What can I do to stop me walking like I'm 100 every morning

[Moveyourbleedingarse]

I'm on HRT 100mcg oestrogen/coil/testosterone. I try to eat protein. I've been lifting moderate weights for 15 yes continually so not new to exercise and not especially prone to DOMs because of this.

But when I get up I can barely walk. The aches and pains in my legs and feet are horrific. It takes 5 minutes to be able to move naturally. I have to hold onto both bannisters to get down the stairs.

I did get tested for arthritis last year and it was negative.

Is there anything anyone can suggest to help? I've looked into collagen and there's zero scientific evidence for it. I take Vitamin D/K2, probiotics and magnesium glycinate at night.

Really want to avoid the GP again after several years of surgery and many medical appts. Can't afford to see a nutritionist/functional medicine specialist.

Thank you!

I'm not trying to freak you out, I'm pre menopauseal had this and the found many problems in my spine. I had no luck with gp just told to lose weight. It was after I dislocated my knee and I couldn't do the exercises a Dr examined me and sent me for a MRI. This morning was private as nhs wouldn't deal with it.

If I was you I would get private cover with basic investigation cover and push the gp to refer you to a hip Dr.

I also now have siactica that will not go as nhs left it. Plus flexible pelvis by the time I got help I was told should be in a wheelchair.

@JessieLongleg crikey I'm so sorry you've had to face all of that.

I'm actively avoiding doctors and hospitals, but I do have full BUPA coverage.

I don't think it can be normal to feel so decrepit at 48, if I'm this bad now, my retirement won't be happening as I won't be able to do anything!

I don't think I have a spine issue. I have seen an osteopath a few times in the last year for knee and hip issues and she assessed my full body etc. I've dealt with the knee/hip/Si joint stuff with physio but this aching every time I sit down/sleep is thoroughly exhausting!

I just assumed I might have a vitamin deficit..

Try a sports physio. I've been seeing one for months and along with a personal trainer all paid had gone except in my right foot

I'm very hyper mobile so I specifically found experts in dealing with that

I'd be on to BUPA tbh, lucky that you have cover, you're not going to be able to avoid medics really if you want to get to the bottom of what's wrong. You'll need blood tests for a very basic start. Good luck!

Definitely use your Bupa coverage, including the virtual GP service if you feel your own GP isn't listening. They can refer you on to a consultant if necessary. You could also try the msk physio line prior to a referral and see what they suggest.

Thanks all.

I am seeing a physio later as I either have a recurrence of achilles tendinitis or baxters nerve entrapment, and I am hypermobile which I found out when I was 47 and saw an osteopath.

But the morning aching was there before the acute foot pain was!

Maybe it's a gait thing.

I really want to avoid GP or Hospitals though (bupa or not).

I've just stopped having nightmares about anaesthetic from my surgeries in 24/25. I don't even like driving past the road where the hospital is 😂

I’m hypermobile as well (EDS) and the only thing that helps is weight lifting and mobility/pilates type exercises. Daily. Once or twice a week isn’t enough.

Pilates or yoga might help a bit. It should stretch your ligaments and muscles and improve your mobility.

@HighStreetOtter thanks. Yes I lift every other day and have done for years. Plus so many steps walking dogs (countryside). I've tried different walking boots, different insoles etc too. I rotate footwear and I wear crocs in the house.

I don't stretch every day though as I'm so bloody knackered by 6pm. I feel like crying I ache so much by 8pm.

@Geneticsbunny i do yoga, kassandra for several years. Probably once a week, I don't like pilates as I struggle to do exercises from my knees as they hurt.

But maybe I drop a weights session for a second yoga session.

It's only my legs and feet that ache though.

Oh and I have golfers elbows but I think thats from doing dumbell rows when I wasn't fully warmed up one day. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Echo sports physio, you may need massage work on your hamstrings, calf or glutes.

When I had plantar fasciitis (was in agony and could barely walk in the mornings) the podiatrist warned me to avoid Crocs and the soft Skechers, I know they work for some people but not everyone and even after I was better if I started wearing crocs again the old twinges soon started up again, I needed firm arch support even in the house as well as all the stretching etc that are recommended. So maybe the crocs aren't helping

For a start I'd take your vit D in the morning and the magnesium at night because minerals make it harder for the body to absorb vitamins. Maybe try taking calcium at night too. I actually take a supplement that's got calcium, magnesium and zinc. I'm 39 and feel exactly the same as you in the morning 😬

Can you do specific yoga exercises which focus on your legs? I only do pilates so don't know much about yoga.

I had similar symptoms and as they were investigating for arthritis they discovered hypothyroidism. Within 4 weeks of starting on Levothyroxine the aches in my feet, ankle, knees and hands really improved. I still suffer a bit with shoulder aches but suspect I’m not currently optimised (feel like I need a slightly bigger dose).

In your blood tests can you see any results for TSH? If that is elevated then that may be worth exploring.

Try looking into b12 deficiency and pernicious anaemia?

I'm very interested in your thread OP. I am 53, on HRT and the same as you. I can barely walk down the stairs in the morning. I have to set my alarm an hour before I get up so that I can take painkillers. I've seen a rheumatologist who has ruled out anything to do with that. My MRIs show disc degeneration, etc, but normal for my age. Im waiting to see a neurologist, but dont really hold out much hope. Im following this thread with interest.

I have similar and doctors have never got to the bottom of it, but if I regularly take a multivitamin and mineral (Wellwoman in my case) it gets better. Then I forget to take it and it comes back. So I guess despite a good and varied diet I am deficient in something. Slightly older than you and also on HRT.

Sounds on the simple side, but how old is your mattress? I always know when I need a new one simply by how I feel in the morning.

I was like this prior to starting HRT but it resolved pretty quickly once I started the patches. Could you be having issues absorbing oestrogen?

I would go and see a sports physiotherapist. Near me in the South East they charge about £35 for half an hour. You may not need any sessions and they might just give you advice and exercises to do.

It does sound like a foot/tendon issue. It's definitely not "old age", I'm 50 and don't feel like that. I did feel like that when I had plantar fasciitis when I was 42 though!

Try a podiatrist. I had that terrible pain in my feet along with stiff joints when I got up in the morning, and also if I was sitting in a meeting for too long. It would take a good half an hour before I'd be able to walk properly.
A podiatrist diagnosed plantar fasciitis and ordered me some insoles. She also advised wearing fit flops in the house (I have always been barefoot at every opportunity.)

A huge difference - not only are my feet no longer sore, my knees and hips are pain free and my back is a lot better.

I'd go back to GP and get tested for: thyroid, anaemia, ferritin deficiency, folate and B12. Then ask for the actual results of the bloods not just a report on whether they are "normal".
For the ferritin - make sure it's 70 or over (and if not take a ferrous fumarate tablet every other day - though if it's below 15 consider private infusion with your private medical cover). Make sure folate and b12 are well into the normal ranges not just bumping along the bottom. I felt about 100 years old with a ferritin deficiency - v common in women - and joint pain/constant injury was one of the symptoms.
Edited to add - if you really don't want to go back to GP try a private company like Medichecks, though you'll need to fins someone to do a blood draw.

I would suggest cod liver oil and the stretches that are recommended for plantar fasciitis - stretch achilles and calf but also do hamstring stretches. Roll your arch over a tennis ball/special knobbly ball/frozen water bottle 330 ml size to stretch and relieve that too. Google them. There's no shame in taking ibuprofen at bedtime so it can do its work while you sleep, but not on an empty stomach.