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Original poster

Did anyone have severe aches and pains in their joints a month after giving birth?

17 replies

Turtle35 · 12/12/2004 19:39

Not sure if this is the right place to start this thread?

I gave birth 6 weeks ago and my aches and pains are getting worse as the weeks go by, they are particularly bad in my joints, ankles, wrists etc I feel like I am getting severe arthritis and my back really aches.

Any ideas why this is happening?

OP posts:
xmashampermunker · 12/12/2004 19:41

Yes, yes, yes! It's because the relaxin is leaving your body (or so I was told!). Relaxin keeps your joints all loose and supple (can cause them to get quite pulled too) so you can give birth, then everything kind of seizes up again after you've given birth.

It does get better - I used to walk like an old lady after being on the floor with DS changing his nappy, etc!

tillykins · 12/12/2004 19:42

Hi Turtle, sorry you are feeling like this.
I don't know why it happens but it happened to me too and it lasted several months, though it did get less painful
I wonder if its something to do with the muscles and ligaments relaxing, don't you release some relaxant hormone when pregnant?
Might be worth mentioning to your GP or HV just to be sure its nothing else, but I think its not uncommon
Hope this helps
Tilly

FrostyTheSurfMum · 12/12/2004 23:57

Poor you. This happened to me. I couldn't get up from changing dd on the floor or even get up from a low chair. I was tested for all sorts of things, but everything was negative. The doctor thought it might be a reaction to the rubella jab I had to have when dd was born. He put me on anti-inflammatories. Its fine now, but it did take quite a few months.

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xmashampermunker · 13/12/2004 00:16

FrostyTheSurfMum - I had post-viral arthritis after having parvovirus - left me disabled for two years. I had it as an adult, so that made it far worse (for anybody with a child with slapped cheek who's reading this!). It actually improved after I had operations for endometriosis - think my whole immune system is shot to bits!

Sorry - off topic - but have never spoken to anyone with a joint-pain reaction to something before!

The pain I had after giving birth was different though - am sure it was ligaments getting back to normal after pregnancy, so don't worry Turtle!

mullgedwine · 13/12/2004 08:42

Yes, it happened to me too. I mentioned it to my GP who told me about the hormone Relaxin, and that it is quite normal to walk like an 80yr old for a fair few months post partum. My knees still don't like going up or down stairs early in the morning or late at night. Mind you, that could be just old age creeping in. Don't worry, Turtle, its normal at 6 weeks. If it is still this painful at 6m then i would go to your GP.

Chuffingoodtime · 13/12/2004 09:22

Turtle this took about 6 months to go completely away. I thought I had arthritis too. It did get a little better but I felt about 80 when I got out of bed in the morning especially on my knees and ankles. It should pass, all the best.

fisilhohoho · 13/12/2004 09:25

Happened to me too. Couldn't kneel for a long time after - the kind of period of time that makes you think it's never going to end. It was certainly still there when ds was 6 months. But it went away entirely. Yet another thing they don't tell us about.

Eshay · 13/12/2004 10:23

Hi, I've been told to take Flax oil. It comes in liquid form and also in pill form. I've only just started it so I can't say if it works from my own experience but a mum I know says she feels better. If you're breastfeeding, ask GP first (says so my on bottle).

MancMum · 13/12/2004 10:33

look on the health topic - there are several posts from others (inc me) who all thought they had artritis for a few weeks after giving birth...

IIRC we are all fine now = i am!!

YORK · 13/12/2004 10:43

Exactly the same as everyone else with the relaxin. The only other thing my midwife suggested was to eat more foods containing calcium, not only does it help with the aches and pains but is good if you suffer with cramps aswell. It did work for me.

Original poster
Turtle35 · 15/12/2004 19:49

thanks so much everyone, makes me feel a bit more relaxed, I had honestly thought I was getting arthritis, it's so damn painful. I willtry anything at this stage. At the moment I am taking 3 hot baths a day to help with the aches and pains.

OP posts:
SantaClausfrau · 15/12/2004 19:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pixiefish · 15/12/2004 19:59

I'm still getting pain in my knees and ankles 10 and a half months after giving birth- am still breastfeeding though so assume it's to do with this and that it'll improve when I stop

beansprout · 15/12/2004 23:03

Oh, thank you SO much Turtle for starting this thread, as I have exactly the same. I can hardly bend my fingers when I wake up and have to lever myself up using my elbows. My nan had arthritis so badly she couldn't hold a tea cup by the time she was 40 and I have been fretting and worrying thinking I was going the same way.

I am so bloody relieved!!!!
(btw Turtle - sorry to miss you last week, really, really hope you can make the next one!!)

Chickyboo · 15/12/2004 23:32

This sounds like me ...I was really bad top begin with it's just starting to get better. Although I've had a few shooting pains through knees recently. I heard somewhere that it was the Relaxin. Its almost 5 months since DD was born so hoping it will go soon.

moondog · 15/12/2004 23:32

Yes Turtle and I thought it was only me!!
Just coming around after ds's birth 51/2 months ago. V depressing as I made a big effoert to get really fit the year before conception. Remember thinking that I just couln't walk one more step..feeling 80 exactly describes it.
Gentle exercise helped/helps me, swimming and walking.
Try a sauna-will have double the effect of a hot bath. What about the occasional (purely medicinal) massage..?

Original poster
Turtle35 · 19/12/2004 18:49

thanks again to all who have responded, I am actually going to my GP again tomorrow for some other problems - think I have been to the GP once a week since I gave birth, when will this bloody well end!!

I will report back with the outcome.

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