does anyone have joint and muscle pains

I thought I was losing my mind!! I stopped taking BC pill six months ago and menopause has hit me "like a ton of bricks"!! I have muscle aches and bone and joint pain. I wake up in the night with an ache in my hips so bad I can barely move. My neck is also stiff when I wake up. During the day when I sit for a period of time, getting myself moving is a task in itself. It's like I've petrified!

I have been going to a massage therapist for deep tissue massage which helps for a couple of days, but after that, it's back to the same pain. I cannot afford to do this regularly. I have been taking fibroplex, but this does not seem to help.

My elbows, knees, hip, neck and feet are always in terrible pain. My body feels like I am an old woman (only 45). It concerns me that I will be unable to get around in a few years.

I have not been to a doctor yet, thinking it has to do with menopause, but I guess it could be fibromyalgia.

If anyone knows of any help for this, I would love to hear it!! I am tired of being in constant pain.

ditto to all the ailments mentioned..its so frustrating to feel so bad so often.. My joints do not begin to loosen any until 10:00am each morning and thats on good days..lol.. I take Advil ALOT, which can't be good, but its better than constant pain..it seems when one thing subsides another is aching to take its place! I get some real bad foot cramps and even the toes start twisting..you know how they just jam up and go in different directions and get paralyzed? of course you do..so when the foot cramps hit, I have to stand up and get them worked out, knowing that the hips dont even want to stand up, much less the lower back...and omg, rainy,damp, days are killers..so yea, I can sympathize with you all.. I know everything got worse when I entered menopause and I have been into it for 7 years now! The aches and pains are bad enough without even going into the other symptoms..no wonder they locked women up 100 years ago..they not only thought they had went nuts but so did the people around them... just remember you are not crazy and your ailments are real.

Read my post above titled "No more hot flashes". I had those aches and now they are gone. Too much to type again so just scroll to that post.

I did read it and I also believe what works for one person does not work for another during this stage of change. I am glad you found improvement. In order for any diet to work, it takes a total life style change and total commitment on the part of the dieter..Some people cannot adjust to the menus, etc. for various reasons... I applaud your determination and the results you have found.

I had the problems that some of you did. I was only 46 and could not walk without pain. The pain woke me up at night. I felt locked up when I sat for awhile. I finally found out I had a Vitamin D deficiency. I had never heard of it before, but the doctor started me on supplements, and I got better. It's taken a couple years to fully recover, but it was such an awful time that when I saw your posts, I thought I'd just let you all know that you should ask your doctor to test your Vitamin D level. I hope everyone feels better soon! It doesn't have to be this way!

I'm the same way with most the above symptoms and approaching 50.

The main problem I have is the bottom/bones of my feet hurt so much when I stand and walk. I also wake in the night with sharp pain in my feet. I am going to ask my physician about Vitamin D!

I have also been having trouble with migraines that last on and off for about a month - twice a year for the last three. I had never had so much as a headache before hitting menopause. These migraines not only cause head pain (mostly the left eye area), but I have sharp pains that seem to circle my head. The worse part is the numbness and tingling I get in my face, hands, leg and feet.

Menopause is not fun, and I would give anything to have a period every month again!

Oh my gosh! I just found this forum and you girls are describing so many of my symptoms. People look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them that my feet/heels hurt so bad in the morning. If I sit more than 30 minutes, I am stiff. My fingers have been getting numb and sometimes they tingle. Every joint in my body is sore most of the time.

Anyway, thanks to all of you for helping me to not feel so stupid and neurotic.

I am a breast cancer survivor so I am on Tamoxifen to block estrogen. On top of that, I had a hysterectomy, so there is very little estrogen in my body and I think I'm feeling the effects. The thing is...no one told me I would have all of those symptoms--no one. Yes, I was told about the hot flashes I'd have with chemo but none of the other stuff.

I diet constantly and work out for 1 - 1 1/2 hours nearly every day and cannot lose weight. My gyn just told me "It gets harder". I don't think my body can take any more than I'm giving it now.

It is scary. I feel the same way. I even went to a rheumatologist to make sure I didn't have rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia or anything else! He said it's osteoarthritis in my knee and foot. But my hands hurt, my feet hurt, my elbows hurt! My skin is hot and sensitive. I don't want to be a hypochodriac! The doc did say I was low on Vitamin D too. Maybe we have found a thread of hope here!

check the drug Mobic out.....it is an anti-inflamatory. My DH and I both take the 15MG tablets. wonderful drug.

Tell your physician you would like to try it.......

Rosie

I am experiencing the same things as noted above, the achey body,the sore joints and the sore feet. I have gained at least 45 pounds in 9 months and I am tired all the time. I had a hysterectomy almost 5 years ago, and I am no longer on HRT due to pain from endometriosis tissue that is attached to stomache and bowel area. I have had all sorts of test, and had been to the Endocrinologist to check for hypothroidism and my coritsol levvel is currently being checked. I am at my wits end also. I don't feel as if my husband understands, unless it has a name to it. I have no energy to do anything. I need help or resources so please, let me know if anyone has any advice or help. I would love support just as well. It does help to talk to others so you don't feel alone.

I am 49. I used to walk every day at lunchtime to keep my weight down and stay fit. About 2-3 years ago, I started having pain in my feet - the entire bottom surface hurts when I walk, and sometimes the toes tingle. I have spent a small fortune on inserts and new shoes, thinking that was the problem, and nothing helps. Upon awakening, those first steps are really painful. So, I gained weight, because I can't walk, which leads to depression, more weight gain. Damn. Currently, my back is also giving me real problems. I have had my first blood tests recently and am awaiting the results and consultation with doctor. Curiously, I go through weeks where I have pain, for example, in my hip, then it goes away, as suddenly as it came. Then, I have pain in my arm, for weeks then goes away. I read somewhere that this is known as "travelling arthritis". Has anyone else heard of it? I haven't had a period since last December - so I am counting the days now until it's a year. On and off, I feel like maybe I am ovulating, but nothing happens - just like another person mentioned here.

This forum is great, if only to know that we are not alone with these strange symptoms.

Anna

All of this sounds like my life(feet,back,knees,neck,fingers like every joint in your body that can hurt: does.My other problem is I have to take coumadin every day because of a artificial heart valve so that knocks out some of the meds on the market,does anybody else have this problem.Sometimes I just want to give up because it hurts so bad,I hope all you guys still check this post.I came across it looking for muscle relief....I'm 59 yrs old and been going through this for 6 yrs.
Linda

I just found this page and hope it's not a dead site - so Hi to cammasue in case you check back here. This is my life also - started 2 years ago, I'm 49 now, with the bottoms of my feet in pain like a few of the other women here. It progressed to joint/muscle pain - stabbing pains out of nowhere and aching joints from my fingers to hips. So far I've found what helps is to take a scrip strength ibuprofen every other day, 800mg. I saw a podiatrist months ago when I couldn't stand the foot pain anymore. I went to physical therapy as recommended- which helped a great deal. I only went about 6-7 times as the co-pay was getting expensive, but that was enough to make a big difference in the pain. I just started getting gentle massages & the 1st one seems to have helped as the muscle pain was a lot less for several days after. (Lucky to have a massage therapist in the family). Heat also helps & sometimes I'll take the hot water bottle into bed with me. It's such a struggle to accept this huge shift from pain free (relatively) to (almost) constant pain. I see my Dr pretty regularly and went to a rheumatologist a few years ago, and I do have arthritis but they've not found anything else wrong so this seems to be from the changing hormonal levels. Crazy. I found some guided imagery tapes and I'm optimistic about some relief after using them for a while also.

Three months after by periods stopped, my feet started to hurt so much in the evening I would limp, my legs also lost strength. I have been to a regular doctor, pain management doctor, chiropractor, and a foot surgeon. I have had a MRI and X-rays on my feet. I have also been to a neurosurgeon and he did a nerve test with negative results. They found nothing wrong. I have had this for 15 months now. I bought shoe inserts ($200) and expensive tennis shoes. I am now going to a therapist and he suggested that my hormones or lack of hormones have attacked by muscles and tendons of my feet and legs and he is now trying to stretch my muscles and do therapy on them three times a week. They are starting to feel better. He also has me on a non steroid anti inflammatory pill. After reading everyoneТs comments I feel he has found my problem that no one else has been able to find. It is so disheartening to go to one doctor after another and they all think you are crazy. Hope this at least helps one person out there!

Thank you Suerauch as this helps to confirm what my thoughts have been, but haven't had a Dr.tell me either. As I mentioned in my post - I went to foot therapy also and they did deep stretchingg (it hurt!) but it really helped the pain to subside. Best wishes to everyone dealing with these various pain issues and hang in there while you seek a treatment that works.

OMG! I am so glad to find this forum. I have been having foot pain and it is hard for me to walk at first after sitting. I have to limp around until my feet get used to walking. My foot pain is at the back of the arch right before the front of the heel on the inside of both feet. They are even tender if I massage them. I also have pain in my hips and once I stand up, I have to get the hips back in line, I am 52. I have been going through menopause for a couple of years, so maybe it is hormone or lack of hormone related. Look forward to reading any advise you all can provide. Thanks!

