Stiffness in the Morning Makes a New Day Terrible

By Vickie Wilkerson

2 min read

Years’ worth of psoriatic arthritis pain can take a toll on even the strongest of people. Sometimes you simply want to stay in bed all day. That said, even staying in bed can come with its own level of pain after a while.

It’s no wonder that most of us that deal with psoriatic arthritis do not get good sleep. The endless shifting from side to side because of hip or shoulder pain means that a recommended eight hours of sleep will not happen. The never-ending cycle is relentless and then the alarm goes off.

Are you a morning person?

I will admit that I have never been a morning person. The coffee pots that I purchased through the years have always had a timer on them. That little function allows the coffee to already be made before my feet even hit the floor. Even when my children were little they were taught not to ask anything of mom until I had that first cup of coffee.

It is sad but true that they would even tell their friends who stayed over the rule for the morning. As I said I am not a morning person. What I am is a person who knows her faults so this is how I chose to start my mornings. Did you notice I used the word “chose” there as in past tense? This was before my journey with psoriatic arthritis started.

For seven years now I have been living with psoriatic arthritis. I absolutely loathe the sound of an alarm going off in the morning. My husband gets up at 5 AM to leave the house by 6 AM for his job. I get up with him so that I can make his lunch for that day before I have coffee.

I realize I do not have to do such and he would be the first person to tell you so. He understands on those rare days when I tell him I just can’t do it that day. Sometimes we just have to listen to our body and take care of ourselves first. It literally took me years to learn that.

Learning things the hard way with psoriatic arthritis

Sometimes I am so stiff that just trying to rise up from the bed is a chore. Just putting my feet on the floor can send what feels like an earthquake resonating through my body. Does that sound overdramatic? I wish it was. There are days it will take me at least two hours to start functioning at somewhat of an ideal level.

There are so many things I have learned during this journey living with psoriatic arthritis. Most of those things I have had to learn the hard way on my own. Looking back over the years I cannot think of one time that anyone, especially coming from a doctor, ever told me to be prepared for the stiffness that will come in the morning.

