Menopause and RA?

[bitachey]

Also posted on the menopause forum- I wasn't sure which was more appropriate!

I'm hoping someone can help.

I'm 49 and peri menopausal -brain fog, night sweats and have an appointment with a doctor next week about HRT.

I've also been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my hands - swollen joints and a bit of aching. I was sent for an MRI to rule out rheumatoid arthritis but it's showing there is a small amount of inflammation in both my wrists and knuckles which could be RA. I've no symptoms there. CRP blood test inflammation marker came back negative.

I am going back in 2 months for further tests - bloods/ultrasound.

Has anyone had any experience of this? Could it be menopause related? The consultant was very dismissive of that. But I have read that HRT can help joint pain but I'm not sure about RA.

Just sad, worried and anxious.Thanks!

I don't know but I'm in a similar situation and very worried

Sorry to hear that. Feel feee to Dm or say a bit more here xx

I have pain in my wrists and thumbs that has come on since menopause. I guess I've just accepted it as part of ageing (I'm 56). If things were different at the GP surgery I might have sought help/answers but it's difficult to get an appointment if you're just getting on with life. Hope you find answers.

Menopause often brings on Autoimmune diseases. I have had joint pains for 5+ years. I am slowly being diagnosed with a few autoimmune diseases but it’s taken a long time. You need to see a rheumatologist.

hydroxychloroquine and/or methoxerate are normally the first drugs they try.

I found going gluten free helped my joint pain a lot and I’m very sceptical of diet improving pain but it helps.

I sometimes think that I need to drop the HRT as my symptoms worsened when I started but I’m too scared to stop HRT even though I have very few menopausal symptoms other than joint pain. I’m worried I will look even older and I will have worse osteoporosis if I stop. No medical professional seems to be able to guide me.

Thanks. I’ve seen a rheumatologist privately through health insurance. I think that only entities me to a few tests though.

I need to do a bit more reading up on HRT. The woman I’m seeing next week is supposed to be good - I will report back.

I’m keen to catch it all early as I’m a really active outdoor person. Climbing mountains is my main hobby!

I suddenly developed RA a month after I had my daughter, although looking back I think I had it mildly after puberty , but it struck me down postpartum. I could barely walk. At the time I remember reading in a magazine that pregnancy could bring it on, I was laughed at by the Consultant when I suggested a link and he said he had never heard of it. Now I am nearly sixty and on HRT, without it my joints are so much worse. My sister also developed RA at menopause. I have absolutely no doubt it's linked to hormones. I can't recommend HRT enough , I think all woman should be on it, it protects us from so much physiologically.

Thanks @moomims thats really interesting. My rheumatologist consultant really rubbished the idea of a connection to my hormones. Which annoyed me!

Well I had aches before hrt which have now disappeared, will definitely be interesting to see if you improve on it.