Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Irishangel on May 19, 2015, 07:50:44 PM
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Hi, I am peri menopausal and recently went 4 months without a period, then 2 weeks ago had one. That wasm't too bad, but since it finished I been getting aches and pains. On friday I have had neck and shoulder pain, (almost like having scatica pain but in neck and shoulder) It got bad last night so have started taken ibuprofen and alternating with paracetamol but not really doing anything. Was just wondering if any others have suffered with this? Read somewhere low estogen can cause muscle pains.
Just wish it would go and I can get some sleep!
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Had this off & on for ages. Think it's more wear & tear TBH. I now swim & have massages from time to time. Helps me.
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Yep. As oestrogen levels drop the muscles can become lax = various aches and pains.
Might be time to check your sleeping position though?
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I've bought so many pillows. Support ones, ones for side sleepers, you name it. Now got a shelf full of unused pillows. Makes no difference.
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I've got it, and it's making me cry at times, I've been in so much pain especially since last Thursday. I looked up disc problems near neck and shoulder blade level and it seems the closest diagnosis (suffer with disc trouble lower back already) I'm hoping to make an appt Thursday with GP as ibroprufen and paracetamol aren't touching it. Feel like I've had an injection in my my tricep and its sending heavy tingly feeling all down the arm and making my neck sore
Oh and I have high oestrogen levels
If it's not one painful ailment, it's another
Annie xx
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I have had this on and off for about a year. I was in so much pain it ruined my holiday last year because I'd felt fine so started dragging cases around. After reading up on it I decided to try HRT to see if it helped with this and other symptoms. I am now 9 months into HRT and together with self enforced rest, i.e. no hoovering or lifting heavy items, it seems to have subsided at the moment. I have been about 6 weeks without pain which is very unusual, so fingers crossed it's either gone or I've learned to subconsciously not do things that will upset it. When it did flare up no pills would shift the pain, the only thing that helped for me was ice packs and heat packs alternately and rest. x
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A couple of years ago I had sudden bout of frozen shoulder - it was incredibly painful and debilitating. Doctor said to rest it, after three days of pain I went to a physiotherapist who gave me an exercise band and exercises. Doctor had told me that it could last 3-6 months and surgery might be an option. Physio cured it in two weeks! I have had pain on and off in neck shoulder since then so started yoga and pilates. I also notice that my shoulders creep up with tension during the day and am very conscious of pulling them back down.
At the time I didn't associate the problem with meno, but now realise it was the start of my body falling apart! But on the very bright side - physio would always be my first port of call for any issues like this. Might be worth a try.
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Hello Irishangel.
A friend of mine had this a few years ago and also a frozen shoulder. She had physio on the NHS but her GP said this probably wouldn't be sufficient so she paid for some extra sessions privately and she is now fully recovered. She has never been on HRT but she says that she is often aware of tension in her neck and shoulders and tries to relax those muscles when she can.
Hope this is of help to you.
Take care.
K.
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Joint aches have been my biggest problem (apart from the urogenital stuff >:( ) since I came off the pill. It is hands and feet, wrists ankles knees and hips. But the neck bit is bad and made it difficult to relax. I used to wake up in the night in pain.
I have tried hrt, which helped but then progestogen part made it much worse than ever. Changed type and it gradually subsided.
Meanwhile, I had to start vitamin D and that certainly helped too. I keep taking it as if I stop for a couple of weeks, it comes back again.
Keeping hydrated helps.
I still have problems with my neck if I have to use the computer for a while. I have tried exercises and improving posture, and keep doing that. I think the varifocals contribute but I am due some new ones soon and will try and get them adjusted better.
I get cold if I sit for long and that makes me hunch up, so I tried wearing a scarf on the computer. Then I tried my wheat bag round my neck. That certainly does help :) I spent a day wearing it and microwaving it. I took it to bed and lay it along the bottom edge of my pillow, and lay on my back doing relaxation exercises. I am using it as a preventive measure now.