Hi,
Don't know if we can name products here but here's what gave me relief. For my hot achy feet I used Dermal therapy Heel Care cream.I just used it like hand cream on my feet. At first every evening. Now a couple times a week. I got mine in the pharmacy section at Wal-Mart.I did the orthicas(sp) (cost a fortune) only got a little relief. I also take a magnesium tablet each evening, not calcium/mag.

Well, I also have been dealing with these issues for 3 years. No MD knows what I am talking about. I believe it is all caused by menopause, and I have found a few remedies.
I think the foot issues are called "plantar fascitis". Look it up. I found that ice helped the best, along with good support comfortable shoes. That eventually subsided, then on to the muscle spasms... I found Magnesium Glycinate to help that, along with some calcium and make sure I am getting adequate potassium in my food. These all affect muscles and seem to help me, though if I miss a day of magnesium, the cramps return. I have heard previous generations of women speak of drinking Quinine water (tonic water).
I am still dealing with the muscle stiffness, especially upon initiating movement from sitting. I have found a physical therapist who is successfully addressing the symptoms with systematic gentle stretching exercises, and it is taking awhile, but making a huge difference.

It is great to hear of others with my same problems. I knew I wasn't the only one, but when the doctor just looks at you, one wonders!

I have the same problems you all are talking about. The pain on the bottom of my feet (plantar fasciitis) is so bad, at times, I can barely walk. No strength. Muscles sore. And more. I can go on and on. It all got worse at the onset of perimenopause (everything came to a head then because of all the hormone craziness, I believe); and all these symptoms finally made me get a full thyroid panel.

Now every time I hear about symptoms like mine, I think 'thyroid'. If you get your thyroid checked, get more than just TSH - get Free T3, Free T4 and antibodies checked. And yes, Vit D (I was low, and brought mine up with supplements); and ferritin, and B12 (both of mine were/are low). Just to be on the safe side. Oh, one big clue that I have thyroid problems (Hashimoto's) was that I have a low body temperature. Hope this helps someone.

I'm 52, not sure if I've yet gone through menopause (has not been a year), and I'm having exactly the symptoms described here. I have long suspected low/changing hormone levels, but this is the first place I've seen this discussed. A few things that have helped me: yoga four times a week, good orthodics in my hiking boots, and Trameel Ointment (a homeopathic anti-inflamatory and analgesic). Thanks for the hints. I'm going to get my Vit D and thyroid checked.

It is so great to read all these posts - not to think other people are suffering - but to realise there are some common symptoms to this transition - menopause. I am about 18 months into it, not having had a period for 12 months. However, it was very sporadic for the few years before. My main symptoms are the muscle and joint aches and stiffness and the breast swelling. I have tried Wild Yam cream and it helps at times if I use much more than the recommended amount. It supposedly brings the progesterone up but my doctor says there is no evidence of this. Also the evening primrose oil and fish oil combination does seem to make a difference - I guess the hardest thing is just not having the energy levels I had two years ago. I want to do all these things but have no ummfph! And my interest in sex has gone out the window. My doc says all this is natural but how does that actually help. They don't seem to be able to say - it is the low eostrogen that causes one thing and the progesterone another or the calcium or Vit. D. etc. so that you can systematically address it. I am finding it really confusing and frustrating.

I have nasty shoulder pain in both shoulders to the point that when I go to bed at night, I'm dreading getting up in the morning because I know it will hurt- some mornings not so bad, other mornings to the point that it literally wakes me up- elbow pain, pain in the tops of my hands, it just sucks and makes me feel old, and like my warranty is up and things are falling apart, lol- I suspect arthritis, as my mom had lupus and I know that if you are related to someone who has it, your chances of arthritis are higher...lovely!

Friends, I thought that I was dying. I turned 54 this month (Dec 2008) and have been literally knocked off my feet with all of the symptoms you describe. I take Omega 3, CaltraCal with Vit D, Liquid Multi-Vits, Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Some days are good, but mostly plagued with stiffness and pain. I've talked to a number of family and friends who have gone through menopause but not had the symptoms I'm experiencing, so it's been a godsend to happen upon this site.

Just wanted to chime in. I am peri-menopausal...turned 50 in June. I have been having joint pains for two years - shoulder and knee. In April my doc said my Vitamin D was way low, so she ordered me to take 1000 IU each day. In September I started low-impact aerobics, which hurt my knee, so I started taking Glucosamin/Chondroitin and I also started swimming, which in the beginning hurt my shoulder. Now the shoulder pain is diminished and I think swimming is the cure. My range of motion is greatly improved. I have not noticed knee pain lately. Just FYI.

I have terrible joint and muscle pain, as well. I have to say, first off, that I am un-insured and haaven't been to a Dr. in a long time, like 2 years, so I have been going through all this, the pain, the flashes, the reduced libido, on my own. My husband used to be a nurse so he understands. But I hurt so much all of the time that I think he believes I am an hypochondriac. Just reading all of your posts has made me feel so much better because I know now that I am not alone. I cried real tears of relief and I am not a crybaby by nature. Thanks to one and all! And Happy Holidays!

Hi, I am also looking for answers. I am 52. I have lead a pretty active life and in my mid 40s, I got into road biking and snowboarding. I was riding around 40 miles a ride ..100 miles a week. Eighteen months ago I was taken off My birth control pill Mirocette(which I was on for about 7 years) and was thrown into menopause. For the first month, my hormones went into a rage, My moods went to extremes ..My body was always jittery. Terrible Hot flashes. I never had trouble sleeping until then. I just could not stay asleep at nite. I would lay there watching the clock and waiting to fall asleep. I would finally doze off and immediately jump awake and be wide awake watching the clock..this went on for at least a month..I got NO sleep. The problem compounded because I just dreaded bedtime. I anticipated Not being able to sleep. This started to ease up after a month but then I started having wild dreams all nite long. Besides these problems I started having the same symptoms that I have been reading about here..The horrible muscle aches. It all hit me that month and 18 months later, I'm still waiting and hoping it will go away. My arm and leg muscles just ache all the time.My fingers and toes feel swelled and always have burning tingling sensations. I have no strength like I used to. I feel like I have aged 30 years in just a month. My arm muscles hurt just to lift my arms. It hurts just to carry my bags to the car from WalMart. That just shouldn't be. My muscles feel like I just decided to go do a two hour workout after never working out before..that kind of pain....I've had all kinds of bloodwork done..twice..everything comes back normal..thyroid, diabetes, hormones, Vit B..even Lymes Disease, etc. I'm really getting to my wits end..I load up on Advil and I still can take 2 hour hikes thru the mountain and ride my bike about 25 miles a day but when I stop ...and start again..I can hardly move. I've also been to a rheumatologist..no arthritis...My family doctor just doesn't have a clue. I sure wish someone out there did. I am 5'7...before this happened just 18 months ago I stayed around 140# ..Now I'm up to 155# and that's getting hard to keep..I know that is has to be hormone related. I suffered 25 years from horrible debilitating migranes (sometimes having them for 2 1/2 weeks a month).I have not had ONE migraine since going into menopause..not one..So I know that this hormone thing is powerful. Thanks for letting me vent. I hope someone comes up with a solution. Happy New Year.

Hi! I am 51 and looking for relief too. I was scanning the posts and wanted to maybe give some of you alittle hope. Not that I am a doctor because I am not. I am telling you what have done to help me, some good, some not so good. I have been post menopausal since 2005 and still suffer the aches, dizzys and hot flashes. sometimes my back and legs hurt terribly and it drives me completely insane. I have ALWAYS been a very active person and the menopause has literaly kicked my butt. In the years of peri-menopause, i did the progesterone cream( which helped alot) and the soy after that. Seemed like nothing relieved it for a long time. I still continued to hold down a job (recently divorced w/ teenager at home)and struggled daily. After menopause the symptoms really kicked in. I don't want to use HRT so I have always tried the natural approach. I started using black cohosh (which has helped alot), but not complete relief. I found an herbal supplement that was a combination of black cohosh and chaste berry. It helped alot too but i guess the chaste berry (has a progesterone effect)was too much for me. I was moody and sad all the time. The black cohosh-chaste berry combo would probably work for someone who is in peri-menopause and has up and down hormones. So back to the black cohosh again. Looking online i found a herbal formula that is made from the the maca plant (lepidium meyenii) and it sounds like a cure all. Geeze wouldn't that be wonderful? Supposed to balance hormones from within your body. It stimulates your endocrine system to balance ALL your hormones naturally. Google it and see. I ordered a month's supply and will post the results. At this point i will try anything and hoping this time i found an answer. Good Luck!

Just wanted to let everyone know the maca is working fantastic. My hot flashes are completely gone, and the joint pain is on its way out. I am in a completely different mood, no fuzzy thinking ( i can actually form a sentence..lol)The libido is alot better too. I have energy and just feel good. Its worth a try. I'm sold on it! I will take this for a long long time.

