Perimenopause and SEVERE joint pain - any one else??
Posted , 512 users are following.
Hi
I am 50 and have been in perimenopause for some time. I just wanted to post here to see if anyone else has suffered extreme joint pain as a result of fluctuating estrogen.
Quick history: regular as clockwork from the age of 13 - up to and after the two pregnancies in my thirties.Then aged 47 I started to get very heavy and irregular periods. Then I went for six months with no period at all, then two very scant light periods in quick succession. I have had nothing now for two months but I do feel as if it might happen soon as sore boobs etc.
I have never had a hot flush. I do however have lots of other peri symptoms, including insomnia, heart palpitations and skipped beats, and a strange 'rushing' or whooshing feeling which starts in the abdomen which I think is an 'adrenal' surge. I also have other vague and odd symptoms, dry eyes and inside my nose, and a really vile taste in my mouth sometimes - I mean really vile, like a chemical taste, unrelated to anything I have eaten. I also have odd tingling skin sometimes, which I can only describe as feeling like 'cold' sunburn!
However, about the joint pain. Three months ago I literally woke up one morning with a sore left arm/elbow. Over a few days, the pain then moved into my shoulders, and I got really worried as if was incredibly painful, and showed no signs of going away, it just got worse and worse. It is worse in the morning when I wake up, I am as stiff as a board. It is on my mind 24/7. Doing normal things is almost impossible - I have problems carrying shopping, drying my hair,walking the dog, driving...everything seems to hurt . I have never suffered from arthritic pain, and I went to the doctor thinking I had some awful bone disease, or even polymyalgia. I was told I had nerve pain!! The GP was terrible and made me feel like a hypochondriac and it was all in my mind. I was told I had good range of movement, and no inflammation. But I am in agony, and i am not imagining it.I made the mistake of asking Dr.Google too, which is never a good idea as I scared myself half to death. I never even thought it could be related to hormones or menopause, as the pain was just SO bad and I had never heard of joint pain being a symptom.I mean I have read than meno can be bad for some women, and I expected hot flushes etc, but I didnt realise it meant pain like this.
Anyway - for the last few weeks I have been having worsening pain which has spread from left elbow and both shoulders, into left hip, both elbows and now my knees. All my joints are cracking and popping loudly and even my husband can hear the awful grating in my neck and my knees....I sound like a one man band as I go up and down the stairs!
I went In for my three yearly Cervical smear on Monday, and could hardly get up on the examining couch I was so stiff and sore. Womans health is dealt with by the Nurse Practitioners in our large practice (15 GP's) and when the NP saw my discomfort she asked me what was wrong. It turns out she has a real interest in womens health, and has been involved in HRT trials and research for many years. She informed me that my symptoms all point to fluctuating estrogen, and possible thyroid involvement. She told me a load of stuff about estrogen and cartilage, dry mucosa etc, the details of which I can't remember now but which made so much sense when she explained it - even down to the foul taste and tingling skin I have also experienced on and off for months which are both known side effects of estrogen surge as the ovaries go a bit haywire. Asmall percentage of women are very receptive to estrogen fluctuations which involve cartilage, which mainly manifest as abnormally severe joint pain/menopausal arthritis but it is not an 'obvious' symptom of perimenopause.
I asked why the GP was no help, and she just raised her eyebrows when I told her which male GP it was, and told me to make another appointment as soon as possible with a specific GP (who must be more knowledgeable about womens health.) Going in tomorrow to see her.
I can't do HRT as I have a heart condition, but maybe I can do estrogen cream, or phytoestrogen/soy.) It could last for a long time I guess until I come out the other side !
So i have not yet been diagnosed, but it sounds like it could be caused by estrogen. Sorry this has been so long....but anyone else out there feel the same way I do???
Lesley.
85 likes, 1485 replies
Lisameno14 Lesley998
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It is not severe about a 5/6. I take mixed vitamins and soya and evening primroseetc which i buy from a well known large chemist/shop and have done so from the beginning,but I dont know what to do about the joint pain? I dont want to go to HRT.
