Thanks for the suggestion, BlackWidowRoses. However, we should be careful when taking phyto-estrogens as they are made from soy and some may be allergic to it. Side effects can go from mild to life-threatening if you are allergic. Also, they are estrogens nonetheless, so they might not be suitable for women who have had any kind of issues with breast or ovarian cancer. Consult with your doctor before using them, if this is the case.

For joint pain, I've heard that there is a product which is relatively new, that gives very good results. It is called Baxyl and is, apparently, very popular at the moment. You can get it online and at health food stores.

http://www.baxyl.com/index.php

I am, personally, going to give it a try! :)

I found some info:

You might want to try d-ribose for your fatigue and other "fibro like" symptoms. This can give you energy and help with sleep.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post708792-40.html

Ribose has shown some promise with Fibromyalgia patients.
In doses below 10 grams a day it has shown no negative effects on blood sugar.

Hi everyone out there was sure glad to read your post as I thought I was going mad.
So here�s my story and hopefully it will help some of you out there.

My problems started in 2007 (I was 45) , I went in to hospital with a knee that locked and had a clean out op (both knees showed mild arthritis). Everything was fine but my hips started to play up first one then the other, on any given day it could change. Stiffness on waking, hurting if I walked, sat or stood for any length of time. I thought it was arthritis as that was the problem with my knees. As time went on it got worse and so I went to the doctors. They prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, I have never been very good with this kind of medication as it upsets my stomach and therefore I needed more tablets to line my stomach. The tablets worked temporarily however I only took them when I was really bad as they still messed with my stomach. When in 2008-9 I ended up in hospital because I was unable to swallow food, it was found I had a hiatus hernia, and I knew it was the tablets that was causing the problem. So I stopped taking them and the pain and stiffness got worse it had also moved up to my shoulder and at times my neck as well. I was becoming an old lady fast, I�m not over weight and a very active person, I love dance but began to find that was just to hard on my joints and took up Yoga and Pilates (gently forms) however that didn�t help. Over the years I�ve tried on more then one occasion regular massage, trigger point therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture and a few more obscure treatments. Nothing was working and over the years I had been getting slowly but progressively worse.
I had been back to my doctor and he had ran a number of blood test to check inflammation, thyroid, and immune factors, I was better then perfect HAHA. The doctor mumbled about fibromyalgia. I researched and had a test at work with the works pyso inconclusive, I insisted on going to see a rheumatoid specialist at the hospital. Fibromyalgia symptoms yes but inconclusive he felt it was peri-menopausal, even though I had no other symptoms.
I have done lots of research on the menopause now and read most of the stories here and believe as science is now investigating that there is a real thing called �menopausal arthritis� I am now in the change (51) with periods being erratic however I don�t get much in the way of hot flushes. What I was finding was when I had a period my stiffness and pains where improved perhaps this should have been the clue.

I have always felt that HRT was just putting of the inevitable and do I really want these symptoms when I�m sixty, not to mention what the drug is made from! I have read much on the new Bio friendly HRT and asked my doctor about this. It�s not available on the NHS and there is much talk about the dosage as hormones change within the body daily. So I decided I would use HRT as the last resort and would try a more friendly approach with diet. Phytoetrogens in foods are the closest things to the female hormone in fact this is the base for Bio friendly HRT opposed to Horses urine found in normal HRT. I made changes to my diet which included Soya, Nuts, Seeds (phytoetrogens) and for extra nutrition oily fish. I cut down on fats and sugars and eat more veg and fruit. I eat about every three hours to stop highs and lows in blood sugars and kept up with the exercise 5 times a week. It took 6 - 7 weeks before I noticed a difference. Three months on the stiffness on waking has gone and the pain and stiffness in joints is decreasing I�m able to do more high impact exercise and feeling stronger everyday. There is many books on the subject of menopausal diets I did not change my eating habits over night but introduced things gradually to give my body time to adjust.
I hope this information will help you, please don�t expect miracles overnight, be kind to yourself and listen to your body. If this works for you it has to be better then taking pills. Good luck

I have been reading a book that mentions a bio friendly cream called Progest. Through Amazon, there are quite a few reviews. All I believe to be positive. It mentions something called estrogen dominance in perimenopausal women. The symptoms are many with this. It also mentions eating soy and phyto foods. Our bodies go through such a drastic change and most of us aren't sure where it came from or how to treat it cuz there's not much talk about this kind of pain or hormone imbalances. This forum is such a great help to make us feel not so alone on this road less traveled, a journey into the unknown. Thanks again ladies for all your stories and may God Bless Us All!

