Autoimmune or menopause aches

[Achingtoomuch]

Sore feet when I get up. Sore hands when I use them.
I do have an autoimmune condition and have reduced steroids - were not for joint pain. Also 50 so very aware it could be menopause. Ugh. Not on hrt. Probably should be. Don’t want to go back on steroids if it is menopause.

How do you tell the difference between autoimmune aches and menopause.

You go to the GP.

This. ^ you need blood tests.

Have blood work scheduled in a few weeks. Will have to see another Dr re menopause. Really frustrating the whole picture isn’t considered in one place.

It sounds like you need professional advice as people have said, but if it's any help I had horribly aching feet during the menopause, specially first thing in the morning. Stopped now it's over.

That sounds really frustrating, especially as there can be so much overlap between menopause symptoms and autoimmune conditions.
From what I've read, it isn't always easy to tell the difference because both can cause joint pain and stiffness. The timing and pattern can sometimes offer clues, but it's not always clear-cut, particularly if you've recently reduced your steroids.
It might be worth keeping a symptom diary and discussing it with your GP or specialist before assuming it's one or the other. They may want to check whether your autoimmune condition is flaring or whether menopause is the more likely explanation.
I was reading some information from Leafease recently about chronic pain and inflammatory conditions, and it highlighted how important it is to look at the whole picture rather than attributing new symptoms to a single cause.
Hopefully others who have both an autoimmune condition and are going through menopause can share how they distinguished between the two, as it seems to be a fairly common dilemma.