Post natal joint inflammation / auto immune

[CountryGirl36]

So I’m 6 months pp and since having my little girl I have had progressively worsening joint pain. It started immediately after she was born, I couldn’t move my arms or hold her but assumed it was post labour (36 hrs). 1 litre blood loss and weeks of iron tablets made sod all difference. However it has got worse and worse where I struggle to hold her now, bend etc. I can’t sleep as constantly uncomfy. My knees, ankles and wrists/fingers are the worst.
I have been referred to rheumatology and they have ruled out rheumatoid arthritis as my RH factor was fine and anti ccp only slightly raised (22). Ultrasound of my hands was fine. Rheum thinks it’s hormonal.
I am now in limbo where I am exhausted, in constant pain where nothing is helping and awaiting a steroid injection/infusion to see if it helps.
Just wondered if anyone else has had this and how/if you recovered?
I am getting lower every day with the pain

Are you breastfeeding? I had arthritic symptoms after giving birth and they steadily got worse. I was also checked for RA but tests came back normal.

Mine went gradually after I stopped breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum.

No couldn't Bf as was in such a state post baby :-(

Do you have any skin problems and do you know if the rheumatologist considered psoriatic arthritis? (Would by RH negative). I had similar after both my pregnancies and that, eventually, was the diagnosis. I hope you get the steroids - and relief - soon enough.

I had hip joint pain after my second son was born. I was given steroids for a short period. But no where near what you are describing. I also lost weight without trying. It did eventually go away on its own. Have you tried turmeric capsules, these have helped me when I get joint pain.

@macaronip1e eczema as a child but otherwise no. They ruled out PA 🤷🏽‍♀️

@Mindymomo no not yet as they have told me to wait for this steroid but I’m getting desperate!

This happened to me too! Terrible joint pain which got worse from 8 weeks pp and lots of tests for RA and autoimmune conditions came back normal. Rheumatologist said it was likely hormones but I found it very debilitating! GP gave me a week course of low dose steroids which took it away and it hasn’t returned.

No answers as to what it was but I’m just glad I can function normally again! Hope it eases soon for you.

I have autoimmune diseases and they are known for flaring up post pregnancy/breastfeeding. It could be that there is more to it than your rheumatologist found or it could be the relaxin hormone just needs to settle down.

Did you have your ANA tested?

@Scottishoat so I have just been given a 3 week course of steroids now to see how it helps! How long ago was yours?

@TheCatWithTheFluffyTail ana was “normal” and anti ccp 22 so only slightly raised

I've had viral arthritis similar symptoms but not lasting that long.

Mine was a one week course of 15mg prednisolone (which I believe to be a very small dose!) I finished them about a month ago now and was very worried it would come back instantly, of course it still could though :(

I can definitely identify with how bad your pain sounds - I’d read about this happening to a few people for seemingly no reason but I was finding it impossible to sleep and dreading lifting my baby in the morning etc. I’m still very swollen (fingers are the worst) and a bit stiff but the pain has gone! Hope these steroids do the trick for you too.

@Scottishoat 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Hey, how are your symptoms now? I triggered over 2 years ago too and soon to give birth again

Hi im going through this currently waiting for a rhuematology app 10 months pp and things seem to worsen every day. Did you get any answers did this resolve for you thanks