Like many who have posted here, I am thrilled to have found this page! The nano-second I went into menopause, my joints started to flare up and for almost a year now I have been practically crippled. Like a lot of you, I also had the MRI, the X-Rays, etc, but the docs didn't know what it was. The good news that I want to share with you all is that I have found something that is safe, natural, and so far, is really working well for me. It's an Ayurvedic herb called Shatavari. It's considered THE healing tonic for women's issues in Ayurvedic medicine. I have to admit that when I was having my period I never felt it do that much for me, but now that I am menopausal it's at the very top of my list of supplements. The first time I took it, my joints felt somehow stronger the same day, though the pain was still there. It's been about three days now that I am taking it (1 teaspoon 3x/day before meals with warm water) and I can walk normally now, with almost NO pain! I still have to be very careful around stairs and the whole standing up/sitting down drama, but let me tell you, I can walk again! And this is after almost a year of such intense suffering. Oh, and the other thing that seems to be helping quite a bit is Fem+ from Dr Schultz. I stared taking that after the Shatavari, but I feel it also helps. You can get Shatavari at most health food stores. If yours doesn't carry it, you can get it online or order it from the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, NM. I sincerely hope this helps others as much as it's helping me. Blessings to all of us who are struggling for answers and relief. The medical community may not be able to help us, but maybe we can help each other to get through and get healed...

So glad to have stumbled onto this site. I am 56 and feel like one of the oldest going through menopause. I began having knee pain and stiffness about 18 months ago out of no where. I had left knee surgery (osteotomies) 7 years ago but had since recovered faily well. Then about 8 months ago, I began having hip pain alternating hips at different times. Then began having what I refer to has muscle pain on both outer thighs deep inside. I have long suspected an association with hormone changes. After reading all of these posts, I am relieved to know I am not crazy or a hypochondriac. I had a FSH test done 6 months ago and it showed that I was still in the early stages of menopause. After reading different trials of supplements, I will research them and try one. I am a nurse so am very adament about not taking hormones of any kind. History of estrogen receptor breast cancer in family. But I also know I can't keep up this constant and annoying and sometimes unbearable pain. I take fish oil, glucosa/chondroitin combo and vitamins with little relief. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. Will keep all posted.

I get those "quivers" especially and it is very noticeable when you go to lie down and it honestly feels like you won't make it through the night. I had already made huge changes with my diet but didn't consider additives yet. I thought it always something else but sulphites were the ones doing me it so, wine, dried fruit, vinegars, etc. I haven't experience the quivering heart since dropping them. This is my experience though.
I have a few autoimmune conditions, with arthritis being one of them, I totally know the morning stiffness. I would even get it from sitting in one position for half an hour. I couldn't even close my hands two years ago. Look up leaky gut, food intolerances and elimination diets. I consider myself in remission now. When I stray off my strict diet it unfortunately comes back - skin conditions, arthritis, endometriosis, poor circulation. Best part, my chronically inflamed knee (since my late teens) is normal! This all happened while being stressed out of mind over what was happening with my body and reacting to my medications (so had to quit them and move on to the next one (again)) that I found natural alternatives. I didn't start the new meds and did an elimination diet. I got more results in 10 days on it than any medication I have ever taken. Oh, I also take supplements based on inflammation. So being so stressed out my body still healed? I was told stress (which I didn't have before the conditions started) were causing all my health problems.

You're so right Cookie8 -- diet is critical. I'm currently eating only fresh organic veggies and once in a while some lean meat. An apple once in a while. The moment I put any kind of grain in my mouth right now, all of my joints start to hurt again. No allergy there though -- already had it checked in several ways. The good news is that I'd rather walk and be mobile than eat sugar, grain, or anything else that causes my body to hurt. I hope that this changes once I'm past menopause, but who knows? My body definitely demands a lighter, leaner diet right now...

I am 55 years old and right now I feel like i have been going through the hell that perimenopause has become forever. I honestly don't know how those of us unfortunate women who have gone through the whole gamut of symptoms survive. I have gone through almost all of the options my gyn gave me (I'm still holding out on a hysterectomy), I have tried everything known to mankind for some relieve. New and painful symptoms keep popping up and after reading the long list of posts on this website, my heart goes out to all you women going through this. I have an older sister who never even blinked when she went through menopause. When I tell her what I'm going through she looks at me and says full of wonder "wow, that is so strange, I never had any of those symptoms."

I love my sister and that is why she is still alive! But seriously I get so depressed because it seems that everything points to one clear fact; even the doctors can't tell you when its going to end. I have been through the bleeding so heavy you end up in the hospital, your face so hot, everyone asks if you're okay; the joint aches. I seriously have wondered if I'm dying of some rare disease they don't have a name for. Much of what I have been reading on this site pretty much fits what I'm going through and its not that misery loves company but there is a certain relief in knowing that you are not alone.

