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Menopause

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Original poster

Aching bones

25 replies

AtSomePointInLife · 07/04/2023 22:50

I'm 49, in menopause. No period for 1.5 years. I have aching bones and a frozen shoulder. My wrists are also effected, I struggle opening a bottle of water. HRT isn't a road I want to go down, I've tried it and it just left me feeling wired and not myself so I stopped. Is there anything I can take that isn't too expensive that can help. I feel like an old lady, just no energy at all. All I want to do is lounge about but with a full time job, a mum to a 9 year old boy and a taxi driver to a teenager I can't sit around. Everything is an effort and so tiring 😥

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 07/04/2023 22:53

You have my sympathy op, I am the same. I do take HRT but might ask the GP if the dose can be upped as whilst I felt great with my mood after being on it for a few months, I have still got terrible aching joints. My shoulders are terribly painful and knees and ankles hurt all the time. I'm thinking of perhaps trying some supplements for joints. I just get random pains everywhere, arms, wrists , fingers.

fruitpastille · 07/04/2023 22:53

Have you tried a vitamin d supplement?

Stripycatz · 07/04/2023 22:57

Can I ask why you don't want HRT?

atthebottomofthehill · 07/04/2023 23:01

The OP says in her post why she doesn't want to try HRT again

mybeautifuloak · 07/04/2023 23:01

No idea. I take HRT. Solved so many of my menopausal issues so I can't really suggest anything else.

Original poster
AtSomePointInLife · 07/04/2023 23:21

fruitpastille · 07/04/2023 22:53

Have you tried a vitamin d supplement?

Yes I have got a vit d, calcium and bones and magnesium, I did see a little improvement at first but I feel it's getting worse 🥺 I just don't know what else to do. I don't have any other symptoms that I'm struggling with, although I've changed so much I can't remember how I use to feel.

OP posts:
atthebottomofthehill · 07/04/2023 23:30

Weight training? High protein diet and omega 3?
Basically I think it just gets to the point of what's the lesser evil - aches and pains with no hrt or feeling a bit wired on hrt. Could you try a different dose?

NormaTheWife · 07/04/2023 23:35

Why would you disregard something because it didn't work once?

greenspaces4peace · 08/04/2023 00:14

collagen supplements?
how's your weight and fitness level?

Shanster · 08/04/2023 00:20

I’m not peri yet but I started taking collagen recently and it’s made a huge difference to my achy joints.

Stripycatz · 08/04/2023 06:56

Sorry, missed that HRT left you wired. Did you adjust the dose at all, or try different medication?

JinglingSpringbells · 08/04/2023 07:39

AtSomePointInLife · 07/04/2023 22:50

I'm 49, in menopause. No period for 1.5 years. I have aching bones and a frozen shoulder. My wrists are also effected, I struggle opening a bottle of water. HRT isn't a road I want to go down, I've tried it and it just left me feeling wired and not myself so I stopped. Is there anything I can take that isn't too expensive that can help. I feel like an old lady, just no energy at all. All I want to do is lounge about but with a full time job, a mum to a 9 year old boy and a taxi driver to a teenager I can't sit around. Everything is an effort and so tiring 😥

Not everything is a direct result of menopause. You might have menopause problems and something else.

I think you ought to see your GP and get some tests done through a specialist.

Joint problems like yours could be arthritis (the simple sort- wear and tear) or it could be rheumatoid arthritis, which is more serious (it's an autoimmune disease) and needs treatment with drugs to stop it getting worse. If it's not treated, it can be disabling in time.

Go and get some medical investigations. If they all come back negative, then maybe it's time to rethink HRT. I agree with other posters who have said that trying something once doesn't mean you have tried all options- different types and doses.

sorrynotathome · 08/04/2023 07:40

Have you tried exercise?

GnarlyOldGoatDude · 08/04/2023 07:46

sorry to hear this OP @AtSomePointInLife, it sounds miserable.

Watching with interest as my main symptoms are exactly the same. Horrible painful shoulder (investigated, tried physio). Hated the unpredictable bleeding on HRT so stopped it, but am having a chat with my GP soon about maybe trying a patch instead.