I just joined this forum to tell all of you I've been having the same problems...sore achy muscles, a feeling of fusing throughout my body...swollen hands at night..all of it! You know what my problem was?? MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS PAD!! Please, if you're sleeping on one, investigate what type of chemicals it's made with...google it! It may be comfortable to sleep on, but it's basically a chemical stew
which is seeping into your body. I finally made the connection and I'm back to my normal healthy self again...only a few little hot flashes once in a while remain which is quite natural.

Having all the same symptoms, never once considered it was due to menopause-other than the hot flashes. My knees are so bad I have a terrible time getting up off the toilet! I'm thinking of having grabbars intalled. My question is, does this eventually go away or is this it for me? The hot flashes are getting farther apart and I'm told they will eventually go away, but does all this joint pain go away with it? How do you know how much of it is menopause related and how much is osteoarthritis? And no, I'm not sleeping on any type of memory foam pad.

txcowgirl57

Thanks for posting your results is it possible for you to share the link where you purchased from? I'd do anything to get rid of my joint pain and boost my energy.

I have read about the muscle aches and pains on this site. I am experiencing the same thing. I am 50 and in perimenopause. My gynocologist wants me start low dose HRT. Has anyone had success with the HRT and has it helped with the aches, pains, night sweating, mood swings and sleep lose?

I don't know how much of my muscle ache problems are due to or influenced by menopause, seems like I have suffered for a long time. I found a book called "Trigger Point Therapy Workbook" which has been helpful and bought a theracane to get at the deep knots I get in my muscles particularly in the shoulder area. the interesting thing is that knots can be located in a different spot from where the pain is felt. It is a constant battle. knots in the periformis sp? muscle in the butt for example, can cause pain in the lower legs. I was having pain in both hips and down both shins from too much sitting. Doing stretches seems to help a little too.
Night sweats with me seem to come and go. I looked up foods with phytoestrogens and it does seem that a change in diet helps. chocolate brings on hot flashes, I noticed.

My joint pains coincided soon after starting estrogen recently. I'm active and fit, 47, but now with knees especially I just can't move them for some time after waking because of the pain. Joint pain and stiffness all over after sleep, but inner knees the worst. I was thinking of course that it was a side effect of the estrogen pills, but see that others not on any type of HRT are also in pain. I wonder how many posters, like tjtweety, have been checked for arthritis. What do your doctors say could be the cause, and what do they treat the pain with? Due to see my doc in a couple of weeks. Thanks.

I have been reading alot about estorgen and the GABA relationship in the brain. GABA is effected greatly by our estrogen levels and as such once our hormones start to receed we have problems with our GABA uptake ,, these can result in symptoms like,, boday aches and muscle stifness,, internal shaking, headaches etc. I am experimenting with Chamomile tea and there is another herb called valerian which might help .. good luck ,, do your hormine brain chemistry homework !

Hello!
I just found this forum and I want to say "thank god, I am not crazy!" lol
I have a lot of joint pain in my elbows. My brain feels fuzzy at times (which frustrates me to no end) I need to start reading up on what can be done. I was peri for several years, I think I've finally hit the big M and I just turned 48!

Hello! I wake up in the night with soreness in my hips and shoulders so bad I can't even roll over. My upper legs and hips are tight all the time. During the day when I sit for a period of time, getting myself straightened up and moving is task in itself. I have been to a rheumatologist an had every test they say everything looks fine, healthy as a horse, my husband always called me his clydesdale. I am not a sitter. They say its not fibromylgia but that my muscles are constricted. I too have been going to a massage therapist for deep tissue massage which helps for a couple of days, but after that, it's back to the same pain. I do not want to deal with this on a day to day routine. I have been taking flexeril (mild muscle relaxer) 2 times a day, but this does not seem to help with all of the symptoms. They also put me on Magnesium and Potassium

My hands, inside elbows, knees, hip, shoulders and buttocks are always in terrible pain. I feel like a 47 year old trapped in a 80 year old body. I'm scared that this won't pass with the Menopause.
I'm so glad I found this forum I thought I was losing my mind and nobody believed me. This sucks !!

Saigo
Sorry if i didnt get back on this message board sooner. I purchased Maca through iherb.com or you could go to any reputable vitamin store. Be sure to get at least 500 mg and take three times a day. I still am taking daily and when i forget, the symptoms sure do come back, especially the achy joints. Anyway its worth a try.

I can't believe the stories I am reading- I feel like it's me talking!! I have had muscle and joint pain for 16 months and I can echo many of the same statements I've just read; feeling like I've aged 30 years overnight, stiffness, painful muscles and loss of flexibility. I am 51, and have been in menopause for 14 months. It can't be a coincidence!!
I've see various doctors and have had lots of tests done. It is important to rule out all the autoimmune diseases, and of course Lyme.
Thank you all- I no longer feel alone!
I am going to try the Maca Root- I feel hopeful!

Hi. I was wondering if anyone here -- with the symptoms being described -- been tested for adult Parvovirus B19, aka 'Fifth Disease.' It's known mainly as a kid's disease, but doctors now think about 40% of the adult population never got it, and so never developed an immunity.

Basic description:
'An adult who has not previously been infected with parvovirus B19 can be infected and become ill. Unlike a child's fifth disease symptoms, adults can develop arthritis symptoms that include joint pain, swelling, or both. Usually, joints on both sides of the body are affected. The joints most frequently affected are the hands, wrists, and knees. The joint pain and swelling usually go away in a week or two, but can last for several months. It is often mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis.'

P.S. There is a specific lab test for diagnosing it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Parvovirus B19

Yes- I was tested for the Parvo Virus, and it was negative.

Thanks so much for this forum. I have had excruciating pain in my hips and legs for this past year. Weakness now in the tops of my legs and feet problems going back 5 years. About the time I started menopause. This year is the worst. I don't know if my legs will support me some days. Really scary. I have always been active and care for 4 acres by myself. Horseback riding and walking. This year has been a real struggle. I am 61 now and have been in menopaulse for over 6 years. I will try the vitamin D and maca and let you know. I know diet helps and I do trigger point and piriformis muscle stretches. If I don't do these every day, I literally can't move. I do sit for 8 hours a day for my job, so that is a problem. Have to stretch constantly and get up to move around. I eat well. No processed foods for years. Grow most of my own food in the summer.
Just wish someone would find a cure for this constant pain. Nobody seems to know what I'm talking about. So appreciative of this forum. Thanks a bunch!!

Hi all, glad I found this forum. Seems I must have been going through perimenopause for a few years now, and just didn't know it! I am nearly 45.
I have suffered from depression, anxiety, lower back ache, stiffness, esp. getting up in the morning and after sitting for an hour in the evening. Also fuzzy thinking, less articulate, some forgetfulness. Lately weight gain around my middle and bum (new area for me) and incontinence. I am NOT happy about that! I have to wear light pads daily now, and am cautious even lying on my stomach at night.
Oh, about a couple of months ago, I had a week where I was literally bouncing off the walls of my mind. It was real roller coaster ride in there. I've had mood swings, a very short temper, and no tolerance for stress, even TV shows - I can't handle anything stressful on TV. My anxiety level just climbs. I was having trouble making up my mind on anything - even ordering breakfast took me 15 minutes to decide, and even then I just ordered because of the time.
And these past few months, I've had to get up in the night at least once, sometimes twice, to go to the bathroom. I never used to do that.
Finally, I just missed my first period. It's been about 2 weeks late now (no, not pg) and my mood has stabilized quite a bit! Yay! But I know it must not be over yet, right? I tell myself not to get my hopes up...
Oh yes, I've had hot flashes since my late 20s. Most anything makes me sweat. Cooking dinner, any amount of exercise, and the last few years, sometimes just talking to people can make me sweat bullets running down my face, I can feel my face flush, and I know I'm not nervous (most of the time). It was hard working, greeting and helping customers, sweating and pretending I didn't notice or it was normal. Lovely.
I take multi vit, calcium with vit d, omega 3, vit c, acidophilus (girls, if you have yeast infection problems, let me tell you, go buy some good acidophilus. I had MONTHLY yeast infections for many YEARS! I haven't had one in probably 2 or 3 years now- YAY!) I use the CVS brand Extra Strength, in a box, and it's the kind that needs no refrigeration. It's triple layered, so it doesn't dissolve until it gets to your intestinal tract. It's about $10 for 30 tabs, but it's the best money I ever spent.
I also took Ginkgo Biloba for awhile because I was afraid I was getting depressed again. (I was treated for depression a few years ago - many negative life issues at the time finally bowled me over.) GB does help the mood and gave me more energy, but I did have some anxiety, not sure it's connected to that or to the perimenopause.
I also started drinking 1/2 decaf coffee (love Peets!)a few years ago. I found during my antidepressant days, it just made me too jittery. Turned out to be a good decision on my part. I find a week back on regular coffee makes me more tired and foggy than while on the 1/2 decaf! Go figure. I don't really have the foggies anymore, (yay!) and I suffered for years with them. Never thought I could give up some caffeine, but it really does help.
Coffee, sugar, chocolate, hot drinks, anything sweet - will make me sweat. So I have learned to limit these things. Also, fat and sugar will depress you and make you irritable and tired. I am working on limiting these things, and I really do feel better for it. I have upped my veggies and fruit, fiber, and eat less protein than I used to. Perhaps one should look into the flora/fatigue connection. I've read somewhere that poor intestinal health can cause many of these symptoms. Anything is worth a try, right? Do what you can. Get as healthy as you can. Every little bit helps.
Lastly, I now try to tell myself - no, you are not turning into a crazy vegetable, you are just going through a phase in your life called perimenopause! And for me, it's better than the last 5 or 10 years. I just hope it doesn't get worse again. And as my mother always said -this too shall pass.
(and if I feel as bad as some of you are saying, or as bad as I did a few years ago when I suffered from depression, I would definitely check out antidepressants again - it so helped me when I really needed it. I fought the good fight, but was losing the battle, so I finally admitted I needed help - was the best thing I've done for myself, so don't rule it out completely) (oh yes, one more thing: the antidepressants took away my aches and pain, cleared my fuzzy thinking, calmed down my mood swings, and I lost 30 lbs! So it's not all bad.)
Can some one please just confirm if you think I've been having peri M. symptoms for a few years now? I'd love your input. I thought I was too young, but maybe not...
If you have any questions, please let me know. And thanks for listening.

