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Original poster

Aching legs

17 replies

photolimbo · 20/03/2025 21:40

Can someone tell me if this is normal and they're experiencing the same thing.

I'm early 40s and have recently started to get very achy legs. I walk a lot with the dog but not other exercise at the minute. My legs ache most days and some days are much worse than others. It often causes my hips to stiffen up too. For context, one of my knees is bad (prior surgery) but I don't suffer with pain in them. I just have a very regular dull and heavy ache in my legs like I have been hiking a marathon! This feels very new like in the last few months and is making my work a chore as it takes me days to recover my legs from anything too physical. Worried it might be the sign of more problems. Any ideas? Thanks

OP posts:
ChangeTheBeds · 20/03/2025 22:15

I would advise heat- hot bath, maybe with epsom salts; or try sitting for a good hour every night with a heated throw on it highest setting wrapped around your legs; ibuprofen- this could be oral or topical such as Ibuleve; and a daily magnesium supplement.
(Often ice packs are recommended for aches and pains but i can't bear the idea of cold. Maybe cold helps reduce swelling.)
This doesn't address or identify the root cause but you may feel more comfortable.

Downunderduchess · 21/03/2025 01:30

I had this when I was in peri-menopause. Years later I still have it to a degree. I got a big wedge pillow and I lay on the bed with my legs elevated every day for a while. It does seem to help. It definitely won’t hurt so worth a try.

Original poster
photolimbo · 21/03/2025 07:27

Thanks for replying.

I use an electric blanket before I go to sleep every night and need to pick up some magnesium supplements. Figured perimenopause might be the cause (isn't it the cause of everything these days!) and toying with the idea of HRT but still scared to take it because of my old fashioned worried about side effects.

Do you take HRT? Does it help? Thanks

OP posts:
Downunderduchess · 21/03/2025 10:54

photolimbo · 21/03/2025 07:27

Thanks for replying.

I use an electric blanket before I go to sleep every night and need to pick up some magnesium supplements. Figured perimenopause might be the cause (isn't it the cause of everything these days!) and toying with the idea of HRT but still scared to take it because of my old fashioned worried about side effects.

Do you take HRT? Does it help? Thanks

I never took HRT because of other medications I take it wasn’t recommended. But I have heard other women say it helped them massively. It was rough at times but you battle through it.

Nooa · 21/03/2025 11:42

Is it definitely muscular? Or is it bones/joints? You mentioned it was causing your hip to stiffen but do you mean your actual hip bones, or the muscles joined to them? When you do stretches do you feel the aching bits stretching?
If it's muscular I recommend stretching before walking and before bed. If you don't know where to start you could try YouTube videos and do a yoga type stretching routine until you isolate which positions stretch your problem muscles, and then just do those stretches/positions regularly.

Not a physio or anything but I've had muscle trouble in hamstrings and glutes and pelvic muscles for many years, and stretching is the answer for me. (I assume you eat well and keep hydrated because if not that's an obvious place to look too).

CreationNat1on · 21/03/2025 11:43

Restless legs.

Low in iron and perimenopause.
Aching joints might be related to perimenopause too.

BeyondMyWits · 21/03/2025 11:53

Have you had a blood pressure check, aching joints and muscles, and any reduced speed when walking can point to issues.

SeaToSki · 21/03/2025 12:06

Supplements are your friend. Peri menopause drains you of vitamins and minerals

Vit D 2000 iui every morning
Iron with Vit C at lunch (consider a Vit B complex as well)
Magnesium 320mg every night before bed

MiddleAgedDread · 21/03/2025 12:57

Vitamin D daily (even in summer) and HRT has made a huge difference to my aches and pains.

Gonegrey31 · 21/03/2025 13:09

Have you had blood tests to check for inflammation? My aching legs turned out to because of an autoimmune condition called polymyalgia rheumatica . I sincerely hope this isn’t the case for you but perhaps worth a GP visit .

Original poster
photolimbo · 21/03/2025 22:39

Nooa · 21/03/2025 11:42

Is it definitely muscular? Or is it bones/joints? You mentioned it was causing your hip to stiffen but do you mean your actual hip bones, or the muscles joined to them? When you do stretches do you feel the aching bits stretching?
If it's muscular I recommend stretching before walking and before bed. If you don't know where to start you could try YouTube videos and do a yoga type stretching routine until you isolate which positions stretch your problem muscles, and then just do those stretches/positions regularly.

Not a physio or anything but I've had muscle trouble in hamstrings and glutes and pelvic muscles for many years, and stretching is the answer for me. (I assume you eat well and keep hydrated because if not that's an obvious place to look too).

Yes, I think it's muscular. Is like the muscles are extremely fatigued or something. They just constantly feel like I've just walked a marathon. Achy rather than sharp or shooting pains

OP posts:
Original poster
photolimbo · 21/03/2025 22:40

CreationNat1on · 21/03/2025 11:43

Restless legs.

Low in iron and perimenopause.
Aching joints might be related to perimenopause too.

They aren't restless really. More just achy, constantly. I've recently had my iron checked and seemed fine. Sure if probably is perimenopause

OP posts:
Original poster
photolimbo · 21/03/2025 22:41

BeyondMyWits · 21/03/2025 11:53

Have you had a blood pressure check, aching joints and muscles, and any reduced speed when walking can point to issues.

Not for a long time so maybe I should get booked in for a blood pressure check

OP posts:
Original poster
photolimbo · 21/03/2025 22:41

SeaToSki · 21/03/2025 12:06

Supplements are your friend. Peri menopause drains you of vitamins and minerals

Vit D 2000 iui every morning
Iron with Vit C at lunch (consider a Vit B complex as well)
Magnesium 320mg every night before bed

Good point. I only take vitamin D at the minute. Will get on the others

OP posts:
Original poster
photolimbo · 21/03/2025 22:42

MiddleAgedDread · 21/03/2025 12:57

Vitamin D daily (even in summer) and HRT has made a huge difference to my aches and pains.

I take vitamin D. Maybe I need to bite the bullet and get HRT

OP posts:
Original poster
photolimbo · 21/03/2025 22:43

Gonegrey31 · 21/03/2025 13:09

Have you had blood tests to check for inflammation? My aching legs turned out to because of an autoimmune condition called polymyalgia rheumatica . I sincerely hope this isn’t the case for you but perhaps worth a GP visit .

Yes, I think I should go back. I've had recent bloods but don't think they were to test for inflammation

OP posts:
ChangeTheBeds · 21/03/2025 23:16

I thought mine was connected to menopause but it turned out to be calcific tendinitis.
I don't take HRT.

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