Joint pain in middle age - what helped you?

[BeachAndSea]

I am on HRT patches which haven’t helped. I don’t want to increase the dose for to gynae cancers in my family.

Has anything helped you reduce or eliminate joint pain? Thanks for any recommendations.

Interested too

I lost weight, mostly by giving up alcohol and started swimming in the sea as often as I can (most days).

I also do a routine of stretches every day - just a five minute set of about 10 stretches that I do morning and evening. I made up a little routine of stretches for every bit of my body from a book called something like 'Yoga for gardeners'.

It has really turned things around. I was stiff and in pain all the time through my late 40s, early 50s and thought I was stuck with it for life. Now in my 60s I seldom have any pain.

Another thing I would recommend is seeing a podiatrist. A lot of my problems were caused by poor gait. She gave me some stretches which I've added to my set and some insoles which corrected my gait. Another miraculous step forward (literally).

The only sport I enjoy is swimming which I currently do (badly) twice a week. I did get insoles for plantar fasciitis and never wear them. Thanks for the reminder. I need to lose weight but v reluctant to try the injections.

Magnesium helped me as well as some stretching with light weights.

Ah, I was going to say HRT helped me.
I was only on it for a few months as I then had a hormone positive breast cancer.
I'm now on an estrogen inhibitor and am back to extremely achy joints.

Will follow the thread with interest.

I second the daily 10 minute stretches.
What made the biggest improvement for me was massively reducing dairy and sugar. Also not allowing weight to increase although I’ll be 70 next birthday day and I’m 10lbs over my ideal and finding it the hardest to shift.

I’ve started going to classes 2/3 times a week. Including Pilates. It’s definitely helped. I’ve lost a stone and generally feel better. My knees are a bit shot though… suspect replacement will be on the cards at some point.

Interested in magnesium, I've been taking some for 50 days (just finished the pot) but it was magnesium oxide and I understand magnesium glycinate is the best - have ordered the Healthy Metal drink one.

I've started strength training (as part of my cancer treatment), try and walk every morning, and am a healthy BMI (although want to lose a stone).

Tumeric tablets have helped the pain in my hands. Have you tried a different delivery of HRT? I use gel instead of patches and find it better.

I’ve taken magnesium glycinate for years, to help with sleep which it does. I have just bought turmeric tablets and glucosamine so hope they help.

I will look up the yoga for gardener’s book.
My husband has no knee pain and he’s overweight too.

Ditto on having just purchased turmeric supplements, following this thread. Will see if they help.

Good that the magnesium helps you sleep.

I'm also interested in suggestions.

I've tried collagen which i don't think made any difference, and I'm now taking omega 3. I'm also not sure what difference it's making yet. I also take vitamin d too.

The only pain free time I seem to experience now is when I'm on holiday in the sun. I was fully expecting pain and stiffness with walking lots, much more than at home, but none. It takes very little miles now to feel sore.

I'm not sure if it was the sun, omega, or a combination of just being overall less stressed. The pain returned when I was back home.

I don't think desk working helps either. Losing weight and cutting sugar can only help, just wish it was easier to do. I like the sea swimming suggestion.

If your joints are swollen, try giving up nightshade family plants - tomatoes, potatoes, aubergine, chilli, peppers, a couple more I can't remember but tomatoes is the most important one.

Testosterone and Mounjaro - there seems to be a real anti inflammatory effect of this drug, I have been on oestrogen for years and added in testosterone which helped a bit too. I stated Mounjaro and it was like a magic switch for leg pain!!

Not sitting down for long periods, including driving. So I have a standing desk to work from and take a break after every 1.5hrs of driving. The break isn't sitting in a service station, but walking round instead!

Also swimming 3 times a week. I really notice the difference if I don't do it e.g. when on holiday.

And that was without any weight loss!! I was not expecting that side effect

Weight loss eliminated 99% of my arthritis. Pilates, yoga and swimming help the muscles support my joints better. I do weights, rowing, cycling and running to aid the weight loss and dance for fun.

I’ve found taking a vitamin D with Vitamin K supplement with a glass of orange juice everyday helps.

Also cut right down on bread though do have other carbs such as potato (as jacket potato). I try and get as much protein as possible, beans, nuts, eggs (I’m vegetarian).

Walk everyday.

a hip replacement :)
and weight loss. I have osteoarthritis in various places. I lost 6 stones and its definitely made a difference. I still have issues, but the difference is that after a day of standing or walking I am good to go the next day after resting, whereas before the weight loss I'd be in pain the next day too.
I am on Mounjaro. I can't say if that's helped the pain, but it has helped a bit with my sleep

Hrt helped a lot. I don't know if different types might make a difference, you could try gel.

I've been on WLI for 2 months, stating on the 2nd lowest dose. I was bmi 26 now 24.5 and it has helped, maybe the weight loss but I think more likely the anti inflammatory properties of the jabs.

I have tried various anti inflammatory diets/supplements /herbs in the past. There always seemed to be a temporary improvement but I think the body gets used to it.

I started strength training seriously. And kept It up. Now my really painful knees (struggling to get form stairs) are pain free (I’m running, box jumping, lifting) because I have strengthened all of the muscles around them. It has 100% changed my life

I had joint pain in my thumbs and wrists, took HRT which helped.
however I also started taking some ‘female’ multivitamins and minerals which contain magnesium and collagen at the same time.
i came off HRT - at least two years ago- but the good sleep and lack of joint pain remained so I think it may be the magnesium or some other random thing in the mix!

They are Free Soul - got them on Amazon (sorry)

Vitamin D. I use the better you sprays, and take it all year round. I was having awful hip pain and it's 99% better since using this. I also take a collagen gummy daily and am looking into hylauronic acid as that's massively helped my dog's arthritis.

Which collagen dummies do you take? While I was dubious abiut the benefits, I was also struggling with the taste and texture. I've tried nutrition geeks and ancient and brave.

Has anyone.tried ankhway mushroom dummies? I keep seeing them advertised and tell myself it's just marketing!