Aaaarrrghhh perimen and total body aches

[BettyMacdonald]

Hi

I’ve just turned 50, on HRT but still having regular periods, otherwise fit and active although could lose a stone. BMI just into the “overweight” category. I work PT in a demanding and physical HCP role. 3 teens.

Recently, I’ve started to ache EVERYWHERE, both joints and muscles. I’ve had a full set of bloods and they’re all normal, including inflammatory markers, ferritin and vitamin d. I take multivitamins, evening primrose oil, magnesium and marine collagen. I’m pescatarian and have a pretty low in UPFs diet (but a weakness for Tesco “cornettos”) 😬.

I keep saying I’ll start doing weights and Pilates but life gets in the way. I had a recent physio assessment at work - I’m not hyper mobile or anything.

My hands and fingers feel “puffy” but there’s no sign of any physical swelling. Everything just hurts and I don’t know why!

I’m very active, don’t sit down much and don’t feel particularly tired, just sore. Any suggestions? Thank you.

My body ached at your age - sore and stiff joints from my wrists to my shoulder blades, my hips, knees, bottom of my feet - even my finger joints.

GP gave me HRT patches and I eliminated sugar from my diet.

Within weeks I saw an improvement. My feet were the last to stop aching - about 6 weeks in total. Worth looking at the patches I reckon.

HRT got rid of long standing aches and injuries in about 2 months for me. For me the magic was 2 pumps of oestrogel. I recently cut it down to 1 pump and have noticed a few niggles creeping back, so may go back up again.

Thank you @JamPotJenny and @JustPinkFinch .

I’m already on HRT - 3 pumps of the gel plus progesterone tablets cyclically. I can’t use patches as I’m allergic to a lot of plasters etc. I’ve got an gynaecology appointment in bloody February to discuss testosterone as a friend of mine had good results with this.

I think the diet / sugar aspect is a good call. My diet is fairly good but weirdly, I’ve gone from not having a sweet tooth to craving sugar which isn’t great.

Whenever I start to eat lots of refined sugar (daily snacking), I can guarantee my body will start getting more stiff and sore.

I’m ok with raw honey. Processed sugar is toxic to my body, definitely.

Eliminating it from my life completely stopped the cravings. Took me about a week to fully recover from the stuff.

Magnesium! If I don't take it, my body aches. (Also on HRT)

If you're happy with gel that's great but I don't react to patches and I do to all plasters!