Introduction.

[juneann]

This post started off as a reply regarding links between RA and hormones, but as I have only ever dipped into this fabulous site from time to time maybe I should introduce myself and cover the point of RA and hormones.

If I really wanted to link my RA or certainly auto-immune disease to a hormonal imbalance I would take us back to June 2000, and although I do believe it's down to hormones I'm not honestly sure this change was the true trigger.

As previously mentioned in other post replies I have had erratic periods and PMT since I started at 15, I am now 55 and still menstruating. My periods would arrive five or six weeks apart but never four which I accepted and coped with the surprise each time perfectly, just never got used to the PMT. In 2000 my husband a complete stranger to me at the time walked into my office, by the second or third visit he'd asked me out, all within a week. I was two months away from 38th birthday and by our second date I had developed the most horrendous dry mouth.

With the dry mouth I had trouble swallowing dry food even certain meats like turkey and crusty bread was impossible, it had a dreadful impact on me. That to me was the start and although I didn't mention it to a doctor I now recognise it as Seogrens Syndrome which I was diagnosed with some years later.

Back to the romance, hormones and auto-immune disease...Four months after becoming engaged and eight months after meeting my hubby and developing SS I fell pregnant immediately as planned, I became a first time mum at the age of 39 and as soon as my periods returned I develeoped for the first time in 25 years a 28 day cycle.

In 2004 following the most incredible pain in a wrist I was diagnosed with RA which hit most joints in very quick succession, the stiffness was incredible to the point of almost losing the ability to walk by the third year, I was then approved biologics and more recently Rituximab infusions. Although I still have joint damage, joint restriction and some pain, I feel it gave me back a huge part of myself if not all.

I strongly believe that RA and many other diseases are linked to a hormone imbance abd think rhat once this is studied more the rest will follow.

Hope to catch up with you all soon.

[Hidden]

Hi juneann

That is interesting re hormonal trigger.

For me, it seems stress and traumatic events are the trigger but really no way of knowing why those act as trigger.

It will be three years by mid July 2918 since first symptoms appeared, long past menopause. That itself is fortunate since so many struggle the greater part of their lives with the pain.

Hope your ‘stable disease’ experience continues.

Angela

[Hidden]

Agree. I think hormones have got to play some part. For a start it is primarily a female disease. Many are near to or are post menopausal. I also know of someone whose male child had severe juvenile RA and was told by specialists that there was a fifty percent chance he would grow out of the disease when he hit puberty and he did ! The person who told me this said the specialists then denied that they had ever said that.

[bpeal1]

I think hormones can play a part. I started getting symptoms about 9 months after having my daughter. When I was diagnosed when she was about 18 months old my consultant said it was absolutely classic for women to develop it within 12 months of giving birth.

Interestingly my daughter is hitting puberty and has just been diagnosed with JIA

[juneann]

For me possibly hormones or virus, maybe the impact of both. My son had mild chickenpox at around a year old which I caught very very mild. Some years later I developed very mild shingles but managed to get anti-viral immediately. I could keep guessing, but the answer is I don't really know as in my life I've had scarlet fever, German measles, glandular fever and TB.

[dryan]

I have done a lot of reading on this topic, hormones and autoimmune connection and to tell you the truth I found MS has at times been diagnosed in new mothers, but RA no so. I was diagnosed at age 15 with RA. After the birth of my first child at 23 I had such a flare. Also after my second child 11 yrs. later. But, several Rheumatologists could not confirm any connection. I think harmone imbalances will make situation worse, but I am not clear on any connection. A virus began it all for me and I know this used to be though of as "infectious arthritis." No longer is this believed. Good conversation, we all keep searching for a connection. After menopause for me my RA got worse for awhile, then went back to just chronic, little flares. Best to you.

[juneann]

Infectious arthritis is often seen as a different game player and something to recover from. Hormones still play a huge roll in my mind.

[Hidden]

Hi juneann, so far as I know, pain and swelling in joints is caused by an over production of the hormone prostaglandins, which of course is also the cause of very heavy menstrual bleeding, and post partum haemorrhage. I've got bad arthritis and suffered from the heavy periods and nearly died having my son, due to haemorrhage. A lot of the drugs used for arthritis are prostaglandin blockers.

[juneann in reply to Hidden]

Wow that's interesting, did I mention in my introduction that on top of RA I have suffered with menstrual flooding for almost six years. At 55 I should hopefully be stopping soon, but as yet it is not letting up. I work in a school and last month I had to hide under leggings and skirter dress the fact that I was wearing a 'Super Plus Extra' tampon, a nightime pad, plus a hand towel folded up. Unfortunately the clots flooded right through as always and I had to go home and lay up for days.

[Hidden]

Hi, juneann, I know it is difficult and embarrassing, but wouldn't you ask your GP about the flooding? I had that and it was fibroids, (which are also caused by excessive hormones.) I was 45. They cut them out, but I got heavy bleeding for two months afterwards, and have been left with a prolapse. That was a long time ago now, and they can do you a "quickie" vaginal hysterectomy nowadays, which might solve your problem. Kind regards,

[juneann]

Hi scruffyrabbit (love the name), Embarassment is not an issue for me. I was offered the coil and ablation as a last resort, I chose to go with the flow (literally) and bide my time. I do have a fibroid which is being scanned again on Friday. I just keep thinking as I approach 56 this has to stop soon surely.

[Mandy8175]

I was diagnosed at 12, and always had irregular , heavy, and painful periods. They became regular for a few months after childbirth and the flow and pain did too! It has returned with a vengeance and even worse now that I'm on blood thinners. I lean towards a hormonal connection as well.

I hope your disease activity stays dormant!

Mandy