Is this it for me?

[LongstemmedRose]

I really don't know how to start this, so ill just say it as it is. I'm not sure how much more I can take of this.
I have been going through this menopause shit show for upwards of 15 years. My body and my mind are utterly broken. I have had every single symptom under the sun and just feel so ill all the time. I have been on HRT for over 8 years and honestly, it has done nothing for me.

My GP is at a loss as all of my blood work has come back negative for inflammation, however my body feels incredibly inflamed, all the time. I have chronic IBS, chronic aches and pains, and just feel shocking every day.
I'm not overweight, I don't smoke, I rarely drink, my diet is pretty good. I work out a few times a week, mainly weight baring. I eat sufficient protein too.

I just don't know what to do any more. I'm 56 in a few months and don't want to accept that this could be my life. Constant pain, injuries and inflammation.

Have any of you lovely ladies found anything that works for you?

I'm so sorry to hear you have been having such a rough time! I don't have a lot of advice but have you considered going gluten free? You may have inflammation from consuming that and not realise.

One of the causes of inflammation is a gut microbiome that isn't the best it could be. Are you aware of this? You might find this helpful.
https://zoe.com/learn/category/life-stages

You don't have to buy into the Zoe tests or the supplements but the general principles of eating better food might help you.

It comes down to focusing on your diet and cutting out ultra processed foods that can cause inflammation.

Have u got wide spread body pain? I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago, previously they suspected lupus. I always have some sort of pain- awful. Someone i know found they had got endometriosis. Don't accept this level on pain. Keep going back to the doctors. Hope you get some answers and relief

@BCBird yes, widespread. They have done lots of blood tests, but the physio said that not all inflammation markers show up on routine bloods.
My mum has Shogren's and related ailments. I've tried to do everything right to keep myself well so I don't end up in constant pain like her, but I guess you can't outrun DNA. :-(

@JinglingSpringbells Thank you. I saw something this morning about this and my microbiome feels screwed, so I am going to look into this. Thank you

@GentleSheep Thank you. I think I am going to try and cut out any inflammatory foods. I struggle with certain fruits and veggies so I'm not sure where ill end up! I often joke about going in to the I'm a Celeb jungle and eating plain rice and beans - could be just the rest and reset my poor body needs.

Good idea. Your doctor can't really help in that regard as they aren't trained in it, so it then becomes your project to try to deal with. I sympathise, I spent many long hours trying to figure out various intolerances and reactions. I have some answers but not all!

I've done/do the 30 plants a week and also had the Zoe blood tests etc a couple of years ago, so ask me anything if you need to.

You could also ask your GP to test for coeliac if not done already.
Don't give up gluten first though- it has to be in your system.

As your dm has Sjogren's syndrome which can be genetic I'd have thought your gp would be focusing on that as chronic fatigue and joint pain is indicative. Do they know about your dm's autoimmune disorder, if yes why are they at a loss what this may be?

I'd stop thinking about menopause issues this is too extreme for that and ask your gp to focus on Sjoren's and seek advice if they are not familiar with it.

@Janiie I actually had a call with my GP on Friday. She is really good. She had me up my HRT to see if it made any difference to my reactions, which it hasn't. She said she was querying Fibromyalgia and is aware that my mum has an autoimmune issue. I'm going to see the GP weds and she is going to look further into it for me, so I'm happy that I'm being heard, even though its taken years to get to this point. I have seen every 'ologist and no one has joined the dots ....yet!.

It seems frankly unbelievable that they are not doing tests for Sjogrens.

Have they not tested you?

I have a couple of suggestions. First I'd request a coeliac test (note that you must keep eating plenty of gluten until the test) and then I'd start eating fermented foods daily. I eat Kefir every day (Tim's dairy brand tastes nicest to me as it's mild). I have recently added saurkraut as a regular part of my diet and I am convinced it's good for me. I've felt on better form than I have in ages. Gut microbiome shouldn't be underestimated so I'd start there.

It is staggering and quite concerning that it's taking years to get to this stage. You've seen lots of ologists, what did the rheumatologist say surely your GP referred you there first and foremost?

Your dm has an autoimmune disease, that should have been their starting point investigation wise. Yes HRT always worth adding but I doubt it will make a jot of difference until you get a diagnosis and expert advice.

Anyway good luck hope you get some answers soon .