Just checking in, still have the muscle pain. Tests are all normal etc.... Seems alittle better in hips and buttocks, I changed chairs at work (to a harder one) seems like soft stuff makes it worse, that seemed to help alittle. It's worse in my upper arms and hands and elbows
use alot of Bio Freeze on them. Scared to go off the Flexril (muscle relaxer) scared I'll become totally stiff again.I have found and this is from a person who never takes naps that if I get at least 11 hours of sleep my muscles aren't as sore. Trying to decide if I should go to Chicago but if all the tests say I'm fine what do you tell them. I am not a hypochondriac. All of you are proff of that.

I have started having muscle pain in both thighs. Feels like its deep inside the muscle and its not just a stiffness its definately a sharp pain. I actually thought that I had a dvt or something. This has only started since taking MACA. I also have a really strange twitching sort of feeling under my scalp. Difficult to describe but feels as if something is tapping on my skull? How weird is that! Thought I might stop the MACA and see what happens. I don't know how much more of this I can take, this has been going on for years now with never ending symptoms. I really want to go to the middle of nowhere and scream as loud as I can right now. I am sick of all of this. I think I will go and have a complete health check no matter what the cost. Thanks for listening.

Hello all,
Went to my GP today about an excema problem and thought I'd tell her about the symptoms I described in my last post. The weird feeling under my scalp she said was nothing to worry about, lots of people get this?? The muscle pain in my thighs is coming from my back though she didn't ask if I had had any back pain recently. Told her about the itchy skin and she tested me for diabetes-nothing wrong with my blood sugar. I asked her if she thought these symptoms were menopause related she said maybe. Nice enough woman who I haven't seen before but got the feeling she wasn't particularly interested. She was definately not of menopause age but I am wishing her an awful time when it comes to her!!! Seems to me that whether you see a male or female GP they all have the same attitude to menopausal women - not interested. If I was a man with erectile dysfunction or some other penis related problem I would be sent to some specialist bloody sharpish!! This life really pee's me off. Take care all.

Hello Everyone
I loved reading your posts. Thank you for that. You all sound like a great bunch of women, despite your sufferings. I'd love it if what I take helps some of you. Macafem (4-6 pills a day) and three tablespoons full of ground flax seed (first thing in the morning with water) really seems to help my mood, libido, and pains (esp. swelling in my hands.......and maybe elsewhere too...... ) when I remember or have the motivation to take them. I try not to take the flax seed all the time because I've heard it has some estrogenic effects that have the potential to increase the growth of any cancers we might have. But it doesn't start cancer..........just speeds up its growth. Besides, probably the moods have the power to kill us more than anything. If you do decide to take the flax please buy it in seed form and freeze it. That will keep it fresher..............you definitely should not eat old seeds or nuts of any kind. I've read in several places that rancidity does make both our nus and seeds ......and oils carcinogenic.
With the Macafem I have had no side effects but I think it doesn't interact well with alchohol. So if you know you are going to drink don't take it that day. However, obviously since alcohol is a depressant if we want to help our moods we're probably doing ourselves a disservice taking it at this particular phase of our lives.
My pains are in mostly in one shoulder and the back of one of my legs. I wonder does anyone out there have such specific pains and how they have addressed them? I stretch for the leg pain and it helps sometimes as does staying active but not always. The shoulder pain is in the joint and around it and nothing seems to help.
Having come back to this site I am bolstered to start an exercise program to see if regularity will make any difference. Anyone out there want to join me? We have to report on a half hour to one hour everyday on some form of exertion that has a pattern .........besides sitting and compaining. It can be walking, biking, slow jogging, yoga stretches and abominal strengthener exercises.....whatever. We just have to promise to move and check in what we did. And after one months report our well being.....or lack thereof. C'mon someone. Lets give this a shot. I'm 53 by the way and am in menopause for the last year.
Blathana

hi blathana,
I also take ground flaxseed and flax oil. I take maca too but I don't know if its the same as Macafem. I haven't had any leg pains for about a week now but I have had the weird head feeling in its place. However, today it seems to have subsided. I haven't had any hot flashes for a while but I think I would rather have them than all the other crazy symptoms. I'm all for the exercise thing so count me in. I've just had my 50th and been perimenopausal for a few years. I just want this whole menopause stuff over and done. S

Every woman I meet that is around my age (57) has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
My sister and even my mother. Do you think it is a disease caused by menopause, or it flares up because of menopause, or are all aches and pains now being called that?
I am OK when I wake up but I get severe pain after sitting. Last week it was so bad in my hip and back that I was ready to take meds.
Yesterday and today I am feeling great!
I know the doc will say it is fibromyalgia and place me on antidepressants, I don't think I have it. I have heard that the antidepressants do relieve the stiffness though.
I didn't find the hot flashes too bad and the night sweats didn't last too long. I started having light hot flashes again 2 months ago. BUMMER!!!!
My prob has been the stress. Everything stresses me! Chamomile tea and a bubble bath will help some.
I like to garden but I can't go outside without the neighbors joining me, or looking for a babysitter. I can't deal with children right now, or most adults either for that matter LOL.
I have a lot of hobbies and interest so that does help A LOT.
My symptoms started when I was laid off so I didn't have to deal with a stressful job and menopause. Bless all of you who are.
I am a strong believer in walking to help with the probs. I have used the treadmill or walked for the last 10+ years. Last year I started using the weights at the gym for 30 minutes a day. It does work!!!!!
I have been in this for 5 to 7 years and I am so ready for it to be over.
Rosa

Hi rosajoe, I have to agree with you about the fibromyalgia. I have yet to meet a man who has it. I was diagnosed with it about 7 years ago, but I haven't had any of the symptoms I had at the time for years. They all just suddenly disappeared. About 2 years ago all the other strange menopause symptoms started for me. I think there are a lot of doctors out there who are completely ignorant of menopause and use fibromyalgia as an answer for any problem. I too have had enough of all of this and just want to be the person I was before this menopause crap started.

I am 41 years old and had a full historectomy (sp). I am in terrible joint pain, hot flashes are overwhelming, and my upper back feels like it will break in two each morning when I get out of bed. I have gained 20lbs as well. I have started on Oscal ultra, take a mild hormone, a multi vitamin, get some sun and speed walk 2.5 miles each day. I also cut back on sugar and fat. I feel much better than even 1 week ago and I hope this help any of you out there that are going thru what I have been. I felt like I was an old lady and did not know why! I'm only 41!

Well, now I know I'm not the only woman to suffer these symptoms or to find that doctors know very little and can give me no answers.

This has been like reading about myself, yet I've never heard any other woman who has a menopause like this; 'till now.

The big question is do we come out the other side? I've been told that menopause symptoms go after an unspecified period. Has any one got better?

Has anyone spoken to a doctor who knows what the future's like?

Noone seems to be able to answer this question.

I've suspected that what I've been experiencing is because of perimenopause, but this is the first time I've ever heard anyone else talk about the same symptoms. I've been in so much pain, much more than the slight arthritis in my hips and back warrant, and I've gained 25 pounds in 2 years. I eat right, do Pilates and Yoga, and try to walk, but have been in too much pain lately to do much. I'm going to try Maca, as someone suggested. I'll post results. How long does this last? Please, someone, say we come out the other side.

I have just found this web page and I too feel like my body is in constant pain somewhere all the time. As I type this right now my left wrist is stiff and sore, and I do not know why. It also is in my legs, feet, hips,sometimes. I can sit in a position to one side or leaning on a arm and when I get up i hurt, its dumb! I turn 50 next week an wonder what is going on. I have no major helath issues other than I take Thyroid, just started about 4 months ago. Haven't gone through menopause yet so what gives, maybe I am starting to, I just hate feeling older than I really am because of the aches and pains.

I am 45 and live in London. The weather here is terrible and my stiffness and pain is worse i'm sure due to the rain and dampness.I visit Florida 3 times yearly on average and I feel so much better there (dosen't everyone!). I have terrible pain in my hips at night, sometimes it feels as if they have locked and I cant even turn over in bed.Would any one recommend taking a vitamin D supplement? the doctors here are hopeless an would just stare at you if you suggested having your vitamin D levels tested.