I also get a lot of muscle tension in my jaw. It seems to be a thing with lower oestrogen. The heat helps me do the relaxation exercises - otherwise, I relax and it justs pings back.
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HORMONES >:(
Frozen shoulder is common in ladies of 'our' age. Without treatment it can take 2 years to heal, that is without any movement - but of course we breath, eat, yawn, sneeze all of which affect the neck etc.. Both Mums had exercises to do regularly.
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I've just got the number for a local chiropractor , will call this afternoon, taking 3x ibroprufen every 3 hours but was crying in pain this morning before work
Annie xx
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Thank you so much for all your replies ladies. I am amazed how common it seems to be! I work in pharmacy so sent my other half to get a box of epsom salts and co codamol. Had a soak in the bath with salts and lavender and amazed how I couldn't feel any pain whilst I was in the water. However, as soon as I got out and started moving around its come back. I haven't taken any pain relief today other than ice pack, which also seems to help. Seems to be mainly side of neck and deep into my shoulder now. If I rest my arm on a pillow it relieves it a wee bit. Hope you get sorted too Annie, I know what you mean that it reduces you to tears.
Take care everyone and thanks again xx
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The only bit of non meds relief I get is if I tuck my arm into my body and kind of lean on it on the side on the sofa (propped up with cushions) but of course I can't take all that with me everywhere
Annie xx
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Annie, thats exactly what I am doing too! And Sparkle, yes my shoulder clicks too! my neck clicks too (above the bone bit at base of neck) I know its not nice that we are all suffering like this, but it is good to know we are all here to support and encourage each other. Thank you :) xx
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Not to be left out.... Mine clicks too !
I can have a chuckle at the minute because although it hurts, it's not excruciating, and then suddenly it will be and that's when a tear drops :-(
Chiropractor didn't call me back so I'll try docs in the morning
Also, my muscle at the back near armpit keeps twinging quite strongly and rapidly !
Hope you all have a pain free evening
Annie xx
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I can have a giggle too then suddenly feel that 'old familar pain' ...my lovely other half has been doing everything, cooking etc. He's just asked me am I feeling any better, but to be honest wondering if I'm just getting used to the low grade pain (until it starts up to the teardrop level) lol My boss (pharmacy manager) suggested to try co codamol, over the counter low dose. I don't like taking tablets at the best of times, so I'm a wee bit dubious about taking something stronger than paracetamol and ibuprofen! I thinking should I just try the one tablet and see how I get on. Sitting with an ice pack round my neck and shoulder at the moment. Have any of you got restricted movement? Thats the only thing that seems to be ok, I can lift my arm and move my neck although there is slight pulling feeling if I try to put my chin on my chest. Wish I could wave a magic wand and make it disappear! lol :) xx
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Annie when you say twinging is it like a strong twitch that you cant control, not painful though?
S x
Twitch ! That's it ! No not painful but strong and very fast then they stop
Anne xx
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haha it does! I was so pleased with myself on friday night as I did a 7 mile walk for charity! My neck pain at the time was just a slight knot type feeling. Hips felt a bit achy on saturday but then vanished only to be taken over by this! Just been reading about reactions to co codamol so I'm having second thoughts of taking them! lol I do get anxious when I take meds! Can''t win! x
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When my pain is at excruciating level I am writhing around sofa or bed and would take anything offered !
It hurt so bad yesterday at work and I had to fight back the tears
It was noticed today at work that I'm forever rubbing my arm or massaging/holding my shoulder
Trying to explain without crying was hard !
