I am waking up every morning in terrible pain with my joints. I came of HRT in January, and since then it is getting unbearable, particularly in my back and feet. What can I take to ease this? I have not had a period since January 2013.

Unfortunately, coming off HRT can trigger withdrawal symptoms that can mimic menopausal ones, and it can be a miserable time until the body re-balances itself.

I would suggest a female multi-vitamin with high levels of B vitamins, and a separate magnesium supplement to help with supporting your system.

Acupuncture can be really effective for balancing whilst coming off HRT so it is worth looking into.Avoid foods that can stress the nervous system such as caffeine, high salt and sugar foods, and processed foods. Try to drink plenty of plain water each day as well.

Daily relaxation is really important for this as it helps to strengthen the nervous system and the stronger this is, the less likely you are to get symptoms.

Joint pain is a very common symptom in the menopause, as falling oestrogen can affect the hydration of the joints, causing inflammation and pain.

You may find Devils Claw and Arnica Gel helpful. Check your diet too, as caffeine, high salt and sugar foods, and processed foods can all irritate the joints further.

I have made a short video on joint health in the menopause and what you can do to help yourself, so do take a look if you can.

Eileen Durward