Perimenopause and SEVERE joint pain - any one else??

Hi Lesley

I can't thank you enough for sharing your experience.

I was googling sore joints and am so glad I happened across your post.

It never occurred to me that my problems might be menopause/hormone related.

I am 51 this year and thought I was done and dusted. Early. I had an easy time of things and sailed

through menopause without so much as a hot flush. My husband and family may beg to differ!!

Only that for the last few years I have felt decidedly unwell. Extremely tired, aches and pains everywhere, and brain fog. Everything feels 'heavy'.

It's like living with a permanenent hangover or flu.

I had blood tests 15 months ago which showed nothing, the end result being B12 shots.

I've had another flare up now and this time I have obvious redness in my hand knuckles so I am now awaiting blood results for arthritis.

Now, I feel more informed and will not take no for an answer. It is NOT NORMAL to feel this way.

I will not be fobbed off and will ask to have my hormone levels looked at if need be.

Again, I am so glad to have stumbled in here.

Thanks and best wishes to you all.

Sue

Hi everyone! Really interested in this post as I too have been suffering severe joint pain that seems to move around my body.

I'm nearly 48, have had irregular periods from the age of 13 which eventually became regular at the age of 40!!! 2 pregnancies in my 20s.

I now have regular periods - bang on the day they are due. For that last year or so I have been experiencing burning joint pain in my hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, back. At one point I truly believed I needed a hip replacement.

My GP has done various standard blood tests - all normal - and has referred me for physiotherapy. Peri-menopause has never been mention and I certainly had never heard of this as a possible symptom before.

If this is what is causing my joint pain would I still be having regular periods? I have no other menopausal symptoms...

Hi ladies, well my doctor has put me on something called Levial as he said "it's the best" I respect my doctor as he specialises in gynaecology. He advised my to research it first, so I found amazing comments on this site who have symptoms the same as everyone here and they had instant results. Sorry to say I cannot report the same. It's only been 1 week but all I've found is that my flushes are worse and I now go bright red and sweat too! My joint pain is now in both hands and my bits below feel like i have thrush as it burns and cystitis has increased. I was so optimistic and keep trying to think I need to give it longer as everyone reacts differently but just feel its not for me. There has been no feeling of more energy, happiness and increased libido for me but it obviously does work for some so maybe it might also help some of you. I see a bladder specialist tomorrow but no doubt he will say the same as last time - painful bladder syndrome! In other words haven't got a clue but let's give it a name. I'll keep you updated if I find something that works. Still trying cod liver oil as it helped my friends joint pain, Heather

Hello am a new recruit to the club having found this forum today. Having terrible joint pain in feet elbows and hands and hobbling around. night flushes are currently very bad. I also have had the frozen shoulder in both shoulders which I was told was common in women over 40 and those with diabetes so if you have this symptom have a diabetes check. I have had hydrodilation in both shoulders and this is a miracle almost instant cure for frozen shoulder so I would recommend it. Ask your gp for a referral.

Hi

I'm perimenopausel with symptoms such as bad moods....periods all over the place...itchy skin..

I have in the last few days been aching all over, with swollen tingly feet. Is this a symptom too?

Hello to all you wonderful and strong Ladies:

I have been in the same boat with you. I am 52 and Symptoms begin about a year ago. Light periods to extremely heavy ones and then skipped ones. A few mild hot flashes in the beginning, but they elevated to extreme as months progressed. You know the kind that you wake you in the night as if someone sit you on fire and you begin the ritual of throwing clothes across the room like a maniac.

The hot flashes were soon accompanied by heart palpitations, feelings of faintness, chest pains that caused

You to feel as if you were having a heart attack ... That scaring you brings on the wonderful menopausal

Anxiety. Not to mention the brain fog that freaks you out, especially if you are a organized person to begin.

I always had a place for everything and everything in its place. I didn't need a day timer as my mind was a great place to keep and organize my daily events ... Even weekly. And then ... Keys were lost, the phone was

Misplaced and worse ... I would loose words (not good when you are a speaker). All this adding to anxiety.

Just when you thing yo have a grip ... Yet another ... My right arms at elbow became to weak and full of pain I couldn't hold my coffee cup. This again concerned me of my heart. As this did pass within weeks and I was thankful ... There was more.

Still hot flashing, dealing with some chest pains, and weird tingling headaches ...the kind that scares you as

You have no idea what is happening in byYour head. Now I wake up one morning to a spiked blood pressure ... Lowered thyroid because of it. All this freaks you out because of heart and strokes. Now I have been

Waking up in the mornings with a terrible gnawing dull lower back pain that feels like it moves to the hips and is gonna cause me to break in half.

I mastered the blood pressure and some of the not flashes by drinking lots of water and waking every day as well as cutting caffeine and eating right. (Oh yes I forgot to tell you the lovely weight Gain of 30 plus pounds). I was also told by a doctor to take vitamin D3, B complex and C. I also take a glucosamine supplement to

Keep my bones and joints strong.

