Perimenopause and SEVERE joint pain - any one else??
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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
Lesley998
Posted
Thank you for the information, very interesting reading.
I read 'Passage to Power' by Leslie Kenton, and because of the information given decided to try natural progesterone cream (made from wild yam) and I have to say it has made a HUGE difference to my joint pain.
Will have to try the parsley!
victoria130
Posted
The benefits outweigh it though
LeClerc
Posted
I am sitting here at 9.15am on a Sunday morning having read this blog, if I could meet you all in person I would give you all a massive hug (pain allowing).
I have suffered from undiagnosed pain for at least 5 years which has gradually got worse, to make things even more complicated I was diagnosed with a mild form of scoliosis in my mid 30's (for which I see a Chiropractic), I had a hysterectomy when I was 38 needless to say they did not remove my ovaries for fear of putting me in an early menopause, oh how I wish they had, I am now 53 and have suffered all sorts of weird and wonderful symptoms that have driven me daft over the years and not once until recently, when blood tests officially declared me menopausal, has anyone suggested that I may be going through the 'change of life'. Every time I visit my GP 'HE!!' sits there with a smug self satisfied look on his face and tells me there is nothing he can do as I am on the change and due to other health conditions there is nothing he can prescribe except paracetamol and anti inflammatory drugs
Sorry for the rant, but honestly if men had to put up with this a cure would have been found long since.
I have recently discovered 'Red Clover' helps with the hot flushes, however it is quite expensive and there again although my pharmacist told me I could get this on prescription, my doctor refused to prescribe it because of the expense and supposedly because they have a limit on what they can spend on individual drugs and the NHS will fine the practice. How true this is I have no idea, but it wouldn't surprise me. He recently begrudgingly issued me with fit note, as I currently cannot hold a pen to write as the pain and swelling in my right hand are unbelievable, I think if I looked at it wrong at the moment it would swell, and my employer requires me to do a lot of writing as part of my job and is loathe to make reasonable adjustments, to enable me to be in work and being productive regardless of the fact they break their own rules regularly I will receive a warning, possibly even a written final as I am in a back sliding period for a previous period of sickness.
SORRY! !
I didn't know I was going to rant like this when I decided to post a thread
Thanks for listening ladies
LeClerc
LeClerc
Posted
I have just read your post and sat here crying with laughter, you have just described my perfect day to a T.
With the memory loss, missing words (I know what I want to say but somewhere along the way the words went AWOL) and the sleep deprivation I have now made myself (deliberately) into the office joke. I would rather people laugh with me than at me, but even so some days it isn't easy.
LeClerc
LeClerc
Posted
My other half has just asked me "what's the matter with you getting up so early?"
I have ignored him
paula164
Posted
My previous GP was good and I had been there for 17 years. I feel awful that all of a sudden after years of not having to go to the doctor with anything that I have now had to contact the GP practice 3 times in 6 months. I am going to ask to see a female GP next week as 'dryness' in a certain area if you know what I mean has now become a problem! The problem with my new GP practise is that unless you want an appointment some 4 weeks hence, then you have a phone consultation first and then they decide if you need to seem them on that day. How embarrasing to have to talk this over on the phone for pity sake!
I feel fortunate that I am not having to take painkillers yet but I just feel so much more limited in my life, I have always been so independent. I try to laugh about it, when getting out of the car after a longish journey,I stand up and pretend to look around before moving off purely because I cannot move off - too stiff!
My best wishes to all of you out there to find help with this problem, I am going to now be more assertive and try to develop a good relationship with my new doctor and make them understand I only go to them if its the last resort, I have better things to do with my time.
LeClerc
Posted
I was beginning to think this forum had died the death try Red Clover from the herbalists, does help with symptoms of the menopause, Ibuprofen gel or tiger balm helps with the aches and pains.
Love the idea of standing gazing around when you get out of the car, will have to try it as often my feet are so stiff and sore that they refuse to move and I pitch forward - people often think I have been drinking, when in fact I don't drink LOL.
tania63
Posted
... when getting out of the car after a longish journey,I stand up and pretend to look around before moving off purely because I cannot move off - too stiff!
Me whenever I stand up - but particularly from the car.
My GP is currently running blood tests, I'll post again when I get the results - unfortunately it's a four week wait for an appointment here too.
