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[Firewalker50]

Hello Danzly.  You describe what many of us experience as menopause kicks in.   

I have opted for HRT because of a combination of symptoms, and that is helping a great deal.

One of my friends started with anti inflamms, then tried HRT (although she decided it was not what she wanted to do), and now she finds exercise - gentle and slow to start with and building up, has made a HUGE DIFFERENCE (her words).  She goes to the gym, swims and walks.  She is losing weight slowly and she says the pains in her elbows and joints are much better and she does not have the painful uncurling in the morning.

Another friend has polysistic ovaries so her hormones are all over the place too.   She finds that she cannot cope with the aches and pains every day without cod liver oil.
 
And a third friend swears by homeopathic treatment and has looked great throughout.

I guess it will be trial and error until you find something that suits you and you feel happy about.  I hope you find something soon. 

Rx

[Firewalker50]

I realised that the symptoms had come on when I was doing my on- off phase of my patch according to what I was reading on internet. I have no symptoms now since my patch has been firmly in place.

silverlady x

Hi Silverlady - I identified with that immediately.  I changed patch types recently, they did not stick very well, and then one came off completely and was off for four days while I got a new prescription.  The aches and pains returned quite quickly.  I was not looking for them - they found me!

I have been back on the patch for 10 days and while the aches/pains are noticeably less they are still around.   I am sure they will settle down in next week or so as patch hormones settle down again.

Rx

[danzily]

Thank you to all of you for your comments/recommendations.  I have been seeing a Homeopath, but I think she has been treating me more for my grief of losing my Mother than my physical symptoms.  I am due to see her again on Monday so I am hoping we can move forward a little more.  I also take Starflower Oil (1000mg) daily and Menopal (Black Cohosh and Red Clover).  I was taking Calcium supplements and ran out of them,  I realised after a few days that my "monster Walk" had improved slightly, but not a lot and when I think back, the aches and pains got progressively worse after starting to take the Calcium.    So that might be a hint for some other ladies out there. 
I have heard that Rosehip supplement is also good for Arthritis so I may try that in the future.
Walking doesn`t seem to help at all.  And for the passed two /three weekends I have been doing very physical work in the garden at the end of which I thought my stomach was down by my knees (don`t know if I mentioned my menopause is the surgical kind after a total abdominal hysterectomy)
I think the next thing to try is swimming, but I`m not comfortable in my swimsuit until I`ve lost a little weight at least.
I have promised myself I am not going to be fat and fifty (July 2012), so I have 14 months to get my figure back! or as near to it as possible.
Thanks to all you lovely ladies.  I know we are all suffering in our own ways, but finding out that things are actually common amongst us helps alleviate any worry!
Best wishes to you all
 

[Firewalker50]

Hello Danzily.  Perhaps your pains are metaphysical and emotionally related.   We have little idea of the physical effort of emotional traumas, anxiety, stress etc.   I am so pleased the homeopath can help yoo udeal with your grief and perhaps the rest will improve too.

Sorry to hear about your physical constraints after gardening.  Will it improve after a time or always be a challenge?  I have not had a hysterectomy so cannot help with that.

What about a ladies night/session for swimming (if you have one nearby)?   Would that work for you?   

Honestly, I know what you mean about body image.  I have gone waaaayyy downhill in the 4 years since I turned 50 (multiple reasons that would bore you to death to read).  However, I have stamped my foot and trying to turn that around.

Do you have a plan to shed the weight for your 50th?   Go, girl, Go girl!

Rx

[jumpingju]

I am 53 and have only just stopped my periods this January. In the last month my neck shoulder and right hand have been really affected, especially my middle finger. I cannot grasp things for at least half a day before I feel the swelling goes down. I am right handed so it is particularly difficult.  I've also had problems with my right knee.  This must be caused by the menopause surely. I am due to go to my docs for advice. I was on HRT over 10 years ago for migraines as I've suffered with them all my life and they have become considerably worse since I was 44. I seem to have gone into the full blown menopausal symptoms with hot flushes, night sweats, achy joints, memory loss, loss of libido, dryness and mood swings.  I was so happy a few months ago when finally I wasn't get migraines every day and now this. This is the only time I want to be a man!!!

