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Weight loss and joint pain?

44 replies

kerstina · 14/04/2024 19:09

Has anyone had these symptoms? Mainly of weight loss . Thought had knee injury but now other knee joints are a problem and so aches and stiff. I get head zaps and feel on edge even when at home.
I knew I had been losing weight as chest is flatter than ever and my stomach is flat and hips jutting out. Scales weren’t working for ages but got them working today I have lost at least half a stone if not more. Possibly a stone.
I have been stressed for various reasons. Am 55 and been through menopause .Anyone had similar thought I would put on weight at menopause.

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PanicAttax · 16/06/2024 08:16

I've been feeling bad since Aug/Sept last year - copious vomiting after a trip abroad and thought it was covid but never got over the nausea that followed. I was under a lot of stress with various deaths and outside events so put it down to that and have had anxiety in the past so kept thinking, if I can just get my head straight/bit of calm... Very tired all the time.

Jan I was misdiagnosed with costochondria in A&E after being told in Walk In that I had a Pulmonary Embolism (high D dimer). A&E made me wait 18hrs then sent me home (anxiety on the file meant they simply didn't bother with a CT and assumed it was all in my head). Eventually blue lighted back in unable to breathe and lost a section of bottom left lung to large clot. On apixaban for just 3 months because am apparently "otherwise healthy" . Very worried as to what caused clot - heamatology say just a flight I had, respiratory consultant said no, something is underlying this and the weight loss since Aug/Sept. He said no point checking lungs as clot gone but did ultrasound of abdomen, nothing obvious there. Decided maybe I should trust heamatology and just put it down to stress.

Started being even more nauseous when eating I was only managing 4 mouthfuls then often nearly passing out with pain an hr later, esp if eating processed meat. This has been going on since early March, every time I eat.

Took weeks to get GP app - they have a voicemail that tells you to ring 999 in an emergency. Got one in an empty surgery in neighbouring village (explained to them why they never get phone calls and have zero patients in the waiting room, not sure they were bothered). Lovely GP sent me for bloods, gave me beta blockers for hypertension (I usually have very very low BP) and put me in for a CT for abdomen when she saw I had lost so much weight in a month.

Bloods came back with hyperthyroidism, severe B12 deficiency, low vit D and stage 2 CKD which apparently is not unusual for age but isn't helping with the fatigue. That was March 17th and so far am still on the low dose beta blockers. I've been sent for 2 CT's but can't do them because the hyperthryoid isn't treated. I have had to beg and plead for second set of bloods to check coeliac and Graves and autoimmune and thyroid function - can't have those taken until 17th. Saw on notes from radiologist from Friday that I am meant to be on carbimazole but have had nothing to tell me this and app hasn't got it listed as a prescription (the note said once this was established I could finally get the CT) so I have to admit to a sense they just want me to get worse. Last GP who called was a locum last week who said endochrinologist would be at least a 2 month weight but I don't think I will be able to get out of bed if it is left that long with this weight loss.

I'm officially in the underweight section - for context I lost 2Ib last week. So tired it means I can't get out of bed for most of the day. Making myself do a dog walk for the poor dog but I am wiped afterwards. Am 5ft 10 and 8st 2 and feel like a tired bag of bones with a terrible memory and racing heart. Keep posting on here because it feels like it is all I can do.

kerstina · 16/06/2024 09:14

Something is going seriously wrong with our NHS isn’t it . So sorry to read your story Panicattax you have really been through it .It is so worrying about the weight loss isn’t it . I hate looking at my body after a bath now it looks like all the skin is hanging off. And yes with regards to anxiety they think it’s stress and depression so aren’t being so open minded. I honestly feel worse after going to the doctor as feel they just don’t care. Which in all honesty they probably don’t as they see that many people. You are a lot taller than me I am 5 2” but my weight is slowly going down about 36 kg at moment . Just under six stone I think
keep posting with us we are trying to support one another.
Do you find you are cold too? I get back from a short dog walk then am so tired and freezing cold. Is it with the heating on and a hot water bottle . I used to be so active.
Trying to make healthy soups at lunchtime and sometimes feel a bit better in the afternoon.

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PanicAttax · 16/06/2024 09:27

Yes my hands and feet are freezing, which is not meant to happen with hyperthyroid but is with hypo! I am forcing myself to eat high fat things like soft cheese, biscuits, ice cream and cakes but it feels like empty calories rather than nutrition. I can do half and avocado or a banana in the morning and not be hungry until dinner time - so cramming in the odd biscuit or something else is important. I think it is also the standard of living - having to be in bed all day - that is the greatest cause of depression for me. I was walking up to 10 miles with the dog every day before this and now am lucky if I manage 5k steps.

I'd also recommend some nutrient mouth sprays from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008FMBNZG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1- the B12 deficiency was so low I was getting zaps like you say but huge brain fog. I have had a course of injections and just finished them last week. I do think my brain is slightly clearer but it was a very tiring week and a bit while the body tried to process it. Have you had a bloods for B12? It is quite a common deficiency but can be caused by a few different things (Graves for e.g but you need another blood test to check for autoimmune).

Amazon.co.uk

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008FMBNZG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-general-health-5050184-weight-loss-and-joint-pain

kerstina · 18/06/2024 07:52

Thanks for your advice on the sprays . I hadn’t heard of those ! I had a full blood count done I will check on line but I think it would have picked up on the lack of B 12. Is that the same as thiamine ? I had to take that a few years ago.
How has everyone been over the weekend?
One thing at the back of my mind is that I may have had covid a year ago and ithe vaccine has cause an inflammatory response in my muscles but don’t want drs thinking I am paranoid so not mentioned that.
Also I am reading Fearne Colton’s little things book and she mentions her Mum had bad joint aches ( her back I think) but it was poly something will have to look in the book again as I forgot lol .Anyway it was caused by years of stresss and she has changed her lifestyle and is a lot better now. Gives me a bit of hope.
Also booked a holiday early July as the coast makes me forget about the pains a bit and pushes me to walk a bit further .

