I’m not yet 50, but my increasing joint pain — mostly in my knees, hips and even hands — has me feeling like an old lady sometimes, especially in the mornings. Wondering what I can do to relieve the pain and stiffness. I’ve been a jogger most of my life, but not sure if that’s helping or hurting (I’ve read conflicting info online). Does anyone out there have some advice for what’s worked for them? I’ll try anything at this point, but would prefer something rooted in science, please 🙂
- Abigail, Dublin
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Charlotte6 years ago
Hello Abigail, Have you ever had the Vitamin D level in your blood checked? Low VitD can cause joint and muscle pain ( having had it myself and that helps) Once I got my levels in the right place ( including B12 and Magnesium) I found I wasn’t as sore. It’s an ongoing process though. Hope this helps a bit
Sophie6 years ago
Into have had increasing joint pain,48!!!. Some mornings I can’t get down the stairs due to both my wrists and ankles being so painful. I’m trying to remove/ reduce refined sugar from my life. Check out HappyHormones by Nicki Williams. Give yourself time to wake up before getting out of bed. I try to lie there and check in with known troublemakers zones, give them a slow wiggle and take a pain killer. I know that friends who’ve gone to the gp get offered HRT for their joint pain.
Skanina6 years ago
Are you sure it's menopause related? I'm asking me because it took me a few years to realize that I had psoriatic arthritis which flares up occasionally. Or maybe it's gout? I have a friend who's in her early 40's and got the latter. Weirdly enough the one thing that seems to be helping lately is to make sure I stretch every time I get up or move. I watch that my dog never gets up without doing that, and it really helps the stiffness ?
Anonymous6 years ago
I find Pregnenolone works wonders. It got to the point where I was so sore that it was a struggle to walk the dog. Within days my leg, ankle and other joint pain had gone with this suppliment. Also great for brain fog too. You can order from Amazon x
Dana6 years ago
I’m 51 and have had increased joint pain in my hips and lower back. My doctor recommended a Chiropractor which helped relieve most of the pain temporarily. Both my doctor and chiropractor recommended yoga and daily stretches. I do 4 different yoga stretches each morning and it has significantly reduced my pain. I hope you find relief.
Sarah6 years ago
Could you name the stretches?
BELINDA4 years ago
Yoga stretching has absolutely helped me also! I am in menopause and was suffering with muscle strains and low back pain. I continue with my yoga stretching and light exercise without a strict calendar , around 3 or 4 times a week . Eating healthier has helped also to keep off weight.
Rebecca6 years ago
I am 45 and struggled with the same problem for a couple of years. It just gradually got worse. My doctors tested me for tons of issues and sent me to a specialist because they thought I had rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. As suggested by Charlotte earlier, my Vitamin D was extremely low. After a couple of weeks on a prescription dosage from my doctor, the difference was amazing. I take a supplement daily now. Apparently, D levels start dropping around this age. Who knew?
Kelly6 years ago
My GP put me on Meloxicam for my joint pain and swelling in my fingers and toes. It helps some and I swear my swelling in my fingers has gone down.
Anonymous6 years ago
I take very high doses of calcium and Vit D prescribed due to an endocrine disorder. But I still find I get aching joints now - it’s definitely menopause related. I have found that taking a good quality omega fish oil capsules definitely helps. I get them from a health food store rather than the cheaper ones from the supermarket. The health food store ones are higher strength.
Anonymous6 years ago
Hi Abigail I’m exactly the same, I’m 48 and even a couple of years ago I was mistaking this particular symptom of peri menopause for arthritis because it was so debilitating at times, and went to the doctors for tests I can still sometimes have bad days with it if I’ve done too much activity but I would say this symptom has improved quite significantly since taking wellsprings menopause tablets which are herbal based and some natural progesterone cream. Also take a good magnesium and fish oil supp. I also think diet makes a difference too, keeping sugars low and keeping hydrated. The above has been my most successful combo of tactics so far, hope it helps you too! Take care, Clair
Tania6 years ago
I am 52 and off to GP this morning for blood tests as the pain in my bones/muscles is staggering and I have a high pain threshold. My hands feel like they are seizing up, when I get up from resting it takes me a few steps to adjust, I feel stiff and hurt every day. I feel 100 and desperately need a resolve s it’s making me immobile and miserable.
Anonymous6 years ago
I had knee pain from running for years (I’m now 44), the pain was getting worse and I read that proteins from meat and refined sugar makes inflammation worse. I stopped eating meat and eggs, I still eat a little cheese and milk for calcium (important for bone health), and within a few days the pain started to go. I still get some pain, but it is probably 20% of what it was, I would strongly suggest trying cutting out meat and sugar for 2 weeks, see how you feel. I’ve been having a couple of portions of salmon each week, and tofu and other veggie substitutes, 2 months in now and I haven’t missed meat and feel much better... research arthritis or inflammation diet, it works!
Michelle6 years ago
At my sister suggested I start to take turmeric tablets. Not only is it good for your immune system my joint pain has all but disappeared. It doesn’t happen overnight but it has been affective. The other thing that has helped is I do stretching with instructors through YouTube and also a personal trainer. I can tell when I don’t do it! I would discuss this with your doctor as well as you are quite young. Good luck!
Anonymous6 years ago
Hi, I have suffered for years with knee pain and clicking sounds in my knees. Someone recommended Celadrin Complex tablets by VYTOX. One a day and you can purchase them from Amazon. Athletes take these to produce extra fluid around their joints when running. I’ve been taking them now for 3 weeks and already feeling the benefits.
Emm6 years ago
I have osteoarthritis and take medication to help. Alongside this I also take turmeric, glucosamine, and iron which all help a lot!
