Hi and welcome to MM Flushing fifty.
You clearly have a very positive attitude which is really great.
Aches and pains are typical of menopause for many women and HRT can often be helpful. Unfortunately HRT does bring side effects, most of which will subside over time but the HRT combined Patches are medium dose and, as you have probably started from a low oestrogen base line, your body is getting rather a big hit straight off.
Oestrogen tends to be the ‘feel good' element of HRT but progesterone can be problematic for many women. Starting on a conti HRt is not always the best way, as you are using progesterone every day so more likely to get negative side effects. It is often better to start on a low dose and a sequential HRT so your body can adjust slowly and you can also then tell whether a progesterone suits you or not because you will get 2 weeks of oestrogen only before adding in the progesterone. A sequi HRT results in a withdrawal bleed each month but many women put up with this to avoid the side effects of continuous progesterone. There are also different progesterones to try - so some will suit you better than others.
Look under TREATMENTS at the top of this page to get clued up.
I am concerned that you say you arm is swollen - perhaps get this checked. Feeling bloated, sore breasts and feeling tired are typical side effects of HRT, particularly at first while your body adjusts. I would say you would be better to try a sequential HRt e.g. Femoston 1/10 as this has a kinder progesterone so suits many women very well. There are many options so it's about finding one that suits. The benefits must outweigh the side effects I'm afraid. I find that lots of brisk walking helps my aching joints more than anything - also Vitamin D with magnesium can help enormously.
See your GP about the swollen arm. Keep us posted. DG x
