To think that I'm not just getting old?

[BrittaPerry]

My hips and pelvis ache, with the odd stabbing pain when I accidentally do a movement that I shouldn't - i spend a week limping every month. My finger joints get so stiff when cold that I keep dropping things/not being able to pick things up properly. I am so tired sometimes that I stagger.

I have booked a gp appointment, but DH keeps saying that everyone over 25 feels like this, and I should just get used to it. He reckons that i should just power through, and laughs when I take painkillers.

I'm only 27! Surely I don't have a life of this waiting?

No, I am more than twice your age and am not experiencing your symptoms. You really need to see your GP. And I am tempted to say to get a more sympathetic DH.

I do have joint problems but didn't feel that bad, that constantly at 27.

Definitely see your GP. There's all sorts of reasons why you could be feeling this way. It could be a thyroid problems, it could be a nutritional deficiency eg iron, B12 or Vitamin D (it has been a dark summer) or it could be the result of a virus or an actual muscoloskeletal problem. At any rate, such severe debilitation when you're normally fit and strong isn't just normal for over 25 any more than being such an insensitive, dismissive dick isn't necessarily normal for being male.

Re people having pain that's worse before and during a period - that's because your ligaments are softer and stretchier before a period and support your joints less well. I had to go for a course of hydrotherapy, last year, after being diagnosed with hypermobility syndrome after a dramatic worsening of pain I'd had all my adult life. I was in the pool with people mostly 20 or 30 years older than me and before my period I was struggling with the really simple exercises that the older people were managing just fine and that's when the physio explained the ligament softening to me. I'm in pain all the time, to some extent, but before my period, I can wrench a joint just sitting still.

Why do people post advice when they clearly haven't read the whole post? I hope you get to the bottom of it OP.

OP I am 7 months pregnant at 41 and I don't feel like you describe! GP to find out what's going on.

Your symptoms sound a lot like my friend who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She has had treatment and is fine now!

Forgotten what you'd said in your OP about DH laughing when you take tablets. Why does he do that?!

Because he thinks I'm a wimp.

He is being nice today, he is nice a lot of the time, but then he will say he 'always knew' I was exaggerating. Sigh.

But that is a whole other subject.

Will having a proper diagnosis change that, will he stop saying you are a wimp?

I hope so. Either way, it would stop me thinking that maybe I am a wimp...

Or at least stop me feeling like I am constantly moaning. I'm not, honest, but saying 'oh, my insert condition is playing up' sounds better than 'my arm hurts and I feel dizzy' one day and 'my hips are stiff and I'm tired' the next and so on.

Then again, I thought that about the bipolar...

You're not a wimp, it's not normal I hope you get answers soon.

I am and fat and don't feel that bad. Keep at your doc, something isn't right. And your husband is a dick.

I am 43 and fat, even. Bloody iPad.

Well I think you have a lot to cope with, young children and pain and managing your bipolar condition. And I really hope you do one day find the time and motivation to seek a more holistic approach because it cannot be a good thing to be depending on ibuprofen etc. I know dietitians/naturopaths/acupuncture etc can seem airy fairy and expensive, but possibly after you've rummaged around the net a bit for ideas and advice, you may give it a try.

Good luck britta

Ok, so just been fr the blood tests.

Reading the screen on the computer, the doctor sats there are signs of synotosis (or something like that - its a new word to me). The blood tests were for foyr things, I think one was ferretin, another was auto immune, then the other two were acronyms that I have firgotten. The nurse said she has no idea what any if the tests are for. The notes also said 'if no diagnosis, refer to reumo?' Which I presume is arthritis.

Will google when I get home - having my lunch in weatherspoons so I actually eat real food and not just toast.

Ok, so ferritin is your iron stores, auto immune I don't know, but I would guess they're looking for markers for RA our lupus (its never lupus). There are a fee different kinds from memory - stuff like esr - which is a something sedimentation rate, which is supposed to be higher of you have inflammation going on - was that one of them?

The acronyms may have been ANA and ANCA? Those are more autoimmune tests anyway.

I think one could have been ESR

Weirdly, though, I feel great today :)

Just hoping that doesn't stop whatever it is from showing in my blood.