Menopausal arthritis

[ElectricalBanana]

Saw. GP last week about painful joints... Not talking about "oooh that's a bit sore" but "shit a brick I am in so much pain I can hardly walk and why the fuck do my hands and toes ( as well as the larger joints) hurt so fucking much to the point I can't do things like take my debit card out of my purse"... So I told him this. And the fact I haven't had a period since March and I suspect I am going through the menopause as before my periods stopped I was irregular, had pmt+++++ and other shit.

So he listened and said it could be

A menopausal arthritis
B my thyroid needs checking ( I have an under active thyroid)
C rheumatoid arthritis ( strong maternal family history)

He has said whatever it is he will help me - nice chap.


Anyone else in pain?

[summertimeandthelivingiseasy]

Yep - trying hrt. Didn't get any of those tests ( or any questions about periods, meno, bp.......... )

[Fedupnagging]

Electric, yes I get very stiff and painful fingers, hands, joint etc although not as bad as yours by the sounds of it. This has been going on for years but thinking back it probably started just before I became peri menopausal but as I was quite young (40) I was dx as having early onset osteoarthritis. But, the pain waxes and wanes and I definitely believe it is all linked to hormones and menopause.

I also have had back problems since having children but have physio and look after it however, when my hormones are playing up, the back pain is much worse.

[sincitylover]

Also worth getting your vitamin d checked as this can cause stiff joints

[fidelma]

I also get it. Mine too comes and goes. I had the mirena coil fitted 5 weeks ago and everything is much worse!?!?
I have read that too much progesterone without estrogen can cause sore joints. Really need my hormones to be sorted.

[Mustgo]

Guess too late to join in but wanted to add me too. Was thinking must see doctor then decided to search MN instead. How's things now OP?

[fidelma]

Any news anyone?

[DayLillie]

I am taking the lowest dose hrt for it at the moment. So far, it has improved, but not gone away. I have not had a really bad day though, so have extended it for the next three months.

I am exercising regularly.

I started getting it badly after I came off the pill nearly 2 years ago now. I had pop to start with and it started to happen then, but has continued, even when I stopped taking it, so I am not sure that progestogen makes it worse.

[CuttedUpPear]

I have osteoarthritis
and osteoporosis. My knees are terrible at the moment, stairs are painful. I'm having xrays on them and my wrists tomorrow.

My right ankle is pretty buggered, had an operation on it earlier in the year to clean our arthritic damage and the surgeon said the bone is really worn. I'm only 48

Anyway doc wants to give me a Mirena coil and HRT. I'm seeing her tomorrow to discuss.

[Mustgo]

Gosh cutteduppear 48 seems so young although i think my symptoms started early 40s but doctor originally just dismissed my concerns saying i was too young. What did you decide to do.

I hate the idea of constant ' medication' but pain can be so bad.

[wonkylegs]

Constant medication can be a good thing if it gives you your life back.
I was diagnosed with RA at 19 and I'm now in my mid 30's. Disease modifying medication rather than just pain relief has turned my life around. A supportive dr is always the first hurdle on these things so I'm glad you seem to have that sorted.

It's miserable at first but they are so much better at dealing with this kind of thing than they were even 10-15yrs ago so hopefully you'll get sorted.

One thing I'm afraid is - it might take is a bit of time, this is the worst bit but if you ever need some lovely people to hand hold through it there are plenty on here, on the arthritis care discussion boards & if you ever just want a moan feel free to message me.

[CuttedUpPear]

Doc is going to give me a Mirena and HRT to support my bones. She also said I need to do more physical exercise to load bear my bones against the osteoporosis.

So that deals with the osteoporosis for now - but not osteoarthritis which is the reason I stopped exercising in the first place

Doc also said that we could go down the path of the Prozac group of medication which might help to cheer me up and stay the symptoms of menopause. I've decided not to for now as my hot flushes are insignificant, even though I am pretty bloody miserable.

[Mustgo]

cutteduppear i too have very nearly given up exercise feeling is it worth the pain but i guess that is short term thinking so i do try to keep going. Hope you will be feeling improvements on the way now.

wonkylegs you are so right and thanks for pointing out the discussion groups around on MN. OP hope you are getting sorted.