Stiff back and sore hands/joints on waking

[KittyB52]

I wake up each morning with a really sore stiff back and painful joints. I have obviously recently started sleeping in a different position as I now also have sore/weak hands as well. The pain and stiffness wears off during the morning but it does mean that I am unable to get my 4 and a half month old DS up as I am not able to pick her up first thing.

I am overweight (working on that) and quite unfit. I am 44 but have had blood tests earlier in the year to check hormone levels so don't think it's menopause related.

We can't afford a new mattress (ours is 7 or 8 years old at most). Is there anything else I can do? Would yoga help relieve some of the aches and pains?

bump Anyone?

Which joints? How long does the stiffness last? It's hard to believe that a bad mattress is causing sore/weak hands. Have you seen your GP about it? Morning stiffness can suggest an inflammatory arthritis and would be worth a trip to your GP if you haven't been already.

It lasts up to an hour in the morning if I don't take anything for it.

I haven't been to GP yet. I did wonder if the sore hands were from a change in sleeping position - we swapped sides of the bed a couple of months ago and I'm still not used to it. It could also be due to carrying DD around - she's gaining weight well.

Oops, sorry - mostly elbow and wrist joints although knees can also be painful.