Unexplained infertility, unexplained Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), unexplained bowel problems – aka Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the bucket for all unknown bowel problems. Now I'm potentially facing unexplained joint pain and stiffness…I really hope that doesn't become the case, because I'm going to be pissed if I don't get answers!
Today I went to the doctor's because I have been experiencing progressively worse joint pain and stiffness for the past 4 months or so. A couple of months ago at my annual medical exam I mentioned that I had been experiencing numbness and tingling in my hands and feet. My doc said it was probably carpal tunnel syndrome, it's not uncommon after pregnancy as the body changes shape to experience this. She told me to try ibuprofen and if that didn't make a difference to come back and see her. I tried the ibuprofen and it didn't work. Without any sign of improvement I decided it was time to go back.
I wake up in the mornings stiff and sore in my hands, feet and more recently, my knees. It's most painful in my hands and it takes about 10 minutes or so to warm my joints up to move properly. I get out of bed and hobble as if I'm an old person. It's not getting better, in fact I say it's just getting worse as I feel sore from it during the day now. This week my little finger on my left hand locked stiff after waking up, it only lasted a few moments. But still, that's pretty freaky. I don't dare pick up Aviana as soon as I've woken up in case I were to drop her, in fact I probably wouldn't be able to lift her anyway.
The doctor thinks it is probably postpartum related because I'm breastfeeding still and my periods haven't returned yet. She's running some tests to rule out other things like Rheumatoid Arthritis, but because I don't have other symptoms she doesn't think it will be that. That would suck a lot if I have that.
Whatever it is I really hope they figure out what's going on because I am BORED of doctors not being able to tell me why I get this crap!!
The Inconceivable Adventures of Parenthood 
Well that all just sucks. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. I hope that they can figure out what’s going on and get you feeling better soon!
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Thanks! Yes…it sucks, I’m bored of it 😔
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Totally sympathise. I have IBS, it disappeared when I was pregnant. I always thought it was stress/food triggered and now it’s back with avengance. They don’t seem to have any interest in diagnosing the problem, I was just told to take Imodium as and when necessary. I also have post pregnancy carpel tunnel, I get really bad pins and needles in my hands and feet. It really does suck. The only thing that seems to help with it is drinking tonic water.
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My IBS symptoms reduced significantly too during pregnancy! My brother was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease so I went to get tested for it, my doc asked if I wanted a referral to the GI specialist, so I went along to see what new research there is on IBS (I was diagnosed almost 15 years ago!). There is a new anti-bacterial drug designed for IBS-D patients, you take it for two weeks and it lasts for several months. I thought hey why not give it a go! So I picked up the prescription and it was $1600!!!! I thought my IBS is not worth that every several months, so decided not to even try it. But I did start taking some probiotics daily the GI recommended and it has helped a bit, but not resolved it completely.
boooo to carpal tunnel 😔
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That sounds like a pain to be dealing with. I hope you get some answers!
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Thanks I really hope so!!!!
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My! What you have sounds exactly like what I had after pregnancy! I was worried to hell since I was home alone all day with my kids and I couldn’t move my fingers as soon as I woke up!
My Dr told me its the relaxin getting out of the system (takes close to 8-10 months apparently) and of course good ol’ age.. (You know, pregnant at 38, joints will be stiffer etc sounds like their standard template for any joint pain post pregnancy). X-rays and blood tests gave me no answers, so I marched my ass to the Physiotherapist and he helped!
I hope yours is similar to mine too, because Arthritis is scary when you have small babies!
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It would be awesome if this is postpartum related! You give me hope! I’d happily see a physio instead of take drugs any day!! When did it start to go away?
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Took me close to 10-12 physio visits to get some relief. I still get the occasional elbow pain, but its not so severe and almost only around my periods.
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This sounds miserable. Hope you get it sorted soon!x
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Yikes! I’m sorry, I hope you have some answers soon.
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Ugh…I am sorry friend! There’s a few things in my areas all I use for joint pain (arthritis runs rampant on my Mom’s side). Pan away, peppermint and copaiba (all in YL starter kit) and then agilease which is a supplement from YL that supports joint health. I hope you get the answers you’re looking for!
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