Stiff legs like an old lady!

[BoPeepsSheep]

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???

Have you been sitting more than normal and sleeping away from home?

Pilates is good. I soon notice if I stop, especially if sleeping on other people's mattresses, travelling a lot etc.

I'm 55 and had these exact symptoms in my late 40s. The pain on standing and starting to walk after exercise was excruciating. I thought this would continue for the rest of my life. Then I started to go to Yoga. 5 years and it's gone completely. Give it a go.

Loads of really useful replies, thanks

I dearly wish I could walk 5km every day instead of 10km, but I work and I still have a 14 year old at one who is quite needy. My walk is rural and not possible in the dark.

Hi OP. I do a lot of walking and weights and am on HRT. I am also creaking like an old lady, and my diet is really good and I'm not into sugar.

But I do a lot more yoga than I used to and pilates. Even ten mins of hip stretches before bed makes a massive difference the next morning.

Def suggest doing some kassandra yoga on YouTube.

Re periods, what progesterone are you on?

I found transexamic acid and switching from utrogestan to the mirena worked for calming the never ending bleeding.

This is interesting. I have been finding that I have really stiff legs when getting up despite lots of walking and running twice a week. It's only happened in the past month. I wonder if it is diet.

I have no idea tbh as I'm at the start of this journey. The usual start is cut out biscuits, cakes, bread, fizzy drinks and chocolates etc which is difficult enough for a sugar fiend like myself. I know a Fibro sufferer who recoiled with horror at being offered a dextrose tablet (for energy) so it might be worth you experimenting by dropping one to see if it helps. Sorry!

I started doing a menopause class and my creaky ankles have no pain anymore. They used to be excruciating.

I do think targeted exercise is the key.

How do you all motivate yourself to start exercising?
For me, HRT has improved my anxiety and libido but I’m still experiencing fatigue and lack of motivation.

I had this. Now post menopause (52) and not on hrt. Dr did a rheumatoid arthritis scan (negative) snd prescribed vitamin d. A couple of months late I was starting to feel better, fewer aches and pains and less stiffness, and am now back to my usual self.

I started exercising properly in my 30s and I've never stopped. Even when I was sobbing through the days of utrogestan I would be out doing weights with tears streaming down my face!

I have weights in my garage and in my spare room which has wooden floors, I have a proper yoga mat plus straps, blocks and a pilates ball. And I do online workouts.

If I feel creaky now, imagine how i would feel without exercising.

FWIW, I exercise as soon as I get up. Nothing is more important to me. Which means I'm normally in bed by 8.30pm!

I played sport at international/national level until I got pregnant but now struggle to find the motivation to do anything other than walk the dog.

How do I get any motivation back?

You join a regular class and never miss unless you’re ill.

Wellgard powdered collagen really helps this for me.

I also take omega 3, d3 and k2

Or you get up and do a youtube workout for 20 mins before you do anything else.

Or buy some new goggles and go swimming twice a week.

You just have to start.

You sound like me but I’ve been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and I’m a bit older than you. You may not be doing the right type of exercising as you need to strengthen your muscles. You’re doing cardio exercise. You might be interested in Nuffield Health joint pain programme which includes free gym membership for 6 months and various free exercise classes Nuffield Health is a charity that works alongside NHS. https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/about-us/our-impact/healthy-life/joint-pain-programme

I HATE it
I do it first thing, otherwise I find excuses all day.

So get up, get your leggings on and do 10 minutes, every other day in week one

Week 2, 10 mins every day but Sunday

Week 3 15 mins etc

You just have to force yourself

So it sounds as though I need to look at my diet, do something other than cardio, and take a supplement

I have this too OP. I'm wondering if a small dose of testosterone might help.

Have your blood sugar levels and blood pressure tested op. This was how I felt last year when my blood sugar rocketed.

Magnesium can also help with joint pain and inflammation - I find it helps

Would my moustache get worse?! 😂

Also someone with RA here and having sugar in my diet bears no relation to how my joints feel. I’ve been caning it regards the sweet stuff for the past week and no difference whatsoever. Mostly my diet is very healthy though. OP, one of the diagnostic questions for inflammatory arthritis is whether you get joint stiffness in the morning that lasts longer than half an hour. If is the case, it might be worth asking for a blood test from your GP.

Yes

No matter what you do / don't do

🤣🤣🤣

Ha!

re the RA, no, I’m not stiff in the morning. I’m stiff after sitting in one position too long on a day I’ve exercised