WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for November, 1999: Post-partum joint pain

Post-partum joint pain

From: Susan (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 29 Nov 1999 21:03:05 -0600 (CST)

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Next message: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: left side pain/ovarian cysts?"
Previous message: Robin: "Re: Adhesions"
Next in thread: Kelly Shanahan, MD: "Re: Post-partum joint pain"
Reply: Kelly Shanahan, MD: "Re: Post-partum joint pain"

I will try to make a VERY long story short. I am 35 and had twins 11 weeks ago at 36 weeks gestation following numerous complications with my pregnancy and 8 weeks of bedrest, pre-term labor from 28 weeks until delivery (necessitating terbutaline, nifedipene and mag sulfate), questionable pre-eclampsia signs at 31 weeks (elevated creatinine levels which eventually decreased) and hydronephrosis of my left kidney at 35 weeks (believed to be caused by baby A sitting on my ureter -- CAT scan two days after delivery showed no stones and hydronephrosis almost entirely gone). The babies were delivered by c-section when kidney pain became unbearable. I breastfed both babies until 7 weeks, when I came down with mastitis. While taking Cipro for the mastitis, I began experiencing severe joint pain in my fingers, knees and elbows. My OB chalked it up to a side effect of the Cipro. Ten days after stopping the Cipro I saw my internist and she diagnosed my pain as tendonitis and prescribed Vioxx. The Vioxx helped but caused stomach pain, so I am now on Celebrex. The pain has now spread to my shoulders, wrists and ankles. The pain is worse when getting out of bed (which I do several times each night to care for the babies) and going down stairs. My internist ran blood work (CBC, thyroid panel, ANA, rheumatoid factor and sed rate) and all were normal except for the ANA (1:80). I have had ANA levels of 1:320 and 1:640 in the past (discovered during infertility work-up). Lupus anticoagulant and anti-DNA antibody tests taken two years ago were negative. My internist now wants me to see a rheumatologist, but I can't get in to one until February. I am very frightened and am trying to find some answers.

Is there such a thing as a post-partum syndrome which causes joint pain? Could it be hormonal or related to the kidney problems I had during my pregnancy? I am 5'1" and weigh 98 lbs. so the pregnancy took alot out of me. I lost all my pregnancy weight (26 lbs.) within 6 weeks after delivery, so that shouldn't be a factor.

In looking through the archives, I saw several posts which described joint pain as a side effect of Lupron. I was on a microdose of Lupron, as well as Gonal-f and progesterone IM injections during my infertility treatment. Could the small dosage of Lupron prior to my pregnancy have any connection now?

I am desperate for answers and hope someone can help me. Thanks so much.

Next message: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: left side pain/ovarian cysts?"
Previous message: Robin: "Re: Adhesions"
Next in thread: Kelly Shanahan, MD: "Re: Post-partum joint pain"
Reply: Kelly Shanahan, MD: "Re: Post-partum joint pain"

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