Wow I thought it was just me! I had a hysterectomy last year and ever since....I feel like I aged years. I'm 44 and feel like I'm 70. I can't get up from a sitting position without being in pain. I sooo hope this goes away ...and Fast!

thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one!
That makes me feel better! I truly thought maybe I was going crazy for sure!

ya i know the feeling. i am in my mid fifties and some days i feel 80 and then other days i feel 21.....most people of this age i know feel the same way so you are not alone, just another phase we poor women have to go through but we will all come out the other end. stay positive and active if possible. walking is very theraputic and very good for the spirits:)

Yes - exactly this! I'm 48 and have been physically active my whole life. Lots of walking, cardio, strength training. But suddenly, around 40, my joints started getting stiff and my whole body just seemed to slow down. A friend even commented on it when she noticed me getting up stiffly from a chair.

The funny thing is, the stiffness coincided with the start of missed periods but I didn't make the connection at the time. The only thing I can suggest is to keep moving, no matter how much you don't feel like it. Even if I only do some mild yoga and stretching, it makes a world of difference to my energy levels, and the stiffness is always much less the next day.

So glad you brought this up!

I'm 42 and for the past couple years I have progressively gotten joint pain. I was having light periods, then heavier ones. Then they stopped completely. I am not in as much joint pain anymore. I am holding steady at my weight (even though I don't like the weight I am at). I am no longer emotional, I feel like I have no emotions left. I don't get cramps anymore either. I just sort of exist. I have gotten lazier as the time has gone on. So, I don't know if I made it over the hump or not, all I know is that I do not miss my periods and I don't miss pain. I feel like I am still a little scattered, but not to the extreme I was when my periods were all weird and I was emotional. Hang in there everyone. I hope that I am not speaking too soon on feeling better.

wow! This is clearly part of the "fun". Good to know!

I do keep moving, I walk and I use a stationary bike. It's just such a strange feeling to be in this body.

I'm finding that there are things about this perimenopause that I can live with and that I can ignore, and then there are things such as the stiffness and sore joints that I find really hard to deal with. It simply makes no sense

Joint aches and pains are listed as one of the symptoms of menopause I believe so I think you are right along the "normal" line, whatever that is in menopause~! LOL

yYou should have your vitamin d level checked

When my joints were hurting quite a bit, I took glucosamine pills. I think they helped quite a bit.

I have had chronic pain in my hip for the last 6 months. It did seem to coincide with lack for periods. Doctors are still trying to figure it out. I've gone to a lot of physical therapy. Just recently I started a swimming class and that seems to help. Also my other hip is starting to hurt too. I think it somehow related to my lack of hormones. I also have noticed how much slower I have been moving and lacking stamina. This has been so frustrating, but I am trying to stay active and positive too. I am currently using Progesterone Cream and trying to eat some soy every day. Someone mentioned glucosomine as helpful. What kind of glucosomine and dosage do you take? Any other advise would be appreciated. Thanks!

Terrible muscular and joint pains to the point where I thought I had done some damage, like fractured a rib or such like...nearly went to A&E! but then realised that I had'nt done anything physical to warrant a bone fracture :-) The discomfort hangs around for days and then completely goes...Oh what fun. Big hug to all you girls.

Whew I honestly could not figure out why I suddenly felt so ancient, heck I am only 49. Thank you all for sharing it is really a relief to know it is not just me.

Me too!!! I am creaking and popping all the time! I feel like the tin man who needs to carry an oil can around....especially in the morning.

I'm a 52-year-old fitness instructor going through menopause. I can relate to the betrayal of the body but there are a few things you can do that will help. Be diligent about taking your vitamins. Increase your B-complex intake. Separate your vitamins from your minerals and take the minerals at night. Increase your intake of calcium and magnesium at night. Drink LOTS of water. Replace your electrolytes after exercise. The makers of Emergen-C also make a sports drink in a packet called Electro-Mix. It contains replenishing electrolytes but no sugar and you just mix it with your water. Also, Glucosamine and MSM help a lot. Recognize that your body is aging and lighten up a little on your workout. If your joints hurt during exercise, try a water aerobics class - it's zero impact. You need to adapt. Work out smarter, not harder. Minimize alcohol intake - it makes the panic attacks, sleeplessness and depression worse. Also keep in mind that hot flashes are worse when you have a higher body fat content. Try to reduce your body fat and you'll see a big difference in the way you feel, physically. And the endorphins and serotonin you'll generate will help emotionally, too. Not to say this will all make meno a breeze. I still have days of profound unhappiness and wonder sometimes if it's even worth sticking around. But I know that where I am is still a heck of a lot better than where I would be if I didn't do these things. Good luck to all.

One other thing I forgot. I started using progesterone cream and it helped a bit with the sleeplessness. However, I only used a fraction of what the directions said to use. When I used it according to directions, I experienced debilitating joint pain and water retention. I think the manufacturers always recommend that you use more so they can sell you more sooner. Watch out for this and listen to your body. You may only need a tiny bit and, because it builds up in your system, you may need to take longer time-outs from it in between usages. That's what I've discovered anyway.