RA and Perimenopause?

[Han1]

Hi there

I haven’t posted before but have had RA for 4 years and still not in remission or being helped overly by medication ( have nearly had them all). Anyway, I just wondered if anyone else has experience of RA with peri menopause? I’m 49 & although I still have periods (some longer gaps in between than others) I’ve been experiencing night sweats for a few years now ( I’d put that down to RA) but now I’m getting hot flashes during the day. I honestly don’t know if it’s the RA or the PM anymore. I’m waking up with my hands and feet on fire and hot, hot hot! My room is cold.

There are other symptoms too like headaches etc but it’s so hard to tell with these autoimmune issues what’s what sometimes, I have Hashimotos too but I think that’s fairly controlled on thyroxine.

I’d love to hear if anyone else has experience of these two things.

Thanks 😊

[Soundofmusic52]

Hi ya I am 65 started hot flushes about 10 yrs ago went through menopause had hysterectomy been on patches still having night sweats daytime not to bad but to be honest they are worse than ever I give up I just wake every hour every 2 hrs no pattern to the flushes they don’t no if it’s the medication or menopause I give up now I just live with it I don’t want any more medication in my body don’t suppose I was much help but good luck stay safe x

[Han1 in reply to Soundofmusic52]

Thank you for your reply 😊

I think it’s predominantly RA inflammation that’s going on at the moment but probably all of a piece, I don’t know. I guess night sweats are also RA symptoms?!

I know what you mean about not wanting more meds though!

Take care. X

[Soundofmusic52 in reply to Han1]

Sorry I meant hrt pills or patches I already have two injections a weeks pain killers I just don’t want anymore substances in my body 🥴😷

[Neonkittie17]

I didn’t know if it was Peri or Rituximab .. both of which can give you night sweats. Evening sweats too. Both happened same time. After around 3 years after meno my flushes really subdued and are only a couple during the night when I simply become too overheated under the covers. I resisted HRT at my docs advice due to my complex pharmacology she said! It was so hard but I managed somehow. Some docs would give you HRT instantly but mine was adamant not to. I have Graves disease but I’m euthyroid at the mo and several years on Carbimazole but if uncontrolled, Graves can give you flushes too but I don’t know about Hashi. It was baffling to me as to which was causing it. Also Fentanyl patches which I took can make you sweat at night. I hope you can shed some light on this. Could your current RA med(s) be a factor? Uncontrolled R.A. could also be a reason. I hope your rheumy can help or a rheumy pharmacologist if your hospital has one. Mind hasn’t, the but one hospital nearby does and was helpful in the past. Good luck.

[Hidden]

I suffered night sweats in my 30s my mother had an early menopause 39. It was presumed it was peri menopause. Unexpectedly got pregnant at 34 and had a hysterectomy but retained overies at 36. Sweats and fatigue was shocking but was told it was depression started hurt at 42 but symptoms continued diagnosed with RA at 49 I’m still taking her and still suffer desperate night sweats and sweats during the day but 🤞🏻they getting less since I started Baricitinib 4 weeks ago. I will be monitoring it as Baricitinib is slowly working on my RA maybe the sweats will disappear completely. I was told to continue with het to protect my bones.

[Boxerlady]

I had an awful perimenopause with SO many horrible symptoms and started HRT at 49; I'd had night sweats for a few years but it was the other symptoms which made me take the plunge.I developed RA 2 years ago and this year (at 60) have stopped the HRT. The night sweats have returned (but I'm able to drop back to sleep easily) and I've now started daytime flushes (didn't have them during peri.) So far I'm coping OK so probably won't restart HRT unless things deteriorate but I'm very grateful that it suited me so well. It can interact with thyroxine, I think, so some women have to adjust the dose when they start HRT.

[oldtimer]

Well worth having a discussion with a GP with an interest in female matters who knows about HRT. HRT can be used together with medication for Rheumatoid Disease.

[Leics]

I had a hysterectomy at 35 although my ovaries were retained but obviously packed in before I was 40. I’ve been on HRT patches since then and I’m 56 now although they’re oestrogen only. Best way to check is ask for a hormone profile blood test at your GP’s they should at least tell you if you’re definitely peri menopausal. I wouldn’t be without my HRT I have tried doing without before it DEFINITELY helps my pain levels protects my bones because as yet I haven’t got osteoporosis 🤞and I have had steroids in lots of various ways. And of course no hot sweats day or night unless I’m taking steroids which can make me flush occasionally. Each to their own but I’m not coming off it anytime soon. I am fully aware of the risks but I’m not good at all without it.