This evening it just constantly aches but I know the pain will come back 😢
Annie xx
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I'm the same Annie.. I've just come to bed after taken two ibuprofen and two paracetamol and massage with lavender oil! Supposed to be in work tomorrow...will see how tonight goes! Totally shattered. Hope you manage to have a better night . xx
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Thank you, and you :-)
Annie xx
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I have chiropractor 3.30pm tomorrow :)
Cried again this morning trying to sit up in bed, I need painkillers 20 mins before trying to sit up
Annie xx
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Hi Annie was wondering how you were today. I was bad early hours of the morning but finally managed to get a few hours sleep. Was in pain on waking, and called work to let them know I wouldn't be in. Taken 2 paracetamol early this morning and ice pack. Did some gentle exercises and had a deep Epsom salt bath. Still had low grade pain, but didn't take any pain relief till 3pm this afternoon, and took 600mg of Ibuprofen and went for a walk to see if these endorphins would kick in! Sat with a heat pack on now, low grade pain but not unbearable. I have to be in work tomorrow as they can't get cover. Wish me luck! Really hope the chiropractor can help you tomorrow. Please let me know how you get on. xx
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I will Defo update! I don't expect to be cured tomorrow, but a firm diagnosis and the start of treatment will be nice
We were out in the car earlier and every bump in the road really jolts me and hurts the back which then hurts the arm, so I'm convinced this is bone/nerve related as opposed to muscular
Tried to nap this afternoon, had to take ibroprufen to get comfy enough to sleep but boy did it hurt when I woke 30 mins later
Work was very hard this week, I landed myself a lovely job in January in payroll, extremely busy and fast paced and work long long hours Monday's and Tuesdays to get candidates paid this week then just half day Wednesday's 😀
Hope my shoulder is ok Tuesday next week, I have to combine 2 days work in the one plus cover someone's annual leave 😧
Annie xx
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Oh you poor thing! Its so hard to concentrate when you are in pain! Well hopefully tomorrow will be the start of helping you! My manager has been very understanding (maybe due to the fact I did this in work! ) but he said to take time out and rest if I need to, and if i feel as the day goes on I need to go home, thats ok too. I just hope another day on I will feel a little bit better. Fingers and toes crossed , all goes well for you tomorrow. xx
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Our pain sites and levels seem so similar it'll be interesting for you in case you need to go see someone
I wonder how I'll feel when this is over ? As this and light headedness has been at the forefront lately. Saying that, I had about 10 mins at work the other day with a really (more than usual) painful right knee
Oh the joys
Annie xx
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I thought my neck pain was down to stress - that familiar knot in the shoulders and stiffness. It's only when the HRT kicked in I realised it has actually subsided, I simply hadn't made the connection previously. I'm hoping it will stay away, the Utrogestan and Oestrogel seem to be doing the trick at the moment and I'm not sure which has resolved it, but it's proving a good combo for me.
I hope you find some relief soon,
GG x
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Annie: yes will be interesting to see what they say at the chiropractor. Hope it all goes well. It would be so nice just to have pain free night and sleep! lol
Georgiegirl: That's very interesting that you have had relief after HRT. Hormones have a lot to answer for! I'm thinking of starting to take magnesium as it is supposed to be good for muscles and joints. if it works I'll let you know! :) xx
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Irishangel: I've just started on magnesium and calcium
Geordiegirl: you do realise you make me envious about the progesterone ? Even if I was offered it and made no difference I could then tick it off my 'tried' list !!!! Hope you're keeping well. Are you back home yet ? Xx
Annie xx
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Went to chiropractor
Because my history is complicated to say the least, I didn't get treatment today (but it's not as bad thank god), I've got an appt next Friday where he will give his diagnosis and start treatment
He wonders whether I have chronic fatigue syndrome , I hate these diagnosis' where people can easily think it's all in the mind. But I think he wants time to mull over all my symptoms, he's not convinced it's meno related (the one thing that really confuses me is I had all the meno symptoms 16 years ago, bit cruel dishing them out a 2nd time round !)
Anyhow, reflexes are definitely weaker on left arm although strength is there, the golf tee pricking my hand wasn't as strong. He can feel all the knots down the spine and in the neck but I was born with a foot deformity so I'm guessing he wants to read up on that too
We shall see, off to Wentworth tomorrow with OH and chiropractor said to expect pain from standing and being on the go all day, the thought of is shattering me
Did I mention he poked and prodded me ? Omg it was heaven !!!!