I have gotten to the point where even if I'm dying from pain or some other discomfort I just don't tell my husband anymore because it scares him. How can it not? Can you imagine trying to understand how all of these problems can be caused by our female organs? Even I have trouble accepting that.

Hang in there, pray, take care of yourself and to this day I haven't heard of a woman dying from menopause (I heard a couple of them killed their husbands but that's another story).

I am 48 years old, perimenopausal and sitting here with a heat on my hip, just took 800 mg of advil, praying for some relief. I have had excruciating hip pain for over a month now, especially after sitting down at NIGHT. Can barely walk when I stand up. Like most here I was beginning to believe that something was horribly wrong and thought I was losing my mind turning into a hypochondriac. I did start stretching throughout the day and have found a little relief but would love more! It seems that the lack of estrogen is the culprit, which is insane. How a hormone can reak this much havoc on body, mind and soul is crazy!! I am going out tomorrow to buy sam-e... Thank you all for your wonderful posts, I have literally been reading for hours... maybe I won't lose sleep tonite thinking I am terminal.

Hi again! Just a follow-up to let everyone know that there is an end to this hell! At least for me. It's been about 3 years since I first posted and the joint pain and headaches have eased immensely! WithOUT giving up my precious coffee I might add! Tho I DID switch the sugar to honey. Anyway, mostly I think, though all these ideas might help a bit, what REALLY makes the pain stop is when menopause is over. I fully realized this when I recently had a period after 7 months of being period free. I thought I'd never have one again (and hope that even more now!). Well, with that period came the return of all my horrific symptoms. It made me aware of how much better I have become, slowly, without fully noticing it. So, be patient, my friends, relief is possible...just a long wait! For me, knowing that I won't go into my golden years a near cripple is great news!

Oh wow -- this is terrific news 47Nancy! I'm glad to hear your experience and I am SOOOOO hoping the rest of us get relief with time too! And to think, you still get to drink your coffee... that's just wonderful. Thanks for posting!

I am 59, probably the oldest poster, here.

I had 2 children in my early 20's, and 2 more in my early 40's. I started peripausal @ 45.

I have never had a weight problem until now and I only eat 1000 cal a day, and still gain weight.

I have allll the sympthoms, I have tried:

bio-hormes for 4 years - helped body aches and more energy but still had migraines, which is my worse symptom - the dr. could never get the dosage right, impossible to do, since the fluxations are all over the place -withdrawl was horrible, pains all returned and worse, I feel like I'm 90

anti-depressiants, tried many - really didn't help much, withdrawls were horrible

Re-Mag liquid magnesium - no noticable change

Chaga Mushroom - love this stuff - just calms you down and it's a natural de-tox - but doesn't releive pains - check it out online - highly advise it

Imitrex/Sumatriptan - I would have committed suicide if it wasn't for this med. Ins. will only give me 9 pills a month, so I have to cut them up in 4's and take everyday to parcial numb the pain to be functionable. Sometimes take whole pill if I want to die.

Excedrin - take every day - up to 2- 6 per day for years! - but every blue moon, I don't have to take it, so I know it's hormal fluctations.

all the herb remedies - never any noticable change

I haven't tried the Vit D thing, so will try that.

I will love to hear from someone who can honestly say:

"Menopause symptoms went away when I was "age" yrs old, there is releif coming"

Never heard that from anyone anywhere.

Yes, I'm miserable but yet CHOOSE to be happy regardless -

I have a woman doctor that pretty much doesn't believe in menopause symptoms like these, and even infers that I am just fat and lazy, while pointing out her stick-insect physique. She probably has the metabolism of a hummingbird, and could eat 10 cheesecakes a night with no effect. I don't see her very often!

I just bought a new set of sheets for my mom who is going through menopause. I thought she might enjoy a little luxury! She loves them! The set is called "Zero Gravity." Perfect name right? They don't eliminate her night sweats but they definitely help keep her cooler than her last set of stuffy thick sheets. I got them from a company called Perfect Linens.

I am looking for those linens right now !!!

I hope you like what you find!

I am a 55 year female, was on BC until 6 months ago, and haven't had a period since March, a month or so back I started having aching in my legs and hips at night to the point it would wake me up. When I get up in the morning everything hurts terribly. I walk like I am an old woman. This also happens after sitting for while. I thought something was actually wrong with bones or such. I have not had any tests for this but have had bone density tests and regular physicals in the past. I also work out 3-5 times a week but the weight is not changing :( Glad to know I am not the only one with these symptoms. And maybe one day it will go away. LOL Thanks for listening.

