Sore joints?

[OllyBJolly]

When do you consult the GP?

I am experiencing joint pain - specifically ankles, knees, hands and elbows after any periods of inactivity. It's particularly bad in the morning, and if I've been sitting at my laptop. It goes away quite quickly once I move about so I don't feel it's worth going to a doctor.

I've researched enough to be convinced it's menopause related, but can't find information on whether it's permanent, whether I should take anything etc etc.

Been having hot flushes for years (maybe 6/7), no periods for 2 years. No other symptoms. Lost appetite if anything so no weight gain.

[pinkfrocks]

The only point in seeing your dr is if you want to be prescribed treatment- which would be HRT. Unless there is a history of osteoarthritis in your family- in which case you ought to be assessed for this in case that's what is going on.

If it's just 'stiff joints' that lots of people get as they age, then something like fish oils, cod liver oil and regular exercise might help.

[OllyBJolly]

Thanks, Pink.

I do take Cod Liver Oil and I'm reasonably active -probably 2 hours a day walking (only because I have a large dog!) and at least 2 hours swimming weekly. There is a lot of arthritis in the family - never thought of that.

I don't particularly want HRT because other than the sweats and sore joints I'm absolutely great (so unwilling to mess with that).

[wonderingstar01]

This is so interesting as I too have had a similar problem for 2 years of not being able to walk some days, terrible joint stiffness and muscle spasms. I've been to the doctors who say I have pulled a muscle, I've been to the physio who says I have tight muscles and prescribed stretches, my chiropractor says I have an inflamed nerve and the osteopath said there's nothing wrong with me. I've had my bloods done for signs of arthritis including fybromyalgia and they come back clear. My periods have just stopped and I have terrible memory loss. Perhaps it is hormone related and maybe a course of HRT would help. Good luck.

[RoaringForties]

I'm having this problem too, really painful especially my angels toes and fingers. It's got much worse since my periods stopped. I've started taking glucosamine, too early to say if it's helping.

[DayLillie]

I had tests for arthritis and it came up with low vit D.

Six weeks of 25ug D3 made a lot of difference. I am still taking them, because it comes back after a week otherwise. Waiting for the sun.

Also trying hrt now, and fish oils and vit Bs.

[TheGingerTree]

Very interesting DayLillie.

I have been suffering with a very stiff and achey right ankle in the mornings. I started taking very high vitamin D3 about 2 months ago (for something else) and have just realised that my ankle hasn't hurt for weeks!

[TheOldWiseOne]

I had this before I went on HRT ( nightmare) then even worse after I went off it. The GP did every test in the book for markers for things like osteoarthritis and so many other things and all came back negative. Of course he did not do a hormone test..he eventually referred me to a menopause clinic but this had gone on for so long - 6 months - that I saw a doctor privately and was back on HRT in less than a week. In less than 10 days I was back to my old self. Obviously it is difficult to say how " bad" it is in words but I was unable to sleep for more than 2 hours at a time at night, tossing and turning, walking like I was 85 and after sitting in the car or at the cinema unable to walk for a minute or so until I got going. It felt like my ankles wouldn't support me - sounds crazy I know.
Anyhow at 59 I am back at 3/4 classes a week and feel great.