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
grace50455 Lesley998
Posted
Hi Lesley,
I just found this site, I have been experiencing everything you have described in your post
I am 49 and my symptoms came on after a visit to ER for shoulder and chest pain, I was told it is Costochondritis and its cause is stress.
Now the pain is all over my shoulders ,wrists,
Elbows , feet and my stomach has the whooshing noises, I feel worse at night it keeps me awake and I'm really worried. I have a Dr. Appt. in two days.
How are you feeling?
monique_93857 grace50455
Posted
I remember this all to well going to er and all i still have aching shoulders wrist elbows but I'll take this over the health anxiety that was the worst for me it does get better in time
paulette76465 Lesley998
Posted
jayram paulette76465
Posted
stephanie90783 Lesley998
Posted
Hi Lesley,
I discovered your post whilst Googling, "I'm 51 and experiencing terrible pain in my joints".
I am going through many of the same things you describe in your post. However, I've also had hut flushes nut these seem to have calmed down.
I was wondering what, if anything, came from your further GP visits?
I'm researching this as much as I can for my next visit to the docs as, up to now, I've had 1 pelvic xray (nothing detected) and a couple of blood tests (again, nothing detected).
I'm currently taking the painkiller Tramadol when the pain gets unbearable. I'm currently taking it more regularly as I seem to be in pain constantly. Whereas, only a few weeks back, it would just hurt in the morning or after standing/walking for any length of time.
I, like you were, am worried it may be something more serious. I'm also disillusioned with the apathy of my GPs towards trying to find out what is causing this.
When I find the time, I will read through your other replies on your thread for more info/inspiriation.
I hope you are well and pain free these days.
Steph T
lisa45672 stephanie90783
Posted
Hi Stephanie
I feel so much better reading your post, I was going out of my mind yesterday thinking I had this for the rest of my life and was I going to have 20 years of medication for joint pain. I can put up with the anxiety and irregular periods, mood swings etc (although I'm not sure my husband can!) ... I'm booking an appointment Tomorrow, to have some bloods done I suppose and see what the doc can do for me. I'm physically fit, 49 kilos and my diet is not an issue as I have been "clean" eating for a long time. At 48 I feel like I'm 98!!! How did you go with your appointments? Have they been able to get anything under control for you? Lisa
lisa45672 Lesley998
Posted
Hi Lesley
OMG you have just made me feel "normal" again. I really thought I was going mad and had a bone cancer disease or something just as sinister... you have described just about everything I have.. It all started with a sore neck about six months ago and I have been going to a Physio...to no avail. My aching muscles have now spread to my hips and both my elbows... I have a very physical job, and thought I had just overdone it this year.
Now I realise I may have perimenopause. It is such a relief to me to know that I'm not imagining it and Not on my own. My husband said he thought it could be menopause and I looked at him really strangely. Now when I think about it I have mood swings, fatigue, lack of sleep and I can feel my heart sometimes like its going to burst through my chest, not to mention .. anxiety...its all crept up on me rather suddenly - last six months.
I am a fit 48 year old and exercise regularly and am very diet conscious, trying to do "clean" eating, I don't drink coffee and don't smoke so I know changing my diet wasn't going to make things any better. I do like a wine though!
After reading your blog I am booking an appointment on Monday with my doctor. Thank you for sharing I feel a big "weight" off my shoulders.
I don't think I'll be able to go on HRT ( although I would like to) though as I had a breast removed last year but hoping there is something available here in NZ for the aches and pains - I can put up with all the other stuff but feeling like I'm 80 years old is really getting me down,I was even contemplating giving up work to see if that would make my aches subside. I'm hoping I can start something soon as I don't want to feel like this any longer. Thanks again. Lisa
Shelly84075 lisa45672
Posted
Hi Lisa!
I'm 52. I had just a partial hysterectomy at 32. I still have both ovaries. Never taken ANYTHING for perimenopause or menopause. I have had night sweats (mostly flushing) for 2 years. Everything manageable, until I experienced bad bad bad joint pain in my hips (both). This is definitely MENOPAUSE and so much fun.
I was wondering what you are taking for your symptoms?
