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
monique_93857 Lesley998
Posted
Lesley998 monique_93857
Posted
monique_93857 Lesley998
Posted
Thank you so much I've been concerned so much but a week ago I had blood work done yearly check up all came back good except a1c level was 6.5 he wants it at a 6 he said that yes it will go up and down when hormones fluctuations but other than that it's just my aches really looking forward to getting where you are today I am doing all natural no meds except my blood pressure pill the anxiety has subsided thanking God for that but thank you for getting back to me have a bless day
Lesley998 monique_93857
Posted
jodie52910 Lesley998
Posted
thx Lesley, for all your replies - very reassuring to know that the pain has passed with you and very glad to hear that. When mine started a couple of months ago I assumed the worst that it was RA and i've since been on this very strict RA diet which isn't really suiting me at all as i've lost weight..
I wondered if you cut other things out of your diet beside oranges etc? I've cut out wheat, white potatoes, sugar etc. It helps the sore joints but i don't know how much longer i can eat like this! (I seem to be ok with oranges - think everyone has different things that trigger the pain) Doc hasn't done an RA test on me yet cos of my anxiety! What a joy this summer is! I'm 52 so hoping it will settle down soon if i look after myself but its a learning curve!
jodie52910 Lesley998
Posted
(Other bits that hurt is one hip, elbows and knees on and off).
If this all goes I will be so relieved
jodie52910 Lesley998
Posted
sorry just to add one more thing in case its useful for everyone.. Mine all started one morning when i woke up with the severe shoulder pain, and couldn't move my arm at all etc. For those with bad shoulder, don't worry - mine has cleared up about ninetyp percent. I can move it now no problem, but it still doesn't feel completely normal.. I had numbness in my hands a little for a while but that is easing gradually but i think there is some weakness there now. Going to try and do arm exercises and build it up again, but the pain has gone and i can use it so don't panic!
Lesley998 jodie52910
Posted
I personally would not do a strict RA diet if you have not been diagnosed with RA. Seems a bit drastic! I only cut out oranges as citric acid is known to affect synovial fluid...my husband has arthritis and has flare ups if he drinks OJ or eats strawberries. We also take apple cider vinegar every morning...no idea if it helps or if it is just the thought of it, but we are getting very old and still very - ahem - 'active' in the bedroom dept, so there you go! I also follow a very low carb diet and have done for years, so I do think low sugar helps. Do yourself a favour and come off the RA diet. Go have a glass of wine and a packet of crisps....! The sore joints will go in time - I promise. I was you once. Stop over thinking. Its old age and meno, and when your body catches up with your brain you will be fine x
monique_93857 Lesley998
Posted
Lesley would you mind in boxing me some tips on the low carb diet I've lost 12lbs but never hurt to learn more thank you
Lesley998
Posted
jodie52910 Lesley998
Posted
that is so annoying Lesley - the moderation! If you want to send any replies to me, please feel free as i'm so interested to hear more, ty!
jodie52910 Lesley998
Posted
Lesley sorry to keep thinking of things (!) but i just read your original post and i really wondered if your original hip pain has also resolved now? I'd be so interested to know... hope so , thanks again
Sare145 Lesley998
Posted
Hi Lesley , I've sent you a pm as I'd be interested in any tips . The moderators won't allow .
I have so much pain in nearly all my joints , and seem to stiffen up so easily . I'm only 49 and feel 89!
All
monique_93857 Sare145
Posted
jodie52910 monique_93857
Posted
Hi Monique, I've adjusted my diet to be non-inflammatory but i've lost too much weight!what are you eating to help?
monique_93857 jodie52910
Posted
I've just been doing veggies some fruit chicken I don't eat bread pasta rice I eat fish but I was tired of the same old things I don't eat red meat or pork I just can't even chew either of those meats just need some tips or help please and thank you