I am in SO much pain. Surely this can't just be because I am fat?

[herewegoroundthebastardbush]

This is really a question either for the medical or for my fellow fatties - I'm 5'6, about 14 stone (😬) and 39. I used to be around 10 stone. put on a lot of weight very rapidly about 5 years ago when my mum died, and ever since then have struggled with binge eating and the weight has continued to creep up.

So the past 6 months or so, I'm in horrible physical pain much of the time. It started with my knees, which have never been great since I went through a phase of running to work on concrete in my 20s (idiot). But now it's not just the odd twinge, I'll be literally limping and whimpering and climbing the stairs is murder. I've also developed a horrible permanent pain in my right foot which the internet tells me is plantar fasciitis. And I can't ever seem to get comfortable in bed as whichever way I lie seems to pull the base of my spine out of alignment and it feels strained.

I have a busy life, two small kids and one is at nursery and the other at school, so every day after work I have to do a very brisk march march up the road to nursery and then turn and walk very fast back to school to get the eldest (about 40mins fast walking - or jogging if im late!) all told. I've started to dread it with a mortal fear as I am in SO much pain - some days I'm literally limping and gasping with it, but I can't stop because obvs then no-one would pick up my kids (partner has the car as works in a different city). That's the low point of my day, but just getting out of bed and standing up in the morning is horrendous too, it hurts so much and I literally limp like a comedy pirate for the first 20 mins of the day my foots so bad.

The one time I went to the GP about my knees, she did the head tilt and talked to me about my weight (didn't even examine my knees), and that aches and pains are more frequent as we age so its important to take care of our weight to reduce that. I agree I am too fat and need to lose weight. I am trying. But I see people far fatter and older than me who don't seem to be in total agony as they walk around!? So is this normal and fixable by losing some weight? Or is there something I should be worried about?

I have suffered with plantar fasciitis and it is very painful. I also used to get severe back pain that made me feel ill just walking.
I also used to be about 16 stone. I’m not going to lie both went away when I lost weight as did a plethora of other ailments. Not to say yours is just down to being overweight. But if you can I would try and lose weight rather than take pain killers. It will certainly help your foot and probably the other pain too

Similar to @Maray1967 - I'm 5'6" too and when I get over 13st my knees hurt. I was 14st like you when my dc were little and my knees and feet both hurt. Not as badly as you're describing but there's a definite shift when that extra stone went on. I just about manage to keep under 13st now, it's not easy I won't lie, but when I'm the 'right' side of 13st it's much less painful.

That isn't to mirror your annoying GP and your problems should be investigated. The feet in particular sound too severe to be only weight related. And 14st really isn't that fat as things go. You're presumably around a size 16-18 which isn't that big but course you don't want it creeping up more and the pain getting worse. Hope you can get proper help with the pain and also help to edge down to a more comfortable weight. The weight loss boards on here can be good for motivation.

Get back to your GP. I am in daily pain and not obese but slightly overweight. I got X rays done a few years ago, turns out it's osteoarthritis.

I take strong painkillers every day. You need to get painkillers prescribed for the pain you are in. Don't suffer in silence. That's wrong.

Sounds like PF to me aggravated by a few other things like your weight. I had PF in both feet once, it was agony! I have no real idea what started it-someone said to me either too much exercise or not enough which I think is mostly true, in my case I guess it was changing to a desk job and tucking my feet under my chair so that my calves were shortened that caused it. Go and see an osteopath, they are hands on so will help you physically and can also give you exercises. Get orthotics (they do hurt at first) and shoes like Birkenstocks that correct your gait and do calf stretches and build those up. It will go eventually then you can work on your weight.

I got a really good pair of running/walking shoes which helped my pf. It needs a wide base. I think my best pair was Asics.

If the overarching cause is an inflammation problem like arthritis, perhaps you could try an anti inflammatory diet like keto? This isn't for your weight (although that might be a side effect) many people on keto, proper consistent keto, report improvement in joint issues, ibs/crones and arthritis and many other issues.

It could be something to try for a few weeks while waiting on a referral. If nothing else it might narrow things down.

