Fibro or menopause

[carol789]

I work with colleague who "used to have fibro" now advises believes it was menopause and I may find i am same! I went through menopause 12 years ago. Any thoughts? I will try anything to stop being stiff,sore,itchy,drained, fatigued! My muscles are screaming at the moment, fed up as I had been doing well for a while.

[RayB]

Carol, if your pain problems started around the same time as the menopause then the two could be linked,,, even if they are it doesn't mean that it is going to go!

My gut feeling is that you are perhaps clutching at straws,, It's something that I tend to do my self.

Best Wishes, Ray

[carol789 in reply to RayB]

Thank you RayB

I probably am clutching, I had first severe glare up around 15 years ago. Woke up and could not move thought I had somehow paralyzed myself in my sleep.

That severity lasted 3days and then gradually improved. From then would a he and get tired but thought that was age. Went to doctors as I thought I had onset of m.s. who at time said could have been virus. Then had smaller flares on and off. Eventually Had diagnosis of fibro due to symptoms and tender pressure points when touched. Had another severe flare 4 years ago off work for 8 months really stiff tired sore seen had to have walking aid loads of specialists seen. Gradually ditched Stick due to all healthcare i had wellness. MIndfulness.exercise, medication. Found it hard to accept fibro as a diagnosis, I have accepted it now, but hate feeling this way, today is a really hard day and I can't get going muscles are screaming even in my eyes. Anyway sorry moaning do a lot of that!

[RayB in reply to carol789]

Carol, I am of the opinion you have to live with fibro to even try and understand what it's like.

Hearing your problems I do not think there is any chance of it being menopause but changing hormone profile may or may not have exaserbated the problems with the fibro.

It is very easy for people to think that because something they did helped them it will work for everyone,, your friend may well not and probably did not have fibromyalgia.

Your symptomology sounds fibro.

[carol789 in reply to RayB]

Thanks for replying RayB

[KnackeredKaty in reply to RayB]

I was OK until I started the menopause, it's all been downhill since then. With those symptoms it's doubtful that you will get a definite answer! We just have to make the most of it and don't let it beat us down. 😁

[Didoliz]

I went through menopause 12 yrs ago too and everything was either put down to that or crohns which I was diagnosed with 10 yrs before that. I now believe it's more fm than anything else (I've been diagnosed)

Besides other health issues, it's not just the fatigue and muscle aches and pains but this flipping sweating that gets me down. I've just spent the last couple of days soaking as the weather has been warm. The minute I go in the sun it starts. Everyday living becomes so much more of a problem for me in the spring/summer. Wish I could control my body thermostat x

[carol789 in reply to Didoliz]

Thank you Didoliz

[Hidden]

Hi carol789,

I also have the same question but I think it’s probably a sum of issues that makes us feel ‘ill’. Who said that there must be one cause? Usually our body can adjust to changes and suffer a bit but then things stabilise again. When 2 or more issues overlap, that’s when our body struggles to get back to a new ‘normal’ and chronic symptoms set in.

I’d say menopause and particularly perimenopause is a true roller coaster per se, but can also trigger many underlying issues.

[Al10]

I have a friend who had ME and then it was MS. The MS was a really scary diagnosis. For years she helped fundraise and help others suffering more. She waited for her mobility to disappear, but it didn't. Then one day the dr said, I don't think it's MS? Let's check again. So now she has ME again.

These diagnoses are not altogether scientific. They are the best they can do.

Yesterday women were talking about the menopause on the TV and how their GP's so often said, No not menopause, just lady silliness or somesuch. they were denied the help and advice they needed to cope with all the crazy symptoms. Worse women were admitting, relationships were lost in those wilderness years. They didn't understand. Likely they were neurotic certainly with the mood issues, you can feel it. Their Husbands didn't understand either. It is very sad.

Even if you all know you're in menopause, it isn't easy to understand and cope with the mood swings, lack of sleep, aches and pains, dryness and on and on. So much you are not told! Men also, need to know what to expect and know how they can help. Finding a younger, less snaggy model is not the ideal! Yet that is very common.

Many Women reported being unable to continue holding down a job. They say around 25% have to give up work at this time. They were clueless as to how to cope, and so were their employers.