Oh yes ...... Cold compresses to ease pain (with painkillers) I'd be doing hot water bottle !
Annie xx
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This is so weird.
I started taking HRT just over 6 weeks ago. I don't know if my oestrogen was low (all bloods came back as 'normal') but my hormones were most definitely fluctuating as my mood swings were extreme.
About 4 weeks ago I noticed a dull, dragging pain all down my right arm, from my little finger and up into my shoulder. Similar to the ache you get after banging your funny bone, but it was pretty much constant. It was quite debilitating and my right arm felt weak.
1.5 weeks ago I upped my oestrogen dose from 25mg to 50mg and within a couple of days the pain had stopped. Not sure if it was just a coincidence?
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That's not my problem though but could be why you're hurting
I have high oestrogen levels
Hope it gets better for you, it's not nice
Annie xx
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wow seems to have been really thorough! Bet you feel happier knowing something is being done! I haven't quite as bad today even though I have been standing all day. had a bad ache late this afternoon but put a freeze patch on. seemed to ease. Bit more achey now, (thought it was too good to be true! ) Hope you have a good weekend and as pain free as possible!! :) xx
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I do Irishangel
I think he will do his best for me, he asked what my end expectations are and I said just to be pain free, it wouldn't be fair on him to ask to mend my VA !
Annie xx
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Has he suggested recent X-rays Annie? :-X
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Not as yet CLKD, he wanted to see me tomorrow but I'm not free until next Friday, but he said he will write to GP with a diagnosis in due course
I did mention that I had a bone density blood test and was told it was ok (but you know I've got no idea when in the last 3 years that was)!
Talk about embarrassing, I had no idea if have to strip off, but I had to put a gown on, came out the changing room and apologised that I was wearing a thong ! I'm off to buy some knicker shorts for the next session 😧
Annie xx
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Shoulder/mid back pain was one of my first symptoms. At the time I was very fit and put it down to a sports injury/trapped nerve. Spent hundreds on osteo/physio to no avail (though pilates did seem to ease it a little). Eventually the pain was too much and nothing would shift it, so my doctor put me on Amitriptyline (horrible stuff!). By this point I developed tingling in my fingers at times and struggled to wear a bra as it hurt so much.
Two years, many consultants and several MRIs later, it was found that my symptoms were due to water retention niggling nearby nerves - aggravated by hormones. I have also had the problem in my foot too, as has a friend (whose doctor also found the cause to be hormonal). It did eventually calm down by itself, only to be replaced by a new set of symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, fatigue and headaches.
HRT and the pill have both helped calm things down a lot. I just regret wasting several years of my life (and the knock on effect it had on those around me) due to my then GP's ignorance of women's/hormonal issues. It was in fact a wonderful neurologist who first suggested measuring my oestrogen!
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I have very tight neck/throat muscles. My naprapath helped me feel better, but I'm still stiff and tense on and off. I think my problems might have been brought on by my anxiety. I also have this sense of tense stomach muscles (due to anxiety?). Anyone else had this problem?
