Menopause and paresthesia?
Posted , 157 users are following.
I would love some input on my strange symptoms.
I'm 50 years old. For many years, my periods have been very close together, very long, and with 2-3 days of exceptionally heavy flow. I know this weird period stuff is normal in peri menopause. Then, after one of these "normal" (for me!) periods in April, I didn't have one for 60 days - and when I did it again, for the first time in years I didn't have the heavy days. That was over 60 days ago and so far I haven't had another one since.
My FSH level in a blood test two weeks ago was very high - 117.
I tell you all this just as a little background - I already know I'm obvioulsy in peri menopause and nearing actual menopause.
But here's the reason I'm posting. Starting mid-May, all of a sudden I started having very consistent paresthesia in my feet and legs - a mixture of tingling, pins and needles, slight burning, static sensation outside skin, pricking... no numbness. It has been with me every single day since then - 3 months now. It's worse at some times than others, but always present to some degree (and usually very annoying and concerning). It is definitely in BOTH legs and feet.
I'm slightly low in B12 and hoped that was the cause - however, after 10 B12 shots over 5 weeks, I have no improvement. I've had various other blood tests, all normal. I had an MRI of my spine (all 3 sections) yesterday and it showed nothing. No MS lesions, no transverse myelitis lesions, no compression/stenosis, no disc problems, no tumors. Now I need to get a brain MRI and of course I'm concerned this one could show MS. However, doctors have told me - and my research confirms this - it would be most unusal for MS to present with paresthesia equally on BOTH sides, stay around consistently for so long without going away even briefly, etc... And I have zero other MS sypmtoms.
So assuming (hopefully!) that's NOT what it is, then it's becoming a real mystery. I've done some reading that suggests these weird tingling sensations CAN be caused by menopause - due to extreme hormone imbalance. Also, my hormones could have been out of whack for a long time what with all my irregular periods, AND about 12 years ago I had my hormone levels checked and supposedly at that time I had the estrogen level of "a post-menopausal woman." At the time my doc said that was a little odd, but ok, no cause for concern. Anyway, I say all this as a way to say perhaps I've been a little bit of a unique case as far as my hormones.
Does anyone think these symptoms COULD actually be attributed to menopause? Or has anyone had something similar happen to them? I've asked my doctor a couple times and she immediately says no, menopause couldn't cause this. I realize it's not typical, but is it possible? So far I have no hot flashes or night sweats, thank heavens, but maybe this is my own personal type of menopause hell?!
Any insight would be so very much appreciated. Maybe I'm grasping at straws, but it DOES seem an interesting coincidence that all these issues have come up right as I'm going through this different timing in my periods, obvious continued hormone changes, etc...
Thanks in advance for any help people might be able to offer.
I think I'm going insane. If this could be blamed on menopause, I would be SO relieved and could deal with it!!!
12 likes, 501 replies
mandy65498 molly54321
Posted
I am in perimenopause and for the past 3 months having been having bad tingling and a numbish feeling throughout my legs, feet, hands, and arms. It stresses me out so bad that my anxiety makes me feel so weak afterwards and my body feels like jello. Anyway now recently my lower back and butt feel numb. Has anybody experienced numbness in those areas? I also get periodical tingling and numbness in my face. It has taken over my life. That's all I think about.
dawn68509 mandy65498
Posted
Hi Mandy I don't know what is wrong with me but I've had none stop tingling in all my limbs for nearly 20 months now I mean none stop not a second without it I've had so many tests mri off my brain and full spine twice ,emg test, 3 nerve studies numerous bloods all negative I'm at my wits end it has driven me insane I just woke up like this in December 16 I'm 42 I can fully understand the fear this does to a person my Neuro told me in 30 years he's never seen anyone like me so it's worrying me sick can you tell me if yours is none stop and what it feels like to you as this feels like having an electric toothbrush vibrating through all my limbs none stop
jane58999 dawn68509
Posted
Pain in my hips. Sometimes shock pain in my toes. It’s terrible. That’s all I did was think about this day and night. I have learned to accept it as a change in my life. I Hope it gets better.
I’m thinking it must be hormonal.
I too have done mri on spine. I have seen a Neurologist and blood work. All normal. Only thing my cholesterol is out of control and I have a very good diet so go figure. Must be all the hormone changes.
Good luck
mandy65498 dawn68509
Posted
Oh my goodness I am so sorry that is awful to experience it non stop for 20 months. Have you tried to take anything for hormones?Like progesterone or anything to see if it helps? Besides feeling numb, the tingling feels like when your arms fall asleep them after it tingles and kinda hurts and feels so wierd. That's how I would describe it. My arms and legs do fall asleep too at night.
