Hello,
I understand how distressing it is to see your mother in such constant pain — especially when daily activities become difficult despite ongoing treatment. Based on your description, this doesn’t sound like a simple orthopedic problem alone. Given her
diabetes,
kidney issues, and generalized joint pain, we need to think deeper about systemic or inflammatory causes rather than just wear-and-tear arthritis.
What could be going on:
Here are the most common possibilities in such a presentation:
1. Diabetic-related joint and nerve issues:
Chronic diabetes can cause joint stiffness (diabetic cheiroarthropathy) and nerve pain that mimic arthritis.
2. Inflammatory arthritis (like Rheumatoid arthritis or Polymyalgia rheumatica):
When multiple small and large joints hurt daily and are stiff in the morning, we must check for autoimmune causes.
3.
Vitamin D or
B12 deficiency:
Severe deficiency can cause muscle/joint pain, weakness, and fatigue, common in middle-aged women.
4. Post-menopausal hormonal changes:
After 45–50 years, estrogen levels fall, which affects joint and bone health.
5. Renal (kidney-related) inflammation:
Some medications or metabolic imbalances in kidney disease worsen joint pains and inflammation.
What you should do next (don’t delay this):
Please get these investigations done — they’ll guide us precisely:
CBC, ESR,
CRP (to check inflammation)
RA factor and Anti-CCP antibody (to rule out rheumatoid arthritis)
Serum
Uric acid
Vitamin D3 and
Vitamin B12 levels
Serum
Creatinine, eGFR (for kidney status)
HbA1c (to assess diabetes control)
If inflammatory arthritis is confirmed, starting the correct disease-modifying medicines (DMARDs) early can completely change her life — pain can reduce drastically within weeks when properly managed.
In the meantime (symptomatic relief):
Continue diabetic medicines regularly.
Avoid painkillers like ibuprofen or diclofenac if her kidneys are weak — they can worsen kidney function.
Safer short-term options: Tab. Paracetamol 650 mg as needed (max 3 times/day).
You can also use warm compresses and gentle range-of-motion exercises daily.
Vitamin D3 supplement (60,000 IU weekly) for 8 weeks, then once monthly, can often help if levels are low.
Final advice:
Your mother’s condition is treatable — she doesn’t have to live like this.
But continuing random painkillers or orthopedic visits without pinpointing the cause will just delay proper management.
She needs a joint pain work-up + diabetic and kidney-safe medication plan tailored to her.
I can personally help you analyze her reports, design a step-by-step plan, and suggest which medicines or supplements are safest for her kidney and diabetes profile.
You can message me privately on WhatsApp at nine three two six zero two zero five three six — I’ll review her details and guide you with a clear plan to reduce her pain effectively.