Have you ever used magnets; not the thin things, but the
1" x1/8" thick, shiny ones. You need to have them marked so that the proper side is towards you, because only one side is good for long term use, write me, can give you more info, but will not be able to read my emails before 10th of November, relocating from here
Norm cyrilnoku2004@yahoo.ca

Wow, I thought I was alone, is this the worst ever or what??? I have been taking Omega 3's 1000 mg. night with dinner, Vitamin D3 1000 mg. Woman's 50+ Multi's and High potency Calcium 600 and vitamin C 1000 mg. Been doing this for about a year regularly. I'm going to the Dr. and find out what else I can do. I had my previous Dr. put me on Paixil 20 mg. thinking , that would help with my anger outbursts, WRONG, made them worse. Now, I'm trying to wean myself off of them and it's no picnic. After I'm off of these horrible drugs, I'm going to start taking 5-HTP. Which is a natural supplement, Drug-Free, Helps with regulating Moods, weight gain and also keeps you from losing sleep. It is made with tryptophan, which is found in Turkey and Milk.I've read nothing but good reviews.The only downfall is, it causes nausea, but if that's all I have to deal with versus the prior crap, then I'm all for it.

Good Luck to all of us surviors, LOL!!!

VITAMIN D 50,000 units 3 times a week. It will change your life. This does has to be ordered on the interenet if you do not have a prescription. It got rid of my aches totally.

My cardiologist discovered I was low on Vit D -- prescribed OTC 1,000 mg twice a day. I add this to the 1,200 mg of calcium the endocrin has me take since my thyroid was removed 10 years ago. The combination has made a miraculous improvement in the tingling and joint pain I was experiencing. Also, I cut back to less than 1,500 mg sodium a day (AHA recomm to help high BP). That really helped the numbness and swelling fingers and feet. Overall, much less stiff now. BTW gals, get your thyroid checked -- melting or numb face and hair loss is a sign of hypothyroidism... untreated it promotes thyroid cancer and diabetes.

I also had joint pain while going through menopause. I did some research and found out lack of progesterone can cause this, so I started using a bioidentical progesterone cream.I feel so much better, not only my joints but I sleep better and my mood has improved. Dr.John Lee has written books on this subject, their a must for all women.

wow...this sounds so confusing. I was just diagnoised with fibromyalgia same symptoms as some of you. All of it just started about a year ago and I have been in menapause for about 8 years. The achiness in the morning can't hardly move or when I sit for too long, my shoulders and back hurt to the point that I can't lay on my side or back to sleep. My hands are swollen and tingling. I have an orthopedic dr. saying I have carpal tunnel syndrone coming back in right hand....a arthritis doctor telling me I have fibromyalgia and putting me on lyrica and a neurosurgeon telling me I need surgery on my neck to fuse a disc or two. I am 58 play tennis, garden, hike, bike ride, etc and all of it is becoming increasingly harder to do. I do have a memory foam mattress but I usually end up on the sofa or recliner to sleep because my hand is tingling and burning all night long. I am taking lyrica, precocet and baclofen....give me a break still in pain still not better and still confuse as what I do have ????? Even my gyn won't commit.....what do you do???????

hi, I have posted a few times on this site but had to write again after reading this last post. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 8 years ago but the symptoms sort of come and go and I can go for months without feeling unwell. However.....I have had serious menopause symptoms for about 3 years and to be honest I sometimes find menopause and fibromyalgia symptoms difficult to tell apart. I wake during the night with aching on my right side in my hip which radiates down into my leg. Last week my whole shoulder, right arm, right side of my ribcage and hip was aching when I woke up. I also have muscle twitches and weakness. All these symptoms are common with menopause and fibromyalgia. I'm as confused as you. I've asked my GP time and time again but I get nothing from him. Sometimes it all gets to me and I just feel like screaming. I'm sorry I can't give you an answer but I do know exactly how you feel. I wish I knew when/if this will go away. Take care.

First and most importantly, I wanted to thank you all for sharing your stories. They truly helped me so much! I too felt like no one understood me. Certainly not my doctor, my family or friends (though they tried to help) not even myself! I was starting to wonder about my sanity...if I had become some kind of hypochondriac...I knew I was in peri-menopause with it's charming symptoms like extremely heavy periods (which are GONE thanks to an ablation. Hooray!!!), fatigue, fuzzy and zappy brain, weight gain without diet change, headache etc. But then, the joint aches. Oh dear God, they had gotten so bad that I would often cry because of the pain and frustration. I have a very high pain tolerance and have never had any physical issues that I couldn't deal with before. It was a foolish source of silly pride for me, I even "went natural" during childbirth! Well! THAT'S OVER! Give me anything to relieve the deep hip pain!!! I thought about being tested for arthritis and fibromyalgia until I read your posts. Also, I started charting symptoms and noticed headache and joint pain were always the week before my period and then also during ovulation. Not sure what that means but it was definately cyclical. Anyway, I tried HTR, magnesium, vitamin D, riboflavin, 5-htp, glucosamine, women's daily, fish oil and of course all the OTC pain meds, even Oxycodone! Didn't really seem like anything worked until...TA DA!!: Sam-e. It's an OTC supplement of S-Adenosyl Methionine, a natural amino acid important in biochemical reactions of the liver, joints and brain and required for the biosynthesis of critical neurotransmitters and hormones. I started with 400mg/day then upped it to 800mg/day. I'm not "cured" but WOW! I feel 100 times better! Just had to share...I dearly hope this helps you too!

Oh yes this is worse than having ones monthly, which was nothing like this. I am a candidate for total knee replacement and at the beginning of it all I thought it was because of my lop-sidedness /walk. But NO way can a "knee" because the full culpit of this PAIN.
My muscles and joints thromb 24/7, and I am taking alternating inflamatory over the counter to help.
I do worry though about these, because of effects on Liver. going to start really trying some alternative ingredients, can't hurt as look what time they tell us to take Estrogen, years later "WARNING ! It may give us Cancer. So other suggestions like teas can't do any worse.

SO glad to read/ find others suffering/coping. It's amazing what our delicate female bodies endure "PRE-mentral, Mentral, Pregnancy/Childbirth (ones who), " PERImenopause, " MENOpause and OLD AGE !

I just had another incident and decided to try to research if these sudden flarees of pain had something to do with being post menopausal. Glad to find you! I know that my older sister, a friend, and I have experienced sudden debilitating pain in the muscles around various joints. For me it has been shoulders and wrists. With ice, vicadin, and isolation of the joint (such as a sling) these pains all disappear after a few days.

I was told a couple of years ago that a calcium supplement would help, not because of osteoporosis, which is not an issue in my family, but something to do with muscles. It did. I have had no flare ups for 2 years. Recently, however, I have.

Does anyone else experience these episodic flares? That come inexplicably and leave just as inexplicably?

Thank you all for letting me know that I am not a hypochondriac and that I am not losing my mind!
Like many of you said, it sounds like I wrote most of these posts. I am 53 and have been in excruciating pain for about 2 years now. The worst is when I am playing the piano. The sharp pains in my elbow are unbelievable!
I have two poodles. They are a lot of work. I have to groom them and that just about does me in. I used to be able to take one day and do them both, now it takes me 2-3 days to get them looking pretty.
This getting old business is for the birds.
But at least I know that I am not alone.
Somehow it makes it seem "better"
God bless you all, ladies.

Hi Ladies
Thank God I found this site! and totally by luck - new technology not my strongest point. I feel so relieved and empowered now that I know it's not just me, not all in my head and not a terrible illness creeping up on me! I came off my BC pill last October (I actually lost the pills and was waiting for a period to start again) When nothing happened my doc gave me a blood test and found my levels so low that I was post menopausal. It had all been happening when I was supplementing my hormones with my pill and I hadn't even noticed (good thing). However, this meant going totally cold turkey on the hormones (very bad thing) and I was hit by a truck! Hot flushes started first - still having them but settled into a routine, then just knackered all the time (Christmas a struggle first time ever!) and the biggie - joint/muscle/everything pain! Started in my feet, progressed to hips, shoulders and knees - and recently my hands are just mental. Doc first told me to knock off the gym - 5 times a week too much but desperate to lose weight (oh yes another menopausal joy around your belly) but took a five week break. Made no difference, took anti-inflams for ten days (neproxine) to little effect but who wants to take them for ever anyway! Back to the gym as it made no difference to the pain and think it's probably more a benefit than not. No anti-inflams or pain killers but pain definitley getting worse. So, after reading all of your postings I'm off to the doctors tomorrow at least armed with some information and ideas. They really have no idea about this - only the obvious things like hot flushes (can live with), mood swings. libido and vaginal dryness (ok up to now) and just want you to take the antidepressants - the new cure all for the menopause! I'll be requesting a Vitamnin D test and a thyroid examination now after reading this. And recommending that she reads this forum! Thank you so so so much! I also started taking supplements last monday - Soy Extract, Glucosomine/Chondroitin formulation, Calcium and EFA (1200mg). I'll be adding Maca Root and Ginko Biloba from next Monday. I'll post and update in a few weeks to let all know if any improvement and test results. Good luck to all of you and hang in there.

