I'm late to this discussion and I don't post too often, but what you described in your original post is how I was feeling for the longest time. From what you said, I'd say the nurse was very likely right. I had my first hip replaced on 2009 (at 54) and the other one this year (6 months ago). Here's what I was experiencing - does any of it sound familiar to you? * Pain in my thighs, especially towards the end of the day. The muscles were so sore and I could feel them twitching. * Sleeping was difficult, since I could not find a comfortable position. I even bought a new mattress, since I thought that was the problem. * There was occasional pain in my groin, best described as a knife twisted in there. :( * I lurched when I walked, and for someone who used to gracefully manage modern gymnastics, that was embarrassing. I had a physio consult and the physiotherapist told me what is so very logical, but what had not occurred to me, that a lot of the pain was due to muscles tired of trying to hold my body in a position where the pain was less. I've linked to the booklet I was given. There are some good exercises in there to do. And as for aches and pains in general. Yup, I have them. The worst is the arthritis in the base of my thumbs. Really aggravating! Rub A535 and Ben Gay are my best friends. :) Here is a link that might be useful: Exercises are on pages 7-12

Omg! All these sound like me! My body started aching everywhere in January. Along with hot flashes and night sweats. I tried hrt which made every thing swell in about 3 days. And I couldn't breath. Smile stopped. Progesterone cream, borage oil, maca root powder and now menopause took away moodiness, hot flashes and sweats. But now I ache like crazy. I workout 2x a day, eat a pescatarian diet and feel like I'm 80! Just bought glucosamine today. My doctors as given me 20 different tests and is stumped and that's annoying. Last week Lyme disease and valley fever. I've also gained 42 pounds, which makes me so uncomfortable. I'm so tired of this. It's nice to see others in the same situation. Although its sad.

EllenP123 , I have been mulling over what to post since I read the above last week. I am sure you did not intend it to be humerus but I laughed reading that you" went to bed 49 and woke up 100". I have been struggling with horrific leg pain for over two years. I daily think holy moly how in the world do people with chronic pain function.Although I have been dealing with my leg pain for months I am not going to categorized it as chronic. My first reaction to my leg pain was to see an ortho specialist who dx the leg pain as stress fractures since I had carried over 900 pieces of granite over a two week period. Yup I counted them. The M.D. gave me a few packets of celebrex that was given to him by the pharmaceutical sales rep. I told the Doctor I am allergic to Aleeve. Alleeve makes me swell and I gained five pounds after three doses. I was smart and had removed my wedding band . It took a good week to reduce the swelling since Alleve has a long half life. Those who are allergic to aleeve are recommended not to take celebrex. I questioned the Medical Doctor who assured me I was misinformed. I took one dose on the way home since the leg pain was horrific. Within two hours I was a mess. It felt as someone was squeezing my heart. I did not need to be hospitalized but monitored . I no longer take Motrin since this is a sister NSAID of celebrex and Aleeve. My point is there are some majorly hubris doctors out there who screw up at your expense. I have had a few nights where I cry cause the leg pain is horrible. No position soothes the ache . I have tried rest, aspirin, warm soaks, ice packs, massage therapy,accupuncture and a dose of darvocet . I came across a book a few years ago about how the body is aligned in two parts. While attempting to find a position to relieve the pain I massaged my toes, foot pad, achilles tendon, tibia ,fibula, knee,thigh, hip ,butt and lower back with a tennis ball. What I figured out is that the pain is in my knee area but when I massage the upper thigh and achilles the pain goes away. A few years a go I had tennis elbow from shoveling the driveway for five hours. When I massaged the shoulder blade and my pectoral muscle the elbow pain disappeared. Pain is not simple . One must identify the source. For me the pain is due to overused muscles and menopause. I am tiny but can llft 60 pounds with ease. If you gave me 62 lbs I balk. I think for some the pain we are experiencing is the lose of estrogen so our tendons get brittle. I too went to bed feeling great and awoke with the crippling pain. What i found that works is to take care of yourself. Take breaks when doing your chores. Swim. Stay active. Place down pillows under your hip and knees at night. Take calcium with magnesium DAILY eat bananas three times a week. The potassium helps with any cramps MAssage your legs from toes to butt with a rolling pin or tennis ball. Make sure you stretch the ham strings( the rear thigh leg muscles). So after two years of several medical visits, accupuncture treatments and masseuse visits for me I figured out what works for me. Some who go into menopause never experience leg pain whereas others are crippled. I was 45 when the periods stopped. My male ob gyn said this was impossible. Sorry but not everyone is a text book case. I have had some wonderful male physicians but at this point in my life I need someone who is informed on a women's life cycle. THe key is to enjoy life. Drink the coffee if it makes you feel good. You will need to experiment with your diet , and supplements. I found that black cohosh did squat. Eating the bananas and religiously taking my calcium with Mg helps. You are not alone. Pilates helped too!!!!!! My mind is racing since I need to get my chores done. A sip of wine at night helps some. For me a little rhum took the pain down a notch. My best solution is the stretcthing and staying active. I am still in pain at times but I can manage it.

It's a TV fictional show - NOT reality... you are giving it WAY too much credibility. BTW - I know MANY people who have learned to live with the pain. That is not unusual. It is a shame that you will not try anti-inflammatories for you pain....