Ageing, menopause or something else?

[tiredandgrumpy]

I'm fit, healthy and active, but starting to really feel my age and more. I get very achey - so much so that I struggle to get moving & hobble to get up. My feet ache in the mornings too. GP says it's just normal wear and tear, which is really depressing as that means it can only get worse. I'm only 48, so hate to imagine how I'll be in 20 years' time. Another thought is it could be peri menopause.
Has anyone any suggestions, or tips for what might help?

I am also far more windy these days. Far worse than I used to be. Again, I've been told that our guts get less efficient as we age. It's embarrassing. What can I do to make things better?

I hate getting older. Can cope with grey hairs and wrinkles, but the thought of living like this fit the rest of my life is really depressing.

[IDidntChoseThePondLife]

Yes - it is menopause - get thee to the menopause board!

You might start having problems sleeping too... there are so many thrilling symptoms!

[baldisbeautiful]

I felt like this from my early forties and went back and forth to the gp several times over the course of seven years, blood tests showed nothing so it was presumed I was peri menopausal and I basically had to get on with it. Was eventually diagnosed with Addison's disease when I ended up in a and e after a bout of norovirus. I was given a leaflet with a list of the symptoms and basically could have ticked every one just about (particularly the dizziness/hypertension and bowel discomfort, but mainly feeling like a 100 year old when getting out of bed in the morning ) xx

[tiredandgrumpy]

Wow! Thanks! I'll google Addisons. If it's menopause then I guess there's hope because it's only a phase, right?

[IDidntChoseThePondLife]

And there’s HRT too - wonderful stuff.

[jalopy]

I used to hobble first thing in the morning with achey feet. It settled down eventually but was definitely a menopause problem. One of many.

[Ohffs66]

Oh Lord the last few weeks I've been waking up with achey feet too! I've been feeling shit in the morning for several months, no matter how much sleep / exercise / alcohol / sugar / vegetables I do or don't have I wake up every day feeling hungover and lethargic. I'm 47.

[tiredandgrumpy]

Can I blame wind on the menopause too or is that here to stay?

[IDidntChoseThePondLife]

Do you remember the ads for "slow digestive transit' and deflatine, all with very elegant ladies of a certain age? I think it definitely is a symptom. Have a look here and maybe start listening to these and get yourself informed. I think most of the symptoms are treatable, but you will need to do some research and also find a good doctor.
Good luck!

[dontdisturbmenow]

Check you but D levels. Often reduced during the menopause and a common cause of achy muscles.

[acocadochocolate]

Hi OP...... you poor thing, that doesn't sound right (I'm in my 50s). Please go back to your GP - ideallly a different one. Now is a good time because GPs are quieter than usual. I spoke to my GP today at some length. She told me that she has not been busy and we actually had a bit of chat.

[Defenestratethecat]

Oh god............ I hit menopause with a vengeance at 50 - went from being healthy, active, cheerful to feeling as if I'd been hit by a truck. Ankles seize up overnight, neck muscles atrophy, 40 plus hot flushes a day, weight gain, tired ALL the time etc etc. Went on HRT and felt much better. Decided during lockdown to come off the HRT after about 4 years and am finally giving in today and restarting again after 3 months of feeling crap. Do speak to your GP (in our practice the women GPs are a lot better menopause than the men ). There is plenty you can do to help.

[Xylophonics]

Am a couple of years older than you at 51. Certainly have the aching and also the windiness at times.

No periods since January and since lockdown temp regulation has gone up the spout. Weird sweats that affect my head and neck.

In the past I've tried the (female) GP but she was not at all positive about HRT. Said I was too young at 48/49.

[lljkk]

Feet sounds like plantar fascitis. it's common among MNers.

Let us know if taking HRT fixes absolutely everything including the sore feet.

[EasternDailyStress]

I'm early 50s and have lots of aches and pains, despite being very active. I wake up feeling very stiff, and hobble around a bit for while. Also, getting up from sitting is a bit painful at times.

Mine has been diagnosed as osteoarthritis, and there's not really much that can be done. It might be this?