Thanks, it's good to know I'm not alone or going crazy. Wish there was an easy fix but apparently there is not. I was taking yaz, thought it was great until I developed a blood clot. So no more hormones! Did shots of lovenox for a week and comadin for six months. Stopped coumadin when I started cataflem(nsaid) for wicked foot pain ?plantar fascitis. Started zoloft for depression? Started simvastatin for high cholesterol. Stopped cataflem and discovered increased foot, hip, back,joint pain and muscle weakness. Stopped simastatin thinking ? side effects. Have an appt with my gyn doc this week. Will see what she has to offer. Tomorrow I am restarting my exercise program and adjusting my diet to try to take care of the cholesterol issue. I'm also seeing some maca and maybe sam-e in my future.

Hi - just a quick up-date on the maca-root supplement. Was going to start this week but couldn't find any locally. Maybe a good thing - ordered on the internet on Saturday night and almost right away came across a forum 'what they don't tell you about maca' - scared the be-jesus out of me! As I have a couple of hols coming up it'll be sods law that any side efects will hit me then, so I'll start taking it at the beginning of June. I still think the benefits may outweigh the side effects and I intend to start slowly on the doses - 500mg every other day I think. Also, went to my GP on Friday and asked for a Vit D test and a thyroid test - was assured I most definitely didn't have a Vit D deficiancy (!) and that looking at a blood test taken last month my thyroid was fine. But still hard pushing the anti-bloody-depressants! I'm researching now to find evidence that anti-depressants work for joint/muscle pains due to menopuasal hormone depletion - I'm sure they'd be worth a try for anxiety, mood swings, depression, etc but I don't have those. Pain in my hands now getting worse! Anyone out there had any pain releif from using them? Meantime may try black cohosh. Started taking vitamin E supplement this week too.

Ditto all of the above!!!!!!! Hey, I am not alone - great to know. I sympathise with everyone affected in this way. My mother had rheumatoid arthritis from her late 20s and also later had osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. I have had a test for rheumatoid arthritis and it is clear. I have had tennis elbow, resulting in scar tissue being removed as my arm was completely stiff in the morning and extra bone removed from my big toe joint two years ago. Neck pain is bad right now and today it is so bad I am going to my GP. Having read all of the above I am asking for a Vit D test. They say my thyroid is ok. I am 54 now and have been suffering for some years now - I am on half a patch of HRT which has helped the hot flushes and I can get up the stair easier now. I thought I would be a new woman when the periods stopped, but that has been replaced by a host of other problems. Does anyone else have bad neck pain - right up high in my hairline where it is impossible to apply ibuprofen gel. I can only take paracetamol due to digestive problems/mild asthma. Heat does help, but I am wondering today if I even have a trapped nerve. Basically, I have joint pain everywhere - I even have a lump on my right shoulder now so cannot cary a shoulder bag there and my arms hurt if I cary too much. I have tried glucosamine but my GP says to concentrate on the calcium intake instead.

Hi Everyone,
I feel for each and everyone of you. I experience pain each and everyday. I use to work out and walk 5 days a week. Four years ago I slipped and fell on my knee and had to have knee surgery, the surgery went well but during physical theraphy the bike I was riding tipped over while I was on the bike and I fell onto my knee that I just had surgery on. I was shocked when the therapist told me not the feel bad that the bike had tipped over on 4 or 5 other people! She acted like it was an everyday occurance. My knee has never been the same. My legs feel like they weigh a ton when I get out of bed and start to walk, my lower back hurts so much that I sleep with a cold pack on it all night. When I walk for a period of time I get to the point of being out of breath but I contribute it to the fact that I am putting so much effort into walking that it makes me winded. I have been told I have fibromyalgia but I'm not going to let it get the best of me. I miss my old way of life and I'm going to beat this. I have put on over 60 pounds and no matter what I do it just does not come off. So today when I got up I decided to try new things, I am going to the store and buying Q10. I have been reading about it and because I take Simvastatin a doctor told me it depletes your body of potassium and Q10. I am going to start to drink more water and hot teas. I am going to find a diet high in protein and some exercises I can do sitting down first and as I begin to loose I will add walking. I will keep you all posted on my progress and if it works for me I will be passing all that I do on to you....Good luck to all of you and God bless....
Yvonne

This obviously is more common than is thought, and requires further study (any menopause researchers out there?) I am 51 and have been in menopause for 4 years. Looking back, I guess I can see symptoms starting about 3 years ago that I overlooked and thought would just go away; the sore feet and ankles, now hobbling out of bed like an 80 year old in the morning, stiff, achy hands, difficult to open up a water bottle. Now, though I still work and function "normally" I am achy all the time, pulling up a pair of pants hurts my hands and sometimes if I forget and pick something up quickly, I cramp up and have to drop it. Elbows especially painful, little muscle twitches in limbs often. Lower back, knee pain not as bad. Neck and shoulders have been an issue for years so I don't even consider it a part of whatever this is. And YES, OMG, how hard it is to stand up after sitting for even 20 minutes! Excruciating and embarrassing. Actually feels more like tendons than my joints and burns after a while if I don't change positions or let up on whatever I am doing. I have no swelling or outer signs of arthritis, but since Advil helps I know this must be some kind of inflammatory process. I hate going to the doctor, but I can't put up with this much longer. I am afraid to try Maca or estrogen/estrogen like supplements because of the side effects. However the symptoms may outweigh the fear soon.

OMG, so glad I'm not losing my mind!!! I underwent CHEMO last year and finished in 10/2010 for breast cancer and I'm hurting more now than during the masectomy and chemo treatments combined. My arms, shoulders, ankles and knees feel like I'm getting a BAD case of the flu and nothing helps and of course MALE doctors just tell me it is a virous and it needs to run its course, meanwhile I'm in agony!!! I want to roll up in a ball and cry, not that it would help but I'm so frustrated...

Hi Ladies! Has anyone tried the chiropractor? I suffered from serious migraines for 10 years....the kind that kept me in bed for 2-3 days. I was on the pill at them, so of course i went off it. That's when the fun started! ha! I became a complete witch every months for at least a week before my period. After about 2 years of this, my gyno put me on bioidentical progesterone (I was 36, now 38 years old). For the first year it was a miracle cream! No more mood swings, super-healthy hair and skin, no more bloating. About a year ago i started getting yeast infections and UTI's regularly, and I started getting cystic acne! That was the WORST part!! So I went to a hormone dr who had me do a saliva test to check all my hormone levels. Not suprisingly, my progesterone was thru the roof, so he prescribed me Bi-est, a bioidentical hormone cream that contains the 2 "good" estrogens. At first i LOVED it! But after 2 months, I started to get headaches again. This whole thing is SOOOOO Frustrating!!! Ive also discovered chiropractic.....a LIFESAVER!!! My problem is that my adjustments NEVER hold. Everyone else I know can go 3-4 times and then be good to go, but not me....I have to go ALL the time or Im in horrible pain. I know all of this is hormone related, but i seriously have no idea what hormone it is.....Do i need more estrogen? or maybe testosterone??? Alot of women SWEAR by testosterone supplementation.....I just seriously cant afford to keep going to the dr. I also know its diet related....sugar does make me feel more pain. If anyone has had any experiences with bio-identical hormones, I'd LOVE to hear them!

So pleased to have found this site. Like alot of you on here i have awful crippling pain in my joints and muscles and my bones ache.
I have been doing research on this for the last year and think i may have found a possible cause.
Recently i have been reading 3 books by SUZANNE SOMERS.
They have been very helpful, and i recommend these books.
I believe my pains are hormone related.
I am 51 and have been suffering for the last 2 years from Menopause.
My muscle aches and pains started slowly 4 years ago. I suspect this was because of my hormone levels being unbalanced due to the onset of menopause and then full menopause.
I felt like i was going crazy, as different blood tests all seemed to come back normal.
I was then told i have fibromyalgia.
Also some arthritis in my shoulder joint. And a condition of arthritis that causes twisting, pain and lumps on my fingers and toes. I also believe this to be hormone related from menopause.
I believe strongly that alot of my symptoms are MENOPAUSE related, as i had always been fairly active and now i feel like my body has aged rapidly. Sometimes i feel like i am 70 years old because my movement is so slowed and joints hurt so bad that they limit me in some day to day activities.
I get alot of muscle, joint, & nerve pain in the tops of my hands, fingers swollen and tops of my feet and toes with swelling and inflamation.
This all happened with Menopause.
I am going to try bio-identical hormones.
I will let you know of my progress.

Trish NZ

hi all, new to the forum. just wanted to update englishmargy on the thyroid (TFT)test. i have graves and of course the thyroid was removed after all of the iodine treatments etc. the TFT test is such a joke (for me it was). your thyroid results will only give YOUR TRUE LEVEL AT THE TIME OF TESTING. meaning, that your level will be different 2 hours from then. your GP should know that LAST MONTHS results are certainly NOT this months. hence, why it's so difficult to pinpoint a thyroid problem. my advice... go see your GP at a time when you feel your worst. you don't need an appointment to go in and request a quick TFT if your GP is willing to work with you. good luck and pray all gets better for you.