@Shanster any particular collagen you’d recommend?

Original poster
AtSomePointInLife · 08/04/2023 09:59

No I have been exercising as much as I should and my diet has been rubbish recently so I suppose these are all factors. I'm still living the life of early forties. Although I haven't drank alcohol for 2 years mainly because of the anxiety it gave me and I don't smoke.

Arthritis is a worry though, I never thought of that 🥺 Maybe getting some bloods done is a good start.

HRT wasn't a good choice for me, it left me feeling wired and detached on a very low dose and I just want to feel myself rather than spaced out so decided to stop. It's not for everyone.

Thank you for all your advise.

OP posts:
Original poster
AtSomePointInLife · 08/04/2023 10:01

GnarlyOldGoatDude · 08/04/2023 07:46

sorry to hear this OP @AtSomePointInLife, it sounds miserable.

Watching with interest as my main symptoms are exactly the same. Horrible painful shoulder (investigated, tried physio). Hated the unpredictable bleeding on HRT so stopped it, but am having a chat with my GP soon about maybe trying a patch instead.

@Shanster any particular collagen you’d recommend?

It really is awful, especially when you have a family that want to do things. It's such an effort, I feel so old 😥

OP posts:
NormaTheWife · 08/04/2023 12:37

You seem to assume that all HRT is the same.

JinglingSpringbells · 08/04/2023 12:53

HRT wasn't a good choice for me, it left me feeling wired and detached on a very low dose and I just want to feel myself rather than spaced out so decided to stop. It's not for everyone.

For what it's worth, my meno consultant (he's a gynae/ surgeon, not just a 'meno dr' ) says that women often need to try several types of HRT to get the right type. That could be gel/ spray/patches and all different doses, along with one of the 4 types of progestogen (and on a cycle or continuously.)
There are LOADS of variations.

You did have a relatively early menopause at 47-ish (51 ) is average so it's worth re-thinking but definitely get some investigations started.

seratoninmoonbeams · 08/04/2023 12:56

@Shanster I'd be interested to know which collagen as well? I've looked a few times but there's so much choice.

Purplecatshopaholic · 08/04/2023 13:05

I have terrible aches and pains too. In my case HRT does help ‘a bit’ - I am seeing my meno specialist every few months to see if we can get a combination that works for me. I also take magnesium and vitamin D. Tests have shown I do have arthritis in my upper back (early 50s), so I can’t blame meno entirely!

lljkk · 08/04/2023 13:08

I've read other stories on here from people who said they resolved their sore joints problems by doing more exercise... it sounded liked they stiffened up from lack of moving so moving more was exactly what they needed.

sarvangasana · 08/04/2023 13:56

Hi op, have a look at the symptoms for hyperparathyroidism and see if they match your symptoms, particularly as you mention bone pain and in particular your wrists, and lack of energy. It is often confused with the symptoms of menopause, especially as they can occur around the same time. Note it's to do with the parathyroid not the thyroid, completely different organ.

Fibonacci13 · 08/04/2023 14:05

I can't take HRT and had terrible aching bones. I had a health check done that found I was borderline low vitD (I was already taking a supplement), low folate and anaemic.

I was put on iron supplements, a stronger vitD, a folate supplement and vitB12 spray and 3 months later, I would say my aching joints are about 10% of what they were beforehand.

Definitely go and get bloods done. I think it was the anaemia making me feel that way.

declutteringmymind · 08/04/2023 14:08

I'd start taking some basic bits plus maybe some glucosamine but do book in at your doctors.

BunsenBurnerBaby · 08/04/2023 14:11

Exercise. I also had frozen shoulder, aching joints and bones (bone ache: who knew?). I did physio for the shoulder. It took me 18 months but have full range of movement now. I walk or run every day. I do 15 minutes of stretching every day, and lift weights (with a PT) once a week. I am like a different woman. Pain almost completely gone (shoulder hurting today but will use tens on it and will likely resolve soon). I am also careful with what I eat and drink: no alcohol and minimal sugar, lots of veg. Good luck x (oh and no HRT except just recently using topical oestrogen for VA).

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