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

501 Replies

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  • Posted

    Hi molly,

    Hopefully your still on this forum but I started having these symptoms a few days before Easter I'm 51 and going through perimenapause, if you're still on here please let me know how you are doing and if you are still having these issues

    • Posted

      Hi Jacqueline.....I'm 49 and haven't had a period for 8 months. I am having terrible tingling and hot pain like sensations also. I've had nearly all the symptoms and now can say this one too. My whole body aches and I feel like I have a flu ( but I don't) ..my tongue is tingly and warm too. My ears are blocked and I feel like 90 today. 

    • Posted

      Hi Lisa,

      I am 48 and have been in Peri for a good two years and I woke up one morning in Jan this year to same symptoms.. pond and needles arms legs face and aching joints and muscles like I’d run ten marathons.. very much like the flu... This is all symptoms from unbalanced hormones.. I am on Bio Identical Hormones and have been for three weeks now and hv started to see some improvement in the numbness and the aching joints although my night sweats are herrendous .. Go to Dr and get them to have a look at your hormone levels 

    • Posted

      Thanks Rebecca.... it's somehow a relief to know that other women are experiencing the same things. I have been to the dr ( 3 diff ones) who seem to dismiss the idea of perimenopause, or haven't delved into the truth of this change and the real symptoms that can be experienced. One dr just didn't acknowledge it when I mentioned it, one said I was too young (???) and one said most likely yes but would not run any tests. Im obviously in it and it's just always a but concerning when a new symptom arrives and I feel quite alone and anxious. 

    • Posted

      There are a number of Memopause support groups on Facebook that you can join, you will see the varying symptoms we all suffer from.. The problem with doctors is they only know what they have learnt.. most times it’s minimal and to say no your too young is a complete joke.. Your body can go in Peri at anytime .. These dr need to look more at the symptoms.. see you have had no period and then try to help you in some way..

      Another good option is to see a Endocrine Specialist!

      Know your not alone .. it’s a s****y time and your mind really starts to play tricks on you xx

    • Posted

      Hi, I don’t know why doctors think we r too young to go thru menapause.  I’m 42 and have been perimenapause   Close to menapause. I found this out because I been trying to get pregnant and my hormone levels are up and down and at menapause level... my reproductive endocrinologist said my symptoms are most  likely  from  menopause.  I too have been going thru this 24 hrs a day for almost 2 yrs.  Tingling both feet sharp pain hand tingling too.   I’m on a estrogen patch and it seems to help the tingling and my anxiousness... it’s a simple blood work of your hormones. You will probably need to do blood work a few times and from

      There decide if hormone replacement is needed  

    • Posted

      My girlfriend went through menopause in her late 20s had she known she would have had kids then but as drs misdiagnosed her cos she was too young it was left too late and she has ended up childless sadly as she wanted kids of her own so she became anxious etc
  • Posted

    Molly this is me too.both legs and feet 18 months now
    • Posted

      Shona do you have the tingling 24 hours a day mine is none stop for nearly 17 months feet legs to knees and hands constantly
    • Posted

      Mine was all day long on and off thru out the day for almost 2 yrs.  It’s mostly in my feet  in my hands during sleep.  Sharp pain in heel

      Of my feet and thighs at times. 

      I had panic attacks and I was anxious.  

      I thought I was losing my mind. 

    • Posted

      Yes Dawn im the same its tireing ah .I sleep well but within minutes of awakening its back and i sometimes get a band sensation around bottom of my left arm and leg
    • Posted

      Sorry Dawn i replied to Jane when i was meant to reply to you
  • Posted

    Hi Molly, I was on t3 and gradually began to have pain in my ankles..achilles tendon and feet. Got so bad I couldnt walk the dog. After a bit of research on this site, got a trial of t3. Within two days of taking it, my feet and ankles felt normal. Went from feeling like 90 to feeling my age. Havent looked back. Worth a try for those who havent tried t3.
    • Posted

      Hi Debbie - I suffer terribly from Achilles tendonapthy & literally have not been able to walk for an extended period of time.  What do you mean by t3? & how can I get it? I am desperate- thank you!

    • Posted

      Hi Debra, sorry forgot which forum I was on. I was gaining weight and unable to lose it via diet and exercise during peri. Was the diagnosed as hypothyroid. Started on the standard treatment of thyroxine....t4...helped a little but gradually began to get pains in feet and ankles, as well as still gaining weight. Got a trial of t3...liothyronine which is the active hormone, and felt better very quickly. Have you had your thyroid level checked? Do you get tired? Have you gained weight? Xx

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