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[Susan69]

Hi

I wondered is there a way to tell if joint pains are all purely menopausal or whether they could be arthritis?

Looking back I think the peri-menopause started earlier than I thought it did and I've had aches and pains for years before my knees got bad.

I was wondering is there something that improves menopausal joint pain in every case?  so I'd know that if there was still quite a bit of pain that would be the arthritis rather than the menopause?  ..if you get what I mean?

I'm only 52, haven't gone over 4 months before monthlies came back yet so may have quite a while to go yet before I get to a year without one.  But I get quite a bit of aches and pains so was wondering how I can separate one from the other. ..or can one make the other worse?

Thanks

Susan

[CLKD]

Hi!  As oestrogen levels drop so muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  So exercise, particularly quadriceps exercise are important. This will help the knees as it's the main supportive muscle.  [note to self  ]. Brisk walking with good footwear.  Pain relief when necessary.

Osteo arthritis is common when the gaps between the joints dries out, a bit of WD40 might be helpful  . 

[Susan69]

remind me which are our quadriceps?  I can barely remember my own name some days never mind the technical name of various body parts!!!   

 Am currently on crutches, am hoping to get back on my feet and trying to exercise but would be good if I knew whether I was making things worse or better! eg would non weight bearing exercises be better for knees (once I got back on my feet) than pushing myself with as much walking as possible? (have some exercise pedals - can't currently get on and off a proper exercise bike)

Susan

[sheila99]

Swimming is good if you have joint pain. I had pain in my hips which I thought was arthritis/worn out joints but the pain went when I used hrt. If it's painful enough you think you have arthritis perhaps see your gp.

[Salad]

Hi

I wondered is there a way to tell if joint pains are all purely menopausal or whether they could be arthritis?

Looking back I think the peri-menopause started earlier than I thought it did and I've had aches and pains for years before my knees got bad.

I was wondering is there something that improves menopausal joint pain in every case?  so I'd know that if there was still quite a bit of pain that would be the arthritis rather than the menopause?  ..if you get what I mean?

I'm only 52, haven't gone over 4 months before monthlies came back yet so may have quite a while to go yet before I get to a year without one.  But I get quite a bit of aches and pains so was wondering how I can separate one from the other. ..or can one make the other worse?

Thanks

Susan

My Psoriatic Arthritis was only diagnosed after the Menopause Specialist ruled out menopause as a cause. They raised my Oestrogen level to the point where it wouldn’t be menopause related symptoms anymore (600) and I still had fatigue, sleep problems, joint/tendon pain and swelling. This then led to my arthritis finally being  diagnosed.
It’s worth getting checked out, especially if there is any swelling or deformity to a joint.

[CLKD]

Quadriceps muscles are in the thigh, it's the large muscle between hip and knee. 

Why the crutches ? I would self refer to a physiotherapist for advice on exercise as well as checking that the crutches are the correct size for your height.

[Susan69]

I already needed one stick outside after the blood clot/mini stroke as it left the left side a bit weaker (I did have physio immediately after) but when my knees started getting really bad in winter when temps were freezing. I needed to switch to crutches for extra support, even just to get around the house.

Recently I got an hairline fracture of the Achilles after a fall. (on the same leg that had the blood clot). ..so still hobbling about from room to room and due to the pandemic have been unable to access any external services.

Haven't been anywhere there would be other people who could have covid since before the first lockdown last year. There is currently a spike of the delta variant in my nearest town, so currently staying away from anywhere I'd have to come in contact with more than one fully vaccinated person. 

I had previously had other contact with the GP, who knows I have started peri-menopause but unable to have HRT, but the social anxiety has got so bad I unplugged the phone, cos it ringing unexpectedly triggered full on  panic attacks.

[Susan69]

by the way why is my IP address been shown on the bottom of my posts? Nobody else's posts are showing them and didn't see them on any posts before I joined???

I probably wouldn't have joined if I'd have seen everyone' IP addresses broadcasted to anyone reading..surely this in an invasion of privacy?

[CLKD]

It isn't showing on my screen.

Have you had a pelvis X-ray to check for osteoporosis ?  If you have a hair line crack this is something that should be investigated, so that dietary advice can be given.

In the 1990s I was unable to answer the land line, no mobiles then.  I went into panic mode when post arrived, I had pen friends across the World: because my anxiety told me that they needed a reply and I quite simply was unable to put pen to paper 

An answer phone system is a good idea and then ring 1471 to C who has called. 

[Jenna]

by the way why is my IP address been shown on the bottom of my posts? Nobody else's posts are showing them and didn't see them on any posts before I joined???

I probably wouldn't have joined if I'd have seen everyone' IP addresses broadcasted to anyone reading..surely this in an invasion of privacy?

I think you’ll find that only you can see it, Susan69. I can see mine in the same way.