Thnx! Shelly
lisa45672 Shelly84075
Posted
Hi Shelly
After finding this forum I booked blood tests with my doctor the very next day. I was sure I had perimenopause however, all tests came back negative, my estrogen levels were normal, as were my thyroid balance , and I have no rheumatoid arthritis... what they did find is I have had glandular fever which would explain my aches and pains....and why I felt like I had been run over by a bus... no energy etc. I'm afraid I'm not much help... I still have my aches and pains mainly in my hips , some days are worse than others.... I'm hoping these will subside as it has been getting me down a bit. Go and have your bloods done Shelley so at least you can rule a few things out....
Cheers Lisa .
Shelly84075 lisa45672
Posted
I hope your pain subsides!
Thanks again!
- Shelly
jayram lisa45672
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lisa45672 jayram
Posted
Hey Jayram
Thanks for that. I will ask my doctor - however I don't think I can go on estrogen as I had a mysectomy in January of this year so I think they will discount that for me...however its worth investigating. I would be like to go on it if it got rid of feeling like I'm 98!!!!! and rid of aches etc... Cheers Lisa
Shelly84075 jayram
Posted
Hi! I can't wear the Estrogen patch because I can't take Estrogen at all. I am BRCA2+. My breast surgeon said for me to only take natural supplements (herbs).
Thnx though!
Does anyone have any experience taking herbs for menopause symptoms?
-Shelly
al85451 Lesley998
Posted
So pleased to have found this forum as the last few weeks have left me feeling so isolated and helpless coping with the excruciating pain in my joints and muscles. I've had little joy at the Doctor's apart from being given painkillers such as Napraxan and amytriptiline which were ineffective. In the meantime the severe pain has escalated and spread from my Upper arms and shoulders where it started, to my wrists, hands and knees. I feel like I've no strength in my arms at all most of the time and my knees feel sore and stiff. I hadn't considered the oestrogen issue at all, but I am 47 so it makes sense and has been a really plausible explanation. I'm concerned that the Doctor will dismiss it as I'm not classified as being perimenopausal as yet but I will definitely bring it up during my next consultation. I have been referred to a rheumatologist and am waiting on an appointment but I am definitely going to try some of the suggestions made on the thread as alternatives to popping pills which I'm sick of doing. Mostly I wanted to say thank you for being a means of support during what feels like a very dark, lonely and painful episode in my life.
amanda82348 Lesley998
Posted
Hi, I have just turned 50 and had a full hysterectomy in June and been thrown into post menopause. I thought I was pretty fit, not being overweight, don't smoke or drink much. Had HRT for 1 month post op then stopped. 4 weeks later I felt like I was 70! Aches and pains all over especially in neck hands and feet, so bad I went back to the docs and they suggested back on HRT even though I didn't really want to, been on now for 6 weeks and less night sweats but still pains, I also had an X-ray on hands and feet and to my horror I have mild osteoporosis in my hands, but not feet. Speaking to doc tomorrow to see the way forward, but I would suggest to anyone who is going through menopause and is of slight build to check they are getting enough calcium an vit D, if I think back I prob wasn't, also being dehydrated and not knowing can lead to osteoporosis. I'm sure most women out there don't have this and I don't want to be the voice of doom or scare anyone, but it's certainly been a shock to my system finding this out. Trying to explain how you feel to people who think you look fit and well is very difficult and as you say very isolating.
r1982 amanda82348
Posted
I am 52 and have not had a hysterectomy but can relate to the muscle and joint pain. I have pain when I sleep so bad that it keeps me awake. Once I'm up the pain mostly is gone but still feel stiff and ache. I'm terrible at getting enough water in during the day. There have been days where I have drank no water at all. I tried HRT for to months. I did notice I didn't have the pain during sleep anymore but I thought it was because I was getting massages every 3 weeks and quit going to the gym. I stopped HRT therapy because I felt it was making me put on weight especially through the mid section. Now that I stopped I have this pain back at night so I'm thinking about going back to the HRT. I just wish I could find something that would help with putting weight on . Do I do HRT or is it better to go and have the more natural therapy where they give you pellets. So confused as to what to do. My mom has osteoporosis so I'm concerned I will to. Good to know I better start drinking more water.