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[Elizabethrose]

May I please ask for some advice? I am experiencing dramatic oestrogen surges and plummets at the moment which create all sorts of difficulties. I have noticed after the last two plunges that my joint pain has flared dramatically: my lower back, coccyx and fingers particularly so.

My joint pain started in peri and gradually increased over the passing years. For the past six months I have been taking Osteocare plus glucosamine and chondroitin, which is essentially a bone and joint supplement. My joint pain had subsequently calmed, almost completely, up until about 3 weeks ago when the oestrogen suddenly crashed: I had another crash 2 days ago and now it's all very uncomfortable.

I am forced to spend a lot of time either lying in bed or sitting which definitely exacerbates the stiffness and discomfort in my lower back where I have three bulging discs. However, I have not experienced coccyx pain since it was fractured during my first labour. I almost feel as if I need the rubber ring I was forced to use then!

Has anyone experienced anything similar or could offer some advice. I'm 57, started peri 16 years ago, now late stage, but seem to have only been having anovulatory bleeds over the past 9-10 months. I'm not on HRT and only use symptomatic medication to treat migraine.

Thank you.

[CLKD]

HORMONES   

Some ladies develop RA during pregnancy so maybe ask your GP to run some blood tests to see whether there is inflammation?

 

[Elizabethrose]

Haha, thanks CLKD, love that emoji!

They checked inflammation markers at last set of bloods, all seemingly fine. Hand X-rays showed some joint deterioration but not excessive for someone of my age apparently, (Love that expression - someone of your age!!!)

I have some brilliant exercises that a physio gave me for my lower back, I'm just naughty because I only remember to do them when the discomfort flares! Coccyx raises a question mark though. I wonder whether old bone injuries can flare up in later life. It was only a small fracture, that wasn't treated as they thought it would just repair itself. It was uncomfortable for a couple of years but has been fine for the past 25. I'm actually aching all over today - feel like an old bird!

[Elizabethrose]

Thanks Sparkle, old bird!

Given my life is very similar to that of a vampire, I KNOW I don't get much Vit D from sun exposure. I've been taking 25ugs of Vit D3 as well as a whole host of other lovelies in this supplement, but I've never taken vitamins and minerals before and am not at all au fait with how these measurements work. The box tells me that that is the recommended dose. My diet is really well balanced and pretty comprehensive and I certainly include eggs, red meat, dairy and lots of oily fish which I know are sources of Vit D, but no sun which I know is our main source.

I don't think I've had my Vit D levels measured before, certainly never discussed it. Maybe I should have a chat with my GP.

Laying in bed is the worst possible thing for back pain, as is sitting for too long and I know that I've had a bad run lately. However, the coccyx pain has really puzzled me aside from being a pain in the a___! x

Thanks Megamind, I know that that is the case. I had Trochanteric bursitis about 8 years ago which they decided was caused by the bulging discs and it may be that the discomfort I'm feeling elsewhere in my back is possibly referred. It's so very weird the way it has just descended upon me, such a bore! Yep, I know, I shall get exercising! It certainly helps the lower back pain.

[Megamind]

I found this old thread about coccyx pain.

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,22475.0.html

[Elizabethrose]

Oh, thanks so much for that Megamind, it's encouraging that it may disappear. I've never had a fracture elsewhere so can't test the old war wound theory but it does seem so very weird that I've been struck down so suddenly with everything aching. x

[Elizabethrose]

Well a period has just started, probably anovulatory, so maybe this is why I'm aching all over. What joy! I'm sure I read a comment from someone about their joints aching with a bleed, can't remember who though. Thanks all for your comments. x

[Elizabethrose]

Congratulate Sparkle, I'm expecting my oldest perimenopauser telegram from the Queen soon! x

[Elizabethrose]

Hi Menomale

Not a silly question at all that would be a sensible conclusion. Unfortunately I'm ridiculously reactive/sensitive to hormone change so as my body reacts like litmus paper, it's very easy to read the signs.

For many years I've had specialists from a number of disciplines trying to manage my chronic migraine. Bloods have been taken regularly; fertility monitors were used daily, temps were monitored and comprehensive daily records kept. All tests confirmed what I already knew was happening. I've been menstruating for 44 years now, despite the chaos of peri, I can still pretty much read my body like a book.

If I ovulate, slippery egg-white type cervical mucus appears just before ovulation, I get ovulation pain and a slight bloody show and front of breast tenderness. The mucus would last for about 2 days then disappear, as would the breast tenderness. The bleed would arrive about 13 days later accompanied by period cramps, swollen breasts, bloating and migraine that could rebound for anything up to 13 days. Then the whole thing would start again. If I ovulate, this happens without fail.

If the cycle is unovulatory, slippery egg-white type cervical mucus builds and front of breast tenderness starts. There is no ovulation pain and no bloody show. The mucus stops suddenly for a couple of days and then rebuilds, the breasts swell hugely, necessitating bigger bras and they become very, very painful. I start bloating and can literally put on half a stone. All can continue like this for anything up to 6-7 weeks. These oestrogen highs can be off the Richter scale, all has been measured.

A sudden drop manifests itself as a sudden cessation of all of the above symptoms: it feels like I've been slung against a wall. I pee constantly, a monster migraine kicks in which is what happened this weekend and which can rebound for ages. Sometimes I will then get an anovulatory bleed. The cervical mucus is still present and mixes with the blood loss. It looks different to the loss of a normal period. My body is pretty adept at shedding any endometrial build up from these oestrogen surges. It's had plenty of practice!

This sudden surge of joint pain with a crash and bleed is new to me, I haven't noticed this before.

[da66]

bloody hell elizabethrose! I had the same question as menomale about how you knew about the oestrogen drops so that's very helpful. I similarly feel that I have surges and plunges but had not been as sure about it.  Just wanted to chip in that a very good brand of Vit D is the Better You D Lux spray - apparently it's more easily absorbed by your body and I would second those who say get your levels checked because even people who are supplementing can be low and you might need to up this dose. I use the green spray which is a dose of 3000iu (when I remember!)

[da66]

oh and I meant to say apparently ore GPs are getting into vit D testing so def worth demanding asking 

[Elizabethrose]

Thanks for the tip da66, I shall investigate. My Gp's are brilliant, I know they'll be happy to oblige. When they get me there, they go for it big time!

[Dawncam]

I was similar to you elizabethrose - not as sensitised to hormones but I had the mucous, small blood show and sometimes, pain so bad I had to take a day off work when ovulating. That's all over now but I've recently had very bad joint pains accompanied by other low oestrogen symptoms, so I've upped my E patch considerably and the joint pain, along with other symptoms is subsiding. Slowly but perceptibly. There's no doubt for me that low E equals joint pain.

I hope you find your solution.

Good luck

Dxx

[Elizabethrose]

Thank you all for your advice, much appreciated!

Looking back at my notes, I did have Vit D checked a number of years ago but when next at the Docs I shall get them to redo it. The migs have most definitely kept me more house bound over the past few years which obviously limits my sun exposure. Good advice, thank you.

I do think the very sudden oestrogen surges and plunges create a set of problems that gradual rises and declines don't. The changes are very brutal! I know that they affect my migraine greatly. Clearly I have to see whether this aching eases, or indeed whether I need to have it investigated but I did my back exercises this evening and I'll try to keep at it twice a day as they really do make a huge difference.

Thanks again  x

[CLKD]

I would bleed with clots for 10 days, have  a break of 10 then start all over again and every period was VERY painful  .  I was never aware of ovulating.  Growing pains anyone?  what was that about