Burning hands

[Smailand]

My hands have been burning for a few weeks (on top of other symptoms that seem likely to be peri). Tonight they’re burning so much I can’t sleep. When I finally dozed off I dreamed I’d spilled chemicals on my hands and chunks of flesh were peeling off. I woke up shaking and crying. There’s nothing visibly wrong with my hands but they burn. Help 😭

This sounds like it could be nerve damage. I wouldn't put it down to hormones so easily, it's not at all usual for menopause. Call your doctor.

My feet and calves are also burning. And my face and forearms. But not as badly as my hands. I’ve been having various issues like stiffness and twitching for a couple of years and three neurologists have told me there’s nothing wrong. Now the burning has started.

Have you had blood tests and checked the results yourself? - ask for the print out it gives the recommended ranges so you can see if you are low in anything and not only out of range.

Check your B12 particularly.

Just seen your other thread. I'm glad the neurologists gave you the all clear!

Did your GP check your bloods for things like vitamin deficiencies, thyroid, diabetes?

Hypothyroidism would see you gaining weight, having constipation and feeling cold, as well as symptoms like those you've mentioned. However, a lot of conditions present with collections of similar symptoms.

If your bloods are OK and neurology's fine, your next stop might be rheumatology. Most autoimmune diseases can cause inflammation in the small joints, along with multiple other 'malaise' type symptoms and fatigue. Swelling around the bones of the wrist, for example, causes carpal tunnel syndrome which often leads to burning sensations in the hands.

It would be wrong not to mention that the same symptoms can be caused by stress and anxiety - it's much the same mechanism: over-tense muscles constrict nerves and blood vessels, causing painful symptoms. If your doctor has offered something like a short course of sedatives or beta blockers, it would be worth taking them to see if your symptoms ease.

Meanwhile, take some ibuprofen if you tolerate it well. It's anti-inflammatory and should relieve the pain.

Yes they checked my blood. I’ve been on iron pills for a month or so. Burning has lasted about 2 weeks. I had an emg where they stick needles in your muscles - all clear. They discharged me saying there’s nothing wrong. I’m at my wits end.

My hands use to burn too at night and the soles of my feet.

Awful.

Never got to the bottom of it but it has completely stopped since going on HRT.

I had this occasionally. It's awful. Try antihistamines, they helped me. And HRT of course.
I found putting my hands in very cold water as soon as it started often stopped it getting bad.

Is it most likely menopause related then? I’m terrified I’ve got some sort of nerve damage.

Do you take magnesium? Might help. You can get it in a spray.