Anyone else have/ might have rheumatoid arthritis? How is it in relation to your cycles?

[PurpleSynesthesia]

Good afternoon lovely ladies, here's a random from me.

I know endo pains & symptoms can literally affect women from head to toe, but I wondered if I might have something else going on too.

I have very painful joints, mainly fingers, knees, wrists & neck. I get episodes of intense fatigue & exhaustion that can last from minutes to days. I'm waiting for a neck MRI appointment (thank you locum GP after getting nowhere with my regular GP for 3 years). I feel a lot older than 35!

I've noticed that it always seems worse around the time of menstruation. Today is bad, I'm due on any day between today & Tuesday.

I have no diagnosis yet, just wondering if anyone else has a similar experience?

Lots of love xx

#autoimmunedisease

[Moon_maiden]

It wouldn’t surprise me, especially if they do decide endo is an autoimmune disease. (I am more in the yes group) if you get one for some reason you get others.

I hope MRI goes ok, I’ve got one for small bowel and I think letter said pelvis as well.

[PurpleSynesthesia in reply to Moon_maiden]

Thank you. My mum has at least 3 autoimmune conditions 😔

Hope your MRI is helpful & goes well too.

[Moon_maiden in reply to PurpleSynesthesia]

Makes sense., they reckon it’s likely hereditary. I’m sure there must be a trigger.

My mum has a rheumatic condition, I thought I’d got away with it. I think she had endo, had a hysterectomy late thirties and horrendous bowel issues.

Are you keeping a diary of symptoms?

[PurpleSynesthesia in reply to Moon_maiden]

Yes, I'm sure there must be a trigger too.

I am keeping a diary... It's ridiculously long. The last doctor I saw wasn't interested, but the locum was very helpful over the phone. Was actually a shock to be listened to 😅.

[Moon_maiden in reply to PurpleSynesthesia]

I’ve had that, kept notes and they had no interest whatsoever, very frustrating.

Pity it was a Locum not there all the time. The Locum can make decisions based on medical reasoning rather than budget and not worry 😆. Maybe we should ask if a Locum is in 😂

[Hayleyrose28]

Hi

I’ve got endo and Lupus (along with a few other conditions). I definitely get worse with lupus around my periods - my rheumatologist says it’s common that hormones play a part in making the lupus flare, which I’m most definitely feeling this week 😣. I presume this might be the case with any rheumatic disorder. I’m 23 so can really sympathise with you feeling older than your age because this can all feel incredibly debilitating.

If your GP hasn’t already, then maybe ask them to carry out some antibody blood tests as a lot of rheumatic conditions can mimic each other, so some blood tests may be able to narrow it down.

Hope you begin to feel a bit better soon, and get some answers from your scan x

[PurpleSynesthesia in reply to Hayleyrose28]

Thanks lovely.

It's definitely worth asking my GP - hopefully it'll be a locum again & I'll get somewhere. I really need to switch surgeries but it's way down on the list of things I have to accomplish each day.

Have a good night x