Aching legs in morning

joanlawson

Hi

I've got OA in my knees, one not too bad, but the other worse. I have been offered a TKR, but don't feel quite ready for it yet.

During the day, I am managing quite well as long as I don't rush around too much. But at the moment, my legs really ache from top to bottom when I wake up in the morning. Some mornings, I feel as though I've been run over by a bus, and not at all rested. It takes me ages to get myself going, but then later I seem OK.

I can't understand why my legs ache so much when I've been in bed all night. I wonder whether it is referred pain, and whether anyone else experiences this?

Joan

carol71

Joan, the pain you sescribe is what I seem to be experiencing in a morning but in my arms.
When I wake they feel like lead weights and I can hardly lift them.
I'm knew to all this so hopefully someone will be around soon who can advise us both why it happens.

Carol xxx

dachshund

Hello Joan.
i'm sorry you are in so much pain.
my legs ache from when i get up to when i go to bed the only way i can get relief is if i sit down it is worse if i stand and wash up or standing for a long time i had a mri scan that said i have a disc pressing on a nerve and arthritis in my spine and hips i have a ache across my back as well but when i went up the hospital he said they cannot do anything so he's booked me in for physio and the pain c i was so fed up with it this morning i phoned the doc and asked if i could have some naproxen as that has helped for so long.
i have had the ache for over 8 years i'm hoping the pain c can sort it out.
sorry to go on but i can understand
i have had my tkr for 6 years and my thr 16 years
take care joan xx

joanlawson

Hi Carol

Lead weights is just how I would describe the aching. Sorry to hear you've got it in your arms.

Hi Joan

You sound in worse pain than me, and it must be awful to have pain in your back. I hope the Naproxen works for you.

Joan

sharmaine

Joan

I also have OA in both knees one is worse that the other (like yourself). I'm like a robot most mornings and it takes my joints a while to warm up. I think I need a good 2 hours to get going! I find my joints are always stiff despite a night of sleep. I cannot stand in one place for any length of time or sit for too long either. I don't know about you come the evening I'm worn out. I try and have frequent rests otherwise I pay for it later. I overdid things today - felt ok so decided to hoover the house; polish etc. Now my back is aching and I'm tired. I missed my 4.00 pm lie down today!

How do you find getting up and down the stairs? It takes me ages to get up and its worse coming down. I use my stick and the bannister. I also find getting up from a sitting position hard.


Sharmaine

joanlawson

Hi Sharmaine

You and I sound to be in a simililar state. I have to do the housework in short bursts. Gone are the days when I could clean the house from top to bottom and still have the energy to do other things. Going up the stairs is slow progress as I go one step at a time, and the same coming down.

Have you had any surgery? I had arthroscopy last Dec. and was told that I would probably need a TKR, but I opted to wait for a while to see how I got on. Some days I think I should go for it, but then other days I think I can manage without. I'm not very brave about surgery, so can't decide.

This aching legs problem has only started recently, but is driving me mad at the moment.

Joan

sharmaine

Hi Joan

First surgeon I saw told me my worse knee was too bad to even consider arthroscopy and I would need a TKR on both knees. That was on 26 June. I have an appointment to see another specialist at the Fracture Clinic at Queen Anne's Hospital on 29 September. I expect I'll find out more then.

Finding it blooming hard to go shopping - it kills me. The energy it takes to drag my worse leg around with the aid of a stick is just hard work. I tend to go when I know things are quiet but can't go into the huge supermarkets - the flat surfaces make my joints throb with pain; my joints swell and I get stiff as a board - it's pure torture.

I've been frequenting the German supermarkets "A.di or Li.l" when its quiet. If I need anything from the big shops I send my husband off with a list or I shop online.

Like you I take the stairs one tread at a time. I feel as if I've climbed up a small mountain afterwards!

Sharmaine

elnafinn

Hi Joan

I am sorry to read that your legs are aching badly when you awake in the morning. Do you think it may be because you have been resting and your legs have become stiff through lack of movement. I find this. I wake up with aches and pains all over the place, varying from the legs, arm, shoulder, general aches and pains. I exercise in the mornings and have a shower and find both get me going and more ready to face the day.

I tend to get pain in my leg(s)/lower back at night and was told by a consultant, this is because my body is shutting down. So could well be the answer in the mornings, too, when the body has completely shut down, so to speak, for a number of hours.

I am sorry I cannot be of more help.