Im New to the forum but found it while searching joint pain in menopause. Knowing so many others are suffering brings me relief to know im not going mad! I guess it's been about 7 months since I had a period, im 48 don't drink or smoke but I am overweight which clearly won't be helping but the joints pain has been so bad I've gone through numerous tests all of which are negative... I really thought I had the onset of Rheumatoid arthritis and was amazed to hear that the tests were negative.. I've had a frozen right shoulder for 14 months and only recently was told of the link with frozen shoulder and the menopause..although there has been little research about it it's know that women around menopausal age have an increased chance of suffering a frozen shoulder... Im now having physio on it as it's now affecting the forearm too. Other pains are all over feeling of stiffness, like many others when you've been sitting or first thing in the morning it's worse, my right knee is bad but the worse thing is both my feet.. they've been bad for about 4 years now, across the tops are constantly swollen and the best way to described them is they always feel like I've done a marathon shopping session where you can't wait to get off them!! I've been tested for auto immune problems and other multiple blood tests have turned up nothing. I found Sage was great at alleviating the hot sweats, im fortunate as I only really used to suffer at night with them. After some research I am now talking Agnus Castus Which is a natural herb that has some encouraging reviews on Amazon but since it's only day 3 of taking them so watch this space for results. It apparently helps regulate the hormones which from reading is the reason we are all in so much pain..Vitamin D seems to play a big part too so I'm taking that and also another supplement called Menopace again which is a natural alternative to HRT which for me is not an option with the risk of blood clots because I'm overweight... Im just thankful I've stumbled across this forum which does at least make me feel like I'm not going mad or turning into a 90 year old overnight which is how these joint pains leave me feeling..I can't understand how doctors don't have a better understanding of these symptoms.. let's hope together we can help each other hey..

It's a rebellion is going on inside your body...

All your muscle, bone, blood, glands are screaming "WTF?! where are all the hormones....we were doing just fine! We demand the ovaries and uterus to step up to the plate and do their part in this place!"

Ladies, it's late and I'm tired, but think this subject is too important to pass up. When I read DAISYPINK'S post I couldn't believe the similarities.

I want to include my story so that woman with muscle and ligament pain everywhere can see there light at the end of the tunnel. We are not crazy, it's not in our head, and I am quite frankly tired of paying doctors who know almost nothing about female hormones.

I have always been a supper high energy, go-go-go woman. I owned a cleaning business and was doing three houses a day. I had hot flashes and night sweats only in my 40s. My periods gently went away, my last was at 52 1/2. never had a night sweat or hot flash and thought I got lucky with menopause. But what did happen was pain! It started in my lower back, then down my leg, and frozen shoulder. As it progressed, it became wide spread chronic muscle and ligament pain. And I'll say this loudly, "IT FELT CHEMICAL."

I went to a total of 12 doctors, specialists, chiropractor, physical therapist, had an expensive MRI, went gluten free, dairy free, caffeine free.......all to no avail.

It wasn't until the vaginal atrophy and dryness set in that the doctor FINALLY took notice and prescribed vaginal estrogen (Estrace). So I used the estrogen and guess what happened?

My nails started growing, my hair started growing, I slept really good, my energy came back, I was happy again, and one day I actually had my tight firm and perky breasts back. But the best thing in the world was.....all that chronic muscle and ligament pain went away. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Everything I had gone through and all my body was screaming for was ESTROGEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

So yes, it is amazing what happens to a female body once we lose our estrogen. Please don't stop looking for answers, sharing your stories, and insisting that doctors take these things seriously. While they hadn't be able to diagnose something like arthritis, or fibromyalsia for me, who knows what would have happened if I had continued to be left untreated? That symptom of today, then turns into a syndrome and finally an actual disease. And all of my pain could have been handled long ago, with a simple blood test and some estrogen replacement.

but guess what? sooner or later you stop taking the Estorgen and all those symptoms will come back. I was on bio-identicals for years and was told it was time to be off them as they are NOT good for you in the long run. EVERYTHING came back, but the headaches are the worse, non-stop horrible head pain. I am taking 4 Excedrin a day and peices of Imitrex everyday just to make it tolerable and I am 60 !!! I still was these gray residule periods too, so weird.

I came across this site when googling joint pain during perimenopause. About a month ago, my big toe joint on my left foot started aching. I started to think I had gout, but I don't think my pain was enough and a has no swelling or redness.

