausal thing? I'm 50. Worth speaking to GP about?

Definitely worth speaking to the GP and getting some blood tests.

Whilst it could well be the Menopause, there are a lot of autoimmune issues that can cause these symptoms too and that often flare and then settles down again.

Do you have any swelling in your joints or any other symptoms?

OP if you can get to see a GP, or at least have bloods taken while you're actually having one of these attacks it will speed up diagnosis

I had similar for years, but it was only one joint at a time that would flare up, red and excruciatingly painful but only lasted 1 or 2 days. Then after weeks, or months, or even longer I'd get it again in another joint. By the time I'd get to see the GP there was nothing visible and I felt OK. I kept being told it was probably post viral/over exertion etc.

After years of this I managed to see a Dr when I was having an attack and referred to a rheumatologist and eventually diagnosed with palindromic rheumatism
I declined medication as by the time I was diagnosed I hadn't had an attack for 5 months.

That was 10 years ago and I've been fine since apart from a flare of all the joints after the second covid jab, a 5 day course of prednisolone stopped it in it's tracks.
Good luck it can take a while to get a diagnosis with auto immune stuff.

Definitely speak to the GP. Good luck OP

I'm roughly your age and was ecactly the same. I would often have to take painkillers half an hour before I got out of bed. I started taking vitamin d (not a huge dose) and I felt much better within a month or so. Can't believe such a simple and cheap vitamin made all the difference.

Thanks all. I will def try and see a GP at my next flare up. I'm fine now, just wondering how long for. Might try the vitamin D.

I have puffy ankles and knees constantly.

Something I've always wondered about is that every single time I have routine blood tests they comment that my inflammatory markers are slightly raised, but that it's nothing to worry about. This has been going on for 20 years. Just a bit concerned as this last time was the worst.

I was diagnosed with Palindromic Rheumatism 10 years ago. It would flare up, then go away. I now have full blown Rheumatoid arthritis. If only it was as easy as taking vit D.
Auto immume diseases are often treatable, treatment stops permanent damage. Get it checked don't just take vitamins.

I have raised inflammatory markers too. I had further investigations after blood results flagged it up and it was discovered that I had a high rheumatoid factor. I've seen a rheumatologist twice now and nothing has been diagnosed apart from possible fibromyaligia. I have had problems with my joints on and off since having my first child 9 years ago. I suspect it's lack of sleep and being low on iron that's causing some of my issues but not 100% sure. I've just started taking a multi vitamin and iron sachets so hopefully things will improve if my youngest let's me sleep properly!

It sounds like gout to me.

Inflammatory markers usually go up during a flare in palindromic rheumatism, and can be normal the rest of the time.
That's why it's important to get blood tests when you've got pain, even though that's the last thing you want to do when you're hurting.

Ive had this since i was 27 im now in my 40's. I-have had god knows how many tests and have raised inflammatory markers and constantly high white blood cells, low vit D and low iron. Ive been told i have fibromyalgia. I don't think the doctors actually know what it is. I think its hormone driven because during my pregnancies i was absolutely fine, but suffered terribly for months afterwards. Also i am now peri menopausal and the aching and pain is constant. I hope you get some answers soon op.

I have lupus and my symptoms were like yours and one of the things they look for are raised inflammatory markers in the blood. I would ask for a full blood screening for lupus (not standard blood tests) and a referral to rheumatology - even if it isn’t lupus they’re the people to see re joint pain etc.!

Yes, agree about seeing rheumatologist for joint pain, but there are long NHS waiting lists, currently 8 months in our area.
When I had the flare (after a 10 year pain- free gap) after Covid vac I thought it might mean my PR had changed to rheumatoid arthritis. I asked for a GP appointment and was offered a telephone appointment in 4 weeks .
Then I discovered I could get a private appointment in 4 days with the rheumatologist I'd seen years ago as an NHS patient, and I didn't need a GP referral.
It was such a relief to see someone who knew exactly what was going on