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[Charron]

Hi,
Not sure if anyone can help or give advice, about a year ago I started having hot flushes and felt bit low, then in December I woke up deaf in one ear, doctors were useless so after a few days took myself hospital as I thought about suicide constantly, to cut a long story short I now have tinnitus, I'm coping and now see that a lot of my illnesses are probably to do with menopause, honestly in one year I have gone from feeling 30 to feeling 90!
I wake every morning and my hands are dead, my whole body aches, I feel ok once I'm up unless I sit for too long, one dr thought I had carpal tunnel, another says no, but I don't really trust them anymore as they have not helped with anything and just condradict each other.
Anyway I have a marina coil,4 years and dr has put me on elleste duet hrt, does anyone know how long they take to work? Flushes are down but was hoping for some of my joints to feel normal, I haven't a clue about hormones but from reading these forums at least I know I'm not alone, thanks in advance x

[CLKD]

Sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome from where I'm sitting - does the pins and needles sensation ease if you hang your arms over the edge of the bed?

  …….. maybe visit a Physio to get advice on the pins and needles.  Browse round.  Make notes!  Over the counter pain relief can ease symptoms until HRT kicks in.

[Charron]

No it goes if I move my hands around, I was tested and one dr said I had it, when I went to see specialist he said its only minor and sent me for mri scan, I'm hating Drs as it was when I had sudden hearing loss they should have sent me hospital and prescribed steroids but gave me a nasal decongestant, now I'm wondering if all these problems are menopausal, I noticed a few other woman also saying hands aching, my knees and hips aching first thing, I never knew menopause cause so many problems, do we ever get better?

[CLKD]

As oestrogen levels drop off muscles become lax = aches and pains.  Also eusatchian tubes become narrower = tinnitus, my left has to be wriggled B4 I can hear  - it feels blocked all the while!

The body dries: inside and out; deep in the ears, nostrils, skin, vagina - atrophy can present like repeated urine 'infections' but due to skin drying and thinning, it becomes irritated ……. causing an increase in bladder sensitivity  .  Fortunately my GP was aware and prescribed treatment !  [we have several threads on this  ]

[Charron]

So I know I'm a bit dense but will hrt stop these things from happening? I never suffered with pmt and have had mire a coil for about 15 years so no periods or problems, what should I read to get information please, I'm not sure where to start, there's so much I should know but never thought I would need to, I asked my mum and she said she never suffered, but didn't tell me till I was going on about it that she had hrt as hysterectomy at age 49, x

[CLKD]

You'll feel less dense as you wade through the info. 

At the top of the Forum on a green background is a word: "Treatments" - have a look-see there for starters. 

HRT protects heart and bones.  It can ease lots of symptoms we don't expect.  It can be Trial and Error finding what suits but it is worth while trying if the first one doesn't help. 

[Hurdity]

Hi Charron

 

I presume the sudden hearing loss in one ear is still being investigated because that is not a typical menopause symptom - but from what I read briefly, hearing loss can begin or be accelerated after menopause?

Also if your doctor has given you Elleste duet - I presume it is conti? If this is the case you are probably getting too much progestogen as you have a Mirena? However the Mirena is only licensed for protection of the womb as part of HRT, for 4 years so this could be why. However in that case it should be taken out as it is still giving out progestogen and may give you side effects you haven't bargained for!

Personally though in your situation I would have another Mirena fitted because if it suits you then all you need to do is to add oestrogen for the HRT and the coil will protect the womb.

Has the Mirena stopped your bleeds completely? Also did the doc diagnose peri-menopause from your age and symptoms ie sweats etc? It's a good idea to have blood tests done at this stage to make sure everything else is normal eg thyroid and some vitamin levels - has this been done?

Also it's well to take a look at your lifeestyle - diet and exercise etc so that you can enter this new stage in the best of health.

Hopefully you will feel better soon - but do look at what you've been given re HRT...