Lisa
karen78681 Lesley998
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I can sympothise with all he ladies on this forum it is hard to believe that these symptoms can be linked to the menopause I have terrible aches and pains in my joints doctors are not helpful I was given tablets and told not to take them longer than 5-10 days or they can cause stomachs ulcers!! Great info.
But ladies spread the word I laughed when a lay to me this but all I can say is try it for yourselves and see if it doesnt work then all you have lost is around &7.00 and it wont harm you, are you ready ladies well put a tiny magnet in your knickers and it can stop your hot flushes, I am living proof it really works you can get them on Ebay just type in magnetic plasters they are the size of a 10p nd are worn comfortably and know one will ever know! unless you go through a scanner at the airport if it dont work for you then at least it gives your friends a really good laugh, try it a see x
sandra57210 Lesley998
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shaznay96184 sandra57210
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You've gathered that we're all cracking up on a daily basis.! For me its left shoulder joint/elbow. Being left handed its a right pest. Had to change my car last year for an auto is of probs changing gears.
OK you might be getting plenty of estrogen, but what about your progesterone levels? Have you had a blood test to check? Maybe suggest it to your GP.
Are you being treated for Peri at all, aside from yr problems with your hands? I only ask as all of us who are wracked with aches n' pains take some sort of vit/min supplements and find a bit/lots of relief. Maybe talk to your GP before buying over-the-counter stuff tho' as, with your health history, she might have some of the 'good stuff' on prescription for you!
You have my total sympathy x
viv1960 sandra57210
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It is almost certainly hormonal, particularly as surgery has not eased your symptoms.
I had severe bilateral thumb pain about 3 yrs ago, GP said it was arthritis (without XRay confirmation), physio said not arthritis, must be coming from my neck. Physio on my spine, didn't really help. Alexander technique seemed to ease pain, but couldn't afford to keep up with treatments, then thumb pain went. 1 year ago, developed the severe joint/muscle pains in shoulders/neck/arms/hips and random pains in legs & feet. Worse in the morning, very stiff. Also sudden fatigue. Luckily I found this site, and realised that I was not alone. All through this time, I had the Mirena coil, and thought I would escape menopausal symptoms, but no. I had it removed about 6 months ago, as my blood tests showed I was perimenopausal. So it didnt help me.
What I have found helps immensely is acupuncture. I had an intensive course weekly for 6 weeks, I now go monthly, to every six weeks. I hardly ever need the strong pain killers (co-codamol 30/500), which I was taking up to 3 times/day. It cost me a lot of money initially, but now just go once a month it is more manageable, best money I have ever spent, to be having a lot less pain and fatigue. Please give it a go.
Good Luck, let me know how you get on.
Viv
sandra57210 viv1960
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sandra57210 shaznay96184
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Glad I'm in good company (cracking up too lol) I've had several blood tests over the past 2 yrs but not specifically for my hormone levels, would these not automatically show in a all round blood test? I'm going to see Gynaecologist on Thursday so I'll mention all of this to them. I do take all of the vitamins you've stated with the exception of vitamin D as I get blood shot eyes when I take it ?? I also take Pregabalin which I think interfere's with some of the things I eat & drink that I had no problem with before ? I have found Red Clover to be the best thing for my hot flushes. Once I've got the results of the scan & Xray (ive mentioned on Vivs reply) & spoken to the gynea, I should know more & will keep you posted
take care, Sandra
debwestmids sandra57210
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viv1960 sandra57210
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No, I didn't get any relief from the coil removal, what I did notice was a full on normal period, not had anything like that for probably 20 yrs, as have always been on either contraceptive pill or coil. So my hormones have been artificially controlled, now they are in charge (or lack of them). That was in July last year so 6 months away from menopause if I don't get any more.
I'm glad you're giving acupuncture a try, I wish I had tried it earlier, but it wasn't until I hit desperation that I tried it, as I'm a nurse, I don't tend to go with alternative treatments, and follow the medical model, but I have been proved wrong, thankfully.
Please let me know how you get on.
