Stiff and sore shoulders and hands when waking up?!
Question: My Mum is 73 and quite active, still goes swimming and so on. Recently she woke up in the morning with swollen and stiff hands which are very sore, this is also happening in her shoulders too. This came on overnight so we don't think it is rheumatics. The GP has given her anti-inflammatories for over two weeks and nothing is helping.
it goes off after about an hour, but she is struggling to do anything with her hands before that. Bless her she can't even get her dressing gown on, or get milk out of the fridge for her morning cuppa.
Anyone please know what it is? When is the doctor going to try something else. I feel like she has been fobbed off with the anti inflammatories. Help please, advice appreciated.
Answers: My Mum is 73 and quite active, still goes swimming and so on. Recently she woke up in the morning with swollen and stiff hands which are very sore, this is also happening in her shoulders too. This came on overnight so we don't think it is rheumatics. The GP has given her anti-inflammatories for over two weeks and nothing is helping.
it goes off after about an hour, but she is struggling to do anything with her hands before that. Bless her she can't even get her dressing gown on, or get milk out of the fridge for her morning cuppa.
Anyone please know what it is? When is the doctor going to try something else. I feel like she has been fobbed off with the anti inflammatories. Help please, advice appreciated.
Hi, I am not a Dr. yet but a final year student of Chiropractic. In no way should you take my opinion as an authoritative verdict of what you should or shouldn't do. Based on the information you have provided it is too vague to give a final diagnosis. Rheumatoid Arthritis should definitely be something you would want to get ruled out as it can be very disabling. typically RA presents at multiple joints especially the hands and feet, and/or can affect any other joint, shoulder too. your description of swelling/stiffness and delayed soreness of an hr or more after awaking, makes RA a very good possibility. if the fingers in the hand are angling to the side or look deformed RA is most likely advanced and medication is essential to prevent further disability. X-rays, and some blood tests - ESR, RF, ANA would be a good place to begin testing. if she happened to have a recent infection of any kind and the joints are/were swollen RED and HOT septic arthritis should be ruled out. Osteoarthritis OA at an advanced level can also be quite limiting, but typically morning stiffness resolves in less than an hr usually around 30min. I would recommend you to either go and speak to your GP and request further investigation as mentioned above or go see a rheumatologist (specialist in arthritis related conditions etc) who can determine the exact diagnosis. there are many more different types of arthritis that are possible and could be evaluated for if the above were ruled out. Glucosamine Sulphate with MSM and/or Chondroitin Sulphate (not well absorbed by us so has little effect when taken) is a good supplement for general joint health but not adequate for RA. research shows it to be at par or better than ibuprofen with long term usage effects typically seen in 8-12 weeks. 1000-1500mg/day is usually recommended but talk to your doctor before taking any medication and/or natural supplement. anti-inflamm (NSAIDS) are ok for an acute flare up if it helps but new research shows with long term usage it actually causes more cartilage damage and should not be part of therapy long term. i am not sure where you live but your mum can be co-managed for symptomatic relief if you have access to a chiropractor or a good physiotherapist that can help mobilise the joints and use some electric modalities and exercise to help with function. one more suggestion, its wonderful to hear about active 73 yr olds and swimming being a wonderful exercise with least stress on joints but at that age weight bearing exercises are a must and a walk for 20-30min /day is essential for good bone health as elderly suffer from Osteoporosis and fractures. if you have any questions or concerns please free to contact me, I am in north america and in exam mode so it might take a couple of days before I respond. best of luck to you and your mum and please remember no doctor or human being is perfect, things can be missed so if you are not getting the desired results it means it needs to be investigated further or you need to go see someone with more experience and knowledge. you can google and get a lot of information on the different types of arthritis, but please see a doctor and not self diagnose. sorry for the long post but proper communication is necessary.
aim only 37 but i went to the doctor on Tuesday of last week same systems. i have a frozen shoulder cant do anything in the morning but within 1-2- hours can move my arms fully . might be that. the doctor just gave me pain killers.
Please give your MOM Rose-hip capsules and Glucosamine + Condroitin it helps with the building of tissue including joints , ligaments and cartliages. Don't know what is wrong with DR's seems like they could not give a tickey about helping people anymore. I wish her well.:)
Don't let the doctor fob you off, go with her to the doctor and explain the med has not worked and your worried about whats happening to your mum, its sounds as is she can do with help in the morning getting dressed and having breakfast made for her, so ask your doctor to have social services come in to see if they can provide help for her, Good Luck