The aches

[Pebbles16]

I don't know if this is menopause or something more sinister so I am hoping mumsnetters of a certain age can help. I ache all over. Feels like I've busted my ribs in my left side. Knees, ankles, hips. All achey. Is this (depressingly) normal (because I juts last have to put up with it?)

Pebbles, sorry no one answered your post, i am in the same situation but also got answers. I became super achy exactly like you, also feelings of low mood, itchy down below, couldn't sleep, feeling tearful for nothing, and for a couple of years i did nothing except stretching and yoga etc.. then was referred to menopause lady who put me on HRT, that was last year, i was 49. I was so desperate for it to stop i agreed to HRT (gel and utrogestan), the results ? : great sleep, happy again, no more itchiness, however the aches got worse and worse, so got investigated with Xray of hips, lower back, and in the end i was diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the major joints and consultant is sure i was lacking in oestrogen for so many years (probably was perimenopause at 42 and did nothing) my joints got damaged, it is well documented that oestrogen is responsible for help in joint function, bladder function, gut function (for years i kept passing too much wind for no reason). So first, make sure you get plenty of Vitamin D tablets and magnesium supplements (main joint symptoms could be a lack of vit D and magnesium) and hopefully it could be the end of your troubles, take action now, do not leave it like i did for so long, how old are you ? Are you eating healthily ? Are you overweight ? Tackle this , you may be entering perimenopause where your hormones fluctuate immensely and give you symptoms.

Definitely worth getting a vitamin d test as so many of us don't get enough. Taking a supplement definitely seemed to help me in early peri when I had this issue. Might be worth getting a sports massage to see if that makes a difference too, I had so many trigger points which took years to resolve (and I'll never know if it was down to vit E, physio, or just moving on to another stage)

I think that it’s due to the lack of estrogen and collagen, too common at menopause.
That’s why too many post menopausal women are diagnosed with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
The only thing that helped me almost overnight is hrt.

I had this for months, but it’s been much better recently though. All my menopause symptoms come and go as they see fit.

I agree with you Emerald, another thing i was told was that i am not making collagen as efficiently as in my 30's, ie thinning of the skin, thinning of the cartilage therefore more aches, i also know many women manage the aches with good oils, vit D,E, other supplements or hrt, it was too late for me or maybe i was predisposed.