My body now feels achy when I get out of bed

[LondonW]

I'm late 40s, good enough health, on mirtazapine last 2.5 years, fairly fit and exercise regularly. I've noticed last couple of months when I get out of bed, my body feels achy, not pain. Is this just to be expected at my age now? I don't think it's the mirtazapine as I've been on them much longer.

I'm 48 and have been like this the last year or so. Sometimes I'm so stiff I can hardly get out of bed. But, once I get up and about I'm fine, I exercise every day, mostly first thing. I hadn't thought it could be peri menopause.

It could be peri but I'd ask Gp for a check up.

Fwiw - I'm a fan of hrt and it took 75% of body aches away with the first patch.

However I'm one of the v unlucky ones and since had hormonal breast cancer so no hrt and on hormone therapy that blocks Oestrogen in places.

It's been v hard but I've been doing regular various bits of exercise and weights as per advice re cancer and it's really, really helped the aches etc. more than the hrt! Building muscle for me seems to the the key.

It's not easy and you must start slow. Gentle swimming, gentle stretching, Pilates etc. daily brisk walks. And eat more protein.

I just wanted to add this into the mix for those who can't take hrt.

The best approach would be both. I don't think hrt is as helpful without the exercise

(But I'd get a thyroid etc check from Gp first)

I am the same - mid 40's I get out of bed with legs like I've run a marathon the night before - def think menopause

Cut out sugar if you eat sugary things. Makes such a difference.

I was like this in my late 40s never got hrt , but eventually it just got better as I passed menopause. Now in my 60s and just beginning to think about taking joint supplements.

How so!? To achy ness

I had this a few years ago, and at the same time I also noticed that if I drank cold milk (or had cream on strawberries) it went right through me (I could have heated milk, eg. in tea weirdly! And cheese was largely OK)

So I cut out (un-modified) dairy, and my body stopped being achy - I went from getting out of bed bent over and taking a while to get moving to just getting out like my 10 year old does.

I just seemed to have developed an intolerance, and associated inflammation or something. Similar happened to my dad with Avocados.

These days I can have a glass of milk again without running to the loo, but I do feel the stiffness the next morning if I do, so I tend not to bother.

Might be worth having a think if you've noticed any changes to your reactions to foods?

I know this isn’t what you asked but I got very depressed on the Mirena coil and it made me feel very physically unwell. Within a few weeks of coming off it, everything got better.

I know some people love it so it may not be connected but for me, it drove me to some very dark places and made me feel old, bloated and tired.

HRT made an overnight difference to my early morning aches. Literally.

Unfortunately it hasn’t helped the brain fog or anxiety yet, but only been taking it 2 weeks!

@midlifemelancholy sugar is linked to inflammation in our bodies. We're more achy when we have high inflammation.
There are lots of articles about it if you want to look it up.
I used to get achy back and ankles coming down the stairs in the mornings. Cut down on sugar and it's mostly gone. When I eat too much sugar, it's back again.
So annoying but good health is important.

Thanks wolfen
That makes sense

my brain knows what I should do.
I am not very good at making myself do it that’s all.

Another vote for peri.

My ankles wouldn't work in the mornings for about half an hour. It went on for 6 months then the tiredness began. Realised I was 47, went on HRT (mirena & evorel patch so you're half way there already) and I was better within months.

Admittedly I've started taking better care of myself too as suddenly realised I wasn't as young and sprightly as I was only a year earlier (it's shocking how quick that happens!)- liquid iron, stretching, better food. So all round reefing much better now.

It can be as addictive as cigarettes apparently

Looking to ultra processed foods and making gradual changes is helpful too.

All carbs are sugar but whole food carbs are much better than pure empty sugars

High protein plant foods are really useful to tip that balance

Thanks for all the advice.

The Mirena has been okay for me physically, but I notice my mood is quite low at times lately, so don't know whether it's as a result of Mirena or just my age.

If you're not on hrt it could be that your oestrogen is dropping now . Mirena is half of hrt so it would be easy to add an oestrogen patch in and could help both.

But I'd strongly urge the exercise along side both

I’m sorry that you’re struggling with your mood. I hope things start to feel better soon <hugs of solidarity>