Sudden Onset of Joint Stiffness

bluescluesluver

New member
Three months ago, one morning I woke with stiffness in almost every joint in my body. I am female, 60, in very good health. I ride horses...alot. Sometimes I can be stiff in lower legs/hips and shoulders when I miss riding more than 2 weeks or so and then ride. This new stiffness is nothing like that. Now, I wake, joints stiff, hands can't even make a fist. I get up and by the time I walk just a few minutes, the stiffness is just about gone. I am stiff during the day when I sit for more than 5 or 10 minutes, same thing...gone in about 2-3 minutes upon moving. At one time, I felt my jaw stiffen as well. I can still do just about everything physical with no stiffness during the day (even ride at speed over rough terrain for hours w/no stiffness). Only when I stop moving for extended periods am I stiff. My hands show minor swelling and the finger joints have gotten enlarged...probably because I overdo with them for this hobby.

OK. I called my doctor immediately when this first occurred. She tested me for RA and Lyme Disease - negative to both. She blew me off, saying that we baby boomers keep over using our bodies into our older years and then are surprised when they can't keep up and are stiff. Said to take Tylenol daily for stiffness.

Is that it??? When you get to be 60, your body starts getting stiff all of a sudden and continues to be stiff anytime you aren't moving???

I have taken Osteo Bi Flex for years. In October, I began a new formula w/5 Loxin (Indian Frankensense--not FDA approved). A week ago I stopped with the new formula and used only CVS's match for the older Osteo Bi Flex WITHOUT 5 Loxin. Nothing has changed yet. Same stiffness.

Anyone have any ideas? I am scheduling an appointment with a sports medicine doctor in the hopes I will get some information. I can live with the stiffness...IF I KNOW THAT IT IS JUST OLD AGE!! It does not hurt. I just don't want to miss a condition that would respond to treatment!

Thanks!
 
I really don't think that when you raech sixty your body starts to stiffen up...many of my friends are in their sixties and my mum way over all with no problems at all...My blood tests for RA took several attempts before they came back with the answer. One blood test is not enough.
 
Thanks for your response! I stopped all meds about a year ago. Saw a Osteopathic Doc today and we are looking at nutrition. He feels I may have some inflammation that has not been identified. I may have to have additional bloodwork to get closer to an answer. No one thinks this is just "old" age...
 
Thanks! I'm working with other doctors to try to figure out why this has happened. Luckily, I can continue to do the things I want - I just can't stay still too long!!
 
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