Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Lynda07]

Hi

I've been experiencing some quite bad upper leg ache of late even when resting. I've also got what I assume is a recurring injury at the top of my right leg but it could be connected.

Recently I've also noticed that I'm not as flexible as I used to be - quite significantly - for example I can't touch my toes, can't cross my legs and when I came to do my Pilates DVD last week instead of it being a pleasure it was too difficult - to be fair I've not done it for a few weeks but I always complete it and this time I couldn't. I wake feeling as if I've slept tensing all of my muscles. My knees, fingers, neck, hips and shoulders stiffen up at times too. I don't feel aligned if that makes sense. The symptoms also cost me a cleaning job recently as I was physically able to do the work but the after effects pain wise were awful - this is all quite alien to me as I've always been fit.

I decided to see my GP and got an appointment for today but then cancelled thinking I would be wasting his time - but the pains in my legs been really bad this afternoon (typical) - so I've been reading and it seems there could be links to the menopause and I also wondered about osteoarthritis or even fybromyalgia.

Just typing this makes me think I probably should get checked out after all but I thought I'd ask here first for other lady's experiences/advice.

I'm not overweight and do a lot of walking. I'm 58 and about 7 years post meno.

Thank you.

Lynda

[CLKD]

Could it be referred pain from bursiitis or sciatica?   In recent weeks I've had what I thought was sciatica so saw a physio. who diagnosed bursitis with exercises to do    Do I look like the type who would do exercising 

About 10 years ago I was woken in the night with excruciating pain deep in the R thigh, so painful that I couldn't shout out; good as we were in B&B!  After several months I worked out that it was postural, we go to a lot of antique shows where I bend over a lot of cabinets ...........

[CLKD]

Also as oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax = aches and pains.

[Marchlove]

Hi Lynda

Yes it could well menopause symptoms. Some ladies can get aches and pains first start well into post menopause.

Do you have any other symptoms?

It would be best to get another appointment with your Gp and talk it through. You mustn’t think you’re wasting his time, that’s what they’re there for, you pay his salary don’t forget through your taxes!

X

[Lynda07]

Thanks CLKD. I don’t know is the honest answer but thinking about it this has all been building up slowly over the past months/year.

Marchlove, thanks for your reply. I am more tired than normal but had put that down to age. No other symptoms that come to mind. I know you are right about seeing a Dr, I always feel intimidated-not that my Drs are anything but lovely so I will be rebooking an appointment and explaining what I have written here x

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on?  Humidity can affect joints - my Grandad could feel rain 3/4 days B4 it arrived!

[Lynda07]

Yes I will for sure CKLD.

My mum was like that with the weather too.

[sheila99]

I agree you should start with your gp. It could be meno but it could be something else. If you have an injury you could be walking differently to protect it that's putting strain somewhere else.

[Lynda07]

Thanks Sheila, I thought that too about the injury, I will be making another appointment, I could kick myself for cancelling todays.

[Marchlove]

We’ve all cancelled appointments and regretted it!
No harm done as it’s given you time to think xx

[Kate57]

This hot weather always makes me feel achey and not want to do much.
Luckily it's only me I have to cater for, so its anothe ham salad for tea!
🙂

[Lynda07]

Kate57 - it can be draining can't it.

Marchlove - all rebooked for next week now and as you say, it's given me time to think. x

[Marchlove]

Jolly good, let us know how it goes xx

[joziel]

I had similar symptoms from low estrogen - probably not menopause, but due to being on desogestrel which caused the low estrogen - but essentially the same effect 

I went to my GP and he ran full bloods to check thyroid and also rheumatoid arthritis. All that was okay, but he then referred me to a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist sent me for a more specific RA blood test which is only available via specialists and not GPs, called a cyclic peptide test (or something?!). This also came back negative/okay.

At this point the rheumatologist agreed I should try HRT for 6 months and see if it helps. (Unlike my GP he seemed fully aware of the impact of hormones on joints etc!)

It was also discovered my iron levels were quite low, which can affect energy and cause fatigue. So I started on a gentle iron supplement as well as the HRT.

I'd say my joints are much better - they are not 100% in that they tend to be a bit stiff if I don't move them for a while. If they don't improve, I might try a joint supplement like green-lipped mussel supplements. (I'm just on so many supplements at the moment it's a bit ridiculous so have held off  )

Meanwhile, having stopped desogestrel, my ovaries seem to have begun to make their own estrogen again..... So maybe I've had a menopause reprieve 

[Lynda07]

Thank you for that reply Joziel.  The GP I am seeing is known to be very thorough so it will be interesting to see what he says/any tests he may do. I'm not on any HRT, again it will be interesting to see if the GP makes any connection.