Pains in ankle, knee, hip joints, and lower back, and legs ...everything hurts!

[GlomOfNit]

I'm 48, not very active but not obese, and have osteoarthritis in the family (DM) but not aware I really have that myself yet. Or maybe this is it? Things like my right knee have been getting increasingly painful in the last couple of years and my hips hurt in tune with my cycle (am perimenopausal) but just in the last few weeks, my LEGS! By evening, I can't get comfortable. No matter how I sit on the sofa I can't find a way of positioning them that doesn't hurt a lot. Feet on floor, feet and legs up on a stool, legs tucked under me, knees drawn up, crossed legs - nothing. The pain is worst in my joints - ankles are particularly painful this evening. Painkillers don't do anything. Luckily it's more or less ok lying down in bed. Hands and shoulders can ache too but mostly it's legs.

I'm a lot stiffer walking around and getting up from a sofa I hobble, particularly in the evening.

I had Covid about 8 weeks ago and though mild, it left me with racing heart episodes and fatigue. The heart thing is a lot better, I think I'm still unusually tired, but I'm wondering if the joint pain thing is related? I have a vague idea that many viruses can set off an inflammatory reaction or even trigger arthritis (which types??) ... but is that actually true?

I'm reluctant to bother my GP with what is clearly not a serious issue right now, they must be tearing their collective hair out, but wondering if this rapid onset of joint pain rings any bells?

I had this worry about 5 years ago. I went to the GP as my knees back and elbows shoulder hands all started hurting. My friend had rhemautoid arthritis and I was so scared about it.

I had actually pulled a muscle in my chest which had affected my shoulder and arm and my back and knee pain was just coincidental. My GP was an amazing diagnostician and could tell by looking at me (I really miss him).

Right now my left hip is popping out when I walk my right knee is really sore when I go downstairs. I need to get it sorted but agin I'm dodging the GP right now as the service is really - You could try a physio as I can self refer through the surgery?

Good luck - it is worrying. You can call the surgery and ask for an appointment - I'm sure they will do a blood test as a first port of call

You need to see your GP who will do some blood tests to determine whether you have arthritis. As a fellow sufferer of both osteo & rheumatoid arthritis, it sounds like you have it.
I'd take 400mg ibuprofen to help with inflammation, for now.
Good luck

Do you take statins op?

Vit D deficiency? I had something similar and the doctor prescribed Vit D. Muscle pain as well. It was awful.

Are you on HRT? All my joints ached before I started HRT, much better now

thanks for responses.

No, not on statins. Nor HRT though that is finally within reach (as in, I managed to convince a GP to trial it just before I got Covid, I need to go back and get that in motion). I try to remember to take my Menocare vitamin pill and extra Vit D (though probably not enough) but am rubbish at remembering to take pills.

I'll try the GP. I'm just reluctant at the moment because I know how crazy it must be for them. And I last had a blood test about 7 weeks ago!

Hi OP. I've had low vitamin D in the past which can definitely cause bone pains. But I also had something called reactive arthritis for several weeks after having a nasty virus a few years ago. Was investigated for autoimmune and arthritis causes, but fortunately the bone and joint pains resolved within a few weeks. It might be a post viral reaction post covid?

@TunnelOfGoats

Hi OP. I've had low vitamin D in the past which can definitely cause bone pains. But I also had something called reactive arthritis for several weeks after having a nasty virus a few years ago. Was investigated for autoimmune and arthritis causes, but fortunately the bone and joint pains resolved within a few weeks. It might be a post viral reaction post covid?

Hi Tunnel - that's my hope! I know that viruses can set off inflammatory reactions so I'm really hoping this is temporary. I'm prepared to be getting osteoarthritis as I age (my mum has it pretty badly but she's also obese and puts huge strain on her joints) but this has happened very rapidly.

I'll get it checked past the GP though I still feel a bit reluctant to go to them with what is annoying, but not completely debilitating pain.

You say you're not very active - have you tried some simple stretching exercises? Even if you do them in bed when you're warm. I have joint pain too and find that stretching doesn't make it worse, and can sometimes keep things moving a bit better. Also, could you use an ibuprofen gel/cream on the affected areas, just to give you some relief? If it works, I know you said painkillers don't work (although, out of interest, what painkillers have you tried?) Obviously, you want to find out the underlying issues here, but am thinking these may give you some relief in the meantime.