Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Pippa52 on October 04, 2022, 09:17:29 AM
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Hi lovely ladies
I am experiencing really severe muscle pain and stiffness all over. I started back on Oestrogel 2 months ago having had to be switched to several different types of oestrogen only HRT over the past 6 months due to the shortages. I had a blood test 2 months ago which showed very low blood levels of oestrogen (69). I had been starting to improve with no fast heartbeats and sleeping much better. I have been slowly increasing the dose as advised as am super sensitive to dose increases so have to go slowly and am on 2 1/2 pumps daily now. I tried going up slightly last week but it caused really bad migraines and then this is when this intense pain and stiffness set in. Has anyone else suffered from this? I have a check up and new blood test booked for end of November but am really struggling to function at the moment. Your inputs/advice/experiences would be so appreciated. xx
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Hi pippa, I really feel for you as I'm suffering the same thing, I moved back to gel from patches last November, I've had increasingly bad joint and muscle pain, in fact it's the one problem I just can't get any relief from, I'm currently on 3 pumps was on 4 but was too much, last week I had an appointment with a rheumatology consultant and he's done a load of blood tests, xrays and sending me to physio, I do have osteoarthritis in my knees and lower spine but he is saying he suspects I have fibromyalgia, for me I hurt and ache every where, I did read on the pil that comes with estrogel that joint and muscle pain is a side effect but I really don't know, what I do know is no matter how much estrogen I use the pain gets worse not better, sorry I have no answers but just wanted you to know you are not alone , really hope you find relief because it's awful I'm 49 but feel 80 x
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Amazing grace - thanks so much for your reply and I am so very sorry to hear you are suffering too. Its rubbish it really is. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia several years ago but although I got the occasional flare up and it does limit my physical exercise I have never been this badly affected before. I guess it might be a double whammy of that on top of still low oestrogen levels I'm going to give it a few more days to see if things calm down (any other flare up I have had in the past has only lasted a few days) and if not I will make an appointment with the Doctor. I am also getting a bit of anxiety and some hot flushes again so it may well be my oestrogen level is still very low so will get that checked out. I am so coming back as a man. Again so very sorry to hear your story and I do hope so much you can find some relief. xxxxx
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As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out; skin, vagina, scalp, eyes, deep in the ears, nostrils. Muscles may also become lax = aches and pains. Hiaturs hernia and frozen shoulder are 'common' as hormones rise and fall.
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CLKD - thanks so much for your post. I am so not a fan of getting older but knowledge is power as they say so am so grateful for all comments xxx
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In my head I'm 16 ;)
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Have either of you added in testosterone? I think it makes a huge difference with aches and pains etc
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Also taking pain relief 30 mins B4 exercise will help.
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Hi pippa, could I ask you if you take anything for fibromyalgia, my consultant suggested gabapentin or duloxetine, neither of which I fancy taking, I'm already on amitriptyline, I hate taking meds, and I'm so with you on coming back as a man.
Gnatty, I haven't tryed testosterone I want to, I've put off asking my gp because I feel like they will just say no, I've got a review coming up in December so I will ask her then, am I right in thinking gp doesn't prescribe it though x
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Hi Pippa. Is the stiffness worse in the larger muscles such as hips thighs shoulders?
Taz x
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Amazing grace - no I don't take anything for Fibro. I did try Nortriptyline (v similar to Amytriptyline apparently) but it made me feel awful. Until now I have managed mostly quite well with gentle exercise etc and learning to pace myself but this latest episode has really floored me it's never been this bad before. Like you I hate taking pills etc - I do take Vitamin D in the winter months though.xx
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Taz 2 - its pretty much all over to be honest, wrists, shoulders, neck, thighs, ankles, head. I did wonder about polymyalgia (please no!) and if things don't improve it will be one of the things I will ask to be tested for. x
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Gnatty - I have thought about testosterone but I was told I had to get my oestrogen levels right first? I will definitely mention it too though - thank you x
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CLKD - totally with you.... I completely relate to being 16 in my head :) sadly my body though is very much in my 69 year old mode at the moment!! ;D
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I never want to wake up or get out of bed .......... once out and dressed I'm more or less OK as long as I have plenty to keep me occupied ::)
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Taz 2 - its pretty much all over to be honest, wrists, shoulders, neck, thighs, ankles, head. I did wonder about polymyalgia (please no!) and if things don't improve it will be one of the things I will ask to be tested for. x
The muscles affected in PMR are quite specific to begin with. It usually comes on suddenly in the hips and shoulders and is worse first thing in the morning. It affects how far you can raise your arms quite drastically. I never want to wake up or get out of bed .......... once out and dressed I'm more or less OK as long as I have plenty to keep me occupied ::)
Do you know what your vitamin D level is? Many people need to take it all year round so if you are only using it in the winter you could be low?
Taz x
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Taz 2 I can raise my arms right up but shoulders and thighs are certainly very stiff. I will certainly take Vit D all the year round from now on I think. I did get tested for Vit D once but that was ages ago and it was low then - 60 I think. Am only taking a low dose so will increase it to the recommended level. Thanks Taz x
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Hi,
Did you have the muscle pain before? Has it only just come on as you have increased?
The muscle pain comes on for me every time I try to increase with my particular HRT. I believe that there is something going on regarding the type I take. I never had it when I was on premarin years ago. In fact I felt like a I had a new body then - no aches at all and my ankle pain cleared up within a week. I had to stop it due to the progesterone.
Each type of estrogen can affect everyone differently. I would love to know why an increase would make you ache more.
PMxx
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GPs can prescribe testosterone but you have to say it's for low libido. X