Is this my new normal? Because it's shit!

[CakeKiller]

I'm 49, been on HRT for nearly 3 years now as I started peri at around 42. Estradot 75, plus cyclical Utrogestan that I had to up to 3 tablets instead of 2 due to breakthrough bleeding.

I was doing ok but in the past few months I just feel exhausted and achy all the time. I've had blood tests which showed normal iron but low ferritin so I've been taking supplements for that alongside my usual multivitamin and vitamin d spray. And even though I get enough sleep, I'm always knackered.

I have a reasonably healthy, mainly veggie diet and used to exercise 6 days a week, 10k steps every day but this year that seems to have all gone out the window. I still try to do my workouts but last year I hurt my back and this year my neck and it seems that everytime I get back on track, something happens to put me off again.

I've been piling on the weight around my middle too, even though to look at me you wouldn't think i was overweight, and my blood test showed elevated cholesterol so I'm trying to get that down. My diet was decent to begin with but this means I've got to give up loads of the foods I like, which makes me feel even more miserable!

It's really starting to get to me and all I want to do is lie in bed all day. Is this normal? Is it what getting older is like? I expected to feel like this at around 65, not 49! Has anyone experienced this and found anything that helped??

Following as I can fully sympathise!!

What was your health like before you went on HRT?

I'm a bit concerned that some doctors don't investigate things properly. I'm also wondering if HRT is the right thing for you.

Sorry if it's a mad question,b but you do see posters on here who just assume that's what the problem is.

I come from a family where women have babies very late, but we are generally like the Fleabag episode where the lady is delighted to have had menopause. I can't comment because I'm not there yet. But I am amazed how freely some women have asked if I'm on HRT. No, I am 49 years old and I'm not.

I had a myriad of physical health problems throughout my 20s and 30s and that was on top of depression and anxiety. I'm almost scared to say it, but I seem to be okay now.

what you are describing does seem to be how a lot of women on here describe themselves. But I'm not sure how accurate it is at a population level. Certainly of the women I know in this age group, they are bursting with energy - definitely have more energy than I do - but that is mostly through work, so by default, I am seeing the ones who are feeling good.

And you certainly need some help to get you feeling better.

I was doing ok until about 42, when my periods started to go a bit haywire. And then the following year I started getting hot flushes, mood swings, rage, poor sleep. Eventually the GP prescribed HRT and things got a lot better.

Its just in the past year that it all seems to have declined - tiredness, aches and pains, libido through the floor - and I really don't think it should be like this! A couple of my friends have started on testosterone but I'm reluctant as I've experienced some hair loss (hence the ferritin test) and I've heard it cam exacerbate it.

My symptoms weren't fully alleviated until I went up to 100 patch. It made a huge difference. Also testosterone made a big difference, even though its only prescribed for loss of libido.

I mean if I were you, I'd be hitting the 100 patch

I'm on 100 with my mirena and don't feel as knackered as you are, although I have terrible tendon pain related to hypermobility and I do physio every single day for one part of my body or another! I'm 47.

I also hobble for the first ten mins each morning as my feet hurt dreadfully, though blood test said no arthritis.

I recognise a lot of what you've written. 48 going on 49, similar length of time on HRT and also struggling with activity levels, energy and weight gain (although I think a lot of that is due to the decrease in activity!). I had blood tests done a couple of months ago and also had slightly raised cholesterol but everything else was normal. I feel a bit better since I had a holiday and increasing my oestrogen helped with the muscle aches but I'm also picking up injuries a lot easier than I ever did so it feels like there's always something against me.
Vitamin D helps with the feet hobbling in a morning @Justputsomeyoghurtonit

@MiddleAgedDread I already take 4000iu daily and have done for a couple of years! On the plus side it's helping my immune system!!

