RA and menopause

[HBJ65]

Hi, does anyone think the menopause aggravates RA? I'm on biologics and methertrexate which doesn't seem to be working at the min 😱 I'm on max pain killers which isn't even taking the edge off. Any advice would be appreciated xx

[girli1111]

Oh yes, I definitely think so. I was diagnosed years ago, but things only kicked off last summer when I started a surgical menopause when I had to have my ovaries removed. The difficulty is I can’t unravel what symptoms are due to menopause and which are RA.

[HBJ65 in reply to girli1111]

Great 😂 Aren't we blessed. I've had a terrible 4+ weeks of chronic pain and flares,today during a flush I wondered if there could be a connection with the menopause. Had RA nearly 18 years and now the delights of this on top. I got some natural stuff from Holland and barret but can't take with my meds 😕 It never crossed my mind you can't take natural stuff with certain meds xx

[lornaisobel]

HRT x

[HBJ65 in reply to lornaisobel]

I'm definitely going to ask about this but my mum had breast cancer so not sure they will xx

[girli1111]

I’m on hrt, and currently looking at increasing dose as I’m terribly fatigued. I didn’t think I’d be able to have it as I’ve had a DVT but fortunately my gynaecologist referred me to a specialist menopause clinic in Oxford and they’ve taken into account my medical history (I’ve also had breast ducts removed because of abnormal cells) and I’ve been prescribed bio-identical hrt as this is considered lower risk for me, so it’s worth asking.

[HBJ65 in reply to girli1111]

That's what confuses me am I fatigued with the RA or menopause or both. Either way I've no energy left in me. I will definitely go see my GP about hrt. Thank you xx

[girli1111 in reply to HBJ65]

I would, and if you draw a blank ask about menopause clinic..... I didn’t even know such a place existed, and they don’t just dish out hrt, they look at alternatives and holistic treatments if that’s more your thing. The lady I saw had a 30 year background in menopause, and GPS, with all respect, just can’t be that specialised.

[HBJ65 in reply to girli1111]

Aww thats brill advice😁 I really can't cope with the flushes. Already red hot with the RA lol. I never knew there was a clinic either. Fingers crossed then xx

[Kalimers65 in reply to HBJ65]

Buy Floradix from Boots. It's great for tiredness.

[HBJ65 in reply to Kalimers65]

I need to check what I can take with methertrexate and biologics first. But will look in to it as well as HRT xx

[Yoyoyoyoma]

No doubt at all for me. This whole RA nightmare kicked in this year when I began getting hot flashes n fully ‘embarked’ on menopause. Menopause was the trigger that woke the sleeping giant within me. My rheumy also verified that hormones have a lot to do with RA... that’s why more women than men suffer from it😫

[HBJ65 in reply to Yoyoyoyoma]

I can't cope with the flushes. Had a really bad time of them over the weekend😱xx

[Yoyoyoyoma in reply to HBJ65]

Yah, mine were SEVERE for 5 months then stopped suddenly. I seemed to trigger them by thought....like, oh wow, what am I gonna make for dinner? HOT FLASH. It was endless. Nights were unbearable. I was using a night fan and herbal face sprays and carrying Japanese fans around in every bag. I’m now on Chia seeds every day, St. John’s wort. Those are ‘supposed’ to work. Someone told me that if you have a sister or your mother asked how long their hot flashes went on for and yours should be approximately that length of time ...which mine were. I still get them a bit but nowhere near as severe and not as often. They will stop at some point or die down in severity so just hold on to that thought. You’ll get through it🌸

[HBJ65 in reply to Yoyoyoyoma]

I've just replied your comment but on the wrong persons. I'm rubbish on this app xx

[Yoyoyoyoma]

....cont. I was in the same position... I was having hot flashes and body aches and didn’t know what was going on but it didn’t feel right having joint aches and tiredness....that’s what prompted me to ask my regular doctor for a blood test. I described my symptoms, asking him if I could get a hormone level check and I guess he suspected something else was going on so threw the RF factor test in there n sure enough, that’s when we discovered RA....so it’s all rolled into one for me & menopause definitely brought it all on.

[HBJ65 in reply to Yoyoyoyoma]

How long you had RA xx

[Yoyoyoyoma in reply to HBJ65]

They discovered the RF factor in early Feb 2018. I’m still holding off on meds. Still no inflammation.

[Yoyoyoyoma]

...cont. I am eating chia seeds every day (helps with meno), CBD oil, tums (for calcium), fish oil and condroitin for joints. No gluten. Rigorous excercise and am, so far, keeping inflammation at bay so have not gone on any meds, (yet).

[HBJ65 in reply to Yoyoyoyoma]

What's CBD oil? I've not heard of it xx

[Yoyoyoyoma in reply to HBJ65]

CBD oil is pure Cannabis oil. I take 10mg of it per day. It has none of the phaychotropic stuff that cannabis smoked does. Its purely medicinal. It’s legal to buy at dispensaries here in California now.

[HBJ65 in reply to Yoyoyoyoma]

I watched a program on it. I didn't no that's what it was called. Does it make you drowsy? Not sure I'd dare try it even though the RA drugs probably way more dangerous xx

[Deminem]

Hia,

I started a post about the same thing before now noticing yours!

Least were not alone, I feel you!

Can't catch a break can we...pleeease.. can we!!!

D

[HBJ65 in reply to Deminem]

Hi, I've always said I wouldn't be able to cope with the flushes and there worse than I'd imagined. I hate them 😂xx

[HBJ65]

My mum didn't go through the menopause. She had a full hysterectomy at 35. Yes night time is awful I dread going to bed, I use two fans. I need to look into these seeds etc. I'm dreading summer 😕xx