I have found something that helps - I've bought a portable (inflatable) hot tub, an Intex PureSpa and I have a soak for 20 mins or so every evening and sometimes mornings too. Best £550 I've ever spent! Our bathroom was converted to a shower room because my husband has MS and is in a wheelchair, so I was missing a soak in the bath to ease my aches. When I come out I'm free from pain and stiffness for 3-4 hours and sleep better.
LeClerc
Posted
Don't have quite the wait to see the Doctor that you guys seem to have, he just doesn't believe me.
LeClerc
Posted
Don't have quite the wait to see the Doctor that you guys seem to have, he just doesn't believe me.
hilary_m
Posted
Had perimenopausal joint pain for about three months since i came off the mini pill (progesterone only). As i'm only in very early menopause HRT is a no no and my doc has initially put me back on the mini pill with the hope that it will stem the symptoms again for a year or so until menopause progresses further. Fingers crossed.
My joint pain has been like waking up each morning with injuries from accidents i haven't had! Wrist, ankle, fingers and this week - shoulders!
Hopefully the mini pill will stem the tide again for a while, i'll keep you posted.
Oh and if anyone has any really good natural alternative HRT experiences I'd be interested in them. Soemone recommended Soy extract stuff to me this morning but have read mixed reviews.
Hilary x
hilary_m
Posted
Had perimenopausal joint pain for about three months since i came off the mini pill (progesterone only). As i'm only in very early menopause HRT is a no no and my doc has initially put me back on the mini pill with the hope that it will stem the symptoms again for a year or so until menopause progresses further. Fingers crossed.
My joint pain has been like waking up each morning with injuries from accidents i haven't had! Wrist, ankle, fingers and this week - shoulders!
Hopefully the mini pill will stem the tide again for a while, i'll keep you posted.
Oh and if anyone has any really good natural alternative HRT experiences I'd be interested in them. Soemone recommended Soy extract stuff to me this morning but have read mixed reviews.
Hilary x
Lesley998
Posted
LeClerc...this is not a forum as such, just a message board. Ladies tend to find the site, breathe a sigh of relief...and add their story - but we don't really have a daily chat thing going on! Anyway, glad you found the information useful.
Paula164. Try Vagifem. Tiny amount of estradiol in a pessary..... very safe and fantastic results. :D
blkbear
Posted
catherine255
Posted
I am 55 years old and had a partial hysterectomy at 40. I have been on HRT for 3 years and thyroid meds for about 20 years. My severe pain started a year ago and became unbearable 4 months ago. Like many of you, I then went to my doctor who tested me for everything under the sun, all tests coming back negative. I'm as healthy as a horse; go figure. My doctor has no idea what is wrong with me. We tried prednisone, a very wicked drug. It seemed to work for a week or two, then the awful pain was back. So, like many of you I began to use the Internet to find my illness...did I have lupus, fibromyalgia, bone cancer, tendon issues, spine problems...? I tried stretching, signed up for yoga, took hot showers, thought I should buy a new mattress, ate ibuprofen like candy and worried that my stomach would puncture, tried not to complain, tried not to become a pain. Aghhhhhhh
Then I found this forum which answered most of my questions. I do not have an illness, I am going through menopause. I had no idea that severe pain and menopause could go hand-in-hand. Just knowing that I was not alone, calmed me down enough to think rationally (well, somewhat anyway lol). So, I started to think on the pain, why........
I was always quite athletic.. Was this why I could hardly walk now? How can someone be healthy as a horse and yet still be in debilitating pain. And here is where I got my idea...in Canada (US?) we have a product that was designed for horses in pain. It is called Recovery. It is 100% natural and safe for horses, canines and people. It is mostly MSM and glucosamine, with a few additional ingredients. I have seen it work on horses and so decided to purchase it in powder form for me, thinking that the powder form would absorb faster than the capsule. I started taking Recovery Extra Strength last Friday (one week ago today) and am now up to the max dosage which is 1tsp three times a day with meals. I am feeling SO MUCH better. Yes, it is a little too soon to say that it is the Recovery and not remission, if that is even possible. But please let me tell you that being able to function almost normally two days in a row, and being able to turn over in bed without being in agony is a gift I had to share with you.
I will keep you posted on my Recovery. I wish you all the very best and thank you all once again for being brave enough to share your stories so that I and many others like me (us) can rest a little easier knowing thatTHERE IS A REAON they feel the way they do.