Hi, Ive been suffering from menopause for over ten years, ive just been ordered off HRT due to family history of strokes and thrombosis, I also have a blood disorder called Factor five Leiden which is quite commom and a lot of people dont realise they have it, all reasons not to take HRT, now ime getting all of the above aches and pains and anxiety, the HRT was masking my symptons. Next try is Apple cider vinegar, knees and toes crossed.

I am only 47 years old and I too have been suffering with muscle and joint aches for about a year now. I've been to two difference ortheopedic doctors and also had a steroid neck injection hoping that would help neck and shoulder pain. I've had two MRI's of the spine thinking that a ruptured disk was causing the hip and leg pain. Absolutely nothing has worked long term. I get some relief from weekly visits to a physical therapist and various stretching exercises. But the pain in my hips, thighs, shoulders and arms just comes right back. 800 mg of Motrin doesn't help any more. I went to a rheumatologist because the orthopeopedic doctor thought it might be fibromyalgia. Anyway, rheumatologist tested me for all of the auto-immune diseases and the tests came back normal. And he said that I didn't hurt in enough of the common places to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It just doesn't make sense that you wake up one day and you hurt all over. I have enjoyed reading all of the posts of the women who have similar symptoms to me. I'm NOT crazy after all but I sure have felt like it the last 12 months. I am taking Vitamin D, Magnesium and Fish Oil supplements at the suggestion of the physical therapist. Currently I'm not under the care of a doctor because I don't know who to go to see who will actually believe what I'm telling them. Makes me wonder if this is peri-menopause.

Hi again. I posted a heartfelt "Me too!" several months ago. At the time, after trying EVERYTHING including HRT, gaba, maca, Vit. D, fish oil, etc., etc...I thought that I had found the answer with sam-E but was wrong...again. A friend recommended Cymbalta. I know it's an anti-depressant but, out of desperation, I tried it. Oh Thank God I did!!! Wow! Within a couple hours the joint pain was GONE. Completely gone, not just a little better but: GONE! It's now been about 3 months taking it and I am still pain free. Even my headaches are gone. I have had zero side effects. I have heard that one must watch one's blood pressure but other than this, nothing negative. I know that it wasn't just coincidence because I forgot to take it one day and by mid-afternoon my knees started aching but it had been a very physically active morning so I thought nothing of it until the hip pain started. It was just like before and I started to freak out until I remembered that I hadn't taken my pill that morning. I did so and the pain was gone within the hour, never to return! I am so, so grateful for this relief that, frankly, my only worry is NOT about drug/antidepressant side effects but rather, God forbid, it should ever stop working! Best of luck to you all! Nancy

I found this page doing a Google search today because I am in such pain and have begun to so overmedicate. My fingers are swollen even tho I have always watched salt intake due to high blood pressure. I drink a ton of water and exercise regularly enough that inactivity can't explain this joint pain. I am 50 years old and while my husband jokes that I've been going through menopause for 15 years, I have just begun to skip periods and have all the classic signs of perimenopause (hot flashes, insomnia, etc). I also went on Cymbalta which helped a tiny bit but I was grateful for that. Now I just medicate with handfuls of advil which I know isn't good. I am making an appt with my GYN this week to talk about other solutions.

I am glad I found this post because I am going to try the vitamin D supplements. I did read somewhere that many people suffer from the D sufficiency because of sunscreen (D is absorbed through natural sunlight) so supplements seem like a really good idea. I know nothing about the bio-identical hormones but I guess I will talk to my Dr about that as well. I was hoping to ride out this menopause thing naturally. I always thought how bad could it be? It can be bad! I am bad with any pain though. I could have handled the hot flashes and insomnia if that was all it was, but the joint and breast pain, forget it.

Hi, I'm glad I found this site and others with the same issues that I have. But I am sorry that all of you are in pain as well. Last year I had a complete robotic hysterectomy when I was 48, everything went well and recovery was quick. Then the hot flashes started along with severe leg pain, especially at night. That lasted for about 4 months then last December I went to my gyn to be put on hormones. I thought that was the answer, but by March my elbow started to hurt. My dr said it was tennis elbow and to take advil and try not to use it. At that point I couldn't lift a gal of milk so I went to an orthopedic dr who said it was a hormone imbalance and I should go back to my gyn. Soon it was both elbows, now all my muscles in both arms hurt all the time. It has been almost 14 months since my surgery and I feel like I am 69 not 49. I am in constant pain in my arms and ankles and now my lower back is too. My gyn has doubled my dose of estrogen, but it has not helped. All the doctors act like it is no big deal. If I would have known this was going to happen I would never have had surgery last year!

Just like all of you prior, all the way back to 2006, glad to read that I am not alone. I am only 47 and feel as if I am 80. Hard to get up after sitting for more than 20 minutes. I currently am on no prescriptions. I have been taking vit d, b12, iron and a multivitamin for prob a year. The stiffness and pain increase have come on in the last two months. I am going to try the estrogen vag cream and see if that helps the pain. That was prescribed for me for incontinence last year, but I never used it. I had a partial hyst several years ago, still have one ovary. Have had chronic breast tenderness for about 2 years. Are there side effects from the MACA?
I walk a mile a day and am not over weight. The worst pain is in my hips, knees, and neck and hands. In the mornings my hands are so swollen and painful, difficult to pick up a pillow.

Like others, I am glad to know that I am not crazy and not dying. I am 57 and not overweight. Before this started I exercised every day and was like an ever-ready bunny. Other than some bouts of back pain every few years, I did great.

I have had the yeast infections followed by "bladder infections" (that might not always have been such), the curling toes, restless legs, dreadful bone and joint pains that will wake me, stiffness, low energy, you name it.

The orthopedic surgeon wanted to operate my back, my GP thought I was depressed (heck, I was in pain all day and I thought I must be dying because that level of pain is not normal), the cardiologist says my heart is better than most women my age. The arthritis doctor says my joints are fine and that it's menopause, not fibromyalgia (apparently a lot of menopausal women are diagnosed with fibromyalgia).

What has helped:
>>unsweetened cranberry juice in my drinking water and/or pills,
>>a daily pro-biotic,
>>washing my genital area only with baby soap,
>>vaginal moisturizers and small amounts of estrace,
>> sitting on an exercise ball all day at work (for my back),
>>2 minutes am and pm on an inversion table (for my back and aches),
>>yoga,
>>stretching, stretching, stretching (see spine universe.com),
>>sublingual vitamin B-12 (the Japanese supplement B-12 levels below 500, so try it even if your doctor says you are not low,
>>a half-dose of an SRI (such as 30 mg. of Cymbalta). Just started taking this. It reduces pain, I sleep great, and I have my old energy level back
>>and, what I CANNOT live without is one 7.5 mg daily pill of meloxicam (mobic), an anti-inflammatory.

Hope this helps. (Have been taking glucosamine chondroitin, but I don't know that if it has helped.)

OMG!!! I have FINALLY found a reason why my arms, legs, ankles and feet hurt SO bad! I thank you for sharing your stories. I had both of my ovaries removed in January, 2010. I went through a complete meltdown in April, 2010 and almost committed suicide because of the dramatic drop in hormone levels. I have been going to doctors for the last year, and was told possible arthritis - no. Then possible fibromyalgia. Took Savella for a few months. It worked for a little while, then didn't. Now, I am taking Cymbalta for arthritis symptoms, even though blood tests came back negative. At first that worked - until I forgot to take it for two days. I started back up, but now it doesn't work. At 42, I feel like a crippled person. I can't sit for long periods of time because my calves and ankles hurt so bad, I can barely walk afterwards. My hips hurt like hell and wake me out of a dead sleep. I cry at night from the pain that I feel all over my body. When I try to explain my pain, I tell the doctors that it is deep bone pain. I can't explain it any other way. It's like arthritis in my hands. I was told that I had such a deficiency in Vitamin D levels, I had to take 2000 mg every day! That level is back up to 28 now. I also have old Parvovirus that showed up in my blood work. I have Degenerative Disk Disease and it is so bad, I can feel my vertebrae rub together because there is no disk space between them in my lower back. Last year, when I had the meltdown, the ER doctor referred me to an OBGYN that dealt with bio-identical hormones. I could only take these hormones because I had had a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in my lung). I used progesterone creams for a few months, but gained weight. They helped me at first, but stopped working. I too am foggy brained, which has affected my job. So, as I have read most of your posts, I will try the Maca. Please send me any ideas that you have tried and have worked. I would really appreciate them! I hope someday, we can all lead more normal lives!

I am also so glad I found this site! I may be perimenosausal as I am only 40 but getting up this morning made me do a search. I couldn't turn off my alarm because I couldn't feel my fingers then I about stumbled out of bed to make sure my daughter was up. I hurt all over. All my joints, the arches of my feet, my neck. I am overweight and have recently cut meat, dairy and sugar out of my diet in an effort to lose weight and decrease inflammatory foods. I will call today to set up an appointment with my nurse practioner. From reading this thread, it sounds like Cymbalta might help. I'm going to ask to have my thyroid checked as well as to check for fibromyalgia and arthritis. I feel like I'm WAY too young to feel this crappy!

