Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Rosebear on September 23, 2015, 02:58:13 PM
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I have been going through the menopause for 5 years now & was on HRT for nearly 3 years. I can tolerate the hot flushes etc but has anyone else experienced tingling/numb fingers. This is MUCH WORSE AT NIGHT & sometimes can last for an hour, leaving me in tears as it is so painful. I have Googled it & only help I could find is to take MACADEM supplement. However one reviewer said it upset her thyroid medication (which I take) & made her really I'll. I am getting desperate, can anyone HELP!!
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Thank you Prajna,
Yes, it is to do with circulation. The levels of Estrogen upsets the nervous system. Hopefully it will stop soon!
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Hi
I am now post-menopausal, but around 9 months ago started experiencing numbness and tingling in my fingertips as well as my whole hand 'going to sleep' when holding the phone.
My GP sent me for 'nerve conduction tests' and it was confirmed that I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (compression of the wrist). Causes can include repetitive work, Underactive Thyroid (which I also have too), Hormones (Menopause/Pregnancy) - so a double whammie!!!
At the moment I am not being treated as I am only suffering intermittently - treatment includes night splints, steroid injections or in bad cases surgery.
Would suggest you visit your GP to get these tests arranged.
Tina X
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Thanks Tina,
I had tests for carpal tunnel syndrome, but that was ruled out, if only it was that simple!!
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Sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome to me ……. common in pregnant and menopausal women ;)
Who 'ruled' it out?
Do you get pins and needles at night?
Do you have to hang arms over the edge of the bed to ease symptoms?
If so, it's CTS ;)
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YES! This was one of my first symptoms and was really frightening at the time, so I sympathise. It was so bad that at times, wearing a bra with straps or a necklace would set it off. CTS and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome both ruled out, as was MS.
I tried Amitriptyline and Cymbalta, but both caused other side effects. Eventually, when a second neurologist suggested a hormonal cause, and I was found to have very low estrogen (normal FSH) I started HRT/the pill and both helped a lot. I do still occasionally get it on the blank pill days, but it no longer scares me.
Lack of vit B12 can cause similar symptoms, but do get yourself tested before self medicating. I learnt the hard way!! x
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Not CTS as affected my thumbs & little fingers too, which are not connected to the carpal nerve. Also, NOTHING relieves the pain ( I have tried everything) & just have to let it run its course, sometimes only 10 minutes but occasionally an hour & sometimes more than once a night, so really tired!
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When I was on HRT the tingling went away as did all other symptoms ( I didn't realise there were so many!)
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I thought of carpal tunnel too Rosebear as my mum started off with tingling in her thumbs and all fingers before it finally settled - after a year or two - to just the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger. The main thing is that carpal tunnel is always worse at night.
Taz x
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My mind is ticking over - different nerve roots stem from different parts so is there a problem with the elbow which would affect some of the fingers/thumb but not the others :-\
Could also stem from compression in the cervical spine ……..
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Taken from Wikipedia:
The median nerve is a nerve in humans and other animals in the upper limb. It is one of the five main nerves originating from the brachial plexus.
The median nerve originates from the lateral and medial cords of the brachial plexus, and has contributions from ventral roots of C5 & C6 (lateral cord) and C8 & T1 (medial cord).
The median nerve is the only nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the disability that results from the median nerve being pressed in the carpal tunnel.
Ulna nerve: The ulnar nerve can suffer injury anywhere between its proximal origin of the brachial plexus all the way to its distal branches in the hand. It is the most commonly injured nerve around the elbow.[4] Although it can be damaged under various circumstances, it is commonly injured by local trauma or physical impingement ("pinched nerve"). Injury of the ulnar nerve at different levels causes specific motor and sensory deficits:
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome? [NHS Choices]
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of one of the nerves that controls sensation and movement in the hands (median nerve).
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in your wrist made up of small bones and a tough band of tissue that acts as a pulley for the tendons that bend the fingers.
It isn't known why the median nerve becomes compressed in most cases, although certain things are thought to increase the risk of CTS developing, such as:
a family history of CTS
pregnancy – up to about 50% of pregnant women develop CTS
injuries to the wrist
other health conditions, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis
strenuous, repetitive work with the hand
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According to my doctor, definitely not CTS. If you look up the 34 symptoms of the menopause, the last one listed is tingling extremities, just seems that I have it real bad!
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What are you doing when the sensation happens?
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I have tried everything. Rubbing them, shaking them, clenching & opening hand, which is REALLY painful to do. At its worst I just pace the floor in tears!
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How awful. Ice packs next time?
A lack of minerals may be the cause ………. or at least be aggravating the problem. I found magnesium gave me 'the runs' ::)
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Thanks Prajna, will try magnesium, I am so desperate, I am willing to try anything! Do you get it in liquid or tablet?
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I have tried rubbing them, shaking them, clenching & opening hands, which is REALLY painful, I just pace the floor in tears til it has passed!
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Hadn't thought about an ice pack, but I would imagine that the pain is something like frostbite or having your hand trapped in something heavy! Usually it is just one hand but sometimes both at once! :(
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Raynauds disease? Have a look-see at their web-site?
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Thanks CLKD. Just looked up Raynauds, but don't think it is as they do not feel cold & don't change colour. Just likened the feeling to frostbite coz of the total numbness. Was really hoping that someone else had experienced the same & had a miracle cure!!!
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Keep asking! We are a Mine of Info on here ;)
Did you have an X-ray of cervical spine in recent years?
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Thanks Sparkle. Going to try magnesium as someone else recommended it too.
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This is me to a "T".
My right hand is the worst and at night I wake up and my hand is that numb I swear you could chop it off and I wouldn't feel a thing!
Saw my GP about something else and I mentioned the numbness, he mentioned carpal tunnel but as I ride as bike everyday I tend to rest my hands on the handlebars and this also makes my hands tingle so he said I may have damage the nerve? :( :(
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Hi LizeeeH,
Definitely sounds like we have the same thing, mine is also mainly my right hand(I am right handed) but pretty sure it is a menopausal symptom as it went away when I was on HRT! Just seems to be a rarer symptom, but it is listed in 34 symptoms of the menopause. Just wish I could find a cure or a way to relieve it, even my GP wasn't aware of it. Let me know if you find an answer!!
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Hi LizeeeH,
Definitely sounds like we have the same thing, mine is also mainly my right hand(I am right handed) but pretty sure it is a menopausal symptom as it went away when I was on HRT! Just seems to be a rarer symptom, but it is listed in 34 symptoms of the menopause. Just wish I could find a cure or a way to relieve it, even my GP wasn't aware of it. Let me know if you find an answer!!
Have you tried any other drugs? Amitriptyline and Cymbalta (Duloxetine) both helped me a lot. I just started off on too high a dose and got side effects. Like you, I am convinced it's hormonal. This was initially picked up by a neurologist rather than a hormone specialist - I suspect they see a number of ladies like us who present with nerves issues but who actually have issues with their endocrine system.
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Hi Briony,
Thanks for your advice. Guess I will have to get my doctor to refer me to a neurologist, but maybe he will prescribe me pills in meantime. It's got to the point where I don't look forward to going to bed anymore, even though I am so tired from broken sleep!
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Ask for a cervical spine X-ray ?
LizeeH - compression of the nerves can cause damage so maybe adopt a different cycling position? The Pros. have different types of handle-bars for different types of cycling so maybe have a look-see ………..