That seemed to get better, although it still aches some. But the aching moves to my foot and up the side of my calf. This happened about 5 days before my period. I am on day 2 of my period today, both feet ached all day and tonight.

I am 44 years old and although my periods are still relatively regular, I don't think I am ovulating much anymore because I don't have sharp pains at ovulation anymore (had the my whole life). My periods have gotten some heavier and the cramps have been awful for two days... Even Aleve doesn't help.

I don't know if all these weird aches and pains of my feet and ankles could be related? If they continue, I'm gonna have to go see my Dr. My mom died of multiple myeloma at age 56 but her symptom was sharp rib and back pain. Her ribs were actually fractured. Mine is much more of a deep ache. It makes me nervous nonetheless.

Anyone else here have achey feet, ankles or lower legs??

I too am 51 will ne 52 in june but my pain is becoming unbearable I'm on pain management but that only hel[s a little I was on estrogen until 2 yrs ago. I have ms lupus addisons disease. degenerative disk disease osteoporosis and degenerative osteoarthritis in most of my joints I also have a 23 yr old nonverbal mmr son who is my world to take care of, I dint hurt as bad when I was on estrogen but with a different medicare advantage plan I should be able to get back on premarin soon and that will help with hotflashes and insomnia.i have to work part time because I get no help with copays and disability pays the rent and utilitys only. Tennessee says I'm not eligible for Medicaid because me and husband make too much.i wake up screaming every night and baclofen is about useless now any suggestions I'm open.

Hi, know this is an old site, with women with the same issues and pain for years. i am 52 as well and have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia & Lupus. I have a ridiculus long list of health problems and I also gaind 45 lbs in 9 months. Not one doctor said any word of HRT or that this is menopausal. The feet thing, every flippin' morning they sting, hurt I feel like Im trying to walk on broken legs, IT'S SO STUPID!!! I have been using a foam pillow to stomp on before I get up to walk, it helps, so does applying Nivia cream before bed and wear a pair of socks. my S/O loves me and totally supports me. He actually understands, it does help he's a bit of baby when it comes to pain, so hahaha take that however. I am on a pain management plan which includes Oxy-IR , Relafen, Voltaren, Zanaflex, Lyrica, just for a start. My place seems like a mini pharmacy and I am a retired Pharmacy Tech/Home Health. Had to retire, unable to have full use of my hands. Cannot sit or stand longer than 10 minutes or less at a time. Drives me nuts. But, Im not alone...WHOOHOOO!!!!

Oh my god, hello ladies, ditto, ditto, ditto, I am 55 and at the lowest point in my life, seems extreme I know, but really don't know how much more of the incredible pain I can take. Every one of your stories have touched me deeply, it's so nice to finally realise your not on you own, that your joint pain, "lets face it ladies" is a disability that the professional bodies for the most part make us feel like we have a mental issue, or say "come now it can't be that bad after all test say their is nothing wrong with you", so off you go here are some antidepressants and get on with it.

Does anyone experience crippling stomach pain as an added symptom. I too have put on excessive weight in the last year. Have been in pain for the last 4 years, and so miss being able to do the simple things in life. Like strugglin coming down the stairs and being so afraid your going to fall. And the biggy not being able to get on the floor and play with your grand children.

Would really appreciate any response of hope

Hi all

im exactly the same,started with tennis elbow last Feb got better after a few months,then my big toes would be in agony,as if they needed to crack(I hate anything like that)makes me feel sick!Still not thinking all related,my knees started to ache....I'm a courier,so drive all day 6 days a week and in and out the car around 130 times a day,so just put it down to wear and tear.Thinking back though I had been having dizzy feelings and I'm a panick attack sufferer and periods had been weird for couple of years. A few weeks ago,tennis elbow back worse than ever....knees feet wrists toes EVERYTHING in agony Not had a period in 52 days I'm 47 . Got Dr's on Thursday,and thanks to this site....think I've quite a few things to ask to have checked . Please keep posting,would love to hear how everyone is doing now

Hi all you lovely ladies for sharing your pain symptoms. Helps greatly reading others saying similar things. Do any of you suffer with pain in lower back which moves?? My sacro areas can hurt/tender/sore so e days then other days feels like it's in my spine Had chiro adjustment before Xmas for lower back but seems I'm now suffering with another pain/ache now not sure if he pushed something out but also feel very tight in my hip area too. Many thanks