I am so thrilled I found this site, everyone's wonderful experiences and ideas to help are heavenly.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis in the early years of perimenopause. I was prescribed salsalatte at 3000mg daily for the pain, elavil for the night pain and for a good nights rest. It is wonderful! My husband swears by aleve for his arthritis aches. I also have an Rx for the mood swings- lexapro- and it works great. I do yoga and work out as often as I can to help with the pain and stiffness of arthritis. Walking is a gentle workout and effective.
I also have the itchy skin and found olive oil is best. I use a very gentle body soap, though not the baby soaps, their scents make it worse. On warm days I slather it on( including my scalp) and get 30-40 minutes of sunshine, shower it off and feel so much better. For the dry winters Iя┐╜ve found a eucalyptus and tea tree oil lotion helps when the itchy skin turns into a rash.
Sandi

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 2 years ago. I am 46 and started menopause 3 years ago (very early) My symptoms seemed to start with menopause, but I also was under a lot of stress and had been in a car accident. I thought my neck pain was from that but after an MRI(negative for damagae) and lots of PT it still didn't go away. The pain gradually spread to my jaw (TMJ) and then the rest of my muscles/joints. I am on Lyrica 100mg 2/day, cymbalta 1/day, 800mg of (a strong anti-inflammatory) that I take when I'm really hurting plus I have a low dose version of Vicadin that I take on the worst days. In addition I was prescribed a muscle relaxer to help me sleep which I take almost every night. Sounds like a lot huh? It is! I am still trying to figure out the best ways to deal with this crazy syndrome. I have asked my Rhuemotologist about diet, exercise, special treatments, etc and he says it doesn't hurt but it won't help -- only the drugs will ease the symptoms.

So, I am learing to live with this. It's very fustrating. I used to ski, snow board, swim, run, etc. Even sex is painful (having to stretch my legs kind of pain :)) Now I just walk. I'm gaining weight, too. However, I refuse to give up the thing I love most (which by the way hurts me the most) I play base in a rock band and I love it. What I'm trying to say is, I have accepted that pain will always be there, but, I am not going to let it stop me from doing what I enjoy.

I'm glad I found this site. I hope you ladies keep it going. I really found peace in knowing how many others are out there with the same experiences. Thanks so much!

I found this page looking for pain in knees back hips and arms and am so glad I did. Lots of great info but is anyone still posting here recently? And if so are there any more like this on the web? Thank you!

Just thought I'd add some of my experiences. I also suffer from a lot of leg/hip/knee pain. It has really limited my physical activity and is definitely associated with menopause as I've had my hormones tested and they are low but within the ranges allowed for in menopause. I'm one year into this. What I've tried: Macafem (Maca Root). I do think this worked for me but I had a lot of side affects: stomach cramps, anxiety mainly. I could not continue with it. Bio-identical hormones. Still working with quantities ...taking E2, E3 and progesterone in a cream. Some days I think it's helping, some days not. What I did notice is that, when I wasn't on it, my cholesterol shot up...so I'm hoping the estrogen helps with it. The quantities I"m taking are small, however. Vitamin D. Everybody needs to get their level checked. Mine is stubbornly low and even after taking 8,000 iu daily for a year, my level only inched up and is still low (27). Now on 50,000 iu 2Xwk through my MD. Noticed an immediate improvement in my hip pain and muscle weakness. It's supposed to take 3 mos to get up to a normal level, so I'm hopeful this will help. Exercise and stretching. Have to do this every day!

I had a hysterectomy in January 2009 and by May I was feeling like I had the worst arthritis in my knees and have felt crippled ever since. I went to dozens of doctors, took blood tests to the point that my arms were bruised all over. I could not function anymore. I ached, I cried, I lost my will to breathe.
One rheumatologist said I have Fibromyalgia, one orthopaedic surgeon said I was over reacting and gave me one after another shot of steroids right into my knees, many other doctors over the years have been all over the place from telling me I'm in need of a psychiatrist to I need my knees replaced. Another orthopaedic surgeon saw my MRI and said I have chondromalacia patella, two of them decided I had Lupus, one other told me I had RA.
Everything I read on this thread seems like my situation, now I KNOW I'm not crazy, I'm a 50 year old in need of hormone replacement. You would think that the 50+ year old FEMALE specialists that I've been going to for 16 months would KNOW something. OMG could it be true that those doctors are that ignorant or do they just not care?

Hi Everyone
I can not tell you how happy I am to have found this site. I don't feel as CRAZy and ALONE as i have over the past while. Not that I am happy that anyone is feeling the same way as me but that I see a small light at the end of the tunnel.
I am 42 years old and honestly feel like my life is over. I have been a very active women all my life always busy busy working out being involved now I am in such pain all the time especilly in the shoulders, elbows and hands it is making me half crazy. I feel like I can not partake in anything anymore due to the constant pain and fatigue. I am allergic to ASA and Tylenol so the pain is even more difficult to deal with. I knew I was heding into menopause as I was having extreme mood swings night sweats and getting out of bed in the morning to go to work was difficult. I figured as the other women in my family dealt with this in stride I could do the same.
When the pain started though I got scared. The mood swings and night sweats were the least of my worries. The joint muscle and bone pain in my shoulders arms hands knees etc has made everyday life hard to deal with. I have become consummed with trying to deal with all of this on my own my husbnd and kids think Iam loosing it and have me almost believing the same. I have an appointment with my doctor at the end of the month that will hopefully give me some sort of conformation on what is happening to me. It just seems that I was fine one day woke up the next to find myself to be less active then my 72yr old Mom. I feared that I had everything under the sun I until I fell apon this forum. It has given me a bit of courage to fight this fight as I have never been one to give up but was ready too...

Has anyone out there had any relief from joint pain and arthritis by using HRT? I am 54 and having the hot flashes, had x-rays for pain in wrists and shoulder and diagnosis is arthritis. The orto said this could be hormone imbalance related considering I'm only 54. My gyno said HRT may relieve the arthritis. I have a perscription for estrace 1 mg and Prometrium 100 mg. I'm alittle nervous about starting HRT. Anyone on HRT and getting good results?
Thanks for any input.

To reggae: just to let you know, I tried HRT and it seemed to make my headaches and joint pain WORSE! I DO think these symptoms are a hormone imbalance, but the only thing that has helped me so far is Cymbalta. Maybe if you just try the smallest dose and watch those symptoms? I think the Vit D deficiency mentioned above is worth a look too. Good luck.

I promise you, this will help and it's FREE!! I became post menapausal this past June and by September I ached all over, all day and night! It was awful!! I decided to go on a diet - thinking the extra weight I was carrying might be a contributing factor. This diet takes you off sugar completely - no fruit, so fructose, no sugar period. Also, you have to drink LOTS of water. I figured out for my weight I should be drinking 9 cups of water a day (that's only 4 1/2 bottles)...by the third day - all the aches and pains had stopped - TOTALLY!! I AM NOT KIDDING. WATER AND NO SUGAR! IT'S TOO SIMPLE.

A couple years ago I was experiencing really bad pain throughout my body, joints, muscles, bottoms of feet, palms of hands. I got on a support site and asked if anyone had experienced it. One woman said it might be a food allergy and to do an elimination diet of the most common allergies, don't eat them and see if the pain goes away. It did. Add each food one at a time and wait 72 hours before adding the next food to see if the pain returns. It did. Tomatoes. I don't eat tomatoes anymore, but as long as I rotate them or eat once and then not again for a while I'm fine.

Then about a year ago I started getting pain in my legs. So bad it was hard to walk and impossible to sleep. I tried the elimination diet but nothing helped. I tried a variety of other theories: dehydration, exercise, vit/min deficiencies, but nothing. Then I went on another diet for a totally different health reason...no grains, sugar, dairy, soy, caffeine,iodine, and avoid chemicals. The pain totally went away. I have no idea what was causing it although prior to this diet I was pretty much cafeine/soy/chemical free almost gluten/dairy/sugar free but not completely. With my other health issue the problem was I needed to be totally free of these things, no cheating every so often. Still not sure what was causing it, but pain is gone.

I don't know if this will help any of you, but it's always good to get ideas.

Only one person has mentioned an elimination diet. With all the focus on what to add don't forget to take (bad) things out so the supplements etc can work.

Detoxification can help a lot of things and can be accomplished by juicing.

An easy basic juice recipe:
1 part cucumber
1 part celery
1 part carrots/beets (less than 30% of total due to sugar)
1 part greens like lettuce or kale
No fruits except Granny Smith apples and kiwi if desired

Be sure to use all organic. Drink first thing in the morning (after a glass of water if desired). Have breakfast 15-30 minutes later.

This will detoxify and alkalize the system. Mild-flu like symptoms (if any) for the first few days are considered to be toxins being released.

Noticeable benefits should be felt as early as two weeks to one month after starting to juice daily.

A great intro to juicing is the DVD 'Fat, Sick and Almost Dead' although I don't recommend the 100% juice approach as in the DVD.

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains

RE: does anyone have joint and muscle pains