I wish I had been forewarned about the stiffness PsA creates but then again I guess I don’t either. Hopefully, you understand what I mean when I say stiffness can be overwhelming.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Psoriatic-Arthritis.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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dmcclellan Member
All medics maintain both Security/Red Alert due pain in my upper right lobe, with pain from ASPX, PsD, and Fibromyalgia
phoenix Member
The morning is the worst part of my day. Instead of feeling rested, I always wake up hurting all over, and wait for my meds to kick in before I can function. The day usually improves from there, with my best hours of feeling good between 1 and 5 PM. That is when I try to plan to get things done.
Mary Lynn Member
 Oh Vickie, the morning pain and stiffness is the worst! Thank you for giving it a voice. When my back flared up this fall, I was near tears many mornings just trying to shower and dress. I read a tip to keep pain medication and a small snack at the bedside table. On tough days, I will take something for pain with a granola bar at 6:00 AM so that by 7:00, I can move a bit easier. Less tearful mornings and I don't lurch around the house like the bride of Frankenstein for hours. And I'm with ya'...NOT a morning person! Please steer clear of me before I've had some quiet and coffee. That you make your husband's lunch before your coffee and his understanding of the days that you aren't able speaks to the power of love and support with PsA! 
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 What a smart idea to take the pain pills before getting up, <inline-mention username="Mary Lynn" user-id="4513411"/>. That must make a huge difference in the quality of your day. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
CommunityMember137 Member
<inline-mention username="Lori.Foster" user-id="3297576"/> <inline-mention username="Mary Lynn" user-id="4513411"/> <inline-mention username="phoenix" user-id="3304884"/> Can anyone speak to the medications that they use for their PSA? Ive been under the care of a Pain Clinic doctor for two years for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis. I suffered from a reaction to two COVID vaccinations, shoulder surgery, and grief from loss of a son, which manifested itself as these autoimmune disorders. My pain and weakness overwhelmed me. I’m receiving Remicade infusions and methotrexate, as well as low dose of hydrocodone. 
1. Texasaaa Member
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember137" user-id="4666085"/> if you are already under the care of a pain doctor I don’t see how I could get any better than that. My pain doctor has me on hydrocodone. Occasionally I take 2 ibuprofen in the morning when I take my hydrocodone to help me get started. It’s probably not healthy for me but I take an energy shot with it. Also that gets me going. What are you taking?
2. Jocie New Mexico Member
 <inline-mention username="Texasaaa" user-id="6617071"/> I cannot take NSAIDS (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) because I also have ulcerative colitis that is now in remission and GERD. My pain clinic doctor has prescribed 2 pills of hydrocodone of 7.5 mg per pill. I take one every night and cut the other pill in half for use during the day and take those half pills if I need them. Most days I don’t need the half pills during the day unless I’ve walked too much or climbed stairs. (My original dosage was one 7.5 mg pill every 4-6 hours.) He also prescribed Tizanidine, a muscle relaxant to help with low back spasms. I only take one a day as needed. I don’t need them unless I overdo. My rheumatologist didn’t want me to use anything for pain but I explained to him that I was going to have a breakdown and a flare up of my ulcerative colitis if I didn’t get relief. And Im always concerned about the dependency issue. As you know, pain clinics require a urine test each month to confirm that I use my medication responsibly. I’m not advocating that others follow my path. Each person has to weigh the pros and the cons with their doctor’s advice. In the past, I’ve had low back, hips, knees, hand, and shoulder injections of steroids. They have helped for 3-6 months. One orthopedist said to use CBD oil. I tried that but it doesn’t get me through the night, and I don’t like how it made me feel the morning after. I’ve had shoulder surgery to remove debris from osteoarthritis. I’m scheduled for right knee replacement in July. The surgeries will only take care of some of my pain because I also have fibromyalgia and disc problems. The rheumatologist has me on a biologic, Remicade, which reduces the inflammation markers and that has reduced the volume and intensity of the pain. I also use a TENS unit on knees, hip, low back, and shoulders. That gives me some relief as I wait for the hydrocodone to kick in.
Martha B Member
One of the first questions my first rheumatologist ask me was how long it took me to get going in the mornings. I sheepishly said 2 hours, she said, it takes some people a half of a day.
1. Jocie New Mexico Member
 <inline-mention username="Martha B" user-id="3299234"/> Me too. Don’t be reluctant to tell your doc how you really feel. That’s the only way you’ll get the help you need. I try to get moving during the day as much as I can safely and comfortably. Some days, I don’t have the energy to get out of bed, but I make myself and actually feel better.
rivlet2017 Member
This is so true! Some nights, despite being so tired, I dread going to bed because I know what the night will be like.... tossing and turning from hip and joint pain and never finding a comfortable position.
1. Jocie New Mexico Member
 I used to be like that and understand how awful that feels. I’ve had osteoarthritis since I was 35 years old. I’m 70 now and am thankful to be under the care of a rheumatologist, gastroenterologist, and a pain clinic. I use a TENS unit from Amazon for the pain in low back, hips, and knees that the prescription meds sometimes don’t cover. 
2. rivlet2017 Member