Fibro with menopause can be like pouring petrol on a fire. It all gets more intense. But if the two arrive together? Who knows what's what? Maybe HRT is worth a look? See if it dampens down symptoms.

It's great to see menopause in the news because GP's will have to take an interest and gen up more, on the process. I think just to know it is the menopause coming would help a lot. If you are young for menopause, even a little, it's more likely your GP will fob you off. Having the symptoms taken seriously with help offered would be wonderful. Too many women are left to figure it out themselves and with underlying conditions including mental health conditions, it can be really confusing. Are we really this crazy angry beastie? Are all the aches and pains fibro worsening, or just age, and hormones?

I remember being unfairly balled out by this woman (of a certain age) at work. My colleagues were horrified. It was awful. She didn't make me cry, but if I was the sort to, I would have been a mess. My colleagues were great. i#t wasn't anything I'd done that warranted the outburst. Then some explained about 'the change and how she.. Had changed!!! Her temper had become uncontrollable. I vowed to keep out of her way in future, but then she came to me, and apologised. She was aware she had over reacted! Massively. That can't have been nice for her either I think.

What I'm trying to say is, you probably should ask for advice re; menopause. See it you can settle those symptoms at least. It may make a big difference for you.

[Emk68]

I was the opposite way round I put everything down to the menopause until a friend mentioned fibromyalgia she said another friend had it and from what I had told her I was exactly the same so my plan was to mention it to my G.P, but I kept forgetting lol eventually I did and lucky me was diagnosed with fibromyalgia xx

[Max7656]

Hi Carol,

There are a lot of people who blame Women for a lot of things. Well it’s their time of the month or it must be their age, when clearly it is more than that. I am that woman of a certain age now and was getting a lot of the symptoms we all know now as Fybro. When I was diagnosed by a Rheumatologist about eight years ago, I was in shock as I had never heard of Fybro, She gave me lots of paperwork and said go research because everybody’s Fybro can be different but still the same. I did huge amounts for weeks. Diet, exercise, additives, how to change things in your life that’s not working for you on an emotional level, btw that was my GP talking to me😀.

On top of everything else I had my ovaries removed due to a tumour, thankfully benign. I did have hormone patches for about five years and they helped hugely with the massive perspiration attacks but all these years later I still get massive perspiration attacks. A cup of hot tea would make it happen so now I cool my tea in the cup in a basin of cold water just to take the edge off.

I do have to do stretches with my body first thing in the morning just so I can get out of bed and have to push through pain barriers, but I am damned if ime going to let this get the better of me. I do hurt in all sorts of places to numerous to mention and I know a lot of you guys do the same.

I am probably one of the luckier to have had a fab GP for nearly thirty years but he is now retired. In my head I think back to his kind and thoughtful advice and have decided to stay single, happier and still working full time at sixty three. I have never been more determined than I am today and everyday to still have some semblance of life that doesn’t make me a product of this awful condition.

My admiration to all of you who have the courage and determination to fight this nasty affliction that nobody can see.

[Sarahvit]

Hi Carol, no fibro is not the same as menopause! Those coworkers who had “fibro” that went a way with “menopause” were either misdiagnosed or where miraculously heal. Menopause causes hot flashes and can cause some brain fog. I went through menopause 16yrs ago. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and CFS 24yrs ago. Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disorder where as menopause is a hormonal change that is a normal part of aging. The pain, fatigue and fibro fog are not symptoms of menopause. There are unfortunately a lot of people missed diagnosed with fibromyalgia when what they have is really something else. I knew of a doctor who was diagnosing a lot of his patients with fibro. 😊💕🦋🌻🌷💜

[robpw]

I’m definitely not going through the menopause

Unlikely that I’m going to be misdiagnosed as such ... i think that your colleague might mean well but is undermining a health condition that leaves people like us unable to function.

I do feel that fibromyalgia is the catch all for when they have no idea ( medical proffesionals) but many of us have fought hard to get a diagnosis mine was about 15 years when they finally took me seriously and agreed that something was wrong and it wasn’t me being a hyperchondriact.

I get that many of the symptoms might be similar etc but it gets me angry when I read things like that or articles that are all about fibromyalgia and only mentioning women etc.

[carol789]

Thank you all for your info and insights, really grateful. I really hate this stupid condition! ! Every inch of me hurting all weekend. 😰😰 .