Fibro and menopause

[madmiddleaged]

Hi, just had it confirmed that I am in perimenopause( no periods for 6 months). My doctor thinks I might have fibro as well, as my symptoms fit and have felt unwell for a long time. But the last few months have felt so ill and wondering if the menopause affects fibro? Thank you xx

[Hidden]

Hi. I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through this. Yes, I think that the menopause upheaval does affect fibromyalgia. My fibro only started when I went into peri-menopause. I’ve been on bioidentical HRT for three years, which has helped with the menopause symptoms but not the fibromyalgia sadly. I hope you get some relief soon. Roo xx

[madmiddleaged in reply to Hidden]

Hi thank you so much! I’m just about to start my hrt gel and progesterone tablets. Hoping this might help a little. Sorry to hear yours hasn’t helped your fibromyalgia. Take care xx

[Hidden in reply to madmiddleaged]

You’re on the same HRT as me then. I wouldn’t be without it and will be on it for the rest of my life. I hope it helps you too. I don’t think HRT helps fibro but you never know, you might be lucky. Let us know. Gentle hugs. Xxx

[madmiddleaged in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I really hope it does help! I’ll let you know xx

[Shanpa69]

Hi l saw your post and could really relate l am in peri menopause too but l have had 3-4 months no cycle then a sudden bleed which has come with lots of other symptoms.. l was speaking about it with my consultant from the fibromyalgia syndrome service and she was saying that going through the menopause with fibromyalgia can be difficult and can increase your fibromyalgia symptoms she was saying that l will have to work on strategies which will help and support me to manage both symptom the best l can. I am going to try HRT but l am going to try the patches as l already take a lot of tablets for various conditions l hope your

HRT helps take care

[Mum007]

What most people don’t tell you is that menopause can give you huge joint pain and fatigue as well as other symptoms although you rarely hear about it. I have been on HRT for 9 years due to this and have slowly (over a year or so) been weaning myself off them as doctors don’t like you to take them once you reach 60. I have been diagnosed with chronic pain syndrome which is similar to fibro but without the sore pressure points. I get joint and muscle pain and fatigue. I have just gone back onto full HRT to see if it is due to the reduction of hormone tablets I am taking.

[Helensumber]

Hi, I'm just a few months past peri into menapause and I have been the worst since getting the Fibromyalgia and CFS diagnosis and making improvements through management, I'm in the 3rd month of my 1st try with HRT patches, but they aren't helping much, unfortunately my doctor isn't particularly supportive, doesn't seem to have any understanding of these conditions and didn't want me starting HRT so I went 11 months without a bleed, bled once, then another 18 months without a bleed before starting any HRT, then started on the lowest dose contrell(?) patches with the instructions to get back to her in 3 months.I hope you get everything sorted, I'm feeling like this is the straw that broke the camels back and have gone from managing things fairly well to nearly giving up, I haven't socialised since early January 2020 because the breaking out in sweats where it literally drips off my nose, so living alone without local friends and family, I go from one week to the next and the only person I see face to face is the Sainsbury delivery person xx

[klr31]

Check thyroid, D, B12, ferritin and folate.

Karen