 <inline-mention username="Jocie New Mexico" user-id="4193431"/> I'm 78; this has been getting progressively worse since I was 50. It's very difficult to find a medical team to coordinate care. Getting old is not for the faint-hearted!
Jennyb06 Member
I've recently been diagnosed with psa after 10 months of trying to find out what was wrong. After steroid shots, mri, xrays and physical therepy with no relief, I thought i was crazy and just imagining the pain-UNTIL- my visit with a rheumatologist and he assured me that i wasn't crazy and gave me the diagnosis. I'm a nurse but had never heard of PsA but my eyes have been opened. I have hashimotos and the stress of caring for my elderly father, working full time and trying to maintain my marriage finally took its toll. I'm currently on Voltaren ec twice a day and Robaxin 3 times daily. I take a Zanaflex at night and arthritis strength tylenol In the morning and night. I sometimes take a nerve pill because of the anxiety just to help me sleep. Hot soaks in the tub are a nightly routine. I've been started on humira for a couple of months and I'm noticing the pain is not as severe as it has been. Each day is a new adventure in this "new norm". You try not to dwell on the pain , because realistically, people dont want to hear about it and i dont want to be "that person" that sucks the wind out of a room. I'm learning that pain is now a very real part of my everyday life. Thank goodness for epsom salts and tens units! Lol....just turned 60- getting old ain't for sissies!
Amy68 Member
I've always been a morning person, until I wasn't, and it's been hard to accept. Prior to all of this, I bounced out of bed at first light and tackled the day with enthusiasm and energy. I miss that. This USED to be when I got my best writing done, could tackle the more complicated parts of my job, and was my most productive. Now, while I don't have as much excruciating pain as many of you do in the mornings, it still hurts and I can't seem to wake my brain up. I still wake up at first light (most days) but I don't feel rested, I'm stiff and sore, and most days I lay there for an hour or so working up the energy to get up and get moving. On the really bad days I try to work my joints while still lying down to ease the stiffness - sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't. But there are things I HAVE to do in the morning - let the chickens out of their coop, let the pup out, feed all the animals and give them fresh water. Go to the bathroom. Things that just can't wait, so I have no choice but to get up and move. And I'm a surly, grouchy beast while I'm doing so. After the animals have been tended, I make my bed, fix my caffeine (and thank all that's holy I'm able to consume it without dire consequences), then tend to other small household chores until the stiffness and soreness eases, then go to my desk. And still it takes me a couple hours of mindless tasks before my brain really engages. I respond to simple emails, do miscellaneous filing, update my calendar, or some days just play solitaire until logical thoughts begin to form. I don't know that the morning stiffness/soreness is related to that morning brain fog, but they both started around the same time. I've also started paying attention to my sleep cycles. I do best with around seven hours of sleep, but I also wake up at first light, regardless of what time that I go to bed. Luckily, I'm self-employed, so I CAN get up naturally without having to set an alarm and during the part of the year when it stays dark until nearly 8 a.m., I just work later in the afternoon. But I now go to bed about seven hours before sunup and I've found that I sleep better and feel more rested (not "well rested" but more rested). I'm also going to buy a programmable thermostat so I can sleep with the house cooler at night, but it's at a comfortable daytime temp when I wake up. I can't stand sleeping hot, but I also can't stand waking up cold. Hopefully this will help that morning stiffness too. 
1. Vickie Wilkerson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Amy68" user-id="6765940"/> I used to have a small farm as well. It is a lot of work but your right the animals don't understand our pain or stiffness. I know my sleep cycle is not great and very seldom do I get 7 hours of sleep. Sounds like I might need to keep a sleep diary. Thanks for responding. Vickie W., Team Member
2. Amy68 Member
 I'm going to start keeping one again. For the past two weeks, I've been waking up between 3 - 4 a.m., for no apparent reason. And it's catching up with me. Don't know if it was because I was on a round of prednisone, or if something else is throwing me off. I hope you can get your sleep cycle figured out so you get more rest Vickie. I'd love to hear more about your farm, too!
AussieLady Member
I know exactly how it feels to have stiffness, pain and lack of sleep. I also have stiffness where I loose several hours of funcional ability in the mornings. Fortunately it is not everyday, however it can go on for weeks. I do gentle stretching exercises while still in bed and this helps a little. Tossing from side to side with hip pain wakes me and I can't remember the last time I had a good nights sleep. I often get up to go to the toilet and depending on what time it is I will put an electric heater on Right now it is winter in my part of the world.. I take two Paracetamol and a couple of drops of a special oil that comes from the Netherlands. Then once the pain eases I can usually get a couple of hours sleep. So before I get out of bed I massage my hips and I do some gentle stretching while still in a warm bed. Rolling over and sitting up to get out of bed can be difficult but I can't lay there as I need to move. As much as I would like to stay and lay in bed laying in bed, laying there too makes the pain and stiffness worse. I have to get up and out of bed, and move. I use my walking stick and the room is warm and I put on a warm dressing gown and something warm on my feet either UGG Boots of wool lined slippers or hand made wool house socks. I use a long handled shoe horn and an aid to get socks on my feet.

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