Could be worth asking for a blood test or getting one from Thriva / Medichecks. I have felt very very similar this year and was on Evorel 100 patch plus 300 Utrogeston since April, added in testosterone in September as my levels were very low plus my estradiol levels being 140 in August. Just had another blood test with Thriva to test 3 months on and my estradiol levels are only 150 and testosterone still below a normal level despite 3 months of testosterone gel. The Thriva doctor said reasonable levels of oestrogen in HRT would be 350-600 and so can only presume that I’m getting virtually nothing via the patch. If I hadn’t have had the blood test then I would just have presumed that this was how it was at 50.
I’m now trying Sandrena gel for 3 months (plus Utrogeston and testogel) to see if I absorb that any better, if I don’t then I’ll look at oral HRT

Dunno but I'm 49yo and I do know what you mean about being lacking in energy. I could happily sit doom scrolling all day, don't even have the energy to read a book!

I tried HRT a couple of years ago and put on 7lbs in 2 weeks (patch) and stopped. Have just had 2 weeks of the gel and stopped as put on 4lbs in 2 weeks. I know people say it's menopause which causes weight gain but my weight was steady before. I put on weight as a teen when I went on the pill as well.

I don't have hot flushes, etc. Libido is non existent. I only keep trying HRT to see if it helps with aches and pains but I'm also hypermobile so suspect it may be that!

I know what you mean about injuries @MiddleAgedDread . I hurt my neck putting a barbell across my shoulders for squats and that's something I've been doing for 25 years! I've always prided myself on doing lots of exercise and being in good shape so this is really gutting.

I had some hormone bloods done a couple of months ago as part of the hair loss check - estradiol showed as 145pmol and testosterone at 0.5nmol, which I assumed were normal levels. But reading your message, I'm starting to think I assumed wrong!

@CakeKiller whilst oestrogen levels can fluctuate during the day, mine are 600 on last check. So I'd say you are low!

The last time I spoke to a GP to get my HRT prescription, I mentioned my testosterone level and asked if it was low and he said women have less testosterone than men! Thanks for that Dr Obvious...

@CakeKiller on my first blood test, my testosterone level was less than 0.04 and undetectable.
There are testosterone threads on the menopause board so you can check levels and see where you come.

What was your ferritin level? GPs really don't seem to take low iron levels in women seriously, but if it's really low, that can leave you feeling pretty horrendous

If u can. Get them to check ur b12 levels. My feet were like that and I ended up have a random test and that was what it was. B12 shots took the pain in my feet away.

My GP and hosp have frankly been apathetic pre and post surgical menopause. This clinic (private) has some very knowledgable drs who specialise in thus. I've found them extremely helpful. https://www.womenswellnessclinic.co.uk/?utmsource=ig&utmmmedium=social&utmcontent=linkkin_bio

@Andtheworldwentwhite I never thought of B12! All that time focusing on ferritin and Vit D/K12 😊thank you for the suggestion!

I wonder if it would impact my tendon pain too?

You know those exhausted old women who you felt had let themselves down when you were a young woman… yeah that’s you now. It sucks. You have simply to embrace being a wise old lady —with a beard and no energy—

Yeah, no. Maybe at 89 but not 49! And no beard here either!

It was low, about 27, but I've been taking ferrograd-c since. Vitamin B12 was pretty high.

You could be describing me OP! Waist is getting thicker (am going to be bursting out of clothes after Christmas!) & just about to start HRT in the hope it will lift fatigue and irritability. Now reading the comments above worried it will just make me fatter!

Mentally I don't see myself as a big old mamma. but physically I suddenly am.

FWIW, I don't think the HRT is making me put weight on, its just the relentless tiredness and getting injured, which means I'm not as active as I used to be. I've been on it since 2022 and it's only recently that I've been hit with this.

I dug out some old blood test results from when I was on Estrogel rather than patches and my estradiol levels were even lower then, at 113pmol. I can't remember how many pumps I was on at the time but if my body doesn't absorb it then I'm not sure what more can be done.

Are you getting enough protein? That might be one piece of the puzzle possibly?