Menopause and RA (sorry, one for the ladies)

munglebungle
munglebungle Member Posts: 30
edited 19. Jul 2009, 16:42 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi
Oh how wonderful it is getting old!!!! :oops:

I havent posted for a while but was wondering if anyone has experiened worst symtoms of the menopause because they have RA. I have just been told i am menopausal (my LH and FSH levels are very high), which has come on very suddenly. My hot flushes are severe and night sweats awful. I also feel quite nauseas and worn out. My RA is under control at the moment but i am confused that some of these symptoms are because of RA or the menopause?

Has anyone else had a similar experience. Any help or advice gratefully recieved.

Thanks

Comments

  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi munglebungle :D

    Totally agree, it is wonderful getting older! :shock: :shock: Old age DID bring me a grand daughter, though, who is the best tonic for me. :lol::lol::lol:

    Sorry cannot help you with your question, but just to say it had been noticed that you have not been on the forum of late - no worries though :lol::lol::lol: I hope the "symptoms" are not wearing you down too much - it is good that your RA is under control.

    I get night sweats and hot flushes during the day, if that is what they are, been having them for what seems like forever :roll: :roll: had a hysterectomy nearly 9 years ago.

    Look after yourself,

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • lindah
    lindah Member Posts: 445
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello,I still suffer hot flushes and terrible night sweats but my doctor says they are not the menopause continuing but are anxiety induced.Cannot believe this,she has never checked my hormones for years maybe that would give me some answers.
    Linda H 8)
  • eileenc
    eileenc Bots Posts: 118
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi - I have RA and am in the throws of 'the change' too so double whammy :lol: I do get really bad flushes and night sweats and it has gotten worst as my medication has increased - but there again it could be getting worst because the 'the change' is progressing along too :? . I did mention it to my dr and he said that my whole body is in turmoil at the moment and it's not surprising that my menopausal symptoms are running alongside my RA symptoms and.. when you're down you are more aware of everything. Hmmm......not much help i'm afraid but wanted to give you some cyber sympathy from a fellow 'changeling' :lol: love Eileen x
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi started with oa and the change at the same time was not sure if was loosing my marbles at one bit not sleeping because of flushes and constant pain in back and hands :( on hrt as started at 43 and can affect bones (got enough probs with out that) so change under control but nit so sure about oa keeps rearing ugly head :)
    val
  • page35
    page35 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    Oh how wonderful it is getting old!!!! :oops:

    I havent posted for a while but was wondering if anyone has experiened worst symtoms of the menopause because they have RA. I have just been told i am menopausal (my LH and FSH levels are very high), which has come on very suddenly. My hot flushes are severe and night sweats awful. I also feel quite nauseas and worn out. My RA is under control at the moment but i am confused that some of these symptoms are because of RA or the menopause?

    Has anyone else had a similar experience. Any help or advice gratefully recieved.

    Thanks

    Hi
    my mum had a really rough time going through "the change" she got hot flushes day and night and was constantly sweating and bright red in the face and neck.
    she tryed different types of HRT but none helped her. this all lasted for years. she doesnt have RA.
    but my aunty had patches for her simptoms and they really worked for her.
    hope you get something that works for you, think like the RA its trile and error.
  • jaspercat
    jaspercat Member Posts: 1,238
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I started on early menopause last year, gp said most women do not have problems, nothing could have prepared me for this, sweating and hot flushes 24/7, I can't bear to have the heating on when it is cold, gp won't put me on HRT because I am on MXT, don't know how long this goes on, the only upside is no more monthly problems love Jaspercatxx
  • valbrown
    valbrown Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    jaspercat wrote:
    Hi, I started on early menopause last year, gp said most women do not have problems, nothing could have prepared me for this, sweating and hot flushes 24/7, I can't bear to have the heating on when it is cold, gp won't put me on HRT because I am on MXT, don't know how long this goes on, the only upside is no more monthly problems love Jaspercatxx
    Hi, this is my first reply as I'm new to this site! :) Just to say I've been on the change for nearly 10 years now -well before arthritis was diagnosed this year. Iv'e had flushes and night sweats during the 10 years, but very few other menopause symptoms. However looking back I've come to realise that my joints have gradually become creakier and stiffer since my hysterectomy. Maybe one actually triggered the other - I'm not sure? Anyway I will say the menopausal symptoms DO gradually lessen over the years -Hooray!! I find it helps to have a little desk fan next to my bed that I can switch on for a few minutes cool-down in the night. Also keep yourself slightly cool all the time; and don't get upset or embarassed at flushes that happen in public - no one notices anyway!! Incidently, I was on HRT for about 5 years; and it didn't make a lot of differences to me, except I piled on about 3 stones.