Both of my shoulders and both of my knees HURT.
Sometimes it's a stabbing pain upon a certain movement, sometimes it's an aching/burning pain. At night, it's the worst, as they seem to stiffen up when I am sedentary. When I wake up in the morning, I feel like someone beat me, things cracking, pains stabbing me, and it takes a while to loosen up. I look like I'm 90 trying to get up out of bed. Hell, some 90-somethings are probably more nimble than I feel in the morning. I'm 37, btw.
Historically, I had a herniated cervical disk, and a bulging cervical disk which caused a lot of pain in my neck and shoulder blade area. But that issue resolved on its own with no surgical intervention - thank God - and I have been asymptomatic from that for a few years. I know that shoulder pain could certainly result from disk issues in the neck. But not the knees. And the pain I had from the disks was totally different from what I'm feeling now. The pain I have now is very specific to the shoulders and knees.
Large doses of Ibuprofen helps a little, but not completley. It takes the edge off. Heat sometimes helps a little.
What do you think this could be? I know you are not doctors, and I'm not seeking a diagnosis. Just your lay opinions, based on your experiences. I do plan to see a doctor, but just wanting some input from you very smart ladies.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I have considered fibromyalgia, but in researching it, other than pain, I'm not sure I meet the definition? But my grandmother suffers from it, so if genetics plays a factor there, well, you know. I know it's a possibility.
i would start taking Glucosamine in tablet form or take Elation drink it has Glucosamine in the drink.
My pain that I posted about has virtually disappeared taking this for two weeks.
Fibromyalgia?
the 4 joints you mention are part of the Fibro "system" of pain centers. Do a little google on fibromyalgia and see if you fit in. There is a lot that goes into it other than pain. And you might be surprised by it all.
I was diagnosed with it and I'm only 30. (I was 26 when diagnosed).
I felt it was kind of a "cooky" diagnosis and refused drugs for it, but off and on I realize how REAL this is bc there is no other explanation for the PAIN!
The ONLY thing that works for me is strict routine of:
1) good nutrition (eating WELL)
2) exercise everyday
3) good sleep (and going to bed,waking up same time, roughly, each day)
those 3 components truly help me manage the pain. I'm very active, run marathons and really don't have "time" for pain. Plus two small kids keep me on my toes!
I'd also see a Neurologist who might look into nerve issues that could be triggering those points of pain, since they seem very specific.
I would go to a Chiropractor. Sounds like you need a good adjustment.
Be careful about taking large doses (or even small doses) of ibuprofen daily. It can cause your intestines to bleed or develop ulcers. I know a woman who was hospitalized due to extended use of ibuprofen.
i second Julia' answer. Your previous spinal problems are a huge red flag, and they can affect your body up, down, and sideways. Every part of your body is connected to your spine in one way or another.
Aww, L. I am really sorry to hear this. Pain is not fun!!! I have had my share of things come up lately and it is a real nuisance! I recently had to get a cortisone shot in my hip and it was so great :D Anyway, on to you. I really think you just need to get checked out asap. These two things could easily be unrelated, but you know an MRI might be helpful to rule things out. One thing that came to my mind, not to be scary, was like Rheumatoid Arthritis. Since this is severe pain and presenting in more than one location. You might want to read up on that and see if it sounds like what is going on with you and go to a Rhuematologist. Since you are in pain your body is letting you know something is off here. I personally wouldn't go to a Chiropractor bc your knees speak of something other than body alignment, that sounds more like cartilage or arthritic issues, possibly Fibromyalgia. I will pray for you for wisdom what to do next and I wish you well!! Take care!!
Would it be toooooo much time spent hunched over Mamapedia???...shoulders hunched while typing, knees bent under the chair???
I'll PM you...
You may want to see an osteopathic doctor that has some training in these kinds of things. (They even do little adjustments, but will most likely order an x-ray). I can recommend someone if you're near S. Jersey. Look for the initials D.O. instead of M.D.
I'm sure the cold weather doesn't help either... if you can get yourself to a sauna or some kind of hot tub that may help. My Dad has some herniated discs and is pretty much told he'll have pain the rest of his life. He bought himself a sauna for his house and will usually feel better after about an hour.
Also- You may want to try ROLFING. It's a form of structural manipulation (like a chiropractor, but more intense... think 'indian rug burn' type massages), etc...
You can find someone near you with this link-
http://www.rolf.org/
I had some serious back pain years ago and a few visits really put me back into alignment. (I carry all my weight to one side and have a lordosis (curve of the lower back), etc...
Also- accupuncture may provide some relief if there's any muscular issues going on. It doesn't hurt, I promise! (the only needle that ever hurt was in my foot... and it was still tolerable)
Good luck!
I have 2 thoughts, based on experiences of people I know.
Rheumatoid arthritis is one - always a possibility when multiple joints hurt. If it turns out to be this, don't panic but do get treatment. The person I know with it was very debilitated with it before diagnosis. But with the right treatment, he went back to serving in the local volunteer fire department, bowls once a week, and plays golf twice a week in the summer. And he's been stable for about 10 years.
Lupus - a friend had drug induced lupus which caused joint pain (a rare side effect of some tetracycline-type drugs). When she stopped taking the drug, the joint pain went away.
I hope you find a treatable cause!
Hi, L.:
Sounds like you might have some sensitivities to food.
Check out ELISSA/ACT Blood tests to see what your sensitivities are.
You might need some digestive aids.
Check out: www.enzymedica.com
Just a thought.
D.
Its probably been mentioned, but I would recommend a chiropractor, only because ours have helped us with so many things (including dislocated hips and fingers, sprained joints, bruised bones, overall soreness). I have 2 degenerated discs from a car accident 16yrs ago, that was supposed to require surgery but all is well without the surgery. My back problems definitely result in hip and knee issues for me, so I wouldn't be surprised if your knee pain came from your neck. Hugs and good luck!
I am very stiff in the morning too. I joke to my husband that I feel like i'm 90 when I get out of bed. I do a lot of stretches and have a hot shower. I usually feel a whole lot more limber after the shower. I would def ask the dr. about fybromyalgia since your shoulders and knees hurt all the time, and not just in the morning and see what he thinks.
It could be rheumatoid(spelling ?) arthritis. I got so sore after my twins were born that after a while aI could barely walk and just pulling covers over my body in bed hurt. I went to the doctors and blood test revealed I had rhumatoid arthritis i was 37. Just get checked, the medicine they give you will work (not immediately). It has been 11 years since my diagnosis and I live life normally every day.
I've been doing this stiff/achy thing for years, L., with shoulders, knees, ankles, and more recently wrists, fingers and hips. Some of it is arthritis in the spine (which I've come to associate with a 'burning' ache), some of it may be osteoarthritis in the joints, some of it may be some other chronic inflammatory condition that also affects muscle and tendon (my blood markers for inflammation have always been high).
What helps somewhat: Omega 3 oils, turmeric as a supplement, stretching, gentle massage, and changing what I'm doing as often as possible during the day (if I've been standing, I sit, if I've been sitting, I stand or walk, etc.). Chiropractic adjustments occasionally, and a few recommended excercises. Acupuncture has been somewhat comforting. Massage (I can't afford a professional, but my hunny has gotten pretty good) and alternating heat and cold packs may help.
There are also a topical cream that I've found to work on joints: Triflora Arthritis Gel by Boericke and Tafel, available in nutrition centers. Other creams are on the shelf, too, that may help, like Traumeel, MSM cream, Topricin – I've tried them all, and notice the most relief with Triflora.
Good luck. You're on the young side for developing chronic conditions, but it can happen. Take care of yourself so you can enjoy your next few decades more.
