Perimenopause

[Mccarj2017]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone has any advice on managing both menopause & RA symptoms?

[Hidden]

I suffered for years and eventually went on to HRT . The best thing I did. Talk to your doctor about it . HRT works for both peri and post menopause.

If your a night sweater light layers natural bedding can help. Keep your room cool. Fir flushes again layers so can strip then when cooled down keep warm. A royal pain in the 🤬😉

[Niao]

I wish I did! I know, as J1707, has said, HRT can be amazing for many, I unfortunately can't take it. My partner and I have separate duvets so I can fling mine off if needs be in the night. It is so very difficult, I find, to know what symptoms such as sweats etc. are actually down to the meno or the RA or meds!

Hope you find something that alleviates things, it's not nice to say the very least! x

[Mccarj2017]

Thanks both. The list of symptoms eg; brain fog, forgetful, weepy, fatigue, aches & pains, it’s difficult to know what is the cause. I’ve also recently changed to methotrexate injections which maybe another reason why I’m feeling wiped out. So frustrating!

[Boxerlady]

I went on HRT at 48/9 for awful perimenopause symptoms and it was brilliant. I didn't develop RA until 59 but have recently come off HRT (at 60) and thankfully the old symptoms haven't returned. I do have some night sweats and hot flushes (which I didn't have pre-HRT) but they're mild and manageable. I'm also on a very low dose of Mirtazapine; I initially started it (about 6 years ago) for anxiety and sleep issues and have continued with it, at a reduced dose, because it gives me a great night's sleep. Happily, it helps me get back to sleep quickly after waking because of the night sweats so they're not impacting on my sleep quality - that would be a deal breaker for me as I'm useless without a decent night's sleep!I don't regret taking HRT for so long and would consider restarting it if I felt that I needed to but I'm coping fine without it now and quite like having one less medication now that I'm on so many for RA.

[oldtimer]

I took HRT with no problems with my DMARD and benefitted enormously. I could not have continued working without its help.

[Boxerlady in reply to oldtimer]

Me too - work would have been impossible without it

[Mccarj2017]

Thanks all. I’ve been given antidepressants instead of HRT?

[Hidden in reply to Mccarj2017]

🤬🤬🤬yes this happened to me too . Doc just didn’t listen . Try a second opinion

[bubblyalex in reply to Mccarj2017]

Oh for goodness sake at whoever gave you them 🙄 I wouldn’t touch them ... if you have started them you will need to wean off them so don’t stop them all at once.

[WomanOfFaith in reply to Mccarj2017]

I’m on antidepressants because I had breast cancer so I can’t go on HRT and the antidepressants works very well 👍🏻

[Boxerlady]

I'd agree that it's better to try HRT rather than antidepressants if there's no reason why it's not a good idea for you re other risk factors. I only had to add Mirtazapine after several years when I was under a lot of stress. Initially the HRT helped with all the symptoms you mention and an awful lot more but it's possible that my other symptoms were the ones which really pointed to it being an hormonal problem.

[Mccarj2017]

Thank you all for your advice. I’m going to make an appointment with a different doctor or try a well woman clinic xx

[Hidden in reply to Mccarj2017]

Good idea well woman clinic.. let’s us know how you get on x

[Alicepirate]

Not saying this cured my symptoms fully as I had a full hysterectomy in my early 40s so went straight in full on menopause was bit hideous ..... but I did find sage tea helped with the flushes plus took a really good menopause mix food based vitamin, although obvs need to be careful with some vitamins and RA meds. Didnt stop all the menopause issues but defo helped become more manageable as I couldnt take HRT . Sage tea is quite cheap so might be worth a try while you awaiting an appointment, no well women clinics near me I was shocked how little help there is for menopause issues its v hard for lots of us.

[Orangebox]

I found starting HRT really stabilised my RA. Read around the issue Menopause Caféhormoneequilibrium.co.uk/ab...