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Menopause

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Original poster

Stiff legs like an old lady!

52 replies

BoPeepsSheep · 31/12/2023 00:24

First time posting on this board!

I’m 51, periods all over the place, often quite heavy. I can just about cope with that, but went on HRT 16 months ago to alleviate aches/pains in my arms/neck and murderous moods.

i built up the oestrogen dose to 3 pumps before I felt any benefit to those symptoms and found it really helped.

16 months in, my periods are worse in terms of more frequent and unpredictable. GP is no help, had no idea even about the dose (I had to consult the BNF and go back). I dropped the oestrogen to 2 pumps but it didn’t help.

The main problem I have currently is REALLY stiff legs. I walk for exercise 4 times a week (10km each time) and have done for over ten years now. I have no problems with this, but once I get home and sit down, it’s really hard to move my legs again.

Last night I was out for a meal and when I got up to use the loo, I had to shuffle across the floor in pain because I’d been sitting in one position for too long. The pain is in my muscles combined with stiff joints. I feel 100 years old and walk as though I am!

Has anyone experienced this? Would increasing my oestrogen dose help???

OP posts:
Relaxd · 31/12/2023 00:33

I am a bit younger but on high dose of oestrogen for another condition and have really bad stiffness. After eventually getting checked out - as feeling elderly at this age isn’t normal in my view - I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (which can commonly come on in mid 40s onwards). I’d suggest getting checked out just in case and to avoid any longer term damage. My symptoms have pretty much gone after a few months of the arthritis medication. I was a bit sceptical at first but X-rays showed the damage and swelling so hard to argue with that!

RobinGet · 31/12/2023 00:36

Watching this thread with interest as I’m suffering too. Sympathy, op.

StellaGibson2022 · 31/12/2023 00:43

I have this too. I would love to know what might help so am watching with interest

EveryOtherNameTaken · 31/12/2023 00:46

I get this and am not on HRT.

Mine gets worse when I eat shit food a lot. As it's post Christmas I'm stiff, achey and limpy when I first get up after being still 🙄

Original poster
BoPeepsSheep · 31/12/2023 01:20

thanks for the replies (and solidarity!)

I hadn’t thought about a link with shit food. I mean, it’s been Marks and Spencer-a-go-go for about a fortnight in our house, plus lots of sweet foods that I wouldnt normally eat.

OP posts:
Pixiedust1234 · 31/12/2023 01:37

plus lots of sweet foods that I wouldnt normally eat.

That is probably it. Sugar is becoming well known as an inflammatory trigger and those with autoimmune conditions (Fibro, Lupus, RA etc) are advised to avoid it.

Would make an interesting experiment if you stopped with the sugar and see if you return to normal now Christmas is (nearly) over.

AllTheChaos · 31/12/2023 01:42

Pixiedust1234 · 31/12/2023 01:37

plus lots of sweet foods that I wouldnt normally eat.

That is probably it. Sugar is becoming well known as an inflammatory trigger and those with autoimmune conditions (Fibro, Lupus, RA etc) are advised to avoid it.

Would make an interesting experiment if you stopped with the sugar and see if you return to normal now Christmas is (nearly) over.

Is that refined cane sugar specifically, or all kinds of added sugar? I’m thinking about the ‘natural alternatives’ like date syrup, maple syrup, coconut sugar etc. I avoid refined sugar on medical advice, but have been using alternatives and will be gutted if they are also making my health issues worse! I’ve already had to give up cheese and alcohol and frankly I’m getting fed up 😂

ItAintGonnaGoDownEasyIfItAintCheezy · 31/12/2023 01:43

EveryOtherNameTaken · 31/12/2023 00:46

I get this and am not on HRT.

Mine gets worse when I eat shit food a lot. As it's post Christmas I'm stiff, achey and limpy when I first get up after being still 🙄

That sounds like inflammation.

JingleSnowmanTree · 31/12/2023 01:50

Me too, my elbows & knees are killing me.

I need to get back to my low carb, next to no sugar (only naturally occurring in berries really) and see if it improves, but I still had pain on it.

Original poster
BoPeepsSheep · 31/12/2023 01:57

Ill
experiment in January and see what happens. Life is exhausting and I haven’t been eating as well as I’d like

OP posts:
EveryOtherNameTaken · 31/12/2023 02:02

Yep. When I start to eat healthier and low carb it almost disappears. I can eat rubbish a couple of times a week and it stays OK.

Good luck all!

Any tips anyone let us know please 😁

ItAintGonnaGoDownEasyIfItAintCheezy · 31/12/2023 02:04

Fasting helps.

