Menopause Support Group
Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.
Hi!
I have this very uncomfortable problem with swollen joints. My last sort-of period was in July last year, and since then I have had almost unbearable problems with my joints. To this day - 10 months later - one of my knees will swell up to 25-50% times its normal size every night, and over the course of the night it will shrink to normal.
Sometimes I get this swelling and pain in my ankles, elbows, shoulders and the lower part of the Thoracic region on my back.
Sometimes I get hot flushes but they are not really that big of deal. And strangely I no longer suffer from boughts of depression, headaches or my old sometimes out-of-control emotions that I had before menopause. In fact I had to take out a "Missing" advert for my libido. It ran away from home sometime after the last period.
I suppose that menopause wouldn't be all that bad if it weren't these horrid joint aches and monsterous swelling.
I did have x-rays and a MRT scan done. The only thing they found out is that I have a tiny bit of arthritis but "nothing major enough to render an operation necessary":
Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil and Ibuprofen don't help much at all. I have slathered so much Diclofenac on my knees that it would have cured a lame horse - but for all the good it's done, I could have basted a Turkey with it.
I do force myself to do moderate exercise - walking about 2 miles a day Mo-Fri - but that's more like torture than anything else.
Anyone have some good advice?
I have this very uncomfortable problem with swollen joints. My last sort-of period was in July last year, and since then I have had almost unbearable problems with my joints. To this day - 10 months later - one of my knees will swell up to 25-50% times its normal size every night, and over the course of the night it will shrink to normal.
Sometimes I get this swelling and pain in my ankles, elbows, shoulders and the lower part of the Thoracic region on my back.
Sometimes I get hot flushes but they are not really that big of deal. And strangely I no longer suffer from boughts of depression, headaches or my old sometimes out-of-control emotions that I had before menopause. In fact I had to take out a "Missing" advert for my libido. It ran away from home sometime after the last period.
I suppose that menopause wouldn't be all that bad if it weren't these horrid joint aches and monsterous swelling.
I did have x-rays and a MRT scan done. The only thing they found out is that I have a tiny bit of arthritis but "nothing major enough to render an operation necessary":
Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil and Ibuprofen don't help much at all. I have slathered so much Diclofenac on my knees that it would have cured a lame horse - but for all the good it's done, I could have basted a Turkey with it.
I do force myself to do moderate exercise - walking about 2 miles a day Mo-Fri - but that's more like torture than anything else.
Anyone have some good advice?
Make sure you discuss with your doctor and see what he thinks and to be sure supplements will be alright for you to take before you try any. A lot of people have told me to see a naturopath but there aren't any close to where I live, but it might be an option for you. I have been told they do extensive tests and check your vitamin and mineral levels too.
Prayers for your relief and journey through this.