I just found this forum. I also have been suffering from pain for the last year. It started with Morton's neuroma in my feet, then tendinitis in my wrist. Last summer things calmed down. Then in the fall the legs started getting stiff and painful when I would sit for too long and try to get up. I couldn't walk for a minute util I straighten out. Then my right shoulder, elbow and both thumbs. I am active and don't understand why all of a sudden this is happening. One day I woke up with psoriasis on my leg. I have never had skin issues. I finally put things together, my cycle was off last year. It got normal during the summer when I felt good and then got off last fall again. I've been to my GP, that was pointless. I saw a Rheumatologist who wants to treat me for osteoarthritis in my knee (that's not really hurting) and suggested I might have fibromyligia but don't really have all the trigger points to be that. I finally saw a new Gynecologist and she suggested I go back on the BC pill. She didn't think my pain is associated with peri-menopause but I had enough other symptoms for her to suggest the pill. I will start it today and we will see. Other than all my pain I am very healthy, a little fluffy, but am working on that. I stopped eating grains and sugar and my stomach feels great and I have energy. I just have a hard time moving unless I take a lot of ibuprofen. I want to not have to take that every day!

To "garule" please let us know if vaginal estrogen cream can be used for undetermined period of time or it is as any other hormonal replacement therapy, that has to stop after some years. Thanks.

Girls, we are ALL screwed up !

And Marlene, estrogen creams are ONLY to be used for the shortest time consistant with treatment goals.

There are a host of side effects from them.

I just wish there were a treatment that said "If all you did was swim daily, and ride your bike around the block each day, you would be cured" Wishful thinking. I don't understand how my S/O has been so understanding through all the negativity. I hurt sitting and standing, it's a lose-lose situation. Anyone here on Plaquinil ?

This is depressing, I have been always active, I love the gym and weight training, now I can hardly lift 10 pounds. I have changed to gluten free with no difference. Started Epsom Salt baths and I think I used too much and got muscle and nerves sensitivity/soreness. I am 55, Latina, my weight not my ideal but under control, actually going lower lately maybe muscle loss?! This is horrible, going to work (Doing what I love to do, I am family therapist) has become a challenge too. Just venting, sorry ladies no solved problem, this has been the hardest year for me. I just started mindfulness meditation 10 minutes before bed and it's helping me relax and sleep better, thank goodness!

I'm in bed just now 11.08am unheard of for me,but feel physically drained.I haven't slept well for years,but not at all in past 2 nights.ive been told I'm well on way to menopause and the dr thinks I'm very anaemic (get results for that on Wednesday)my aches and pains have actually calmed down the past week or so,but my anxiety and panick attacks are on the rise again.Im honestly getting to know he end of my tether!Constantly weepy too.Hope once iron kicks in I feel much better than this,as honestly don't think I can cope much longer.So good knowing I'm not alone though.Take care all

YOU MUST READ THIS! I am 59. I started menopause 5 yrs. ago when the dr. took me off estrogen w/birth control pills. I cheated. The birth control pills were for my bones to strengthen.As soon as I was taken off the pills I had menopausal migraines for 4 mos daily! But I pushed on. with Sumatripan which is non drowsy for me to stop the headaches in their track. I thought I had a head tumor. The worse was the muscle joint pain in the upper body.Dr. put me on hormone therapy when I didn't need it. It didn't help the pains, just hot flashes that you can try to deal w/out Hormone therapy.. I ended getting calcium deposits in one breast w/ the hormone therapy.I stopped it. I always did 3x a week workouts at the gym for 13 yrs.w/moderate weights.I still pushed myself. w/the migraines. Soreness did not improve. I STARTED TO TAKE PROTEINS SHAKES 2 YEARS AGO AFTER MY WORKOUTS 3x a week FROM GNC-AMPLIFIED TRIPLE XXX ($48)and the soreness WENT AWAY!This one is a mass gainer since body fat shifted for me during menopause and I lost weight. It has been 2 yrs. of free muscle pain. My gynecologist said we need protein in our bodies during menopause and that she would share this w/other patients. When I don't want to put on weight I take the shake with water after workouts instead of milk and only 2 cups of powder always although it may tell you more on the directions, but we are not men to take large doses.I have increased stamina and energy. If you want to lose weight ask GNC or something with lots of protein (50gm)or something called Lean Shake. I bought My 92 yrs. old aunt 6 lbs of my power ($48)& she started walking better and straighter, had more energy & started doing housework & gained weight. I used to give my 94 yr. old mom my shakes also. It was a waste of money giving her those expensive shakes for elderly to gain weight.I just had cosmetic surgery and could not exercise or take protein shakes or some vitamins for 1 month & I felt my muscles started to ache again slightly. I''m a single mom w/ a business and don't have time to feel sick or bad.

