Can we talk about sciatica and other menopausal symptoms?

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i have always been in very good health. Slim, active, no issues. But I think I have been peri menopausal for a while and suddenly feel a bit like my body is falling apart!

My main issue is constant exhaustion. Being tired is not new to me, as a working lone parent. But this is something new. It’s more of a physical exhaustion. Not only that but I have started getting this dull ache down my legs (one side more than other) which I think must be sciatica. It’s
not a sharp pain - more of a dull ache. I can feel it in my heels when standing up and back of my legs and buttocks. Does that sound right? I sit down a lot (office type job in front of computer for hours) so I wonder if that has cause it. Although standing and walking doesn’t seem to make it feel better.

I went to the physio about a sore knee recently. She said peri-menopause can affect any joint.

It might be worth seeing a private physio if you can afford it.

Try vitamin B and iron for the physical exhaustion.

Get yourself onto hrt if you're getting brain fog/exhaustion/insomnia. It sorted mine out almost instantly (I had such bad insomnia I was close to suicidal). I've had sciatica on and off for ages so it's not linked to menopause in my case, but sitting for long periods particularly driving, makes it worse.

I've had chronic pain issues from peri menopause including sciatic pain. Mine ended up being completely debilitating to the point that if I have a flare up now I wonder how I even survived being a working mum in that amount of pain. I also experience the physical exhaustion.

I'm on HRT the first week of taking it literally changed my life. I still have symptoms but nothing like I was living with.

Also second seeing a physio as much as you can afford, helps so much! I recently had plantar fasciitis and physio was snacking although ultimately what eased it was increasing my oestrogen dose!

Amazing, not snacking!

Thank you very much for your responses. Sounds like I need some HRT, some iron and probably some exercise (once I overcome the exhaustion ).

it’s really impacting my life at the moment. I used to be able to juggle a demanding job and running the house etc but now I frequently feel really overwhelmed. The joys of being a middle aged woman.

Just want to say, hrt does not work for everyone, done absolutely nothing for my exhaustion.

I would get all your vitamins checked.

Don't let your doctor fob you off with regards to hrt - if they try to, have a look at the menopause board on here where you will get loads of good advice. Vitamin D can also help with tiredness, especially at this time of year.

Before you diagnose yourself, get checked out. It could be something else. Low thyroid masks as perimeno.