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[seaswimmer]

Hi, I’ve been menopausal for roughly around two years. I haven’t gone down the HRT route as I felt I didn’t have enough symptoms to warrant this, so no night sweats or brain fog.  However, the last few months my joints are really painful and stiff, hips and shoulders especially (I actually had a frozen shoulder in lockdown) I put this down to getting older, walking too much with the dogs etc. but it’s persisting and not getting any easier. I take vitamins B6 &b12 along with calcium and magnesium. Does anyone else take supplements or know of anything else that can help. I’m really active walking between 1-2 hours a day and also cold water swim, but feel everything is an effort at the moment. Thanks 

[CLKD]

Morning.  As oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  Do U take pain relief B4 attempting i.e. gardening ? 

[seaswimmer]

No I don’t, i feel I’d be constantly taking pain relief to do everything!!  I’m off this morning to buy some omega fish oils

[jaypo]

Nurofen patches greatly helped my shoulder,now I know they're meant for backs but because I can't stomach stron painkillers or ibuprofen, I thought I'd try the patch and omg it eased my shoulder so much. 

[AKatieD]

HRT took my osteoarthritis pain away (until oestrogen levels dropped again ehich I am now trying to fix)

[CLKD]

    AKatieD - have U considered a hike in dose?

[chopsuey]

Seaswimmer - are you completely averse to taking HRT? Prior to taking HRT, my joints were so stiff and painful, I struggled to get out of bed and down the stairs in the morning. My wrists constantly ached and my muscles would tire very quickly. This all resolved very quickly once I started on HRT.

Otherwise there are things like chondroitin and glucosamine you can try but the evidence base isn't brilliant and it is often difficult to know whether or not a supplement is good quality. Often expensive too.

Might be worth discussing with your GP as well though, if it is affecting several joints.   

[AKatieD]

Thanks @CKLD. The only thing is I am reliant on prescriptions increasing to increase the dose and it was not offered by the consultant. I imagine they are now scared of doing that after the Newson Tv hounding.

If it were down to me that is what I would do

[Terri123]

@seaswimmer I previously suffered from aching joints (side effect of oestrogen-blocking meds).  I found that iMove tablets did help.

[VioletAquarius]

Collagen helps with joint pain and stiffness.

If you decide to give it a try,my advice would be to use a powder rather than capsule, and do your research to ensure you get a good quality one, and check where the fish/cow is sourced from.

You also need to check which collagen is for joints as different ones support different things, ie marine or bovine, and whether it's type 1 or 2.

[Aprilflower]

I take vitamin D and Q10.  I certainly notice the difference if I don't take them.

I have been diagnosed with mild osteoarthritis, but that's quite normal as you get older.  Also have spells of general aches.