Peri-Menopausal & Fybromyalgia

[Tillyboo]

Hi, I've had erratic periods for the past year, bouts of itching (especially my head - thought I might have nits, OMG panic!), but worst of all is the stiffness & pain in some of my joints.
I was diagnosed with Fibro in Dec 2013 and I'm wondering if my being in the beginnings of the menopause could have triggered the Fibro problems.
I get terrible pains in my legs, especially at night but the hot flashes have been horrendous for the past 2 months (not had a period either).

I've always been very anti HRT but I'm starting to consider it now as my sleep is seriously being compromised, the hot flashes (no sweating, just mild clamminess on my chest & neck) & the stiffness and pain is getting so bad it's affecting my quality of life.

I've also put on over a stone in the past year which is just horrible.

So, my questions are:
a) Has the start of the big M triggered my Fibro
b) Will HRT help with the joint pain

Thanks

[willyhaschips]

HRT has certainly worked wonders for my joint pain but I didn't have diagnosed fibromyalgia. It stopped the insomnia too so I'm a happy bunny :)

[Tillyboo]

Thankyou !!

[ShimmeringInTheSun]

Hi Tilly

Fibro is generally reckoned to be triggered by a Trauma, either physical, such as an accident, or emotional as in stress, or possibly by a virus.

In the 12 years I've had Fibro, I've never come across anyone having it caused by the Menopause (though it's not to say it can't happen).

As for HRT helping the joint pains, again I can't say (not much use am I), for even though I am now going through the menopause myself, I haven't used HRT - but don't suffer much joint pain, but do suffer badly with muscle pain.

I am lucky in that my GP is a muscular/skeleto specialist, and has listened to me, and treated me accordingly re the Fibro. Therefore I take medication which enables me to sleep fairly well most nights - in a good night I only wake twice.
For my joints/legs/arms and every other bit of me that aches I use massage. This enables me to walk a little better, and stand for a little longer than I would if I didn't do this.....and painkillers are my friend.

The stiffness, weight gain,hot flashes etc you mention can be ascribed to both the menopause AND Fibro, so basically you may well need to try a multitude of things to see which works best for you. For both of these conditions do not present their selves in the same way, regardless of whether you ask a 100 or a 1000 people.

Feel free to pm me if you want to know anything further. HTH.

[jaffacakesallround]

What I am wondering is whether you really have fibro or if this is all menopause!

From what I understand, diagnosing fibro is very difficult - there is not a definitive test as such ( happy to be corrected here) and again as far as I know it's a very 'grey' area of health where no one can agree on the diagnosis.

All your symptoms sound like menopause - itching skin, night sweats, lack of sleep, flushes , joint pain.

In your shoes I'd be off for HRT and seeing how it might help.

You might like to look at the menopause matters website as there is much more info and a forum.

[jaffacakesallround]

This backs up what I was saying about being hard to diagnose

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyalgia/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx

[fidelma]

My Dr has checked for Ms, post viral, ra,lupus and fybromyalgia However it just looks like perimenopause although my single blood test on day 3 was normal. I have so many peri symptoms I am sure that's what it is. I am going to get the coil fitted to see if that helps my symptoms.

[jaffacakesallround]

sorry- have you name changed and are you the OP?

[fidelma]

I am not the op.

[summertimeandthelivingiseasy]

I have joint pain, in the hands, feet, neck and upper back and hips too if I stand still for long.

This has intensified since I was taken off the coc and plunged into meno.

It comes as attacks, ie I will be fine, then wake up with it one day and take nearly a week, with ibuprofen on bad days, to get better.

This time, it has come during a break of 2 months with no period. I have had headaches, sleeplessness and constipation during this time too, and it has gone on for 3 weeks.

I do lots of exercise, but have found all movement difficult and painful over the last 3 weeks. It is not desperately bad, but it becomes very wearing after a time and makes you miserable.

If I was getting the hot flushes as well, I would definitely ask for HRT, as that is a definite indication from NICE.

As it is, I do not and will be going to a GP (who I hope knows more about meno than the last one I saw) and seeing if I can try it anyway. I hate to think what this is doing to my joints long term :(

[rosemaryc]

Reviving this thread in case anyone has any other experiences? I am waiting on blood test results with gynaecologist next week, but have a lot of symptoms that fit with fibromyalgia (rheumatologist said I 'probably' had it). To date thyroid treatment hasn't worked despite borderline hypo results and trying different versions. All my problems kicked off around 43yrs and there is a cyclical pattern to their severity (though at no point in the month do I feel remotely well). Clutching at straws but desperately trying to find reason to explain all my health problems - joint and muscle pain (widespread), headaches/migraine, fatigue, poor circulation...and on it goes!