Maggie6 years ago
Hi I am 52 and have menopausal joint pain just about everywhere. One of my worst symptoms. I have managed to get it to a very bearable level by doing 3 things. 1. Supplements - I take Menopace Max, Ultra Omega 3 and Calcium. It helped a bit but then I added another Magnesium (menopace already has it in)tablet before I go to bed and that certainly made a big difference. Also Menopace has Vit D in it. 2. Diet - I cut out nightshade family foods which are potatoes (which I love) tomatoes and peppers. That also made a difference - I read it on the Vogel website. 3.Exercise. I do about 10-15 mins yoga stretches in morning and I try to go for a brisk walk most days. It seems to help. So now my elbow and back pain have almost gone which I was really suffering with. It’s mostly just a bit of stiffness in the morning and a dull ache that is very bearable most days. Good Luck !
Anonymous6 years ago
Turmeric and osteo biflex triple strength are great options if not RA or another underlying medical condition
Anonymous6 years ago
Taking HRT resolved all my joint pains. Before going on HRT I could hardly walk on my feet in the mornings and my hand joints were painful. I suffer from low vit D so I already take that as a supplement but it did not resolve those pains. A great vit D is Liquid Sunshine (recommended to me by a nurse friend).
Belle6 years ago
Try adding a potassium supplement, most of us do not get enough and even the supplements are barely the daily %. Another is vitamin D and Magnesium together. Another calcium. Several years ago I had severe joint pain and in the mornings when I would first step out of bed, it felt like my feet were made of glass. I went through all the testing and ruled everything out, rheumatoid etc. So I did my own research on what my body might be missing. FYI, certain prescription medications will deplete our bodies of nutrients! Hugs & Feel Better!
Paula6 years ago
I found oestrogen gel helped with my new onset hand & foot pain which came on very quickly; it’s not helped much with my general aches and pains which one had for a while but every little helps.
Sally6 years ago
I’m 51 and I’m peri menopausal. I have low Vit D, B12 and calcium. I have treatment from the GP but still suffer pains in my hands. After reading comments I’m thinking that magnesium may help too!
Anonymous6 years ago
The only thing that helps me is getting into a hot tub and losening all those parts plus stretches I’ve tried crying but laughing helps a lot better ibuprofen always an option your not the only one, TONIA
Tania6 years ago
I have just seen GP for that very reason and told I have osteoarthritis. I’m not convinced though as three people I know my age all have same symptoms and all in menopause. I think there is a lack of knowledge around the menopause which is disgraceful given us women Make up over half the population on the planet. I think there would be more emphasis and correct diagnosis if menopause affected men. I have never been a feminist, I am just frustrated, angry and annoyed at our plight.
It’s all about me now6 years ago
Abigail I am not sure but I noticed when I was around 47 I knew when it was going to rain, lol. My sister had bone density test, ask your doctor. My treadmill 3 or 4 days a week 30 minutes has helped me feel half oiled. Good luck
Lindsay6 years ago
Joint pain can be due to being overweight. (Don’t think I’m being rude, I have no idea what you look like!) Losing 10% of your body weight is associated with multiple health benefits, including relief of joint pain. Losing a stone permanently cured the terrible pain in my knees with no other treatment needed.
Patti6 years ago
I had a lot of joint pain before I started exercising. Once I got into a good routine it all went away. I do half hour weight training sessions using an online program. Makes 100% difference for me.
Anonymous6 years ago
I have osteoporosis since menopause. I have fractured both femur one in 3 places; my radius mobility is now a big issue. I used to walk for miles but can just about hobble from A-B using a quad stick. I’m in constant pain- I have had my quota of physio now but feel I could do with some more. I tried paying at the golf club & even swimming lessons but sadly nothing helps. I was prescribed Allandronic Acid to take weekly but it upsets my stomach terribly so can no longer take it
Salesmanswidow6 years ago
Have had the most horrendous joint pain in my wrists, arms, shoulders, knees downwards really painful & I have a high pain threshold! My female doctor told me I had a virus (& she has an interest in female health!) as joint pain isn’t cause my peri menopause (I’m 45 had bad symptoms for 9 months) so unless I’ve had a virus for 9 months she’s wrong! I told her I’d read that low Estrogen causes inflammation of the joints so try supplements omega 3 & vitamin d. Unfortunately these haven’t help my joint pain so researching hrt options. The lack of knowledge from health care professionals of peri menopause/menopause is truly shocking.
Kadge6 years ago
I am 51 and the joint pain really hit me three months ago. Hips and knees, ankles and lower back. I have been taking turmeric supplements and drinking Turmeric tea and also using a spray on magnesium oil on my ankles and feet. There has been a definite improvement but I get very stiff and sore after exercise. I am awaiting blood test results to check for rheumatoid arthritis but reading the comments here makes me realise it’s almost certainly menopause related which is what I suspected.
Samantha6 years ago
My doctor said that the pains in my legs, joint pain and muscle stiffness was due to the oestrogen receptors screaming out for the hormone. I was put on HRT which helped and I was already taking sertraline. That was two years ago, I’m reluctant to increase the dose to combat the pain. It keeps me awake at night. Plus I’ve piled weight on.
Hanna4 years ago
My hips really started bothering me at 45. The doctor prescribed Voltarol gel (Voltaren in some countries), which worked wonders. Nowadays I don’t need it as much. I do self-guided yoga sessions and drink golden milk (turmeric, ginger, pepper) to control inflammation.
Taia4 years ago
I’m struggling with this situation right now,I love dancing and I took dance growing up and made dance routines with my best friend, but I also dislocated my knee in HS playing volleyball and it’s becoming a new mess for my age and I have to have a knee brace on while I sleep and anyway….