The Dr ran a blood test to check all ... Kindney, liver, white and red counts, sugar, thyroid and of course the

Hormones. Findings were lowered thyroid and menopausal hormones.

At this point I am at three full months of missed periods without spotting. And have a pharmacy working on a bio identical Hormone therapy for me.

Hope this helps someone rest and feel less alone in the midst of the pause of life! I meditate and breathe

Through most of the symptoms ,,, it helps too! . blessings ladies

Sherry, how did you get into my body?!! Wow, you are talking about me, I relate to everything you wrote. I am 54 and not enjoying this at all! So far have avoided HRT but after visiting Dr today found blood pressure up, never had this before. And as for aches, Lord, I am one big ache! Comes and goes though, can be ok for weeks then bam round the time I would have my period these awful symptoms appear, some episodes longer and more painful than others. Wonder how long it will keep up?

I am 56 and have been free from my period for over a year. But the pain in my shoulders and elbows have just started. I was beginning to really worry about this, but after reading all the posts, I feel much better. You really feel that you are going crazy or you have some awful disease! I thought that once you have gone a year without having a period that you would have finished going through menopause, NOT. There are still things popping up all the time. And while I have never experienced really bad night sweats or hot flashes, I still have them. I, too, would like to know how long these things can last. I guess until they are over. I really hope I don't have to do HRT. I would prefer message or supplements, so thanks to all of you who have posted what worked and what has not. I know everyone is different, but at least it's a place to start.

Hello everyone, I'm a 50 year old woman who is also suffering from aches and pains with irregular periods. I'm surprised no-one has mentioned oil of evening primrose which is supposed to be very effective for both PMT and menopause symptoms. I'd stopped using it but with all the pain I'm suffering from now (kness and lower back) I'm starting it up again. My mum had HRT and was one of the unlucky one's who got breast cancer (doctors are almost sure it was the HRT) so doctors wouldn't prescribe me that. There is also a homeopathic remedy Actea racemosa. Everything is worth a try!!

Hi all, so glad this thread is helping people.

I am a year on from my exruciating pains in joints and neck, and subsequent double frozen shoulder and have to say I am almost 100% back to normal.

I still have the odd ache and am far more aware of my body and joints than every before, but at age 51, I guess this is to be expected - menopause or not!

I genuinely think that these symptoms of old age and meno through estrogen depletion come on so suddenly in us women, so much so that we think it must be some sort of horrible disease. I was so fit, supple and healthy - walking, pilates. yoga, golf, skiing...then I was pole axed by joint pain and was almost crippled by it.

I tried HRT which did help, but didn't work for me long term due to other problems.

I am now on a regime of a good VitB complex, fish oil, Glucosamin and Chondriotin, and a probiotic.

May try evening primrose.

Take heart ladies...it really does get better.

Hi All - This thread has given me light at the end of the tunnel me thinks - 43 years old and the last 6 months haven't been great not helped by dr google. Feeling tired, hot sweats to point of dripping at night, poor sleep and now awful joint / muscle pain in hands and knees. ? perimenopause with GP which was poo pood - but has agreed blood tests for fsh and xrays of knees. Told her my mum started at 40 but thinks me a mere child and all unlikely. Feel like I'm going mad but maybe this thread has provided the answer - fingers crossed x

Ladies,

Thank you so much for sharing all your peri and meno troubles.

I too was at my wits end with joint pains, until last year was fit, healthy, supple, cycled to work most days, had completed two walking marathons in the previous 6 months, enjoyed skiing, pilates and took it for granted that I would remain fit and healthy. My periods had been regular for years, only complications were the odd hormone related migraine, I had a brief disruption to periods a few years earlier that I put down to stress over a relationship break up. So approaching 49 I found my periods became less regular and lighter didn't give it much thought was a stressful time at work, with a total change of role but if it was impending menopause wondered what all the fuss was about!

I initially linked my shoulder, back and hip aches to being less active after a slight cycling injury and the change of work role, I had been transferred from an active front line policing role to a desk job requiring 12 hour shifts.

I really wasn't prepared for the constant pain in my back, neck, shoulders hips along with muscle weakness, I felt exhausted and tearful, I wasn't sleeping well due to the pain and everyday tasks getting dressed , housework, walking to the station were overwhelming me, additionally I worried about being forced to give up work. It was quite simply debilitating!

I had no idea it could be menopause linked, I went to see my GP about the joint and muscle problems, I was told to take ibuprofen and paracetamol, do more pilates and seek physio through work for the worst problem my right shoulder for RSI (mouse use). Things improved slightly but following a ski holiday where I hardly skied due to the pain and muscle weakness (I also started to get pain in my hands and feet), I found a few mentions to joint pain and menopause on the net, what a revelation! Why is this not common knowledge?

