To think joint pain is just normal in your mid 40s?

[bluebears1]

I'm wondering to what extent it's just part of ageing to be stiff with achey joints in your mid 40s. I'm debating whether or not to discuss it with my GP.

I've had some joint issues for a while. For years I have had some amount of aches and stiffness in my lower back and knees. About two years ago this spread to my neck and I now have issues with my elbow, my big toe. I previously had all the tests for RA and don't follow the pattern for an inflammatory condition so it seems to fit the picture of Osteoarthritis, which my mother I'm stiff in the morning and if I sit for periods in the car or on the sofa. The pain is manageable but it gets worse if I do activities like hoovering, exercise, gardening.

But! Part of me thinks maybe this is just part of getting older and that most people in their mid forties will have stiffness and joint pain? AIBU to think this is the case or is it something that points to an actual problem?

My mum had osteoarthritis and when my joints started to give me pain in my 40s I thought I was going down the same route. Stiffness, pain, swollen joints...so much so that I couldn't put on rings and bangles I'd worn for years. The pain in the mornings slowed me down.

Really recommend seeing a podiatrist (as a previous poster has said). I got orthotics and it switched off my foot and knee pain.
Stretching, not exercise, but a series of stretches every day released the pain and stiffness in my back. My friend gave me a book called Yoga for Gardeners and I learned and did every exercise. It made a real difference.
Gave up alcohol and lost weight.

I think all that really helped the symptoms but the main cure was coming out of the other side of the menopause. I'm sure it was menopause related. 58 now and no pain at all.

People always say we don't talk enough about menopause, but something I experienced and nobody told me about was that menopause ends and the pains and problems that come with it go away. I though they would last forever and wish I had known there's light at the end of the tunnel.

How would I know if I had joint pain?
Seriously... how?

i got bit by a dog today, my thumb hurt for a while afterwards. If thumb aches at some point tomorrow, do I blame myself (for upsetting the dog) ... or my age?

I fell of a bike yesterday, result = proper scabby knee. If it aches tomorrow, is that fault of the rutted farm track ... or my age?

I have a chronic shoulder issue, probably from carrying heavy bags. Or maybe it's my age. Who knows, how would I know?

I damaged my foot jumping barefoot down to concrete, age 18. sometimes that foot randomly just throbs. Concrete... or my age?

If you have continuous pain in your joints, eg knees, fingers, hips, not provoked by an injury, accompanied by stiffness for any length of time it is a cause for concern. It could be osteoarthritis caused by wear and tear and lack of synovial fluid (that's where 'age' comes into it), but can only be confirmed by medical investigation. Changing diet and taking recommended vitamins and minerals will help, google is your friend there. It can be halted.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disease which causes pain, swelling and heat in the joints. A blood test will show raised ESR and CRP. An anti-inflammatory diet is indicated in that case. Some people take anti-inflammatories but there are severe side effects from both NSAIDs and steroids long term so it is best to try other methods first. However the op has said she does not have RA.

There are other conditions that feel similar, fibromyalgia is one. It's important to de-stress your life as much as possible.

I had xrays on my shoulders ? 6 years ago, "signs of wear" but didn't reach the threshold to be called OA. I'm used to it now. Swimming seems to help a lot.

My dad had chronic stiff neck, got some surgery to supposedly stop him needing a wheelchair. He woke up with & has kept chronic neck pain since that makes it difficult for him to walk which means his overall fitness has slowly declined. 2nd surgery since but not yet improved. Interventions can easily do as much harm as help.

I'm 40 and wake up so stiff, I ache too and I've got awful plantar favilitis. I feel so old and worn out...

After googling is it normal to have finger joint pain in your 40s I came across this post... I'm 41 and have never fully recovered from covid, the doctors say I have long covid and polymyalgia rheumatica, but possibly something else too as the steroids help but not fully. Late to the party here but did you get any answers?