Pain

[emsgirl001]

Hello, I am a 53 year old woman.  I have suffered from arthritis for several years now.  I have it all over, though I have found the neck and bad heads that cause me most problems.  I have found that I have now got dry eye (which wondered if this was all part and parcel) I have now really bad pain in my toes.... hmmmm can only describe it as a bad ache that just wont go away.  I have it in my knees too, worse when I relax....  it hurts to move, but when I keep still it hurts more, so I have to try to keep moving, which can make it hell at bedtimes as I dont want to keep disturbing hubby as he has to work.  my whole body gets really stiff, and is hard to get up in the mornings.  The doctor has given me high strength Codene for the pain, which helps, but i dont want to keep taking it as I dont want to get addicted, so I put up with it most of the time.  I also have high Blood pressure and take meds for that, also I take HRT after having a full hysterectomy 9 or 10 years ago. My memory is all over the place too....  I can remember most thngs, but silly things like conversations and if I have passed on messages, and turning the washing machine off, all stupid things like that.  It seems that my whole body aches, and have pain all the time.  I wondered if I could have rheumatoid arthritis?  I have had it checked before,quite a while back now, and it came back clear. My ankles always have fluid retention... the doctor has giving me tablets in the past, but they didnt work , then was told, it happens in ladies after the "50" age.  I eat healthy, I dont drink much, maybe a glass or maybe 2 a week if that of wine.  I dont have sugar in drinks, I dont cook with fat, and I eat very small portions, yet I am over 14 stone, and I am only 5'1.  I get so down, as I dont like talking too much about it to family, as to me its like I am moaning, and I dont want that.  I am going to try to get into the doctors again tomorrow, but will be told the same things I expect, but I think I will ask for some blood tests x

[silverfox67]

     I am so sorry that you are suffering so much.   My Mom drinks Apple Cider for her arthritis pain.  Seems to help quite a bit - she doesn't like taking pain meds.
    
     I would suggest having a rheumatologist check for ANA/ Lupus.  

     Lupus is an immunity disease that attacks the whole body.

     Your symptoms sound a lot like Lupus and it has overlap diseases like Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, RA, heart trouble, weakness of the extremities, all over body aches and pains, mood swings, unexplained fevers, mystery bruises, pain in the feet, wrists, and back.  Headaches, dry eyes... the list goes on.

     Please see a rheumatologist to have an ANA test for Lupus.

    Sincerely hope you don't have it!
Wishing the best for you

[emsgirl001]

thankyou :) went to see a different Doctor today, he wants me to have bloods taken next week, so hopefully will know more, so nice talking to people who know what your going through xxx

[MYoungAtHeart]

I am sorry that you are in constant pain.  I read that you are on high strength Codene for your pain, but that medication also has its own
set of side effects and can be researched on the internet if you are really interested.

I have RA and Arthritis, there was no pain with the RA and all the pain with the arthritis.  The pain is worrysome but it is worse the less I do.  It hurts to get moving, but I am moving because of the consequences of not moving which will be permanently sitting in a wheel chair.

At 53 you are not over the hill, you can still put together a non weight bearing exercise program with your doctor for you to use at home.  I am thinking that light Yoga stretches, some leg and ankle pumping even while you are sitting will start to get that excess water in your ankles circulating in your body and heart. You can do arm windmills and side by side stretches to also get your cardiovascular system running smoother.

If you find you are sitting too much, set an alarm either on your computer or your stove to alert you that an hour has passed and it is time to get up and get the blood flowing.  Time does go by very quickly when sitting and watching the television or computer, but recent research shows that people who sit for periods of longer then 2 hours run the risk of blood clots that can really do alot of damage.

Good luck seeing your doctor.  You also might ask if he has a handout of light exercises for you to do.  You will have to be patient to notice some of the positive things about exercise, but keeping a journal might help you with that as you watch and record your progress...

Wishing you the very best

M