Love
Elna x

bertyboy

hi joan and others sorry to hear you are having a lot of pain , like you i have oa in both knees and get so much pain in the night and a lot of cramp with the slightist movement that runs the whole length of both legs , i amble around on crutches most days when out as i find my legs can buckle at times , they do give me a sense of security have been told i can go on the list for tkrs but at the moment have wimped out , but i now know my choice in jan when i see the consultant again , hope things ease of for you , i very often sit in the shower with hot and cold on my knees xx

sharmaine

Hi Elna

I agree - any period of inactivity makes means my legs stiffen up.
Someone else said it feels as if you're carrying around lead weights and that was a good description. I sometimes feel as if I'm carrying around a small person who won't let go of my leg!

I find having a warm bath at night helps me relax into sleep.

Sharmaine

dachshund

Hi everyone.
my legs ache from when i get up and then they get worse i get slower walking i carry on but i sit down more they also get heavy and are sore to touch.i live in a bunglow.
joan xx

elnafinn

Hi Sharmaine

Yep, when I have been sitting in front of this screen for a long time, I stagger about for a while, like I am drunk and I can assure you I am not.

Luv
Elna x

elnafinn

Hi Joan

I am sorry to hear that your legs ache most of the time. It is good that you live in a bungalow - makes life that much easier for you. Considering what you have to put up with, I think you do very well indeed. You are able to get out and about with your scooter and that is so good for one's own esteem. You also look after your little dog.

I do hope that the medical profession are doing their best for you. You deserve it.

Luv
Elna x

dachshund

Thank you elna.
i live with my twin sister who is in a wheelchair now
our parents said to us you were born like this so be happy an do what you want.
when we left school we wanted to have a horse so in the end we had a riding school for disabled children. now we just have the dogs.
joan xx

elnafinn

Dear Joan

I knew that you lived with your twin sister as you have mentioned this before. I believe your parents brought you both up with the right frame of mind. My word, you two have been determined in your time and I am sure that is what keeps you going now. It is a joy to read of your achievements - more than I have ever done!
You two are an inspiration.

Love and gentle hugs to you both and thank you for sharing more about yourselves, with us.

Elna x(())

bertyboy

wow joan what a wonderfull worth while thing to have done for the dissabled little ones , you should be very proud of your selves , xx

dachshund

Thank you Bertyboy.
yes it was lovely.when we go in to town we get people saying i know you dont i.
and we have the memories as well.
joan xx

dachshund

Hi Joan.
I'm sorry using your topic to go on about me.
i hope you get some relief soon.
joan xx

sharmaine

Hi Elna

:P This site is my lifeline and I know what you mean. My husband sometimes works from home and I love having the office to myself. After sitting here for an hour or so I'm just like you - stiff as a board and wonky.

I won't be on much longer as I need to cook. I'm doing something spicy this evening - chilli con carne and rice. Yum...!

Have a good weekend.

Sharmaine

vonski

Hi Joan

I'm stiff if I've slept in the same position all or most of the night, if I've had a restless night I'm still stiff but not half as bad.

Love
Vonski x

joanlawson

Hi all

Thank you for your replies. I think the pain is probably caused by stiffness after being in bed, but it seems to have got worse recently and it is taking me longer to get going in the morning. I catch sight of myself in the mirror in the bedroom, and I am quite shocked to see how badly I am walking.

I take Diclofenac and Paracetamol for the pain, and that does wotk quite well later in the day.

Joan

elnafinn

I have just realised there were two Joan's chatting on this thread - talk about complicating matters

Luv
Elna x

sharmaine

Hi Joan

You should go back to your GP. I take amytriptyline at night and this helps me immensley. At least I get a good nights sleep and that helps me to cope with the day. I look forward to going to bed now and feel better for it. I also take co-drydramol along with diclofenac.

Pain wears you out and a good nights sleep is very important.

Let us know how you get on.

With warmest regards
Sharmaine

joanlawson

elnafinn wrote:

I have just realised there were two Joan's chatting on this thread - talk about complicating matters

Luv
Elna x

Hi Elna

Yes it is a bit confusing sometimes. There is a Joanne, but we're the only two Joans I think.

Joan L

dachshund

Hello Joan.
I'm the one with the dachshund avatar.
we both have aching legs.
i have a dog and a scoota and a thr and a tkr and a twin sister.
how about you.
joan xx

joanlawson

Hi Joan

As well as the same name, we have the aching legs in common, which we could both do without !

I read your previous post about you and your twin sister. What a lovely thing to have achieved in your riding for the disabled school.

I am not a twin, but my children are twins (one of each sex)

Joan