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PanicAttax · 18/06/2024 09:28

B12 (folate) is different to thiamine but a common deficiency https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/symptoms/

I am happy today as I finally spoke to a GP yesterday who was as confused as me as to why no one has medicated me yet - I finally have a prescription for the hyperthyroidism which in turn means I can get a CT later on and not develop another clot and die.

I also had bloods for coeliacs and Graves taken which I pushed for, so that can be cleared up soon. Hope everyone else is getting on better too.

nhs.uk

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia - Symptoms

Read about the symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia, which usually develop gradually, but can worsen if the condition goes untreated.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/symptoms

Harmonyrose · 18/06/2024 15:39

Hi all,
Panicattax , sorry to hear what you have gone through. I hope everyone else is getting on, healthy again and well too. Gee, women seems to have all kinds of health problems. You don't hear it much from the opposite sex, unless they are hiding something. Life is unpredictable.

DatingDinosaur · 21/06/2024 17:52

Have you had your thyroid checked @kerstina ? Feeling cold, head-zaps, joint pain and weight loss are all signs of thyroid issues. A full blood check doesn't test for thyroid. I've been told by a couple of people that thyroid issues are more common in post-menopause women so it might be worth looking into.

kerstina · 28/06/2024 14:48

DatingDinosaur · 21/06/2024 17:52

Have you had your thyroid checked @kerstina ? Feeling cold, head-zaps, joint pain and weight loss are all signs of thyroid issues. A full blood check doesn't test for thyroid. I've been told by a couple of people that thyroid issues are more common in post-menopause women so it might be worth looking into.

Thank you no I haven’t had my thyroid checked. I will try and push for a blood test for that.
I haven’t had a good week aches wise thought would be better with the warmer weather but think humidity definitely doesn’t help!
How is everyone else doing ?

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kerstina · 03/07/2024 20:41

How is everyone?
I had a physio appointment on Monday and she was very thorough. Said to see if inflammation levels are still high in 3 months and maybe referral to rheumatologist.They are sending me a FIT test regarding weight loss and afterwards when I checked my notes online she has written Osteoarthritis. So I guess a diagnosis for the pain .
Still struggling with taking Citalopram or not , it did seem to dull the pain a bit.

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Harmonyrose · 05/07/2024 21:51

Hi Kerstina,
Hope you are well. Glad you are back. Are you still losing weight and feeling cold? Eating properly? Is the FIT test for bowel? I hope you get to sort out your problems. Women seems to have more problems than men. Sometimes I wish I was a guy.

kerstina · 08/07/2024 09:25

Harmony Rose my DH and myself are just trying to get over a bug on top of everything else ! We are on holiday in Pembrokeshire but not been out of the cottage too much so far . I am not feeling so cold now (although did have the shivers with the bug)but still feels like losing weight although there are no scales here.
How are you today ?

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Harmonyrose · 09/07/2024 15:25

HIya,
Good for you. Nice to relax and enjoy a break. I want to keep my mind off things too. Perimenopause getting me down. Have read stories on the Balance APP, so I'm not so bad myself.

Harmonyrose · 05/08/2024 21:28

Haven't heard from you girls. How's everyone? 🤗🤔
Keep in touch. x

kerstina · 06/08/2024 17:13

Hi Harmony Rose, how are you ?
Update on my health joint pain continues so seeing a rheumatologist early September. Spoke to a dietician yesterday and she has come up with a plan to try and gain weight which includes eating crisps and cakes lol so pretty much anything. I have been taking Citalopram for two weeks not really helping . Dr said give it 4 weeks but will probably come off it then as it’s making my appetite worse. What have you been up to?

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Harmonyrose · 09/08/2024 19:02

Nice to chat again. I had junk food on and off within the last few years and enjoyed them. But it does affect your health and put bad things inside your body. Maybe special treat on some occasions.
Was your FIT test ok? Do you see a NHS dietician?
I have been to my GP last month. Told her about changes in my periods. She told me it is part of peri. Also weighed myself and I have lost about 3-4 kg, about 7-8 pounds. I'm having a FIT test, blood test and Ultrasound again. I think everything happened after I had that nasty cough. Maybe it was Covid. My clothes are looser around my body now. I'm not sure what is going. Sorry to bore you about my health. I was hoping to tell you some good news.

kerstina · 11/08/2024 09:13

Yes fit test was ok thanks. Dietician was a chat on the phone although I waited months for the appointment.Will have another appointment in 3 months.
its annoying when your clothes feel loose isn’t it a constant reminder you are losing weight and how do I go down from a size 6 ? Children’s clothes😞
Hows your weekend going?

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Harmonyrose · 13/08/2024 21:49

Evening. Didn't feel like doing anything. Just went food shopping and brought some new clothes. Do arthritis caused weight loss? What about muscle or collagen loss? Are you taking any protein or collagen powder? I am trying to eat more and will see how it goes . Blood tests and ultrasound booked for this year.

Harmonyrose · 13/08/2024 21:51

kerstina.. sorry to drop in again, have you ever use private messages in this website? I am still a newbie, only joined a few months ago. 🤔

kerstina · 14/08/2024 11:01

I will pm you . So you can see how it works .

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