YankeeRos-I am 46 years old and new to DS for couple of weeks now. I too am experiencing the thigh and arm muscle achiness and fatigue. I also have anxiety problems for which I am taking Klonopin half a tablet only at night. My legs feel like weights are holding them down and my thighs feel like my muscles have spasm or pins going through them. I have been tested for ms because of these symptoms a year ago. I think of the worse everytime I have a new symptom that pops up. Now I am thinking that I have peripheral vascular disease in my legs since that runs in my family and of course, I don't have that either. You are not along and I am going to see a Wellness doctor to help me with dealing with my symptoms. I will let you know what he tells me to see if anything would be of value to you.

DebbT.

also, see 35 symptoms of menopause in the discussion list

Hiya.Muscle and joint aches are common with menopause. I have a rare health disorder and am unable to work because of it. I find menopause symptoms more difficult to deal with than anything else I have experienced and I am sure there are many troubled women out there because of it. Its the pits !!!

Totally agree with you on that one.

In case it helps anyone, I'd like to share what my doctor told me about my leg pain, which has been increasing over the past year or so, as my Peri Menopause from Hell has thrown every symptom in the book at me (out of "The 35 Symptoms of Menopause" I have 29!). I have Fibromyalgia, but it's not supposed to be a progressive disease, so when my leg and lower back pain got so bad - to the point where I've had to get a disability sticker (I hope temporary) for the car because what happens is I can hardly walk after about 10 minutes - I asked my doctor, like you're feeling, if I had MS or something. She said it's the engorgement of my uterus, fibroids and just general constant PMS symptoms causing a blockage of the arterial system to my legs. Which also explains why my restless legs syndrome has gotten worse, too. She said I needed to stretch the muscles out, and then put my legs in the air for them to flow backwards - I'm not explaining this in a very sane way, but you know what I mean! Basically, we get "clogged" in our pelvic area, and it can affect down through our legs. Muscle pain in general can also increase with Menopause, which is why those of us with Fibromyalgia get even worse. So while it's always a good idea, of course, to have new symptoms checked out, you'll probably find that everything for the next couple of years that crops up will be a litany of annoying symptoms related to your Menopause.
Why did God give Menopause to women? Because men couldn't handle it! ;-)

Oh, would like to add the stretching and leg raising DOES help!
And I wish you all the best Yankee Rose for an easy Menopause ... :-)

Mirren-Thanks for the information. I will try keeping my legs up for awhile and see what happens. I tend to stretch my legs every 30 minutes, since I work at home and on the computer for 8 hours. I take breaks to get the blood flowing in my legs. But at night, it seem to hurt the most while I am lying down. Maybe I can have a couple pillows lift my legs up while sleeping to see how that goes. Thanks.
DebbT.

Thanks Mirren, I always wondered why my legs hurt so much when I get my period. Your explanation was very helpful

Debb, The pillows are a good idea. I find I'm sleeping with one under my knees every night now, and it does help. I hope your legs settle down - it's such an awful pain.

Will try anything at this point.Thanks DebbT