Aching Joints have I turned into a pensioner at 31!

[juliewoolie]

I am exclusively breastfeeding and have the sorest stiff joints on my legs to the point when I get up from sitting in one position for longer than 5 minutes I feel like I need a zimmer frame. Also in the morning when I get up can barely walk as my legs are so stiff and sore.

Is this caused my the relaxin hormone and is it made worse by BF is there anything I can do to help the situation?

TIA

Maybe try codliver oil for a bit? Or I think my Mum says glucosamine is good? I think to be honest its best to see your doctor on this one as they might suggest you try some nurofen daily for a while or something. Hope you get some relief from it soon.

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there was a really long thread on this about a week ago.... basically, loads of people saying the same thing, we all ached for months, if not years, after having babies. i don't know why, but thankfully we're not alone....
not sure what makes it better, mine now comes and goes, depending on how tired i'm feeling. i checked with a gp but didn't get a response - just offered me antibiotics..
hope it goes away soon.

no advice but much sympathy as i am going through this too.must have looked a complete prat at cinema the other day, my hip and knee wouldnt work so instead of walking down the steps i swung down by holding the handrail. was quite good fun actually

Thanks knew I couldnt be alone. Will ask The GP about it later.

My aerobics teacher told me to go esay on the excercise for a while after giving birth because the relaxin hormone released during labour is prolonged in the body by breastfeeding, and it makes your joints more tender and more liable to wear and tear.

Don't know if atht helps though...

juliewoolie,

I have heard of this complaint before but no connection has been found between breastfeeding mothers and joint pain. Most professionals believe that it probably has to do with the position you are using during nursing. I personally loved my boppy which is a supportive pillow especially designed for nursing. You should also be able to take ibprofen while nursing. Call your pharmacist and ask about the dosage just to be safe.

www.boppy.com/

I hope you feel better soon!!!

I had this too and it started when I was bf DD - had never had joint pains before. GP is still mystified - two years on he has prescribed me Diclofenac to take 3x a day. It helps - nothing else seemed to touch it. You have my sympathies!

(You may have something different to me though - mine is ALL joints, not just legs...)

If you are suffering joint pain you should consult your GP and get a blood test. Trouble is blood tests are not that reliable for Rheumatoid Arthritis and other symptoms have to be looked at. Apparently, after a lot of investigation, I find that pregnancy can be a trigger for RA and Lupus. RA disappears during pregnancy though. Funny how women are not aware of this. RA can be triggered by a virus/bacteria/hormones/stress. It is better to get a correct diagnosis early in this disease as so much can be done to halt the progression. Diclofenac and Ibuprofen merely stop the inflammation but NOT the disease attacking your joints.
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=321§ionId=7

The following is from the NRAS site:
3 - Delivery and After
For many women with RA labour is much the same as for any other normal pregnant woman. However there may be problems if your arthritis affects the hips or mobility and it is important to discuss any concerns with your midwife/consultant prior to the birth.

''Many women find that their RA returns or flares-up six weeks after delivery (due to hormone excesses in pregnancy returning to normal) though this normally returns to pre-pregnancy levels after the flare period. Coping with a newborn baby can be tiring for all mothers and this may be more so for women with RA due to the additional worries of RA flaring up. It is important to have sufficient support and help during this period. Many women with RA will be anxious that their RA will be passed to their child fortunately for most women the risk of their child developing RA is low.''

Another quote below:

Hormonal Factors: A third theory is that RA may be affected by hormones. Researchers have found that hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, increase during pregnancy but decrease afterward. This may explain why onset of RA often occurs following child birth or why women with RA who become pregnant often experience significant symptom improvement during pregnancy but have flare ups of RA once they have given birth.

My daughter has been tested for RA but they are not 100% certain yet. I firmly believe that once hormones are back to normal then these terrible pains with disappear. Take care

Will keep you posted - daughter telephoned her acupuncturist who told her over the phone that she can treat RA. She has had her first session, will have more and I will let you know. Having looked it up on Google it seems to be an effective way. Better than Western drugs anyway.

Will keep you posted - daughter telephoned her acupuncturist who told her over the phone that she can treat RA. She has had her first session, will have more and I will let you know. Having looked it up on Google it seems to be an effective way. Better than Western drugs anyway.

In another study, 54 Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers were given acupuncture (warm needling) with Zhuifengsu (chinese herb) The effective rate was found to be 100%. (2)

Just to update on the acupuncture and RA. A minor miracle! DD 90% better! Just a little stiffness in her hands left but nothing to worry about. It improves all the time though. Please look at Patrick Holford's Nutrition Bible. I have also spoken to a nutritionist who says that diet definitely can help. Copper/potassium are connected with RA. Google copper and IVF and pregnancy. All I can say is that if I were in so much pain with this blessed disease I would most definitely spend £30 on a trip to the acupuncturist. Check their credentials first though. I think DD has hormone imbalance so the acupuncture will be correcting this. A