I forgot to mention the protein has given me beautiful nails that don't stop growing & has given my body some definition and I feel more confident. I hope my comment helps somebody out there. Gave up my gym workout to write this for all of you.I also dance salsa every saturday night till 2am! the last 2 yrs. w/ my energy & my daughters make sure I go dressed looking hot! lol.

Hi, girlsrule,

Doesn't those shakes make you gain weight if you don't work out? Most of us are already painfully overweight.....and I HATE THE GYM....it's is like Hell on Earth to me....I do walk, though,

and enjoy that.

I am on chemo for BT trying to figure if I am going through the menopause! Just turned 42, I am suffering with muscle pain in my thigh could this be related?

I cried when I read all these stories. I will be 54 in Septemberand have been suffering with feet so sore that I feel like in walking on broken bones, knee pain in both knees that I pull myself up the stairs using the hand rail. I get wrist pain, elbow pain, hip pain, leg pain, shoulder pain. A few times I have gotten this strange pain under my scalp on the top left side of my head. One minute I'm fine then I get this pain under the scalp that makes me wince and will sometimes continue for a couple hours to a couple of days. It is not constant thank goodness, I would go mad if it was, It's intermittent The entire time. The only thing I find that helps the head pain is sitting up in a comfy chair with the heating pad laying over my head for sometimes hours. I remember a comment that my doctor made "sometimes menopause will make some pains worse". Maybe she was in the right track but after reading all these stories what I think she needed to say was " menopause in some can bring on all kinds of unexplained pain!". Prior to being menopausal, I would complain of achy legs, over the years the aches just started getting worse. Since I began post menopause a few years ago, the achey legs have grown into painful legs. When I sit in a chair for anymore than 5 minutes, I need to push myself out of it, stand, wait for 5-10 seconds before moving my legs and then I begin to shuffle across the floor in pain until everything loosens and I can walk a bit normally. I find myself limping a lot or walking strange due to the sensation of walking on broken bones. I have tried hundreds of dollars worth of orthotics, new shoes and even new sandels as of yesterday, but the pain is set on staying. A lot of the time my feet feel as they don't want to bend as I walk. It makes me feel like I am an 80 year old woman the majority of the time. Nighttime sleep is always disturbed. If I sleep on my side I am always waking up with extreme bad pain on the side I am sleeping on. I roll over to wake up with the same pain. If I sleep on my back I wake up with both hips in so much pain that when I wake up, both butt cheeks are being compressed! Possibly I do this in my sleep without knowing in attempts to deal with the pain. I get cramping in my butt cheeks that will last for days causing a radiated pain down my leg with every step I take. I still work full time and generally 11 hours a day. It's quite embarrassing at work getting out of a chair and moving the way I do. I do have my own office thank goodness but will not get up from my chair if I don't have to if someone is in there. Going to the mall or getting groceries or going into Walmart or any store cause so much discomfort that by the time I get back to my vehicle I partially get into my vehicle and them phi scale have to use my hands to lift in my other leg. It been 30 degrees out and I will still reach down and turn on the heated seat. Over the past year I have gained 45 pounds and find it very difficult to lose. Weather will also effect the pain, generally becoming worse when it arrives. I have had 2 blood clots in the past 5 years and now on blood thinners for the rest of my life. I currently take medication for high colesterol, an anti depressant and Zytram. I have been on Zyram for so long I wonder if I get any benefits from it or if stopped taking it how much more pain would I have? I started with a magnizium supplement yesterday and due to the but cheek cramping Robaxin which comes with out a prescription but is behind the counter. I try as hard as I can to keep grips on the pain, smile instead of cryIng and keep pushing through with my job and home life. I refuse to miss time off work for this because if I sat at home I would think and feel the pain much worse. Being busy helps my mind go other places although at times it is difficult I will admit. Whoever began to column, thank you. I truly now know it's not in my head because that's the way I was feeling. Sometimes I would wonder if the people around me including my husband truly believed my pain. Thank you everyone for sharing this part of your lives.

So sorry to hear all these stories. I shared this on another story but wanted to share again here. Admin please remove if you think inappropriate but having spent so much time trauling the internet think it is important to share. Have a read and see what you think..... hopefully it will provide some relief for some of you.

http://kingbrand.com/kingbrand-Home.php?REF=1094PV128.391

I stumbled on this topic and was so glad to see that I am not the only one who has struggled with this. I have been having issues for the past 3 years. My periods stopped almost exactly 2 years ago. I had gotten so bad in the past 6 months that I could not walk when I got out of bed in the morning and could barely walk after sitting for longer than 10 minutes. I finally found a combination of things that have been working for me. I hope it may help somebody else!