Viv
Motherhawk Lesley998
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I'm sorry my letter is not long but I have been having hot flushes and also feeling extremely achy. I have just turned 53 and for the last three years my periods seem to be taking longer to occur. I also had hot sweating but only in the day previously, until December when they started to happen at all times of the day and night, sometimes beginning with a slight tummy ache or headache. The sweat seem to be getting stronger and more uncomfortable but what I find worse is my pelvic floor and hip joints can be quite painful and I feel like a cripple. When I was pregnant with my fourth child over twenty years ago and at the end of the pregnancy I could hardly walk due to weak ligaments across the pelvis area and I thought it could be to do with that, but now after reading this I am not so sure. I feel depressed as I feel like a train coming to the end of its line. Though realise it is part of nature and have to accept it. Funnily enough, I am experiencing a steaming flush right now and it makes me feel quite unwell. I hope you don't feel so alone in this situation and I hope you can find a way to ease your symptoms as I hope to do.
Josie
karen78681 Lesley998
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its not that I have admitted defeat I suddenly realised that if my brother-in-law could go through cancer treatment which he didn't want and survive then I can go down the route of taking HRT as his illness was far far greater than mine, so I no longer feel defeated but feel a weight has been lifted and hopefully I will start smiling, and enjoying life again instead of making mine and my families lives a misery.
Watch this space as I will post my progress as and when on hear, good luck to all you ladies suffering the same. :0)
shaznay96184 karen78681
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I too would love to ward off giving in to HRT but, as you now rightly state and acknowledge, life is a bit too precious to see it through feeling miserable, hateful and having a negative impact on those we love.
I've given myself till the end of Feb to see how things pan out after a horrendous 19-day bleed over 25 days at Xmas/NY. Like you its the aching that's the real nightmare: starts with that flu'-like fatigue to full blown 95yr olds' aching joints!
Since I stopped bleeding, I've been in a very uncharacteristically good mood, almost what I'd imagine a bi-polar high to be like. Still in it, which is great, but horror of all horrors, I've got a faint bleed today
. That was my cue to let rip at the poor bloke who had the misfortune to take my call at TV Licencing! Bombarded me all wk with Reminder emails, then wouldn't let me pay online. Lets say I probably ruined his day, but hey young man, try living a week of my life.....seriously, I loved letting rip (wicked cow)
!!
I'd got the mindset that after the Xmas fiasco, I would start to experience irregular or, my greatest wish, I'd actually miss a P. Yeah right!
I'm going to see how I manage this P, and then maybe its time to take myself 'Down to the Doctors',because I concluded I ain't gunna be a Martyr to this curse. I'm not gunna ache if I don't have to, and I'm thinking of others with regards the 'Red Mist' rages - excluding Call Centre workers who interrupt me day and night........!
You're right: takes something like your bro-in--law's terrible illness to put things in perspective: we've got HRT ready for the taking, and the chances are it'll make things so much easier to handle, even if it does defer fullblown symptoms while we're on it.
Please let us all know how things go for you. (Don't know if you're in the UK, but on Monday 26th in the Daily Mail's Health section (online version) they had a great article about 3 women and their experience of HRT. Great read and very reassuring!
Sx
karan1317 Lesley998
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wendy88421 karan1317
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karan1317 wendy88421
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I break out in a rash sometimes when I get out of the shower or been in the heat a lot. I am allergic to wheat so if I eat enough of it I will also break out with a rash. Have not experienced the dry mouth yet. But I drink a lot of water.
BellaRubia karan1317
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Be always positive, that is a phase that our hormones play with our bodies and minds, so keep strong. For some it is more difficult than for others, that I learned here.
Welcome and good luck. Keep posting!
karan1317 BellaRubia
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After reading your post I looked up estrogen dominant. And that could very well be it. I have more of those symptoms then the perimenapause symptoms. I will have to try the detox for awhile and see. My GYN upped my Estrogen but my GP was not happy about it at all. I can't go high fiber since it's something I have a problem with buy I can do the rest. I will try anything at this point to not hurt.. thank you again.
BellaRubia karan1317
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Let us know...
viv1960 karan1317
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Acupuncture helped my arm/neck/hand/thumb pains. After 6 week intensive treatments, I have reduced strong pain killers from 3x/day to once just now and again. I highly recommend it. Worth every penny.
good luck
Viv