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!

Thanks to everyone who has commented above. My mum rang and I couldn't keep track of the thread as I was on the phone for ages!

So it's not B12, that's high for me.

It's not ferritin that was 118 on last testing and as I have a mirena I no longer bleed so ferritin will be steady.

TSH has always been 'in range' too.

Re oestrogen malabsorption, my private gynae tested this for me and my oestrogen was 600 or so, which is good, so don't think it's that.

It could be plantar in conjunction with the achilles tendinitis and @OllyBJolly i also love to be barefooted at all times as its more comfortable! It's taken real discipline to wear the crocs, but I get that they might not be right for everyone so could consider an alternative. We live rurally and I'm constantly taking them off to go in the muddy garden with the dogs so I need to avoid anything that can't be kicked off to put outdoor crocs on. Will look into that.

I will mention it to the physio this afternoon and see if he can give me some insight.

I hadn't considered cod liver oil, will add that. (is it just a fish oil in general or cod liver specifically?)

I already take vitaminD/K2 in oil with my probiotic in the morning. And my glycinate about 5pm with some food. (I'm in bed between 8&9).

I'm pleased to hear it isn't old age and there might be a way of fixing this! We need to move house this year and I am the one who does all the practical stuff like tip runs, but the way I feel I'm not sure I'd be able to right now, even though I'm strong muscle wise.

Well entirely unscientific but freakily similar symptoms, and “cured” myself by drinking 2.5l of water a day and cutting out gluten. Magical. I did the gf because someone told me it reduced inflammation and it worked! The water was a side issue with kidney stones but apparently helps immune system regulate better if you are super hydrated. I’m a scientist so both seemed fairly spurious if I’m honest but I was curious so though”what could it hurt?”.
😆. I’m like I was!

@Ohthatsabitshit well I already drink that much water BUT I crave bread at the end of the day and often need to eat some when I get home from work.

I had considered there might be in inflammation issue, my excema is flaring a lot on my face and arms at the moment, I've had it since childhood but recently learned it is an inflammation thing.

@Moveyourbleedingarse but giving up bread feels as hard as giving up dark chocolate and coffee 😂

definitely look at your diet. Remove (or at least drastically reduce) inflammatory things like sugar, gluten, dairy, seed oils. Increase good fats like avocado and olive oil.

Yes feet are a good place to start and are often overlooked but can be responsible for issues and supports may be required. I'd see a podiatrist and a sports physio who may be able to spot posture imbalances putting extra pressure on particular joints. If neither help then I'd ask to be referred to a consultant rheumatologist with an interest in sports in their CV as they can be much more forensic in looking for the reasons. I'd also look at your medical history to rule out any hypermobility issues as when posture changes as we get older then different strains can be more acute.

Interesting that you already drink 2.5l. Do you measure it? I only ask because I thought I drank 2l but actually was about 1.8.

Not with a measuring jug. But I have a pint before work, two pints before lunch at work, a pint in the afternoon and usually a pint after work.

3L. Give or take.

@Moveyourbleedingarse
My husband wears Oofos slippers in the house, physio and podiatrist recommended them for his achillies issues. They aren't pretty or cheap but they do really help
www.oofos.co.uk/

I had exactly this at your age and stage @Moveyourbleedingarse. Custom made orthotics provided exponential relief. I continued to have the odd aches and pains. In 2023, I have up wheat and all refined carbs. Within a fortnight every ache and pain lifted and my dandruff and parches of minor eczema disappeared. It was a gamechanger.

Oh and to add, slippers with arch suppprt. I wear Josef Seibel Betsy clogs in the house now.

@ChocolateMunchBunch i had no idea dairy was inflammatory.

I eat Greek yog/kefir with my oats every morning 300g for 30g protein. And I probably drink a pint of milk in coffee/tea (decaf) during the day.

I only use EVOO, and eat little sugar, but there is some in my diet.

