Hot Flushes and arthritis

teresagrove

I have had OA for some years. I had a THR in Feb 2010 and a labral tear repair and decompression of the femoral head in the other hip in October 2011.

I have had several guided injections into my 'good' (ha ha) hip and yesterday had another directly into the outside of my hip where severe bursitis has developed.

It is pretty obvious that I need this hip replaced too - but I am being told that I am too young (55) despite already having had one THR !!!

The latest problem to beset me is hot flushes. These are more prevalent in the evening and during the night - I am sweaty and clammy all over - particulatly around my hairline and forearms. This is not menopausal as I had a hysterectomy several years ago.

Is this normal??????

Also I had blood tests today for RA as my GP thinks this may be causing the joint pains in my wrists, thumbs, knuckles and ankles. I seem to have 'bands' of parallel pain in these areas.

Any advice anyone????? :?

dreamdaisy

Who knows what is normal? :? I've been there and done that with the menopausal flushes but flushes still continue and I attribute them to the constant medication for my auto-immune arthritis, a couple of which also help the OA I have in my knees and ankles. They occur at any time but are worse at night so I sleep on a towel, have one handy for mopping down and I also wrap my pillow in a towel. In the depths of winter I was sleeping under a wide open Velux, naked and minus a duvet and I loved it! I don't know why they are affecting you as they are but maybe it's worth having a natter with your GP to see if he has any ideas. I wish you well. DD

Numptydumpty

Hi,
I have sero positive RA. I was diagnosed six years ago. I'm 56, and past the menopaus. I get horrendous flushes, where I'm soaked from head to toe. I do get them throughout the day, but they are much worse and more frequent during the night. My rheumatology nurse said it's a by product of uncontrolled arthritis.
I have seen men post on here with the same problem, so it's not just a lady thing!
All the best,
Numpty

barbara12

Hi
I am well past my hot flushes, but lately I just suddenly burn up, far worse the hot flushes I used to get.
I did wonder if it was dont to the antiinflams...but if I forget to take them I get all hot and sweaty.
Has for your second THR how on earth can they say you are to young, when you have already had one, I do hope you push for some answers, wishing you well with it all x

mates

Interesting topic. I have had so called hot flushes for nearly 20 years now - well before menopause. I am guessing I am now into the peri-menopause and they are awful. I have never understood why I have had them for so long. I have arthritis in various joints. I wonder if there is a genuine connection. For one thing they are exhausting. I do everything I can to minimise them but they are determined little so and so's!!

As for being too young for a THR - aahhh. How can they say this to you when you have already had one! I had one last year and I am younger than you. My surgeon told me that the expected life of my uncemented ceramic on ceramic THR is 25-30 years. I would insist on a second opinion from another surgeon - if you find one who deals with hip disease in younger adults he or she is more likely to do a replacement. Is your original hip surgeon still in your area?

teresagrove

I am seeing a different consultant - same hospital.

They say they only did THR before as there was no other option - I had no cartilage and no joint space left.

They tried to do labral repair to stave off THR for the time being.but not very successful - not enough left to repair - so they just washed joint out and filed down femoral head - now have bursitis !!! - need knee arthroscopy of R knee now too - so more time off work. They do not understand how painful and fatiguing it is. I have constant pain in ankles, knees, groin, wrists and thumbs and sometimes lower knuckles - very fed up now.

I have noticed that the greater the pain - the more frequent and severe the hot flushes become.

I teach in a school on a hill with 22 steps down to playground and 26 steps up to staffroom - I am exhausted at the end of the day.

tillytop

Oh I so sympathise on the hot flush thing having been having outrageous hot/cold flushes day and night for several years now.

Although mine are thought to be hormonal/early menopause nobody realy knows although my doc says that hormone problems are often linked with auto-immune arthritis. In fact he went as far as to say that he would pretty well expect to see them alongside RA particularly if, like me, RA was diagnosed at a younger age.

I do think though that mine are also linked to active inflammation because not all the flushes are the same (if that makes sense). Many of the meds can also cause hot flushes and steroids I think are a pretty well known culprit.

Have you discussed the hot flushes with your GP because there are other things which can cause the problems you describe.

Anyhoo, whatever the cause I do understand how miserable it can be and you have all my sympathy.

Tillyxxx

teresagrove

Thanks all x

applerose

I've been wondering about the hot flushes I've been having. I reached menopause 2 years ago but the nurse practitioner said I'd still get flushes for years yet. Not sure if it's that though.
Forgot to ask my rheumatologist about it. He has a way of chatting about other things and I forget to ask questions even though I have them written down. I'm not on any meds at the moment so I have been putting it down to the heat from inflamed joints. I have hardly had the heating on this winter and when I have visitors, I feel as if I'm melting because I try to keep them warm. I work as a housekeeper in a private house. I wear a short-sleeved top but my bosses often have coats and scarves on as well as the heating on. I need to keep a window open so I can stick my head out every now and again. We do have a laugh about it though.

teresagrove

Update today.

I had consultant appointment today - the upshot of which is that I completed all the paperwork today for a knee arthroscopy - just waiting for secretary to send me out the paperwork - hesaiid it should be end of April / beginning of May.

AND at the same appointment he told me that after my knee is sorted we would look at a date for THR of my left hip - hooray!!! At last I may be able to walk without quite so much pain afterwards.

He did say that arthritis is for life ( I already knew that) but that with hips and knees all sorted walking should be so much easier - the other joints - although affected should not impede my mobility so much.

I can't wait to be able to walk round Tesco without hanging onto the trolley for dear life - or to be able to walk my dogs again! Great feeling.

mig

So pleased for you ,let us know when you get a date.Mig