Painful/discomfort in joints. Is it normal or should I get checked out?

[Demi]

I'm 37 and I'm not sure if what I feel is just part of growing older.

It started with my ankle about 3 years ago then gradually over the last 3 years my big toe, wrist, thumb and shoulder all hurt. I'm also beginning to get back ache in the middle of my back.

Its not agonising, more discomfort. But its daily and beginning to get me down a bit. The joints also swell slightly by the end of the day.

When it was just the ankle and big toe I went to the doctor who said these things happen as one gets older.

So, do they?
Do joints just hurt as you get older?
Should I bother the doctor again?

Many thanks.

Get it checked again, its not just part of growing older (not at 37 anyway). Sounds like some sort of arthritis, they can do blood tests to determine this, and give you something to help. You are not 'bothering' the doctor, if no one went to see them, they'd be out of a job!

Thank you Kurri.

My DH has been telling me to get it checked out for months. I'm not sure why I'm hesitant. I think the doctor will think its in my head.

Has anyone else experience of such joint discomfort?

hello! ive had a condition called hyper mobility syndrome(they have a website for it, check it out if you like)since i was about 12,
alot of doctors said it was all in my head as there is no blood test that will pick it up, if youre doc isnt helpfull,or they cant figure out what is wrong, ask for a referal to 'pain management'
that will help you regardless of what is wrong!

That's interesting, Skye. I was told about 9 years ago that I'm hypermobile but didn't really think much of it. I presumed there are different degrees of hypermobile and as I've never considered myself particularly flexible I thought I was at the lower end, IYSWIM.
Pain management is certainly a question I can ask the doctor. That's a good point and a good way to take me forward if there's no diagnosis.
I do actually feel on the verge of taking daily anti-inflammatories but I know that would not be wise.
Thanks again.

Another thought.
All the joints I mention are on the same side of my body. Would that happen with hypermobility problems? I can't see any logical reason for only one side to be affected.

gad i could be of help!
ahh,there are different degrees of hyper mobile,
some pepole can be hm all there life and get no pain at all,you can develop pain at anytime during your life,mine was at puberty...

it can happen in any range of joints so its entirely possible!

mention this to your gp,some have never even heard of the condition,i ended up taking a print out from the website!
pain management is something you can ask for anyway,and you'll get it quicker than waiting for specified hms treatment.
go here for more info!

www.hypermobility.org/

'glad' not 'gad',
idiot!
and my link didnt work!!
sorry!

Thanks again.
I'm going to have a look at the hypermobility link now.
I'm sorry to hear you've suffered since puberty. Growing up is hard enough without pain.

ah,yes well i think i have just gotten used to it really,and learnt ways to cope...being 31 weeks pregnant doesnt help much...but thats my own bloody fault!
also,just as randomly and quickly as it can start...it can stop to,just like that,gone!
amazing hey! fingers crossed!!

oh the 'living with hms'page is good,there's a sub section called 'lifestyle tips' some of them are really clever!

Hi - do you get other symptoms down the same side?

No, joints don't routinely just hurt as you get older, so please do check it out

Might be something as simple as vitamin d deficiency (apparently lots of people have it and it can lead to joint pain amongst other nasties - happened to a colleague at work - had pains in back and hips) or something else

Anyhow - do check it out

Thanks for more responses.

Grumpypants - no I don't have discomfort in my joints on the other side, not even a twinge. Its just on one side, gradually building up over the last few years.

I do have flare ups of my sacro-illiac joint, maybe twice a year - this has happened for the last 9 years. Again, this is on the same side as the joint discomfort.

Quattrocento - something simple like vitD deficiency didn't cross my mind. Its something else I can bring up with the doctor.

Thanks again.

I had a virus years ago called erythema nodosum, caused initially by a strep throat infection, I think. That was really painful in my joints. When the virus was on its way "out" I had lumps on my legs (the nodules of teh nodosum, I guess). Then it was gone - lasted about 6 mths though. Possibility??

I think can't of any throat infection around the time it started but its not impossible so I'll give that some consideration. Thanks Juicy.