I get a fluid filled bump in front of my ankle bone. As I eat better I see it gradually going down. Last year it took a good 5 weeks of clean eating, fasting, exercising and calorie control before it went away completely.

someoneseatenmyapple · 31/12/2023 02:17

Sorry I don't have any answers but following out of interest. On HRT & merena coil (which needs changing - I'm currently on the waiting list). Been wondering if imbalance of hormones is causing my aches and pains due to coil needing to be replaced. Suffering badly with same symptoms as you OP. Literally shuffle across the room like Mrs Overall until I get going, then I'm fine. Keep thinking if I'm like this now, what am I going to be like in 10 years time. Bit worrying really. Going to book drs appointment in the new year.

WotNoUserName · 31/12/2023 03:13

Same here! I can go for a long walk fine, but getting up off the sofa to go to the loo/do stuff around the house and I'm hobbling like a 90 year old.

I'm not on HRT, as no other overly bothersome symptoms. Diet has been crap lately, so already decided to change it next year (tomorrow!)

hattie43 · 31/12/2023 05:14

WotNoUserName · 31/12/2023 03:13

Same here! I can go for a long walk fine, but getting up off the sofa to go to the loo/do stuff around the house and I'm hobbling like a 90 year old.

I'm not on HRT, as no other overly bothersome symptoms. Diet has been crap lately, so already decided to change it next year (tomorrow!)

This is me .

Did a long walk yesterday , got home and could barely get off the sofa . I put it down to bad diet over Christmas as I'm not normally like this .

itsgettingweird · 31/12/2023 07:07

I'm not on HRT and had my uterus and cervix removed last year. I also walk 6-7k 5 times a week like you.

My legs and ankles feel horrid currently and I have backache and have been constantly using my tens machine for a few days.

The whole sweet food thing makes sense. I have walked less, eaten more and it's been white rather than the healthy food I normally eat. I'm also really bloated and thirsty.

I'm looking forward to going back to work Tuesday and my 5am 6k walk 🤪

Tilllly · 31/12/2023 07:29

My sympathies- bloody menopause

Am a few years on from you - there is light at the end of the tunnel, I promise

I do still get this stiffness but it's infrequent and much milder
I cut out caffeine (was quite hard to do) and started flaxseed oil capsules. They took about 3 weeks to have an effect but they've helped a lot

BCBird · 31/12/2023 07:36

I'm.menopausal, not on HRT, got suspected fibromyalgia but can definitely say that food affects my aches and pains-sufar and carbs ramp them up.

siblingrevelryagain · 31/12/2023 07:45

I think I have the same because I’m eating so much sugar; white rice, cakes/sweets etc from Xmas.

i also remembered recently I’d not been taking my vit D for a couple of months and so started again and this seems to have helped; vit D is apparently useful in converting estrogen so it probably made my HRT more effective. I always feel better on it so I don’t know why I stopped (probably another casualty of my suspected ADHD)

I am hoping a return to proper food and intermittent fasting/16:8 will have me feeling good again.

DustyLee123 · 31/12/2023 07:47

Get a good quality omega 3, it was literally life changing for me.

Westfacing · 31/12/2023 07:49

The main problem I have currently is REALLY stiff legs. I walk for exercise 4 times a week (10km each time) and have done for over ten years now. I have no problems with this, but once I get home and sit down, it’s really hard to move my legs again.

I'm 69 and been on HRT for nearly 20 years.

Could be that your body isn't suited to 10km in one go - presuming that takes you around two hours - maybe try 5km every day?

Tilllly · 31/12/2023 07:57

DustyLee123 · 31/12/2023 07:47

Get a good quality omega 3, it was literally life changing for me.

That's one of the oils in the flaxseed I take

Tilllly · 31/12/2023 08:00

siblingrevelryagain · 31/12/2023 07:45

I think I have the same because I’m eating so much sugar; white rice, cakes/sweets etc from Xmas.

i also remembered recently I’d not been taking my vit D for a couple of months and so started again and this seems to have helped; vit D is apparently useful in converting estrogen so it probably made my HRT more effective. I always feel better on it so I don’t know why I stopped (probably another casualty of my suspected ADHD)

I am hoping a return to proper food and intermittent fasting/16:8 will have me feeling good again.

I think estrogen activates vit D, not other way round???

You shld take Vit k as well, I think you need vitamin K to absorb Vit D

But don't take K if you are on blood thinners

mumda · 31/12/2023 08:08

Hrt.. started it and all joints hurt so i
was told I should up the gel to stop the aches. However that made me very weepy.

Next doctor told me that upping the gel shouldn't be used like that and the previous doctor was telling me nonsense. She was the one doing the hrt review and said it was up to me whether I stayed on it.
So have come off it for a week and am in more pain. But it's Christmas so there's been a lot of chocolate and cake.
Physio has suggested I have osteoarthritis but not worth sending me for an x-ray yet.

menopausalmare · 31/12/2023 08:09

Same here, everything aches all the time and sleeping is painful. I'm 50. I suspect that I also have rheumatoid arthritis. In the New Year I'm making a real effort to shift a couple of stone and will improve my diet but I love caffeine and alcohol.