dawn68509 jane58999
Posted
Hi Jane I'm sorry you are also going through this hell my neuro said that there are many who develop this but it gets better he said it can be a response to infection but never seen anyone ever with it none stop this long there is never a second without the feeling from toes to knees and both hands ,some days are better than others it seems to of flared again now it had been milder for about 2 weeks always there but around a 2outta 10 now it's around 7 really severe I'm also getting twitches I my upper legs it's really scary all this but seen 4 Neuros and they don't seem bothered just say all tests normal he mentioned this time that on my next app they could sign me off ,I don't understand you wake up never to feel you're legs and hands the same ever again and there's no concern ,I've mentioned hormones they look at me stupid, but if scans are clear and all bloodwork clear nerve tests clear it gotta be something in the blood to effect multiple points and they don't know what ,There is just no help out there at all I don't know where to go with this I'm just left this way tingling 24 hours a day for near 20 months it's crazy
dawn68509 mandy65498
Posted
Yes mine feels like that like when u bang your foot if you have pins and needles my legs ache like mad now thou I think there so fed up of being damaged there packing in I don't feel numb I have full feeling and am still strong when walking but my hands hurt now and I find it hard to unscrew things I just want it to stop months turned into a year then it goes on and on
dawnym mandy65498
Posted
Hi Mandy
My symptoms are almost identical and I have been having them for over 4 months now. I also have the tingling in my head 😔I have seen a neurologist and had every test possible and everyone comes back clear. After reading many posts from ladies on this group, I decided to give HRT a go as felt it was worth a try.
I am 51 and have been on a low dose patch for 5 weeks now.
My symptoms are still there but I feel not as severe so hopefully this will continue. I wake up every day wishing I felt like I did 4 months ago.
Just wanted to let you know I totally understand how you feel and having this group has made me feel that one day all this will pass.
I will let you know how it goes
All the best
mandy65498 dawnym
Posted
dawnym mandy65498
Posted
Hi
It started in my right leg thought I had sciatica at the time. Gradually over 4 months i now have it but then over time my arms, feet and hands. I even get it occasionally in my face & lip area & in my head plus buttock area! 😔it literally drives me mad. Exactly how you describe the numb feeling as though it's coming back to life . Hope this helps.
rebecca19258 dawnym
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dawnym rebecca19258
Posted
Thanks Rebecca
I keep rereading yours posts and that's what I keep clinging too that like you it will eventually go.
Thank you for your posts it has really helped me during this really difficult time.
stav93427 dawnym
Posted
Hi Dawn, like Rebecca, it took me about 3-4 months for these symptoms to be completely gone. It takes a while for the hrt to get fully into your system. You are already noticing the change. It will get better. Its been just on a year since I've been on hrt and the symptoms have never come back. I was so glad that the hrt solved this awful problem. My quality of life is so much better. Plus It helps with energy levels and anxiety.
stav93427 dawnym
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dawnym stav93427
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Thank you so much for your reassuring words. I read these posts every day & it's has really helped me knowing that one day all these weird symptoms will hopefully go. Thank you both again from the bottom of my heart
I hope to be able to reassure people in the near future 😊
mandy65498 dawnym
Posted
Yes it does thanks so much. Reassures me, but sucks that we all have to go through this. I was thinking maybe it was my sciatica too lol. Did you ever wake up with any of your limbs asleep? I DO everyday!!
Usually my arms and hands and that drives me nuts too or it will wake me up in the middle of the night. I should be used to it by now, but it freaked me out daily still😥
dawnym mandy65498
Posted
Exactly the same Mandy. My hands have gone numb in the night so many times and scared the life out of me but this does not happen much now. Forgot to mention I get a twitching eye too 😏my legs ache in different areas daily too particularly my right leg which feels as though it's coming back to life.
This sounds like I'm a hyper condriact 😯 so glad for this forum
mandy65498 dawnym
Posted
MarieLouise mandy65498
Posted
Hello ladies,
I’m not sure where to post so you all could see... this website is a bit confusing...
Can you answer me 2 things?
1) What are your FSH levels?
2) What are your cholesterol levels?
I have noticed that the neuropathy symptoms are not just happening to perimenopausal but also to postmenopausal ladies. Estradiol levels fluctuate wildly in peri but not in postmenopause. I wonder if FSH could be the culprit since it keeps increasing in postmenopause. Some women have noticed improvement on HRT but others may still have high FSH levels on low dose Estradiol and not get relief.
I have the burning skin feeling all over my body now, it’s just unbearable but HRT has also its risks so it’s not an easy decision.
Maybe we can find some answers here.
💕
jane58999 MarieLouise
Posted
My fsh fluctuated a lot any where from 20to 120
My cholesterol has always been on the high end 240 but with great hdl. So it wasn’t an issue. But now since 2 years ago when my symptoms started my cholesterol is 300. I eat well watch my diet. I have some foods that have cholesterol like cheese but very very little. My gp wants me to start statin but I truly believe this all has to do with peri. And let’s not forget that weight loss is a problem
I’m 15 pounds over weight I lead a active life style can’t lose a pound.
MarieLouise jane58999
Posted
Thanks for answering. Same as me and I’ve been a vegetarian for the last 20 years... I’m trying to cut carbs but cholesterol levels are still increasing. My ferritin is high, B12 and D3 normal but D3 was very high while on supplements (stopped). Calcium, calcitonin above normal average. I’m thinking of surrendering to HRT but have asthma, migraines and blood clotting issues. Not an easy decision.