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I was born with a foot deformity so one leg is 1.5cm shorter than the other, where possible I have the shoe balanced out, I know this new phase of hip and knee pain is wear n tear probably not helped by meno. I know my pelvis is not straight which explains the lower disc problems I get, and when I saw him Friday he said the shoulders are the opposite angle to the pelvic tilt . (Sounds very extreme but I swear I look normal lol) so this is probably 48 years of wear and tear on a frame that isn't balanced. But this pain hurts or maybe my resistance is getting weaker, I've had a constant dead arm feeling and the tingling on the side of the palm of my hand, it's just wearing me down now, I'll do whatever/take whatever just to be pain free
Annie xx
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Annie, this sounds a bit strange, but have you had your thyroid tested? Tingling in your arm/hand could be Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, which in turn is linked with thyroid issues. My arm tingling was found to be related to low estrogen, but at the time, a thyroid problem was my doctor's first thought. x
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Well Briony
I have lots of symptoms that I don't attribute just down to meno
3 years ago after my sudden onset of symptoms they said I was borderline b12 deficient (just below the UK silly range actually) and said it didn't need treating although I was suffering many of the symptoms, I kept on at them so they gave me tablets for 3 months then retested , which was then up to 219 (UK range 211-911) because i had tipped into their range they discontinued treatment, then said oh your in peri menopause. I continued self treating with tablets and although not brilliant, def better than I had been, for some reason I stopped and I can't remember when, but Xmas time all my symptoms came back plus more, I have developed double vision and my eyesight will blur then correct itself. I get crashing fatigue but recent weeks I've stepped up my b12 treatment, nasal sprays/sublinguals (tried injections but lost my nerve doing it myself) and I have to say although still tired not the crashing fatigue. So my thoughts are perhaps more b12/'thyroid/the double vision worries me with things like ms, although I'm not stressing, I just want answers, but now they've consistently seen my high oestrogen levels on hrt they are putting everything down to meno, but I can't shake off the feeling it's something else. I'm not talking just aches, these are painful episodes I experience , and I'm so chuffed with myself if I even have the energy to hoover ! I've had a busy (for me) weekend that only weeks ago I'd never have managed. My OH has noticed that I've got a bit of go in me lately, and apart from being on lots of supplements for a couple of weeks in sure it's down to the b12 this last month
Annie xx
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Hi again Annie
I could have written your post!
In fact, I saw a neurologist twice, had a brain scan and three spinal MRIs during MS investigations.
The pain was so bad I went from someone who ran 40+miles a week to someone hardly able to get out of bed. The weird dizzy feeling and tingling prevented me from going far from home and I spent half my life on Dr Google. It was the second, very on the ball neurologist who ruled out MS and sent me to an endocrinologist. He immediately did a blood test on day 4 of my period and found my estrogen was very deficient.
I initially struggled to believe hormones could do this to me (especially as my periods have become more regular than ever) - but I have since met many others in the same boat. A lot of the people with these more unusual symptoms seem to be younger (mine started when I was 40). I guess it's because our bodies still expect/need high amounts of estrogen at this age?
I'd be lying to say everything is perfect now I am on Qlaira, but compared with the state I was in three years ago, things are definitely miles better. I do still get the odd hour or so of crushing fatigue (the sort that makes your eyelids feel like bricks!) often at the beginning of the month, but it's no longer days/weeks at a time.
xxx
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I'm glad you got your answer
That's how I was 16 years ago when my ovaries started playing up, and next to no oestrogen and once I was put on hrt all my symptoms went, so I don't have low oestrogen
I've got low something, just don't know what !
Annie xx
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Hi Annie,
so sorry to hear you are in pain . I can sympathise , because earlier this year I was in so much back and hip pain, up all night , saw doctor who gave me a pain killing injection in my backside , and diazepam , which didn't work and I was screaming in agony and my GP sent me to hospital in an ambulance. I spent 3 weeks on 21 pain killers per day and they barely touched the pain.
Anyway I am on the mend now .
I was referred to a pain clinic , I think most areas have them . It took 6 weeks for an appointment , but I got a diagnosis and I am being monitored, so it may be worth asking your GP to refer you.
Peppermintyxx
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Yes I think chiropractor will write to gp after I see him Friday, hopefully this pain will get treated, it's affecting me every day
I'm so glad you're on the mend, it gives me hope
Annie xx
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Good, definitely asked to be referred to an NHS pain clinic , and don't let them fob you off.
Hope you feel better soon .
Pmintyxx
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I ache all over today ::) started in my L sciatica nerve making me yelp even when stationary, now low back pain and cervical pain ……. hot bath required ;)
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Mines not as intense but constantly there, painful
Saturday went Wentworth golf, rubbed my shoulder and arm constantly
Last night at brothers for BBQ, rubbing my shoulder and arm constantly
Today went for lunch with daughter and grand kiddies, bloody rubbing shoulder and arm constantly
Tomorrow is a very l-o-n-g workday, guess I'll be constantly rubbing my shoulder and arm
Roll on Friday ......