@RosesAndHellebores wow that's incredible! But so hard to do.

I did it for a year in my 30s after reading Wheatbelly, but I missed scones and good bread so, so much.

And it made no difference to my weight as I substituted cashew nuts for bread and put on half a stone!

But perhaps I should try again.

@gingercat02 I bought the crocs sliders as they were so much cheaper than oofos and saw them recommended on here for plantar which is what I thought I had...

False economy perhaps.

Wow! That’s a huge amount of water. My husband is a similar super-slurper . Shame because the water thing was quite transformative for me. Have you had your bp checked?
And as an aside if the water consumption isn’t habit based (which it looks like it is given you link it to other routine activities) have you had you sugar levels checked? (Hba1c)

BP is fine. Usually on the low side. Nurses always comment when I go for pre-op/surgery check in.

Maybe 110/60ish.

Yes but when was the bp last taken? Mine was scraping the bottom for my entire life then shot up for no known reason when I hit 50.

the easiest way to go gf for me is to collect meals that I like anyway and then just eat those. The substitute bread I can only tolerate toasted with a lot of club sandwich in the middle.

I was feeling like this - on HRT etc and still unable to get out of bed without pain. I had to go down the stairs sideways one step at a time - even getting up off the sofa after sitting for a period of time was challenging.

I started talking cod liver oil, teaspoon every morning - can’t say it’s nice but realised the other day after 2-3 weeks of taking it I don’t struggle so much on waking and can now walk down the stairs first thing one step at a time normally... haven’t done anything else different so I think it’s the oil helping!

@Ohthatsabitshit I have a BP monitor so I'll take it later. I just assumed if you had low BP, you would always have it!

@awayfromhome ordering CLO capsules now!!!

I used to feel very achy in the mornings until my cousin suggested I try getting a new mattress. I did and the aches and pains were no more (I am 54).

@FlowerFairyDaisy thanks, it's just my legs though. If it was my mattress it would be a whole body thing I think?

I started wearing Asics trainers as I over pronate and certain styles like the GT2000 and GT1000 are made for people who over pronate. From day one my body was more comfortable and I was standing in alignment, my muscles on the outside of my legs and hips were no longer sore and my knee pain dissapeared overnight. I recognised I overpronated in particular in my right foot. TIP: My wellies have over pronation soles in them that i buy cheaply off ebay as do any other footwear I regularly wear. Buying orthopedic insoles is cheaper than buying orthopaedic footwear.

There is a saying with horses "no foot no horse" which basically means that when a horses foot is balanced by a farrier even weight is distributed across its body, they can move more efficiently and it reduces wear and tear on joints and ligaments. And its no different for a person, exactly the same. The only thing to watch out for is that if you are buying insoles is to make sure that your foot still remains comfortable in your shoes, make sure that the top of your foot does not have the laces too tight over it or there'sa danger of getting extensor tendinitis which is vile.

Good luck

When my PF was at its worst and I saw the podiatrist I had off the shelf inserts and wore them in trainers or boots. Kept several lots in different pairs. But I can't wear them in any other sort of shoe because I have very narrow heels and the inserts make my heels flop out even with lace up shoes. I also wear Birkenstocks for the support and those are my kick on and off shoes for the garden. I also think yoga helps, the downward facing dog gives everything a super stretch.

I agree with the other posters saying to check your mattress. Mine wasn't offering enough support to my hips, meaning I struggled to walk when I first got out of bed. It didn't affect my back or upper body.
Yoga has made an enormous difference too.

How is your blood calcium level? Mine was high, picked up by a routine blood test for something else and I have discovered I have Primary Hyperparathyroidism, which causes awful bone pain especially in the legs. It's a condition where the faulty gland causes bones to leach calcium into the blood, ultimately leading to osteoporosis. It's most prevalent in middle aged women. Just a thought OP, as it's easily checked with blood calcium level.

Fatigue and thirst are symptoms too.