Hurdity x

[Charron]

Thank you both for replying, the ear specialist said it was sudden hearing loss, nothing can be done for tinnitus so I just get by, the dr gave me a conti as yes the mire a coil is only good for 4 years or so, I did have a blood test which is how they know I am menopause, I have booked an appointment to go back but have to wait a month, been on hrt for 2 weeks and am ok so far, but I will ask for another coil or to have this one out, think I've been fobbed off a bit, I was last patient to be seen that day so they was eager to get me out, I was hoping someone would tell me the joint pains in morning will ease? Perhaps I'm just wanting too much too soon, do women who get these pains stay that way? My mum is in better condition than me, I hike for 10 miles or so every week, I'm definitely in a better mood since taking the tablets, my poor husband just didn't get it!
Thanks again x

[Charron]

Thank you, I do have regular blood tests as had stomach bypass 12 years ago, my vit D was bit lower but dr said not low enough for supplement, I do take calcium and multivitamin and now two others that women on here say helps with aches and pains, I think I have read almost every post since I joined!

I can see a lot of women have this a lot worse than me, mine goes away if I'm active so am ok if I keep busy, I think my mild carpal tunnel is aggravated by the meno, my knee joints are obviously meno also.

Can't believe I'm so thick on women's matters, I used to get so annoyed when friend and family went on about pmt and periods, thought it was all about thinking positive or popping a good strong pill, have always had back problems which was my only complaint so have had Dihydrocodine for years, know I see that problem wasn't a great idea as I'm becoming ammunition, I have found a natural alternative which is Kratom powder that I mix with yogurt, I have to order from Indonesia as hard to get from shops and too expensive if you order online.

So glad you ladies are here to advise and not like I used to be, lol x

[Maryjane]

Regards vitamin D etc there is " within range " and optimum range and bet most of us meno ladies need to be at optimal range , so I would want to no what my Vit D reading etc is and then do my own research , as I am afraid I no longer trust GPS when they say within range .

[Megamind]

Hi Charron, welcome from me.  Good advice from the other ladies.  I know nothing about hrt but I can sympathise with you on the joint aches and pains plus pins and needles.  Ask your gp to check your Vit D and B12 levels.  My joint pains haven't disappeared through taking vit d but they are better than they were.  I do think the anxiety that comes with meno also causes muscle tension which leads to aches and pains as well as pins and needles.  Maybe try some relaxation techniques?  I find the tight neck and shoulder muscles aggravate headaches as well as pins and needles in my hands.  I have to shake them out to get the feeling back particularly at night!

S x

Sparkle, I was just reading the other day that if you get tingling in your hand tilt your head left and right to your shoulders. I tried it and it works and the tingling went, not sure if it works for pins and needles but you could give it a try!

[Charron]

Thank you ladies, I will ask for another test or try to get vit d myself, I was told nothing about menopause only what I have read on this site, it's a lot to take in! X

[FlossyTcake]

Hi Charron, can totally sympathise. Have also aged 30 -> 90 in 6 months. Am also trying Hrt, still struggle to get downstairs AM and hobble if Ive been sat still. Good advice and support from the empathetic ladies here x

[Charron]

I got hrt 2 weeks ago, it does feel like I'm easing up a bit, energy very low still, every woman should have a choice to take hrt, my mum had it after a hysterectomy and had NO menopause symptoms! She looks amazing and is very active, she was on it for 10 years but came off as she kept getting breast lumps, she did have a stroke 5 years ago but is back to normal.
I am willing to try hrt as quality of life not quantity matters to me.
My husband is 16 years younger although you wouldn't know to look at us, my sex drive has gone too BUT I do make myself as it's important in a relationship, my moods were terrible I couldn't even look at him!  At least that has improved.
If someone wants to try hrt I would say pester your gp until you get it, my dr gave me NO info on menopause, can't praise this website enough x

[Needmylifeback]

Hi there
Really interested to read that you have developed hearing loss, tinnitus and numb hands/fingers as I have too but didnt connect these symptoms to menopause till now. I had carpal tunnel investigations and was flabbergasted when they came back negative, however, physio told me it could stem from my neck so every night I now do gentle neck exercises. It definitely helps. Tinnitus is a real bore. Sometimes I want to scream but other times I don't notice it. Make sure you get seen by audiologist to get baseline hearing test. Thereafter, GP can tell if it gets worse. Good luck!