Throughout this I'm taking ibroprufen and spraying freeze spray to the areas
Annie xx
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Is it your seating position Annie?
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I wouldn't say so, I have a back support whilst I'm at work, this came on suddenly end March and has got worse, I do believe it's to do (knock on effect) from my pelvic/spine misalignment but it needs seeing to, I can't carry on like this
Annie xx
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Hows your pain today Annie? Mine hasn't been too bad during the day but seems to kick off at night! Spent a full day in Liverpool yesterday left home at 9 got home after 1 am this morning! Didn't seem to bother me a great deal but again started again on the way home. Was so tired did manage to sleep. Back to hurting again tonight! I'm back in work on thursday! so going to rest up! lol xx
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Still had ,Irishangel 😞
Glad you're getting some breaks with yours
OH gave me a lovely massage and rubbed in pain relief gel, it was sending all funny nerve pains down my arm, bits were clicking, now I'm getting pain in my armpit, not from the massage but for a few days, I cannot wait for Friday's appt
Hope yours is good for work
Annie xx
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Still had ,Irishangel 😞
OH gave me a lovely massage and rubbed in pain relief gel, it was sending all funny nerve pains down my arm, bits were clicking, now I'm getting pain in my armpit, not from the massage but for a few days, I cannot wait for Friday's appt
I sympathise as I had pain in my arm pit first, before it developed into shoulder pain. It was agony and hard to find any comfort however you sat or lay. I remember at the time thinking it was a cyst! Have you been checked for thoracic outlet syndrome? The Americans are very hot on diagnosing this, but the UK docs are less aware of it. Loads online about it.
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I thought I'd update
Still having problems though no where near as painful, still seeing chiropractor who says he's been more gentle with the treatment because of my double vision and birth deformity
I told him I'm left with a much weaker arm and muscle twitches in the hand/fingers and pins and needles in the hand and the feeling (no visible signs) of water retention in that arm , he doesn't know why but I said at least I'm not in agony anymore, just discomfort from the shoulder blade
Annie xx
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Hi Annie pleased to hear your pain has eased :) Mine seems to have settled too so keeping fingers crossed it stays that way! :) xx
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It's been a bit worse today but I had the chiropractor yesterday
I find it flares up bad when I'm driving
Glad yours is on the mend
Annie xx
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Driving position then? I find it difficult to get comfy in our camper :-\ as I have the seating differently when parked up to when we are travelling ::)
I know that men were told not to have a wallet in their back pockets because the pressure on the sciatic nerve was causing problems.
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One of my main issues has been and currently is neck and shoulder tension. It can clear for days and then come back out of the blue.When very tight I also get lightheaded, swimmy with it. I had this almost all way through peri and am now 9 years post meno.
I saw a physio and she said it was shoulder impingment/bursitis..I personally think its a hormonal thing .Why would it not bother me some days and does others ?
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One of my main issues has been and currently is neck and shoulder tension. It can clear for days and then come back out of the blue.When very tight I also get lightheaded, swimmy with it. I had this almost all way through peri and am now 9 years post meno.
I saw a physio and she said it was shoulder impingement/bursitis..I personally think its a hormonal thing .Why would it not bother me some days and does others ?
I am convinced you're right, Zira. In fact, it was whilst having a nerve conduction study that a consultant first suggested menopause to me. He wasn't a specialist in that area, but said he'd lost count of the number of people he'd seen who were eventually diagnosed with hormonal imbalances causing nerve pain. I later saw a neurologist who said something similar and finally referred me to an endocrinologist. I am also beginning to think it's fluctuating hormone levels - rather than very high or low per se - that cause the pain?
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Zira, how long did this go on for, these are my main symptoms of peri too, the pain in my neck I'm dealing with and can cope with (just) but the swimmy fuzzy head is another level, it frightens me so much and then land up with panic and anxiety, does this ever subside cos it's ruining my life. I hope so xxx