Pain before and during menstrual cycle

niecee
niecee Member Posts: 27
edited 8. Nov 2012, 17:43 in Living with Arthritis archive
:o :shock: I have being diagnosed with OA in my Hips mainly affecting Left and lower back. Ive noticed the week before my menstrual cycle i have a major flare up of OA pain. Does anyone else experience this? :?: Why does this happen the pain is so bad i feel like i can hardly walk.

Comments

  • smol
    smol Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have exactly the same thing. GP always poo pooed it saying it was in my head. then I got my dx of hypermobility syndrome (after the OA one) and it turns out that progesterone is the culprit... the levels are very high in the week before a period and for a couple of days into it. It softens and loosens the ligaments that hold us together, which allows the bones to rub together even more. Hope that helps
    Sarah

    ‎"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."- Edward Everett Hale
  • jaja
    jaja Member Posts: 135
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi niecee..sorry to hear your suffering at moment..

    i have RA...fybro and a few besides...im past the monthly thing now but that was my pattern of flare ups when i was younger and no one believed me...

    smol...thats a reasonable theory...is it particular to hypomobility?....

    JAJA
  • Folara
    Folara Member Posts: 568
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yep CHRONIC back pain. Really horrible. I've found one of those sticky back warmers helps a little bit but I count the days for it to stop. I often joke I must be the only woman who can't wait to go through the change.

    Try the hot pad or hot water bottle for a little comfort and drink cranberry juice too.

    Fols x
  • smol
    smol Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    no it doesn't only affect us bendy girls. All women have the hormone peak and fall. oestrogen in the 1st 2 weeks then build up of progesterone in the last 2. We only notice the effects more due to us being looser in general. It may affect the way we perceive pain, or make it more painful, it's very difficult to say.
    Sarah

    ‎"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."- Edward Everett Hale
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    spoke to my gp about this aas i felt it might be i was more sensative to pain at this time but she told me artheritis is affected by changes in hormones val
    val
  • coco67
    coco67 Member Posts: 2,374
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hormone levels/changes play havoc with arthritis i have hell the few days before and during my period, hands feel like they have been mangled. back , hips etc all get worse. i pray for the menopose also as its not fun dealling with this.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Having done the menopause (and that was unpleasant while it lasted) I can assure you the only benefit is saving money as you're not buying the requisites and not having to worry about if you might come on on holiday. Arthritis continues its merry dance, well it has in my case. Being period-free is a treat tho, I wish it had happened pre-arthritis days when I could have really appreciated it! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • phoenixoxo
    phoenixoxo Member Posts: 625
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi niecee,

    Well, I have PsA but also OA here and there, and I feel loads worse during my period, with cramps in my lower back and pretty much all the way down my legs too. I find also that my joints are more prone to locking, which is very painful and a bit frightening at times.

    Over the years I've found the Pill effective in reducing period pain. I started on the combined pill, but when I started having migraines the doc prescribed the mini-pill instead. I had a bit of water retention with it, but otherwise no problems.

    Best wishes,
    Phoebe
    PsA (psoriatic arthritis) and other things since 1990. Happy to help when I can :-)
  • niecee
    niecee Member Posts: 27
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks guys!
    I thought i was going mad GP didn't do anything. At time of my period i spend so much time in hot bath or showers to ease pain. Also my electric blanket has been a god send.

    I feel less paranoid now.
  • niecee
    niecee Member Posts: 27
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    :cry: Hey!
    I'm having the worst day ever. Its that time again! Today walking has been so painful! Everyone driving past looked at me I was walking so slowly. My back and hips feel like they are being torn in two. I've been home nearly two hours and can't move from the sofa. Can't live like this every month! I feel like an old woman! What Kind of life is this?

    Deexxx
  • merri
    merri Member Posts: 190
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You're not alone, each month I have a mini flare up just before and during, my joints are far worse and the pain is unmanageable.
    https://forwhenlifegivesyoulemons.wordpress.com/
  • KaSa81
    KaSa81 Member Posts: 1
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I know you guys all posted some time back but I just wanted to say the has really helped me. I have OA & although my GP says it's only slight I have been having physio for months and now started steroid injections.

    For months now the week before I am due I have been in agony & barely able to walk & basic daily activities are so painful. Having read all your posts I now understand why this is! Thanx :)
  • phoenixoxo
    phoenixoxo Member Posts: 625
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi KaSa81,

    Great news, that this thread has helped you out a bit. Arthritis pain's hard enough without horrible hormones making things worse!

    Based on my experience, I'd continue to recommend the mini-pill to make things a bit more bearable.

    Chocolate helps too, by the way :)

    Best wishes,
    Phoebe
    PsA (psoriatic arthritis) and other things since 1990. Happy to help when I can :-)
  • boudin
    boudin Member Posts: 4
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello!
    I'm new on here and had joined specifically with the intention of finding more about OA and the hormone thing is something I suffer with too - such a nuisance isn't it (but I am glad to know that it's not just me).

    At 41 I find I have OA. It started as a lump on one finger and has now spread to other fingers and my knees are giving me problems too (this progression has taken about 12 months). My dry scratchy eyes the optic tells me is also a common side effect of OA.
    I'm finding that I'm increasingly very tired, is that something that others get too? Thinking about it, the tiredness has also increased parallel to the lumpy fingers?achy knees and dryness in the eyes............ :(

    nice to meet you all
    Boudin
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