[Bette]

Hi jumpingju
 
I'm a bit confused by your comment I was on HRT over 10 years ago for migraines - do you mean the birth control pill?  If it helped. Maybe you should consider HRT now as it could help with your other symptoms too.
Maybe start a new thread on "New Members" to introduce yourself? Newbies can get missed in the middle of existing threads and others will want to welcome you. 
Bette x

[jumpingju]

Hi Bette, no really I was on HRT. There was scientific proof that it helped with migraine sufferers. It helped me for a month and then it didn't.  I was also put on the pill which made my migraines worse from then on.  I am a little nervous about going on HRT because my sister was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and as there could be a risk........... I will be going to the doc soon to talk about ways and means because I've lost enough of my life with the damned migraines that I don't want to lose anymore with the menopause.

[Bette]

Hi jumpingju
If you decide to try HRT, it may be worth asking for patches - this is from the Green Menu:-
Migraine
Migraine is often triggered by hormonal fluctuations and therefore may occur around the time of a period. Such migraine may improve at the time of the menopause. Some women find that migraine may be triggered by the daily hormone fluctuations which can occur with oral (tablet) HRT so the transdermal (patch or gel) route is usually preferred with a history of migraine.
Sorry to hear about your sister  Do you know if her breast cancer is oestrogen-fed? If not, you shouldn't be at any more risk than anyone else.
Bette x

[jumpingju]

Hi Bette, Sorry I didn't explain very well. It was the HRT patch. Yes my sister was oestrogen related and thank God it was caught early, she is fine but has regular checkups x
I am very duh at the moment and can't seem to figure out how to get on the new members. And when I reply to anyone do I do what I'm doing now, just press reply? only I haven't until now seen the message I'm replying to. I am very confused. Do you think I'm menopausal!!!! Ha!

[Bette]

Hi jumpingju
To find "New Members" go to the front page of the forum, scroll down and click on "New Members". To start a new thread, click on the blue "New Topic" on the right.
Once you've clicked on "Reply" and the box has appeared to type in, you should be able to see the old posts if you scroll down a bit, I think - is that what you meant?
Have you thought of asking to be referred to a meno clinic? They're listed under "Find a Specialist" in the top menu.
Bette x

[glo]

Well I have just found this site by chance as was talking to a friend who is plagued with sinus problems as I am.Im sure its connected to lack of oestrogen. Comforting to know that I am not the only one who feel like I have been run over by a bus when I rise in the morning. Hurt all over and constantly tired. Underactive thyroid and high blood pressure now which wasnt tested by my doctor when I visited her on 6 occasions because of my painful head. Only on a preassessment for Hysterectomy was its discovered.Now under control but still having palpitations and headpain. This goes with  all the other joint pain. Cant understand why the doctor cant diagnose the problem surely she must see hundred of women of my age 60-64 with these symptoms. Had test for PMR and these where normal.
Sick of feeling ill with no interest in life. Should have know it would be like this for me my mother suffered with hot flushes and depression till the day she died at 69.
The only place I dont hurt is when I swim but it takes a lot of motivation to get there and getting dry is the worst thing.

[Bette]

Hi glo
 
Have they offered you any treatment now that they've realised what's going on? 
Bette x

[glo]

No Bette nobody can give me a diagnosis. You get embaarrassed keep going to the doctors so in the end you dont bother as all they prescribe is another pain killer. Does anyone suffer with migraine too.Had them when I was 12 then free until my 40s. Now they are wiping me out for several days. So sick of being in pain.Makes me very tearful. There isnt anywhere that doesnt hurt. Now knees are shot. Cant face the thought of an op for new knee as the recovery is the worst part not the op.Ask the doctor for a prescription for a gun but wasnt forthcoming.
Look back and remember how active and positive I used to be and makes me so sad.Husband says I have worked too hard all my life but thats the kind of person I am like to do for others.

Nice to get it off my chest.

 

[Bette]

Hi glo
Why not start a thread on "New Members" and introduce yourself? Newbies often get missed in the middle of existing threads and others may have some suggestions for you.
Bette x

[wallflower]

I started getting a dull achey feeling in my  arms and wrists -muscular it seems, a few months ago.
I put it down to the tension in my shoulders, as I am going thro a depression / stress struggle at the moment.  My lovely masseur lady found loads of tension in my upper back which she is acually getting rid of!
But the dull aches continue.  But, fortunatly when I do some aerobic exercise ie go on the bike at the gym, it's as if my body is literally warmed up, and all the pain goes.
My doctor didn't seem very interested as she said 'the pain goes with exercise'..
So I suppose that she is pleased that I have a real reason to go on that bike!
I am on low dose HRT, and 10mg anti dep..
Thank you