Shoulder pain

[Windmillwhirl]

Hi all, hoping someone can help ease my worry. I turned 48 in October and think I'm going through perimenopause. I'm irritable, sore boobs, erratic sleep and at times feel flushed in the face but no temperature.

Over the last few weeks I have had joint pain, most notably on the top of my right shoulder although sometimes in my knees too.

The pain comes and goes and I'm wondering if this could be a symptom of hormonal changes. I think I should see my GP at any rate but some responses here may help put my mind at ease.

Thanks in advance

Shoulder pain has been a symptom of mine. And also a colleague has the same. I had to have physio, took a while to go. I am not on HRT, but mine has almost gone. My colleague is on HRT and still has it. Do you have trouble reaching behind you as if you are undoing your bra? Sleeping on it was a no no for me for about a year.

Thanks for your reply Melange99. I am able to undo my bra and move my arm without too much additional pain. Sorry to hear you are suffering with this, too.

The last few days I've noticed pain in the joint between my right thumb and finger. I just feel as if I am starting to fall apart.

I get this too. It’s brutally painful first thing in the morning, then tends to dull a bit after some painkillers. Can’t wear certain clothes as it’s too painful to get them on. Pain goes right down to my fingers most days.

Hi Purplecatshopaholic,

Sorry to hear you are also suffering. I have noticed my pain getting increasingly worse. I think I just have to accept this is all a part if the process now. Cant believe I'm about to Google HRT. Aaaarrrrgggh.

@Windmillwhirl, I am not (yet) on HRT, but increasingly thinking about it. Currently waiting for an appointment at a specialist menopause clinic. If men suffered like this, medical science would have sorted this ages ago… just saying! Hope you get some relief soon

When my menopause symptoms started I got painful feel. I tried tumeric tablets and they stopped the pain. I still take them, apart from my shoulder problems I don't have any other pains.

Feet!

I’m the same, when I lift my arm and bring it back down it feels like I’ve been punched in it.
My knee also aches and keeps buckling.
I never even thought it could be to do with the menopause.
I’m getting so many aches and pains, when one clears up another comes to replace it!

Mine cleared up on HRT. And careful exercise.

Thank you all so much. I think the worst part is not knowing what is going to be the next symptom. It helps to hear all your experiences, so thank you.

I will try the turmeric tablets!!

My right shoulder started to hurt about a month ago for no apparent reason. I had no idea this could be linked to perimenopause. Oh ffs!

It was actually one of my most annoying menopausal symptoms, along with sudden gum problems, despite careful brushing and flossing.

As you say, probably best to see your GP. Not everything that goes wrong in the menopause years is to do with the menopause.

Fair point @Chicchicchicchiclana - it’s easy to blame menopause for everything, lol.

@Cassimin my knees give me grief, too. All only started I the last few months. Took some painkillers earlier and did get some relief.

Will definitely see my GP though. No point worrying needlessly.

Just putting it out there that frozen shoulder is very common in peri menopausal women. I had one and only discovered this 2 years after it happened. I'm now through meno at 45. The way some of you are describing that you cannot do up or reach round to your bra is a classic frozen shoulder symptom.

My hip bones and joints are aching. It does not get any better after you are through meno!

Melange what turmeric tablets do you take?

My ankle joints are stiff and sore every morning. I'm like an old lady walking. Once I've had my shower I'm fine but it's just those first few steps. Add to that a sore tricep, hip, leg and feet and I do wonder what will be next!!

You need to chat all this over with your GP or, if funds allow, see a private menopause specialist

It really concerns me how women will try and bend any old symptom to fit a peri menopause narrative. Try not to do this - yes, menopause and peri comes with a whole host of ailments but don't immediately leap to ' oh it must be menopause because of my age.'

Doing so means that you could miss early warning signs of something else

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit Natures Best ones.

Could it be the start of PMR if stiffness is worst in the morning. Have you had bloods taken? Are your vitamin D levels at optimum (80+)?

@ALemonEntryDearWatson

As stated in my original post I will be seeing my GP. I am not putting everything down to perimenopause. I put this thread up to potentially ease worry while I await an appointment .

@Windmillwhirl I know. I just see so many posts on here where women immediately think ' oh my stomach pains must be menopause!' or 'my stiff knee must be menopause' etc etc and I find it concerning.

I've had three bouts of shoulder pain from the age of about 45 onwards. No. 1 was due to some problems with my neck, sorted by some quite dramatic crunching by a physio. No. 2 was due to using a computer mouse a lot and was completely cured by swapping to an ergonomic mouse. No 3, which is current, is due, I'm pretty sure to spending more time on the sofa with my phone and needing my eyes tested so I'm holding my left arm bent awkwardly for long periods (thanks MN). I'm also missing my office standing desk which gives a bit more range of position through the day.
I think menopause makes you more susceptible to joint pain, but there is also usually an underlying physical cause. I do take magnesium and vitamin D for general aches and pains as well.

It is annoying how every symptom can be linked to peri/meno but a poorly shoulder around the time is one of the symptoms. (Plantar Facilitis (bad spelling) is another.) Going to a GP is of course the thing to do, but do some reading up too.

goop.com/wellness/fitness/demystifying-frozen-shoulder-plus-exercises-that-can-help/