Menopause Discussion > Personal Experiences

Tell us how you cope with joint aches

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Dr. Heather Currie:
Joint aches commonly occur, often affecting neck, wrists and shoulders, but since other causes such as osteoarthritis are very common at this age, they may not be recognised as being associated with the menopause. As well as the possible effect of lack of estrogen affecting the ligaments around joints, research has also shown that this hormonal lack is involved in the development of osteoarthritis. Limited research has shown that osteoarthritis is more common after the menopause and that use of estrogen after the menopause may reduce the numbers of women developing the disease.
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring sugar that is used in the formation of components of joint cartilage. It can be found in some foods such as shellfish and is available in supplement form. Glucosamine is often used for pain relief in osteoarthritis and other joint disorders. It has been concluded that glucosamine 1500 mg daily is a reasonable choice for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, but further information is required on its effect at other sites. It may take up to 1 month for benefits to be apparent. Side effects appear to be mild and infrequent, and include nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, rash, drowsiness, headache and insomnia. There are no known drug interactions between glucosamine and medicines. It should be used with caution if you are allergic to shellfish since some glucosamine products may be derived from shellfish sources.
If you have had joint aches associated with menopause, tell us about them and what you have found helpful.

bramble:
Hello Dr Currie,
Now you've opened a can of worms! I could bore for Britain on joint and muscle pains!
For the past twenty years I have had almost continuous joint pains in ankles and hands. Sometimes elbows and knees. Most of the time it has been background pain. Over the years, in the periods when the pain has gotten worse, I have tried various anti-inflamms both chemical and herbal, good old paracetemol and ibuprofen etc but the most effective was twice times when I went to a well-known Dutch homeopath. I always put the pain down to work-induced stress. However, when I 'retired' the pains did not go but have not been so bad.
Since the start of the menopause I have had lots of muscle and joint pains all over - especially in my legs, neck and chest area. More than likely due to high anxiety levels. Again I have trodden the well worn route of anti-inflamms etc when the pain has been bad but also tried arnica cream, lavender baths, aromatherapy, swedish massage, none of which has made a noticeable difference. The only slight relief I get is when I use an aromatherapy muscle rub containing camphor, rosemary, black pepper, eucalyptus and wintergreen!  Most of the time I just grimace and bear it!
Bramble
Ps. I am 53, fairly active and not overweight. Been on HRT now for almost 2 years.

lucknowmom:
I too, have had to deal with joint aches for a few years now (I am almost 48 and have been in peri-menopause for about 6 years now)

My main area showing discomfort is ankles, neck and elbows but I find that regular exercise helps loosen up the pain and I can manage without any meds (I can not take glucosamine anyway as I am allergic to shellfish, as Dr. Currie pointed out, glucosamine is quite often made from shellfish)

I have upped my calcium/magnesium intake since starting "the great menopause adventure" and that has helped too.  I am a non-smoker, a non-drinker, I exercise regularly (circuit training 4 - 5 times a week), I'm only 10 pounds over my ideal weight (either that or I'm too short as Pops likes to tell me!!!)  and I still get these joint pains, but a lot less now.  I used to wake up and walk like Frankenstein for about 20 minutes until my muscles and joints "woke up".

Thanks for starting these informative threads, Dr. Currie.

Claire in Canada 

poppyrose:

Hi Ladies,

I too get the most uncomfortable joint pains. I get this dreadful pain across the back of my scapula's, it is so bad sometimes, (especially when I get up from laying in bed) that it nearly cripples me as I just cannot stand straight for a while. The other pain I get is my hips, especially my left hip, this is becoming so bothersome that it is impeding my walking and is making me limp quite badly. So I have just resorted to what I do when things like this get really bad, I have started to use Natural Progesterone Cream with DHEA in it and will do this for around 2 months. I have only just commenced on it for 2 days now and yet already I can feel the difference it is making, it can work this fast. The reason why I do not use it all of the time is that 1) I  am scared that my body will get used to it and I will stop getting benefits from it  2) Although there are no known side effects it is still powerful and should be treated with caution 3) You have to switch sites of application as your tissues can become saturated with this product. 4) each time I have used this cream I have had very good results from it, so want to always have something in reserve for when things get really tough. 5) I also see a reduction in flushes/flashes/sweats.

I have said on another thread that I have also been taking Menocool for around one month, this appeared to have started working and also judging by the excellent info elfie supplied me with on this product, I think this is indeed starting to work. Last night for the first time in around 6 months I only had 2 mild sweats which I was able to deal with and return to sleep immediately. By this time in the morning I have usually had around 6/7/8 flushes and I have only had one very mild one.
My joints although sore are *not* as bad as they were yesterday and certainly not as bad as they were this time last week! I actually got up and walked without limping for a while for the first time in ages.

I have printed out some tables which I am filling in to try and gauge if this menocool is working and I can see a significant difference to when I first went on them.

Let's see if this continues. (fingers crossed)

I agree with Claire these threads written by Dr Currie are really informative and we are really lucky to have a bonafide doctor on board here, as well as all the other wonderful ladies that give their time, their love and support to each other.

lots of Love Pops xxx  ;D ;D ;D

Rosebush:
I also thank Dr Currie for starting these threads.. I suffer from Osteo Arthritis, which as got worse gradually over the last 5yrs, the last 3 have been the worse, due to hot sweats, i walk around in winter, dressed for summer, and during the night, find anywhere that is freezing cold, just to cool down quicker, so i can breathe again.

The pain at present is bad in my knee's and elbows, i take gloucosamine 1000mg daily, but the last few weeks on GP's advice, have been taking 3 anti inflammatory tabs daily, the knee pain was so acute, i was off work for 2 wks, back now, but on my feet 8hrs a day, so by the end of my shift the pain is back again, however not so bad now...

Like Pops, i am really pleased to say, and i hope i am not tempting fate, but my hot sweats have not been to bad the last 2 days/nights, for 2wks i have been taking Boron 3mg daily, and for 8 days have taken Starflower oil as recommended by Star, dont know if it is my body starting to wind down, OR a combination of the the tabs, but not going to stop the tabs to find out, this morning i got up and felt better than i have in ages, had i hot sweat and 2 mild flushes, and like Pops this is a drastic reduction, soooo hoping it lasts

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