Post partum joint pain getting worse

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I'm 5 months postpartum and for the last month the pain in my joints has been steadily increasing. It started around the time my hair started falling out and was mildly annoying at first. Sore knees, sore hands and feet etc.

It's now gotten steadily worse and I'm often hobbling about, particularly in the morning. Most nights I now get up to take painkillers which eases symptoms when I wake up for day with baby.

I've also had night sweats 5 nights out of 7. Altogether it certainly sounds hormonal but as the joint pain is getting worse, and my ankles are now swollen it is worrying me.

I'm going for bloods next week, but would just like to hear if anyone has experienced anything similar and what helped/how long it lasted. Thanks!

I've been to GP and have been referred to rheumatology. Bloods show signs of infection and inflammation, but not arthritis. It's all very odd.

I thought hormonal at first as tied in with hair loss, but been going on for weeks and bloods show there is something not right.

Hi OP, how are you feeling now? When are you seeing the GP?

Sorry you're in pain - that's the last thing you need when you're trying to mum!
I had prenatal and postpartum physiotherapy with Physio Comes to You (makes it so much easier because they come to your house so it's one less thing to remember to go out for!)
Ultimately, pregnancy and childbirth are painful, strange times for our bodies but they've seen it all and were very helpful in easing my pain and getting my strengths back!

Update... Bloods have shown inflammation so to see GP next week. Now worrying about all the possible things that could be the cause!

Was hoping bloods would be all clear and just hormones.

Anyone else has similar experience?

The more I've looked into it the more concerned I've become, I initially thought just some strange side effect of hormones leaving my body.

I also like a cool room but these sweats are like nothing I've had before, so not related to room temp unfortunately. Often get a mild fever feel early evening too.

Worth asking for a dexa scan/ MRI scan to check bone density & for fractures

This happened to me. It turned out to be premature menopause. I was also vitamin D deficient.
Took literally 4/5 YEARS to get doctors to diagnose meno tho. They went thru every other possibility for the pain first, incl things like fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis... but no, it was menopause!

I have similar and I've been referred to rheumatology, but I don't expect the referral to come through for months yet. I hope we get answers asap.

Also I remember having some terrible night sweats when dd1 was tiny due to trying to keep the room at 18c at night for her. I prefer a nice cold room at night! Obviously that wouldn't explain the aching though.

GP mentioned arthritis and thyroid when I explained symptoms, so will just need to wait on results. Had to change pjs during night there as sweats so bad, so hope get to bottom of it soon.

You may have developed inflammatory arthritis which is often diagnosed postpartum. Blood tests should give you some answers. Good luck.

That sounds really tough. I hope the blood tests give you some answers. Has the GP got any theories about possible causes?