Joint pain - not arthritis

[DD2017]

I've recently had a blood test and my feet x-rayed which has ruled out arthritis.
Does anyone have suggestions of what to do next?
I have chronic pain in my feet and knees and my elbows and hands get stiff and sore that sometimes I can't move them.
I've had sore joints since my late teens and has gotten significantly worse in the last year since DD was born (assuming all the lifting etc).
I'm not sure what to do now; what can the doctor do apart from prescribe the ibuprofen gel I already have? I'd really like to know what's causing it so I can find a more permanent solution or something other than painkillers.
He suggested strength training already which I'll be starting along with physio for sore neck and back (lifting the baby again).
Anyone had similar?
All suggestions welcome thanks.

Hi DD
you might consider Vitamin D deficiency as a cause of unexplained bone and joint pain.

                Here in the UK  many of us are low in Vitamin D. It is made by summer sunlight ( i.e. light containing UVB radiation ) , on the skin.  UVB  is only present in sunlight between 11 and 3 pm  in the summer months.  None is present between  Nov and March.  As you can see , it is quite possible  not to get enough. Especially if you use lots of suncream.   Anything with  spf  Factor  15,  or greater,  absorbs UVB light and prevents  Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.  

Some foods ( animal products) have a small amount of Vit D , but veggie food have practically none. are you veggie ?

     From your description ,   I would recommend that you get a Vitamin D test.  It can either be done at the doctors ,  OR  you could send away for a test kit. here is an NHS  lab ... they supply the kit , you send a bloodspot on blotting paper back to them , and they will reply by e-mail within a week.   <a class="break-all" href="http://www.vitamindtest.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.vitamindtest.org.uk/</a>     IF  the test is not ordered by a doctor  ... they do charge £29 , unfortunately. 

          IF  you have had vitamin D deficiency for a long time ,  and you have not had sufficient calcium in your diet to compensate,  then you may find that your sternum is painful  to touch , when you apply a small amount of pressure.  The same applies to say, your shinbone , say a few inches below the knee.    IF  you do find tenderness ,   as if you bruised them a few days ago ,   then that is a POSSIBLE  indication that you might be low in Vitamin D. In which case I would definitely get a test. 

Here is a longish thread ,  many people with Vit D deficiency ,  how it affected them , what doses they took etc.  I posted quite a bit there to explain things. <a class="break-all" href="https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/2421492-Vitimin-D-can-it-have-this-effect" target="_blank">www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/2421492-Vitimin-D-can-it-have-this-effect</a>

I have posted quite a bit about this problem of low Vit D on mumsnet , search my username for more info , OR get back to me if you have any more questions.

Best of luck

BTBH
.

Fibromyalgia?

Are you hypermobile?

I didn't get properly diagnosed until I was in my 30's.

Besides anything like vitamin d, hypermobility can cause this. Pilates and strength training helps plus daily management- gentle mobilising movement, sleep, keeping active, pacing. I find cold showers help and Epsom salt baths. Massages too. Can be worse after pregnancy. I was diagnosed at 38, didn't get pain till then though after pregnancy, I'm better after this pregnancy but I'm stronger and more aware of keeping on top of it.

Use braces or tubing if very bad only, focus on strengthening muscles around joints. Don't over stretch joints either, (though it feels nice!!)