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!

@randomnamegenerated i agree total bollocks!

Where I am right now, I've got a consultant appt for him to authorise imaging in a fortnight. I've seen him before so he can compare mris to my previous one.
Doing all the physio I was given, absolutely no change at all. So inclined to think it is the nerves.

Regarding my elbow, I've also spoken to another bupa physio this week who said it is golf elbow but also nerve entrapment so I'm doing that physio too, which is showing a change after a few days. Physio gave me some nerve glides which hurt like feck after about 4 of them which means they have definitely found the spot!

@mathanxiety I like to be cool in bed, or it leads to hot sweats. But I'm not cold. I start the night by lying on my tummy, leg up and right arm under me and left arm straight by my side (the chalk drawing of a body that's fallen from a tower block in a cartoon pose!), then I move to the opposite formation with both arms tucked under me. I usually wake up on my back, quite often with my arms up over my head and under my pillow!

I have no idea how I make my arms stay straight while I'm asleep.

I'm not sure I can be bothered trying to speak to GP about this. If that's the response I got from a bupa GP, what hope is there?!

Oh, I have also splashed out on some collagen tablets. I couldn't bear the thought of powder. They were £40 but after the article in the news last week about the benefits of collagen for fascia I thought I'd give it a go. Even if lots of people think it just gets broken down into amino acids, maybe they will be the ones I need!

Have you ever been referred to rheumatology? Have you considered the possibility of an autoimmune disease immune disease like a connective tissue disease like Sjogrens? Do you get dryness in eyes/mouth as well as eczema and brain fog? Might be worth getting your blood tested for antibodies. I only asked because I developed a strange skin disorder-Ihad to have these blood tests to rule out links to auto immune diseases.

Hi OP, I posted before, similar age and hypermobility.

If I wasn’t diligent about how I slept and also hadn’t improved night breathing (I know you said you can’t do tape, but some of these just encourage the mouth closed and don’t block mouth breathing, however I think I need that extra stability in the jaw area to stop the jaw falling back) I would for sure wake up feeling like I had been in a car accident.

I’ve had that for long periods where I can’t even walk in a straight line when I get up as everything is so stiff and sore.

My personal theory is that I brace my body in my sleep if not sufficiently supported.

Recently I’ve gone keto (again) it’s such a drag and I don’t find it easy or enjoyable but as has happened before, my pain and energy are better. I avoid dairy also. Boring I know.

@Pennyfan sorry for late reply!

No, I haven't mentioned any of this to a doctor before. As I have bupa and also Birmingham health fund, I generally just take myself off to a physio or osteopath.

I did look at sjogrens and I don't think I have that. I do have dry skin and excema but I've always had it since a child, I have dry eyes but I can wear contacts, I'm not overly thirsty.

GP did do an autoimmune panel a couple of years ago when I mentioned my raynauds and everything was negative.

@Lelivre i feel for you I can't live without my milky decaf coffees and teas and yoghurt. I did briefly consider cutting down. But that just left me with non dairy yogurt or eggs for breakfast! And dairy is one of my big protein sources!

I’m like this in my early 40’s. I have EDS which has affected many of my joints, are you hypermobile? Often women don’t get diagnosed until menopause hits and symptoms worsen.
it turns out a lot of the stiffness is caused by bursitis and plantar fasciitis in my feet, I thought it was arthritis.
you probably need to see a good rheumatologist for bloods plus thorough exam and maybe MRI / ultrasounds

@Geminispark yes I was told I was hypermobile last year. I had no idea!!

I just think a GP won't be interested!

Generally most GP’s are not clued up at all and wouldn’t know what to do. You need to see a rheumatologist who specialises in connective tissue disorders. I’d use BUPA as you have it. Where are you based I can recommend a few doctors

I follow a tip I read online to avoid ever getting a bad back. First thing I do a series of quick stretches. First hold on to bed end and swing leg back and forth up to hip level and back 10-20 on each leg then out sideways for ten. I then do ankle flexes on each leg.

I then swirl my arms and do breast stroke arms then shoulder shrugs and neck circles etc. A couple of squats. Some back stretching.

If I have time I do the shortest ‘Fabfifty’ workouts on YouTube.

I look ridiculous ( poor Mr EvelynBeatrice) but it doesn’t take long and I feel much less stiff after. Also take omega3 supplement.

@Geminispark thanks, I'm in the south.

I think I will mention it to the orthopedic consultant I'm seeing in a fortnight. He might have a suggestion. He's very easy to chat to. I've seen him before.

@EvelynBeatrice love that!

Thought I'd do a little update. Saw consultant this week he thinks it is plantar fascitis and has sent me for an MRI.

At least I'll know and can have some shockwave therapy etc.

I'll come back and update once I've seen my MRI!

Interestingly he recommended collagen to help with the recovery period. Not sure I'm taking enough with the tablets I am using - anyone know how much a 1500mg tablet compares to a dose of powder that you add to coffee?

Thanks for the update OP.
Interesting that PF can have such a profound effect on our joints. I’ve ordered some collagen following your post - I really hope it helps!

Here is my update 😊

It's plantar, that's for sure. Absolutely brutal. Consultant looked at me and said its a really bad case - but thinks I can avoid surgery 🤦🏼‍♀️. I've developed a bone spur in my heel from the inflammation, my whole heel is inflamed.

Have had two sessions of shockwave but after a day of resting each time I get back to normal and in agony again by the end of the day. I can walk the pain off, it's after sitting it hurts most.

Seeing physio for a full programme of exercises tomorrow.

Also still have a sore elbow, I think it is cubital nerve, not golfers elbow, will ask physio.

Also off to GP today to ask for blood tests - vitamins, calcium as I'm incredibly concerned about the amount of gaviscon and vitamin d I'm taking and want to make sure I'm not way over normal levels. She might say no, but I can ask I suppose.

Also physio and consultant asked about my bone density so might as GP about that too (I'll talk fast as it's a 14min appt!).

Lesson here - if your heel hurts, don't leave it 8 months to deal with it!

Poor you, sounds similar to me lots of issues caused by hypermobility including plantar facilities and elbow inflammation.

did he also suggest orthotics and podiatrist?

No no mention of orthotics.

I'd rather just wear normal shoes anyway.

I'm inclined to think it's as bad as it is a because I wear plantar insoles for the arch support and I reckon they've made it worse, but that's just a guess!

I absolutely prefer flat flat shoes so the idea of being limited to custom insoles is 😥 imagine not being able to wear sandals!

Will see what physio says tomorrow. I didn't have the signs of plantar apart from the pain on the inside of my heel, not the middle bit. I've got a very happily mobile big toe, can raise my feel easily, can towel scrunch for England.

I'm inclined to think my knee instability hasn't helped either.

Will absolutely share tomorrow. I'm still thinking on the comment from consultant 'you might be able to avoid surgery' gulp. I hadn't realised it was bad enough for surgery to be a possibility!