I returned to my GP who thankfully didn't laugh me out the room, prescribed me stronger anti-inflammatoriessent me for blood tests that confirmed I am perimenopausal, I had some raised inflammatory markers but further tests showed normal levels, in the meantime the hot flushes and night sweats started although not severe. In the midst of waiting further blood tests my GP, female I might add recommended this site, it was so good to read about all your experiences and helped me make the decision to go with HRT. Have been on elleste duet 1mg for nearly two weeks, a bit early to tell what effect it is having but I feel heaps better just knowing what is wrong! Still on the painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs and will continue with my fish oils, chondroitin and glucosamine that I am now making every effort to take more regularly!

Keep posting your updates ladies, it really has helped me. Posting this in the hope it helps someone else!

I went on to the website this morning to look up joint pain in menopause and came across your comments. You basically described exactly how I have been feeling for the last three months. My menopausal symptoms began about 2 years ago although the joint pain has only happened in the last 3 months. Unlike you I also have hot flushes, through the day and night, which I have coped with, but this joint pain is so bad sometimes I feel like crying. I am 51 but through the night I feel about 90!! When I wake up of a morning ( that's if I've managed to sleep at all) I feel so stiff and every joint aches, even down to my feet. Once I'm up and about I'm not so bad, except for my right arm & shoulder which aches constantly, making it difficult to get dressed and undressed.

I recently went to the doctors, but couldn't get an appointment with my own GP and only managed to see a locus doctor. He has referred me to the hospital for a scan on my arm and shoulder, but I am still waiting for an appointment, so no further on at the moment.

I would like to hear from anyone else who has experienced these symptoms and if they know of any remedies which may help.

Oh the joys of being a woman!!

Debbie

Hi Debbie,

I totally get how low you feel, when my shoulder and back pain was at its worst I would sit on the edge of my bed in tears as I was struggling to get dressed, I'd had little sleep because even turning over in bed was excruciating! I was starting to feel that my 80 year old Mum had better mobility than I had.

I did get some physio for my right shoulder and along with the anti-inflammatory drugs it helped to a degree but the left shoulder soon followed the same pattern.

I had been seeing a sports massage therapist who helped greatly in loosening up my tight muscles, once the physio felt he had done all he could she recommended I try an osteopath. I felt so much improvement after just one session. My back and right shoulder had more mobility and the left shoulder is getting there however I still need the painkillers and anti-inflammatory drug (I was prescribed Naproxen) if I'm late taking them I know it! Hate having to take them so regularly and for so long, I've always tried to keep painkillers etc to a minimum but I know at the moment its the only way I can have any sense of normality. I also find swimming and pilates helps as my feet hurt too much for me to do much else exercise wise.

From reading other posts different things work for others we are all individual! I have to say I've slowed down a bit and do things in bite sized chunks now, no blitzing the garden in a weekend, I plan a lot more and what doesn't get done I try not to stress over I get too exhausted otherwise. Don't underestimate how hard your body I working trying to deal with all this.

Good luck in finding what helps you.

Hello,

I have menopausal arthritis and did have hot flushes but they have stopped. Sadly the arthritis hasn't and I cannot find any research to say that it will actually ever stop. I cannot use HRT and don't want to use medicines as such, as they are more short term measures.

Once I found out what my problem was I looked up all the foods that reduce inflammation when eaten in my food bible. I found parsley and high Vitamin C foods to be best and most effective. I ate a packet of parsley from Morrison and within half an hour my swollen hands were normal again. Now I graze on parsley throughout the day and eat lots of red and purple fruits. This was effective in reducing the inflammation but I was still left with joint pain.

So I started looking at diet again and found sugars and carbohydrates aggravate the arthritis. So I did a little experiment and reduced my carbohydrate intake to two slices of bread a day and one small to medium size potato or the equivalent thereof roughly and the same of fish or low fat meat (red meat aggravated it). I also ate as much fruit and vegetables as I wanted. I continued the high vitamin C and parsley and introduced evening primrose capsules (a natural hormone balancer).

I also googled some herbal healing remedies and thought I would give comfrey ointment a go. So I went to a local semi nature reserve on the hunt for some comfrey (somewhere where animals will not be able to eat it as cows and deer love it and also where the council doesn't mow it down). Find the plant and then dig some roots up and break some off. You don't damage the plant. Clean the roots off, chop them and boil in some olive oil for a couple of hours in a ban marie. Strain the roots and chuck them away. Add a little beeswax to the oil and let it set. Use as an ointment for a nice quick relief to target pain spots.

I am not as spritely as a used to be still but I am not far off. I cycle and walk every day (as the dogs drive me crackers otherwise). A lot of the overwhelming tiredness has gone and the joint pain is low and far less pronounced. If it gets bad I just eat some parsley or fruit and stick some ointment on. Then I am back to normal (or as normal as I will ever be).

This works for me and it may help others. I learnt a long time ago the power of food and plants.