50 and knackered

[Univalve]

Anyone else?

I turned 50 last year and almost overnight I’ve become a total wreck. I’m on HRT which has resolved the flushes and night sweats but that’s about it. I ache all over, I’m exhausted. My joints hurt, I’m permanently bloated, my back aches. I feel like a little old lady and I’m only 50.

Can anyone recommend any miracle supplements or anything? I’m miserable and not ready to be old yet!

I’m 49 and half dead most of the time - particularly when it’s hot. Roll on winter

Is your HRT dose correct? It sorted out 95% of my aches and pains. Might be worth getting it checked. Re the bloating, have you tried eliminating foods to see if they are causing it?

I’m 49 and feel the same. Not yet on hrt but just feel so, so old in my body.
The IBS which I’ve had for 24 years has gone into overdrive the last few years. My digestive system has gone off the tracks, it just won’t function well anymore. I too am bloated, I’m gassy, burpy, gurgling all the time. Really unpredictable.
I can’t seem to start any new, even simple exercise routine without feeling like I’ve completed a dozen marathons a day after. And my lower back ache and sciatica plays up frequently.
I have heard magnesium is good (although I worry that will make my gut issues worse) and many say the Menopace supplements are good as well as omega 3 oils. I’ve heard Ashwaganda mentioned quite a lot too.

Should add nausea - I get awful nausea like morning sickness although definitely NOT pregnant and it’s been going on for a couple of years. I am sure hormones are to blame.

Are you overweight? If you are I think getting your weight down would definitely help with your joints. Also lowering inflammation by cutting out sugar and processed foods.

52 and officially post-menopausal now. I've had the HRT, the herbal meds, everything, but I've found the most effective thing that has zapped the general fatigue and aches is nutrition. It's been so hard for this junk-food lover, but changing my diet, cutting out sugar and eating lots of raw veg has really helped. I know this could be said for anyone, not necessarily menopausal, but if you think your diet could be improved, now is the time to go for it.

This - your diet is so important, so is keeping active: Eat as much fibre as possible and up your omega 3 intake: Keep going with your exercises, it gets easier the more you do: I'm nearly 57 and don't have a problem with joints but I'm lucky to have the time to run, cycle and swim a lot: (should do weights but don't know where to start)

Anti inflammatory foods to eat:
Berries, including blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and more.
Salmon, tuna and other fatty fish (yes, sardines, too).
Nuts, including walnuts and almonds.
Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil.
Peppers, including bell and chili peppers.
Dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collards.
Green tea.
Chocolate and cocoa.

Pro inflammatory foods to avoid:
Sugar
Highly processed food
Refined carb products (anything made with white flour)
Vegetable seed oils
processed meat

I am a great advocate for diet too. You just can't mess around when you get older

I'm 48 and honestly have no aches and pains at all, and also am rarely exhausted (i.e. unless there is a very good reason such as getting up for an early flight!) . But I exercise a lot and eat literally no junk food at all.

I think so? I’m on the standard dose of Estrogel and utrogestan, it does make me feel less murderous to be fair but it’s done nothing for my joints or permanent general exhaustion.

Absolutely completely this. It sucks doesn’t it? When I get up in the morning I’ve seized up so much I can hardly walk. And also yes to the sluggish digestive system. Although I had a phone appointment with my gynaecologist today who told me that can be caused by hrt which never actually occurred to me before. Could that be the case for you?

I am a bit overweight yes, but I do have a very healthy diet (usually!). I definitely don’t drink enough water, which would probably help. I just wish there was a magical potion that would make me feel young and energetic again! I thought that would happen on hrt but if anything I feel even more exhausted.

Is this a menopause thing or a getting older thing? I’m clinging to the hope that my mojo will return in a few years!?

Sorry I see you said you’re not on hrt yet.

It’s one of the reasons I’ve out off taking HRT, really don’t want to make the issues worse. My friend had the issue on HRT, her GP said it’s the progesterone which causes the gut issues.

This is so annoying. I specifically asked the medics if being on HRT could affect my digestive problems and was told it could not!

Are you taking progesterone orally or vaginally?
Gynae advised vaginally if you have digestive issues.

Get your vitamin D levels checked out as low levels can cause aches and pains.

Watching with interest (nearly 49 ). I've been doing a lot of reading, and diet and exercise definitely seems key if there is no underlying health reason.

Yes me 🙋‍♀️ It's crap, OP, isn't it? Watching with interest.

Was that via a NHS gynaecologist? Both my gynaecologist and GP have told me it’s only licensed orally on the NHS and I would have to go privately to get it prescribed for vaginal use. (They really haven’t been very helpful in my quest not to exacerbate my already awful digestive issues!).

Yes my (NHS) gynaecologist recommended trying utrogestan vaginally too, although she did say it was ‘off the record’ as it’s not licensed that way here. I had a different one before though who had never heard of it being taken that way so it’s not something they all know about! She has also recommended the mirena if that doesn’t work but I’m a bit reluctant to try that after all the horror stories!

No, I’m not in the U.K. so not NHS.
my ustrogestan comes from France and the French instruction seem to indicate the primary method is to insert vaginally.

I switched on my gynaecologists advice and the bloating I had cleared up.

@ChimneyPot Im in France too and the prescription was to take the utrogestan vaginally too. I switched to taking it orally as it really helps me sleep. Im lucky not to have any digestive problems.

I cannot take HRT owing to hypertension meds (genetic) but I did find Solgar vit d3 high strength really helped. For bloating a friend swears by agnus cactus.

I also hear complete caffeine and alcohol abstinence can also really help but although I am nearly teetotal I do enjoy one mug of tea and 2 cups daily.