I admit that my diet has been terrible. I've had a bad case of the "busys" and I have relied heavily on the "bag and box" convenience approach. I read that people who eat a lot of fast/convenience food have magnesium and potassium deficiencies--which affect muscles. I began eating a banana--sometimes with peanut butter for breakfast. I eat baked potatoes (with all the good stuff; even then it 's better for me than fast food!). I concentrated on getting food with real nutrients; particularly potassium. You can google and find lots of options. I began taking a magnesium supplement. I only take about 1/2 the therapeutic dose. Do some research and find out which formulations are best absorbed to avoid diarrhea.

I found out that artificial sweeteners can have an affect on nerves over time. (I recalled working with a client in my past job who turned to drinking Listerine as a source of alcohol. It permanently damaged the muscles in his legs.) I have been a HEAVY diet coke drinker for decades. I limit the diet soda to one or two small bottles per week and I began drinking water. Lots of it.

I bought a compact fold-up exercise bike so that I could get in non-weight bearing exercise. The treadmill just seemed to aggravate things, especially my foot that had begun swelling. The bike allows me to work my legs--releasing lactic acid build-up that can lead to tightness--without causing new problems. A rowing machine might work too. I do at least 30 minutes a day, sometimes breaking it up into two or three sessions. I like the bike because it is totally silent and I can stop for brief breaks. I watch TV while riding. (I've read that deep tissue massage is also excellent in releasing lactic acid build-up, but I haven't tried it.)

I began taking vitamin D3 for muscles and bones.

I began taking Krill oil to help with inflammation--and it's just plain good for the human body.

On mornings when I am still feeling pretty tight by 9:00am or so, I take 600mg ibuprofen. Previously, this did nothing to help. Now, it makes all the difference. I can feel it within an hour and one dose is all I need for all day.

It took about 6 weeks, but the difference has been amazing. My stiffness is not totally gone, but it is remarkably lower!!! I can stand up and loosen up in a few seconds.

One of the things I haven't seen mentioned here are statins for cholesterol. This is what I blamed for tendonitis, joint pain.....I got off statins. I had no idea it could be menopause. I moved to more of a Mediterranean diet adding coconut and olive oils to replace depleted oils in my body, vitamins, CoQ10,collagen, and started exercising. I know that stretching, light weight workouts and aerobics are helping me a LOT by strengthening the surrounding muscles. I still get stiff after sitting around at home and still have tendonitis that moves around from joint to joint lasting sometimes months. Dying for someone to find the cure for this. I'm 56 years old.

Statins can lower CoQ10 levels, so you may be on to something. Certain forms of the supplements you mentioned may absorb better than other forms, so you may want to look into that (and of course, check with your doctor). For example, CoQ10 that is water and fat-soluble absorbs better.

I'm thinking of trying CBD oil when it becomes legal here in Canada. Has anyone else tried it? I have Hashimoto's, Celiac and fibromyalgia.

CBD oil i next on my list too - also in Canada

I started CBD oil on the advice of my mother. She is able to get the really "good stuff" in Indianapolis--the spray that people with MS use. She has suffered with severe arthritis for decades. She says that the difference it made in her hands and back has been life changing. I have only been able to find the oil in my area. It has taken about 9 weeks, but I suddenly see a very significant improvement in my leg stiffness. I still experience some stiffness after sitting or sleeping, but I limber up within seconds. I tried a bottle from a company in CA at first, but it was very expensive and I ran thought it too quickly. I found a local company that uses locally grown hemp which they process themselves. It does contain the legal limit of THC--about 3/10 %. Their $100 bottle has lasted me for several months and looks like it will last me at least 3-4 more months. The other product was going to cost about $100/month. I'm buying from Blue Grass Hemp Oil in Lexington, KY and they do ship nation wide.

I have a lot to learn about taking it (CBD oil); but mainly, just how do you take it? Ingest it? Rub it on your skin? lol

Turmeric with forskolin should help. I am no expert but I bought some and gave my friend who happens to suffer from joint pain. The next morning she told me she is doing much better.

I've had muscle pain in my arm for years, but lately it got really bad. I could not even move my arm without pain. Long story short, I found a natural remedy. I slept with the painful arm in a position that allowed circulation. Every time I woke during the night, I made sure this was the case. After just one night there was a definite improvement. And after several nights, the pain is pretty much gone. Evidently, the body tries to heal the pain, but if the arm is slept on, very little circulation occurs. I apologize if this has already been said on this forum, but just may be important enough to be said again.

My grandnani was facing joint pain, since a long times and she was not getting relief from anywhere, but then i searched solution online and by grace of god i got the solution from here: Physiotherapie Berlin