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[CrispyChick]

I thought this was low estrogen pain. But now I'm thinking it's tension pain.

It's pretty severe. Every day. Can't get rid.

Pain in upper back, shoulders, neck and collarbones.

Anyone else?. I am suffering with a lot of jittery, agitation just now. I have a very dysregulated central nervous system. 

Maybe I need a good massage!

[DottyD68]

Hi Crispychick,

I can relate to your post. I think it could be a combination of low estrogen and general life tension. I have been experiencing chronic stress for the past 5-6 years being the main family carer for my mum (91) with vascular dementia/alzheimers. Early this year she had a TIA and it was all looking very grim. Coincidentally a couple of weeks later I started with chronic back ache/tension. I naturally put it all down to menopause but I think it was stress made worse by the menopause factors. Exercise, stretching, meditation, acupuncture couldn't really shift it initially. It has gradually eased but I think I am guilty of putting everything down to menopause when I suspect there is other life "stuff" and ageing at play here. I hope you find some relief soon X

[CrispyChick]

Thanks Dotty.

Yes, this is suspicious. I'm still peri. Having a torrid time over the last 7 years. Developed this pain when my E did tank as I used 2x mininpill to supress.

But since dropping back to one pill, the agonising pain remains.

But. My nervous system is extremely stressed from all the changes I've made over the last few years. Hence me now wondering if this is tension.

I'm sorry you are experiencing stress too. And it can manifest in lots of ways. Hope yours is on the mend.

Good to hear your story. X

[sheila99]

It might be worth seeing a physio? We can self refer. It's possible there's something else going on that isn't stress or meno. Not saying it's the case for you but sometimes bad posture is the culprit. In my experience a massage is great for a couple of days but it soon wears off whereas a physio can give you exercises and advice to hopefully give you a long term cure.

[DottyD68]

Agreed Sheila99. I have had blood tests, physio and regular acupuncture. No red flags apparently. Latest GP consultation this week and GP said that I have "a lot going on". It feels like "tension" whatever it is.

[CrispyChick]

Yes. Good point re. Physio.

Maybe worth doing. Think it is quite a straight forward self referral at my surgery right enough.

But right now I'm too overwhelmed to consider it. So I think there's something in that!

My body has been through so many changes as I try and find a solution to my awful symptoms. But every change provokes further symptoms. And now all this agonising pain.

But the fact I feel too overwhelmed to make a simple physio appointment - perhaps does indicate stress/tension.

Will see. I'll do the physio once my brain calms a bit I guess. 

[marge]

I was telling a friend over the weekend that l was experiencing upper back pain and she said she had exactly the same. We decided we couldn’t both be in the throes of a serious illness at the same time so it must be tension as we’ve both had a rather stressful few weeks.  Incidentally, we’re late 60s/70s so not meno related.

[CrispyChick]

Thanks Marge. That's very interesting.

[dangermouse]

I have had this for the last 10 years. What they thought was migraines turned out to be cervicogenic headaches - although my head didn’t ache! When I have hormone volatility it gets much worse and, interestingly, when I force stretched it a couple of years ago I overstretched a tendon or ligament and had to wait for 3 months for it to heal and all my nausea and dizziness came back during that time.

My osteopath said I have a scoliosis (my collarbone has always looked wonky) which then puts pressure on the nerves. I now lift weights to try to keep the area better supported. Apart from that I have to live with it.

So I think, for me, it’s blood flow issues from cervical compression, which makes me ultra sensitive to hormone fluctuations. This also affects vagus nerve and digestion as everything is connected.

Perhaps all of us who cannot tolerate hormonal fluctuations, including HRT, have a structural cause that becomes more apparent as we age?