I'm having symptoms of the menopause......I've also noticed the skin on my fingers are becoming tighter, more shiny and stiffer....,

[wartsandall]

has anyone else noticed similar symptoms or do you think this is just a coincidence ?........I'm taking oil of evening primrose to try to help with the hot flushes and the terrible night sweats, but I haven't noticed any improvements...I have also noticed that my fingers are more flexed and the joints are locking into a fixed bent position and I have to pull, and stretch my fingers back into position........has anyone had similar symptoms?.....please help xx

[zenabb]

Yes they are symptoms of scleroderma (systemic sclerosis). I suggest you see a rheumatologist and be properly tested and disgnosed.

[wartsandall in reply to zenabb]

Thank you for your reply Zenabb........I'm sorry I didn't explain myself properly,..... I already have the diagnosis of scleroderma (systemic sclerosis)...but, I have noticed some changes on my hands since my menopausal symptoms have increased in severity....what I'm really concerned about is that my scleroderma seems to have progressed slightly since my menopause reared it's ugly head....have you any knowledge or experience of these symptoms ? xx

[zenabb in reply to wartsandall]

I am sure it must have happened to me but in the mist of everything I don't remember. I tend to do that it helps me. We get over so many things.

[wartsandall in reply to zenabb]

Thank you Zenabb for taking the time to answer me, I'll try xx

[lollipop]

sounds just like me, i got tested in june and apparenly and post menopausal but i had my last period in jan this year. The night sweats are awful and evening primrose didnt touch me. My fingers became more bent too and i try to do the excercises to prevent them worsening, i feel for you and hope it improves. I am still having the night sweats but i think they have decreased a little of late (unless thats just one more thing i have got used to having to deal with!)

[wartsandall in reply to lollipop]

Hi lollipop...........I'm so grateful for your reply...I was beginning to feel as though I was cracking up and associating every single ache, pain and symptom to my having scleroderma....I can honestly hold my hands up and say that the skin on my hands have become tighter and my hands are stiffer since my full blown menopausal symptoms have reared their ugly head......Every night and during the day,.... I'm soaking wet with sweat and my head feels like it's going to pop right off my shoulders......in the mornings my hands are flexed and stiff in a bent position...my fingers are locked into the palm of my hand and I have to pull them back into a straight position,..... I wonder if any of the specialist scleroderma centers have looked into an association between the menopause and an increase of severity of symptoms in women with scleroderma.....take care xx

[lollipop in reply to wartsandall]

bless you have you thought about wearing a splint at night to keep fingers straight

[wartsandall in reply to lollipop]

The OT has supplied me with pressure garments to reduce the swelling in my fingers and I was given splints to wear when I need them.....for gardening, driving etc.....I'm considering asking for splints for during the night because my fingers are bent into my palm and I have to pull them backwards to straighten them...take care xx

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