Another option, do you have a bike? Could you use it as a support to walk then cycle back to relive you feet?

Try ASICS Gel trainers for the pf. The gel eases the impact on your feet. I was recommended them after an analysis in a sports shop. They're expensive but you don't need the top of the range ones just for walking in, also you can get used ones in eBay by searching your size and the keyword "once" in description which finds ones people only wore once.

PF is horrible, I had it for a couple of years. I found foam heel inserts (a few quid in Boots) in my shoes really helped, as did ibuprofen gel applied regularly and wearing "sensible" shoes with soft soles to reduce impact, plus doing the exercises mentioned upthread.

Sorting the PF may well help your knees, as you won't be walking "normally" because of the heel pain. There will be exercises that will help, but see a physio as they need to be the right ones. My physio recommended lots and lots of straight leg lifts, but you need to see one to find out what exercises are right for you.

My knees improved, but I ended up having a partial knee replacement a couple of years ago because of arthritis, and suspect I may need the other side done before long, but I'm nearly 30 years older than you OP, so that's maybe to be expected.

And I'm a huge fan of acupuncture, it really works for me.

Low carb/keto will help with weight and also if any of the pain is linked to inflammation. Get half auppprt Solea for your shoes (£3.49 on Amazon) rather than full ones.

You Tube has lots of plantar exercises and also knee strengthening ones. It’ can take several years to fix, but I went from being referred for knee replacement in my 40s to being able to run, lunge, squat in my 50s. I have osteoarthritis and various other chronic pains.

Whatever the overall solution for you, losing weight is a major part of it. Obesity not only put strain on your joints, it also puts you at risk of inflammatory diseases. There are many videos on YouTube explaining the science behind this, it might be worth looking at a few.

I’m overweight but not hugely (11.5st at 5ft 6) and I get all the symptoms you list above, but I have psoriatic arthritis and a strong family history of autoimmune issues.

With your mum’s Crohn’s and RA I’d second those saying you should be back at the GP (preferably a different one) and drawing the dots for them - you need to push for a rheumatology appt.

I mostly wear DMs, all my pairs are quite old

I wore DMs when I was younger but I can't now because of the flatness/ lack of arch support. You could get good insoles I guess but like a PP I fine ASICS gel trainers way more supportive overall. If I walked around in anything less comfy my feet would be killing me too.

I am considerably older than you and (still) quite a bit heavier and only an inch taller! This pain is not normal. I used to have some knee pain and did manage to lose some weight and it has gone but it wasn’t an overnight thing. It sounds to me like it you have a lot of inflammation and your hectic life won’t help. You are getting exercise too. Having young kids is hard work and you don’t need this!

I would go back to the GP and while you are there ask about what help they can give you about weight loss. They should not just be victim blaming! The NHS has programmes to help - I don’t mean a fat jab but moral support and a lot of practical help and advice. Think dieticians, recipe advice, support groups etc. It took me more than 50 years to discover this but finally got referred and it has helped a lot. BTW drinking a lot more water is part of it - you wouldn’t think it would make a difference but it does.

It really is unhelpful for them to just tut tut. Weight is a very complicated issue, you gained weight at a horribly stressful time, we all need to eat and feed our families and losing weight is so much easier said than done. You have poor quality of life and you need help!

I agree about the shoes too. I always struggled with uncomfortable footwear from my early teens to my 50s. Women’s shoes can be terrible. Get some comfortable, decent trainers for the walk. Or whatever you find comfortable - even walking boots - but invest a bit in some decent shoe technology! Ditch the fashion.

Fibromyalgia

Yep, it's inflammation.

The gp said it's magic & a mystery, bless him, a trainee. Said i was too young for arthritis, which is bollocks

Much to my unhappiness, I've had to do the "lifestyle change" thing. Started with getting fit, use painkillers, knee support & try to get physio. Still heavy but meh, can't do everything.

Keep on at the gp. My local health board run an excellent support programme for diet plus exercise referral for exercise. It's a shitshow otherwise. 😁

Then diet, went through various phases but now pretty much eat everything that isn't heavily processed. Definitely think it's additives in food, assumed it was gluten initially but it's probably not.

