Yes, absolutely understand the pain you're describing. I can't recall if you took Lupron/Depo injections? If so, the long term effects are DEVASTATING to bone density and cause extreme bone loss (in my case). I hope you find some answers through the rheumatologist, although a plethora of "new" treatments out there, BEWARE. Anti-inflammatories, though effective for joint pain, caused bleeding ulcers for me. The saga, unfortunately continues in this garbage bag of a body that has betrayed me=(

My friend had her baby back in Nov. and she had a lot of problems with all of her joints, but especially her fingers and the one knee. She had to stop knitting because her hands hurt her. She's also fatigued a lot. That's one of the reason I went to stay with her for a couple of weeks, to help her out with the new baby and her hubby being away.

Her doctor told her it was from the fluid she gained during her pregnancy. It has gotten better for her. She flexes her hands a lot, and she'll flinch sometimes when she has to walk up the stairs. But she told me the aching and stiffness is getting better.

Have you had any blood tests? Maybe you need to check your iron and vitamin B12.

Thanks, nope I never took Lupron but I did do a few Depo shots years, years, years ago. Only a couple times, almost 20 years ago. Could that still be a potential cause? hmmm...

curious, could you tell me more about the anti-inflamatories?

thanks Poisoned! True, could still be hormones and fluids adjusting. I'm still losing some of the baby weight too...grrrr.

I am getting a bunch of tests done. Definitely will ask if iron and B12 are in the ones the doc ordered.

Hi again...PA is correct in that you should have iron and B12 checked...Perhaps vitamin D too? Low numbers with any of the 3 will make you feel achy and stiff. A blood draw with chem panel will be all telling, hopefully.

Anti-inflammatory meds are often called arthritis meds. My ortho insisted back in September that I take Voltaren to reduce joint swelling. I cried to her that I feared ulcers. She insisted I was being non-compliant, so I agreed to take it. Well, it was me (not her) that got what? (bleeding ulcers as predicted) Of course you have OTC anti-inflammatory meds like Advil and Aleve, which are also hard on the tummy if taken long term.

FWIW my advice would be to follow through with rheumatologist and nip this in the bud. It may be just your body adjusting post-baby, but at least you'll know where you stand (or limp)

HUGS~~~Pup

I just wnat to say I completely can relate!!!

I stopped breastfeeding after 6 months and my endo came back soon after. My joint pain started before I became pregnant, but it got worse after I had my daughter.

I too was tested for rheumatoid issues as everything pointed in that direction, but everything came back negative. Like you, I get flare ups that are definitely worse before my period. A day or two before my period I sometimes find it difficult to walk upstairs or sometimes stand and do the dishes. I have never been on Lupron or Depo.

My doctor told me that it could simply be hormone fluctuations which is why it was definitely worse right after breastfeeding.
If my pain gets bad I usually have to take Naproxen... if that does not help I sometimes have to take Toradol or Norco (but that's rare). But like SpeckledPup said I have to be careful with the Naproxen because it irritates my stomach after a while. Thankfully I usually only have to take it for a few days because the pain goes away a day or two after my period starts.

Hope you get the answers you need. Feel free to message me if you have more questions, but I can definitely relate.

I have wondered if i need to get tested for rheumatoid usdues too. My hands hurt and get sore so easy. I would think it would make sense because endo and these joint and mucle problems are all the result of an overactive inflamatory response. Allergies i think are in that same family too.

I hurt all over too....was tested for RA and Lupus....those tests came back fine....Though the lupus ones are close to the numbers needed for lupus diagnosis. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. (I did do lupron....and depo provera....and when I'm on depo provera now my pain gets much worse)

I'm curious about this as I am currently three rounds into Lupron and i have awful joint pain, along my entire back, shoulders, elbows and knees. along with all the other side effects. My doctors tested me for rheumatoid arthritis as well as Lupus, both tests came back negative, and a recent ultrasound looked clear as well. I had a lap surgery back in april, but have had no relief from that and the Lupron has not provided pain relief either.
I'm willing to give the lupron the full 6 months, as long as im not doing more damage by taking it. obviously nobody can answer that... just update if you get any further information?