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Original poster

50 yo aches and pains

36 replies

AnotheChinHair · 05/04/2021 07:42

Is this normal, that I have permanent aches and pains in my body, similar to when you've exercised after a long time and then your body aches for a couple of days? It's mostly on my lower back. Any supplements I should be taking? I am on hrt patches by the way.

OP posts:
HeadNorth · 05/04/2021 07:56

That does not sound normal to me - I am 53 and don't have permanent aches and pains. Do you have a regular exercise regime and does it involve both stretching and strength work as well as cardio? For me, this is key as we age. When I was younger I could go for a run/exercise have a shower and all was good. Now I know I need to stretch off properly. I also build in core strength training - this is vital as you can start to lose bone and muscle mass in meno so need to build in core strength training to maintain - squats, lunges, planks etc perhaps using light weights. Others swear by yoga or pilates, but I can't get on with either of them. You need to find out what works for you and remember you need to something at least 30 times to begin to establish a habit and even 10 mins is better than 0 mins.

DinosaurDiana · 05/04/2021 07:58

I find that I ache all week when I exercise.
If I have a week off I’m much better.

MoltonSilver · 05/04/2021 08:04

I'm the same age, also on hrt, it doesn't sound normal to me either. I think you need to check with your gp.

MoltonSilver · 05/04/2021 08:06

Am in right in thinking that you feel like you would after exercise even though you haven't exercised?

Original poster
AnotheChinHair · 05/04/2021 08:08

Yes, I feel like I've exercised even if I haven't.

OP posts:
user1471462115 · 05/04/2021 08:09

Check your Vitamin D levels with your GP

borntobequiet · 05/04/2021 08:17

If it’s mostly your lower back, it’s probably a problem with your back. This can affect other areas as it changes your posture so get it checked out. I have an unstable sacroiliac joint, didn’t realise it for years and now do the right exercises for it, which has made a real difference. I’m much older than you (nearly 70) but still use HRT (gel). I went without for a couple of days to see what happened and felt generally worse, but definitely had more muscle and joint aches (I have osteoarthritis, particularly in my knees).

trumpisaflump · 05/04/2021 08:19

@AnotheChinHair are you on HRT? We have oestrogen receptors all over our bodies, including our joints so can feel joint pain especially around peri menopause. I don't feel pain all the time no, only if I've been exercising heavily. Could it be the flu or the similar?

Original poster
AnotheChinHair · 05/04/2021 09:07

I am on Evorel Conti patches. I didn't feel these aches and pains before going on hrt, which I requested because I wasn't sleeping well due to night sweats. HRT has totally solved that.
Definitely not the flu as I've had these for maybe 4 or 5 months now.
Is it possible that HRT caused them?

OP posts:
borntobequiet · 05/04/2021 10:52

If you’re sleeping better and not tossing and turning you might be stiffening up more while you sleep. A new mattress or stretches first thing might help.

DinosaurDiana · 05/04/2021 11:06

Maybe you should do some stretches for your back, and look at taking up yoga. It’s something I’m going to do when we’re allowed to go to a class.

ThereforeIAm · 05/04/2021 11:11

I had aches and pains all over and especially in my lower back for years. HRT didn’t make a difference. I had it if I did exercise, I had it if I didn’t exercise. Gp not interested, didn’t even comment when I reported it.

For some weird reason, I am in my late 50s now and I don’t ache at all.

Sorry not much help but I have no theory, only to say that it went away of its own accord after years of creaking and aching.

MiddayMadDog · 05/04/2021 11:17

Is it lockdown related? I am stiff and aching and sore but it is just because I barely bloody move anymore.

EdgeOfFortyNine · 05/04/2021 11:19

Magnesium supplements can help with general aches and pains

bednow · 05/04/2021 12:19

@AnotheChinHair have you possibly had Covid? I had Covid a few months' ago and still have lots of aches in my legs. Never had these before Covid.

Original poster
AnotheChinHair · 05/04/2021 12:21

To my knowledge, I have not had Covid.
It just so happens that I have started taking Magnesium tablets because I read they can help with weight loss. I am 1.5 stone overweight.
I also take maximum strength vitamin D.
And starflower oil.
And Vitamin B-complex

OP posts:
bellabride · 05/04/2021 14:53

I came on to say magnesium and vitamin D.
Would also have suggested HRT, but you're already on that.

Fortherosesjoni70 · 05/04/2021 18:22

@AnotheChinHair

Is this normal, that I have permanent aches and pains in my body, similar to when you've exercised after a long time and then your body aches for a couple of days? It's mostly on my lower back. Any supplements I should be taking? I am on hrt patches by the way.
I get this in my legs. Then I am a teacher and standing most days. On my days off my legs can ache and feel quite heavy.
FindingMeno · 05/04/2021 18:32

I have just dropped a stone and its made a huge difference to my knees, if that's any help.

Original poster
AnotheChinHair · 05/04/2021 20:11

I desperately want to lose some weight but nothing's happening. I have gone keto, and then LCHF, I don't drink alcohol or ear bread, pasta, rice and potations. Very little fruit and way less sugar than I used to. I do a daily workout most days (admittedly it's just 30 mins) and twice a week, sometimes more, I'll walk 15K. I've just started couch to 5 also which I completed in the previous lockdown, but then I wasn't able to continue once I returned to work.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnotheChinHair · 05/04/2021 20:11

sorry for typos, you know what I mean...

OP posts:
FindingMeno · 05/04/2021 21:12

@AnotheChinHair that's spectacularly unfair Sad

Original poster
AnotheChinHair · 06/04/2021 08:35

It feels really unfair and I am miserable about my body. I am very short, so I guess that's one of the problems. But I don't overeat, ever, I never eat processed food, apart from bacon two or 3 times a week (being on keto limits choices so much!). I do eat some sugary treats, not many, I don't eat cake or biscuits, but 2 or 3 times a week I will have a chocolate bar or a handful of sweets. I sometimes eat way too many almonds because I am hungry and busy. I don't drink anything but water with a small splash of sugarfree squash, never less than 2 litres a day. Two weeks ago I stopped eating cheese.

OP posts:
lborgia · 06/04/2021 08:50

Magnesium is great, but it might be a lack of testosterone.

When I went through the menopause my testosterone levels plummeted to nothing.

My GP kindly gives me off- script testogel, which men usually use. I just rub a tiny drop into my skin every day and my aches have largely disappeared.

Mg has helped with the rest.

Good luck!

lborgia · 06/04/2021 08:57

I've just spotted what you said about the squash.

Unfortunately, sweeteners still prompt an insulin response, so will go towards holding onto fat.

Also, it's absolutely impossible to follow keto with chocolate and sweets in the mix.

Every time you have any sugar at all, it changes the way you metabolise food, and it takes more than 24hrs each time to truly get back into keto. Apologies if I've misunderstood.

Finally, and then I'll shut up, if you are on a keto diet, it's a huge cause of dehydration, which definitely makes you stiff and achy. Worth trying a couple of glasses of dioralyte, just to see if that makes a difference. If so, start drinking more water.

Hth.