50 and I ache all over

[bumblethump]

Is this normal? Feels like muscle stiffness all over, apart from knee pain which feels different. I'm staggering round like an old lady. Been prescribed HRT but hasn't made a difference to this. (Although has helped anxiety.)

I feel your pain- literally!

Yes it happens. HRT helps me though, and I took up yoga which has been a lifesaver. I find even 10 mins a day stops the aches and pains

Yep. How long have you been on the HRT? It took me a while to get sorted with what suited but since I have, it has helped with the aches.

I also take chondroitin and glucosamine tablets to help and good quality ones really make a difference.

I am not convinced that HRT is the miracle for this that some women claim.

Have you tried reducing sugar, simple carbs and general crap in your diet. I have noticed since menopause that I ache when I eat badly and feel much better when eating healthily which is absolutely bloody infuriating in my opinion!
Also do you take vitamin D? Most people in the UK are deficient over the Winter so taking 1000u a day may help

Similar issues here... both shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers....

Can't open stuff, constantly ache but not severe enough to warrant painkillers (at least in my mind)...

Going to speak with GP again and waiting on meno clinic referral but I'll try supplements etc if there is any chance they will help...

Are you doing any exercise?

Over 50 it really is a case of use it or lose it.
Yoga? Pilates? Walking daily? Swimming?

Turmeric is good for joints but you need to give it 3- 6months.

I'm 50 and ache all over too! It's especially worse in the mornings. Started HRT but it hasn't helped so far. Maybe it is diet related as a pp says. I have even stopped exercise due to this and I can't get motivated. I feel so awful every day.

Why don’t you think it’s arthritis?

Vitamin D, low levels cause muscle and bone ache. get your levels checked and then get supplements
Also try a daily multivitamin for your age group
And either yoga or Pilates

I run, walk, hike and started yoga about 5 years ago. all the aches and sore joints have meant it's been a bad few months and I have let exercise slide a bit during 2022.

I'm open to suggestions of anything else and am going to discuss with my GP to consider testing to rule out arthritis etc but it's all pretty much happened in last 12-18 months, symptoms are affecting both arms and hrt has made a difference to at least some issues.

If it's OSTEOARTHRITIS (which comes on in old age for some people - it's wear and tear) there is no treatment other than strong pain killers. Exercise if prescribed because it helps to keep the joints moving and supple. HRT can rebuild some of the lost collagen that cushions the joints.

If it's RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS this is a serious and inflammatory disease that needs diagnosing with X rays and blood tests via a specialist. Treatment is complex and can include NSID, powerful targeted treatment drugs and biological therapies.

Both types respond to exercise and will get worse if you don't do any.

Yep, cod liver oil helps me.

I've just started taking cod liver and evening primrose oil..Will report back in a few weeks if it has any effect

For me the EPO has to be a good quality one, I was on a cheap one that did very little for my breast pain.

I’m about to swap to omega 3 with high EPA and DHA, as suggested by a nutritionist. Will see if it’s better than CLO.

As other posters have said annoyingly what helps me is eating well, a low carb diet with minimal wheat.
Also high potency fish oil, (I can't advise on a brand as I don't live in the uk) and vitamin D.
Exercise also helps me, even minimal exercise. Initially when I started exercising I had pain particularly in my legs but it quickly reduced.

I had an amazing pain free few days last week. I was unwell with a chest infection so had antibiotics and Prednisone. The difference the steroids made to my joint pain was awesome. If only they were safe for long term use.

So after a phone appointment with the Gp who said that often where there are meno and other issues going on it can be hard to figure out exactly what, I've been for blood tests for a whole range of stuff... thyroid, folate, ferritin and a lot more... hoping these give some answers in the next couple of weeks.

I also realised that in the last 12 months hrt has made a difference but there is something else going on. I'm sleeping much better ... and a lot more tired even with extra /better sleep, I'm no longer hot / experiencing flushes ... now I'm feeling the cold ... and I'm much calmer than I was, so most of the original issues are improved but lack of focus and brain fog is back, and the aches and pains have been around for 2-3 months so much more recent.

I'm a little obsessed with ferritin. Please ask for the numbers yourself, the 'normal' range will still cause symptoms at the lower end. I managed to get mine up to 42 from 7 but many people aim for over 70.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm going to make a list and work through the suggestions.
Diet is a big issue atm- it's been a stressful couple of years with a lot on my plate and I haven't often prioritised he right things.