Knees are canaries for having stiff hips & ankles. Lots on YouTube about mobilising your joints. Get on it.

It's taken me over a decade to work stuff out, still learning. The Zoe Nutrition podcasts are good on anti inflammation foods.

It is all quite doable but you have to be your own guru & it does take time. I've probably thrown money at it too but the simple stuff works best.

Versus arthritis have good exercise routines on YouTube.

Get them to check your ferritin. That was the most elusive of the whackamole symptoms, which were very sore feet & hands. Taken me ages to work that one out, it was the above mentioned gp that did that blood test.

Also thyroid & watch for menopause symptoms.

Turns out I have 4 overlapping autoimmune conditions. Mum has several, so it csn be heredity.

I couldn't get out of my bed in my late 30s, lots better now I'm 50.

Also get padded trainers for the foot pain, flat shoes where you can feel every step is a no

Hormonal changes gave me a lot of pain around this age. I found taking B vitamins helped.

The other thing to consider if footwear. I have fallen arches and was wearing slippers a lot at home which are too flat. I bought a pair of slip on trainers with a shaped sole to wear instead and knee pain has gone.

You do need to go back to the GP to rule things out but your feet being out of position has a big knock on effect on your other joints.

And yes, get good shoes.

Altra, cushioned, flat, large toe box..

Go back to your GP. Ask for a prescription for naproxen, which is a strong, prescription only ibuprofen. Then ask to be referred for an X-ray on your knees as it sounds like osteoarthritis.

OP, I suffer with ulcerative Colitis, also have EDS and suffer with BV sometimes, so joint pain is a daily friend. Flat shoes are a total no-no, use orthotic insoles, Amazon has a good range, they are very painful when you first start using them but you must persevere, try building up the time you wear them. I even have them in my slipper boots these days. For knee pain I highly recommend Flexiseq, it's a miracle worker and can be bought over-counter.
For weight loss, the only long-term thing that has worked for me is limiting my eating between 8pm and midday. I hope you get some relief soon!

Think the plantar fasciitis is probably a contributing factor to your knee pain. Due to the pain in your feet when walk, your walking gait my changed causing more pressure to your knees. If this makes sense.

As someone who's fatter than you and had plantar fascititis -it's very painful on waking. Stretching, yoga, plantar fasicitis insoles in shoes and pain medicaiton, has helped me. It's gone away. I unfortunately was no sucesseful at losing weight.

I did the yoga/stretching everyday. For some reason walking downhill was more painful than up.

You can get special footwear to wear in bed at night as well.

Can you self refer to the physiotherapists in your area? Google ‘town’+physiotherapy. This would be a good place to start for all things musculoskeletal. Even if they can’t help, they will likely be able to assess what’s going on.

It does sound like a lot of pain. Whilst losing weight will probably help, it sounds like there could be an underlying issue in your knees that’s being made worse by the weight. Personally I’ve had plantar fasciitis and I’m quite slim, so that might not be related to the weight at all. Please keep in mind that if your knees require an operation you may need to lose weight before they perform it.

I have planta fascia, it's so painful. I don't wear ballet pumps or flat shoes or slippers. I wear shoes that support my feet and insoles from Amazon designed for it (£6-£7) and they work! Good luck with it, you can also do exercises for it with a bottle under your feet while sat down.

I am a large person and while I do suffer some back pain, knee pain and hip pain, it's not as bad as the one you describe. So I don't think your pain is solely due to your size. Sadly no matter what ailment you seem to suffer from, GPs (ime) tend to focus on weight as the cause of all ills.

You could have quite a few things going on which might be connnected. If you have over pronation when you walk, that will affect your knees but also make you prone to PF. You do need to see a physio who will help you do the right stretches for the PF and determine whether the knee issue is about your posture/muscles etc or something else

I wouldnt say 14 stone is massive but weight affects people differently so it might be contributing to the knee difficulties. Ive lost just under 8 stone and unfortunately my knees are still terrible.

You will likely need painkillers to help you get motivated to get out there and exercise in order to lose weight.

If you are in extreme pain you are unlikely to get fit. It will put you off

I only manage big walks if I take painkillers before I head out.