Perimenopause and SEVERE joint pain - any one else??

I read the comms re this sort of pain not being related to peri and I have to say otherwise -

I had severe joint pains when I was pregnant at 37, it felt like my hands and feet weren't there and that I was walking on pebbles. I was referred to a rheumatoid arthritis specialist, by this time I was shovelling up my baby from his cot with my lower arms as my hands weren't operational. I was told that if I stopped breastfeeding all the symptoms would disappear, that it was hormonal and to expect it when peri/menopause came calling. I gave in and stopped breastfeeding completely after 6mths, all symptoms vanished and reappeared 7-8yrs later with shoulder and ankle pain.

I have no answers except exercise can help, beware of nursing sore bits as this can have a knock-on effect to other body parts, I saw a wonderful physio who helped my ankle (which I was nursing which had knock-ons to my other ankle and hips), keep your weight down as every pound acts as 4lbs on your leg joints, and I do believe a better diet can only help.

Hello Kerry91

Thanks very much for the advice. I will certainly give it a try as well as the fish oil supplements.

Take care

Hi,

Ive been going through something very similar. My arms hurt so much that some times I can hardly pick up a cup of tea. I thought at first that it was related to going to the gym but I stopped and the pain carried on. Its dreadful in the mornings. (im 52). I started on water therapy and low and behold my simptioms have got much better. I stopped the therapy for 2 weeks to test it out (although I did still drink a couple of pints daily). The symptoms came back within days. Im now back on the therapy and feeling great. You have to drink a couple of pints of water (try and build up to 3) in the mornings and then dont eat or drink anything for 45 mins.(I drink warm water as its easier to get down) Its hard work at first as you are constantly on the loo (which is good as its flushing out toxins but its a pain in the royal ass) but compaired to the pain in the arms its a doddle. I can live with the constant going to the loo. I still drink a few pints throughout the day which is difficult as im on the road all day with work but Im so happy to get relief from all the dreadful pain. Please please try it. It really does work. My arthritis is not as painful either and the hedaches and tingling skin have stopped. x

I have never heard of water therapy and that is something I could try easily for sure as I work from home - thanks for the tip.

I have started back at the gym and the tendonitis type symptoms in both my elbows and knees have improved for sure, I just feel more flexible - it does hurt when I lift weights but not afterwards so I may as well tone my arms up again is my thinking. My physio did ask if I was drinking enough - maybe your water therapy tip will do the trick!

Try it, you will be amazed. http://newsair.hubpages.com/hub/Water-Miracle

This is all educational and sad! We go though hell. I have been awake since 1am and have some horrific meno symptoms. I am at a loss to know what to do.

Hi Everyone

I have been to the doctors numerous times over the last year with severe joint pain in my left shoulder.

I have had physio which did give me back a lot more movement in my left arm. The doctor prescribed a high dosage of ibuprofen for 6 weeks which definitely helped but once I stopped taken them the pain returned. I have been to see a consultant and had am mri on my shoulder {still awaiting results 2 months later} as he thinks I am well on the way to a frozen shoulder. Have had two steroid jabs which definitely relieved the pain for a period but found it has come back in a different part of my shoulder.

I now have pain in my left hip joint and knee and am wondering if they are all connected especially since viewing this forum. At 47 years of age I guess I could be showing signs of menopause. Joy!!!

Really need info on remedies that are long lasting as trying to move house and moving packing boxes is very painful!!!

Hi smj1523 I also have aches and pains mostly my neck and back but when I damaged my right shoulder 2 years ago and nothing seemed to help I tried Accupuncture. Even now when I feel a flare up coming I just get it done through my gp. Worth a try!

suz x

I am having systems of joint pains in my right elbow as well as spotting a week before and very scared. I am 50 years and lately my face has broken out. Have anyone of you ladies experience sudden acne outbreak

Hi Rovena,

Acne is due to dropping progesterone levels (if I'm not mistaken) and I've been having breakouts for the last two years (I'm 51), but they're becoming more regular now and I've just missed two periods, so I don't think it's a coincidence. I also had spotting, but when they did a scan to check me out they told me it was due to my lady bits withering up! Just what I needed to hear, at least it's perfectly natural! If you're worried go and get checked out, it will put your mind at rest. Don't forget that anxiety is a symptom of the menopause too!! Aren't we all having a great time? who'd be a woman?

Thank you for posting this!!!!! I have been in pain for 11+ yrs now and have been tested for everything possible. There was one day when it first started where I was in so much pain that I couldn't get out of bed and my kids had to carry me to my couch where I stayed all day. Some days are so painfull I shuffle around like I'm 90 yrs old. I get that aweful metalic taste in my mouth also and I can feel the pain coming at the base of my skull like its a ball of inflamation. I'm on hormone replacement pills which are helping with the hot flashes but thats about it. My next step is to try compound hormone creams and see if that helps. After reading your post I feel like a light has been shed on me...I'm not crazey!! And I am definately not a hypo...I hate going to the docs!

Symptoms of joint hypermobility (particlularly joint pain) can become apparent in females, when they experience hormonal fluctuations at key points in their lives such as puberty, the onset of hormonal contraception, the peri-menoupause or, for many women, symptoms significantly increase at certain points in their monthly menstruation cycle. Other triggers such as, biomechanical problems and muscle deconditioning caused by a sudden change from an active to less active life style can also trigger symptoms.

There are many people with joint hypermobility in the community who (go through much of their lives) with no (or very little) experience of pain. Most of them probably do not even know that they are hypermobile at all. Then something happens, and they start getting pain for the first time in their lives. Usually unexpected exercise, a change of job or lifestyle, or fluctuations in their hormonal balance provokes the onset of pain. Whenever symptoms commence, and irrespective of the cause of the hypermobility, the term ‘Hypermobility Syndrome’ is used to describe the condition.'

Some interesting links are:

www.edhs.info

www.hypermobility.org

Hope this is of some interest / help