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Menopause and paresthesia?

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molly54321
molly54321

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

501 Replies

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  • metamorphed
    metamorphed molly54321

    Posted

    I posted an article there on mirena and topical oestrogen use for peri and meno symptoms..  it is waiting approval by moderator.  if anyone wants to see this,  pm me.   It is a good article 
    • rebecca19258
      rebecca19258 metamorphed

      Posted

      Yes I would like to see what is said about the Mirena as I’ve had two over the years .. is it a positive article as I don’t have a lot of good things to say about it
  • maddy33177
    maddy33177 molly54321

    Posted

    I am so glad I found this post. I am 48 and has been going through peri-menopause for the last 2 years. 3 weeks ago, my left buttock ached and the pain radiated down to my left leg, then came the ‘pins & needles’ & numbness. Visited my GP, she suspected sciatica. Ordered a CT scan, everything came back normal. 1 week later, the numbness spread to my left arm and another week later to my right arm. Doctor ordered a complete blood test, everything is within normal range. Now my GP has    recommended that I see a neurologist. But after reading some of the posts here, I am kind of relieved. I was worried to death with all these sudden numbness, aches, shooting pains that ran from one part of the body to another. Besides these symptoms I also have on & off headaches, back & shoulder aches, joint pain, night sweat, lightheadedness, insomnia. This peri-menopause phase is really driving me up the wall. But this forum has brought me much comfort knowing that I am not alone with these symptoms.

    • rebecca19258
      rebecca19258 maddy33177

      Posted

      Hey Maddi.. I have all those symptoms which came on suddenly around Xmas time.. aches pains joint pain hot flushes.. headaches.. worst of all pins and needles that go around my body but seem to be more constant in lower legs and feet.. I’ve just started Bio Identical Hormones in hope it will balance out my hormones XX 
    • shona53538
      shona53538 maddy33177

      Posted

      Hi Maddy i know it does your head in you just want to be normal does it feel worse when you stop and relax .ie.lie down .i dont notice it much when im moving around but as soon as i stop the burning comes on fronts of legs from knees down and arms and right bottom part of face ..
    • rebecca19258
      rebecca19258 shona53538

      Posted

      I am the same.. moving around I’m not too bad but as soon as I stop sit etc the burning and pins and needles go crazy
    • maddy33177
      maddy33177 rebecca19258

      Posted

      Thank you Rebecca & Shona for sharing your experiences. It is so reassuring to know that these symptoms are part of menopause and I am not going crazy. XX

    • jacqueline06286
      jacqueline06286 maddy33177

      Posted

      Hi maddy,

      I'm also in perimenapause and I know what you're going through I also have the burning sensation around my body aches and pains shoulder ankles wrist I also have on and off ear,jaw,teeth pain this is horrible what we are going through some women just get hot flashes but others gets way worse symptoms, I'm glad you find this forum when I started this nightmare I also went running to all sorts of Dr and I'm still going but everything comes back normal thank you jesus, but if you need to talk I'm here,god bless you. 

    • jannap75
      jannap75 maddy33177

      Posted

      Hi maddy, 

      I’m 42 going thru perimenapause, I started with these symptoms a year n half ago.  Same as you went for all test. Everything was normal. I have pins and needles in my feet   And sometimes hands ,sharp stabbing pain in my feet n thighs.panic attacks depression. No hot flashes though.  Last year and a half I thought I was going to lose

      My mind.  No one could diagnose me.  Until recently my reproductive endocrinologist had agreed that yes neuropathy depression all these symptoms have to do with perimenapause and menopause.. I stared estrogen patch because I have no estrogen. She also recommended possibly birth control.   Thank goodness there is this forum at least we can all give each other pointers to help each other get thru this !!! 

      Good luck 

    • dawnym
      dawnym maddy33177

      Posted

      Hi Maddy

      I've just seen your post and this is exactly what happened to me!! I have had so many blood tests brain mri & these have all come back clear. Im just waiting for the results of lower back MRI now.

      I see your post was over a couple of months ago and wondered if you got to the bottom of it? Also do your legs still have numbness & pins and needles sensations and continued aches and pains?

      Hope you don't mind me asking it's just that ours posts are almost identical and I'm sitting at home today feeling really anxious. I know I am peri-menopause and am about to start a hrt patch once results of scan are in.

      Thank you

    • maddy33177
      maddy33177 dawnym

      Posted

      Hi Dawn,

      Like you, I have had all the necessary tests down including MRI & CT scan and all came back clear. Later the ache extended to the right side of my neck, jaw & head. I was quite sure I had some sort of cancer. But thankfully my scans eliminated that fear.

      After much googling & researching, I tried out a few things and the aches, tingling & numbness have subsided significantly but not completely gone. They are still there but hardly noticeable especially when I am busy 

      running around. 

      1. Started using Wild Yam Cream.

      2. After my period, I boiled up some chinese herbs to help replenish loss nutrients & iron. The herbs are Angelica sinensis, chinese red dates & goji berries. You should only drink this when your period is clear, once a week and not during your period

      3. Cutting down on sugar & dairy. I drink more soy.

      4. Walk 8km 3 to 4 times a week

      I am not very sure which of the above that really started easing the aches & other symptoms. It could be a combination of all. Whatever it is, hang in there Dawn. It will get better. Hope this helps. xx

       

    • dawnym
      dawnym maddy33177

      Posted

      Morning Maddy

      Many thanks for coming back to me.

      I had a really bad day yesterday with the sensations numbness and aches and pains and convinced myself I am seriously ill.

      Reading your message has made me feel more positive.

      Thanks again

  • jacqueline06286
    jacqueline06286 molly54321

    Posted

    Hi molly how are you feeling with your parathesia,I hope everything turn out good for you.
  • ylugo678
    ylugo678 molly54321

    Posted

    Hi Molly, I'm 53 and had the same symptoms the Dr. did a lot of tests even the Hormone test and it came that i was post- menopause for me was so confi=using because I never lose my period until this last march was my first time and i believe you this pins and needles are terrible. He prescribes me Gabapentin for the symptoms and i don't see any differences. I'm going crazy with this symptoms.

     

    • shona53538
      shona53538 ylugo678

      Posted

      Hi yes ive not had a period now for 7 years but the burning skins awful and doing my head in
    • jacqueline06286
      jacqueline06286 shona53538

      Posted

      Hi shona,

      I'm having burning sensation around my body that comes and goes what helps youwith your symptoms. 

    • rebecca19258
      rebecca19258 ylugo678

      Posted

      Be careful with that drug.. my partner was on high dose of this and it made him crazy.. do some reading on the side affects of Lyrica xx
    • shona53538
      shona53538 jacqueline06286

      Posted

      Hi sorry not getting back to you sooner.i tried b12 but no difference im now on vit D .so should know in a wedk .i had some chiropractic which i noticed helped a bit.the sensation on my arms better but it still drives .e nuts i find a good hour walk in morn helps
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