I am happily married with 2 beautiful children aged 18 and 21. I work 4 days a week in a job i enjoy although can become stressfull.

In 1998 after 2 years of numerous test I was finally diagnosed with SLE, Raynards Phenomenona, then TMJ, Glaucoma( luckily found early due to being checked for taking Hydroxchloroquine), Degenerative disease of the spine, Fibromyalgia IBS ect.

I have been really lucky apart from the flare ups which needed steroid treatment I manage well, although I am a member of Lupus UK if never really wanted to look on websites etc always believed what I don’t know won’t hurt me these last 12 months my health has deteriorated, and my views have changed.

I have never felt so out of control of my body about 18 months ago I started to get the most horrendous pains in the top part of my tummy I had a Gastroscopy in August of this year, the result came back clear. I think it is food related and although I’m extremely overweight I have managed to cut out most of the food that were effecting me I still have the pain but it only last about 45-60min it totally knocks me off my feet.

In June 2012 I went abroad and caught Giardia parasite ended up in Turkish hospital for 2/3 days on a drip they gave me excellent care.

I have continued with different symptoms, the stomach pain is still present and can be very debilitating.

I have felt very lightheaded, and felt I had lost some of my hearing a MRI in september 2013 showed everything was normal, I still suffer from the lightheadedness, but like the pain in my every daily life I just get on with it.

I have been diagnosis as going through the menopause, hot sweats irritable, sleepless nights hair falling out in the hand fulls. I did have the mirena coil fitted but unfortunately Dr was unable to fit this due to my body not allowing her!!!! I was hoping the hormones would help me.

I have not felt right for a while, I continue to work as i need routine in my life or i start to become depressed but after not listening to my body and another symptom of illness i have called in sick. Work are very spportive but my job can become stressful and my body is now taking control of me and making me and listen to it.

The older i become the more symptoms i have, I dont like being out of control it frighten me.

Questions

Hormone replacement or not!!!

[jayfer]

I had a hysterectomy and so was put on HRT as I went into early menopause and never regretted it, I was on it for around 5 years. It helped with mood swings, hot flushes etc. I was tried with mirena coil before my op, but it didn't help my problems. Why suffer if HRT helps, I would give it a try. Hope this helps x

[Hidden in reply to jayfer]

I think I am going to try it. My Dr did mention that having the connective tissue disease I am at a higher risk of blood clots!!. Thanks for the reply

[overnighthearingloss]

With the lupus and all the rest you should ensure that test you for Hughes/APS before considering HRT.

I have APS and was told to stay away from HRT

[Purpletop]

Your lupus might cause inflammation of your tummy lining, hence the pain. Other than the steroids, is your lupus under control? Which side of your tummy hurts?

As for the lightheadedness, etc - menopause is not nice but you can go through it without HRT. I know there are arguments pro and against HRT but with lupus the arguments against are stronger, due to HRT causing flares.

Menopause can exacerbate your lupus symptoms too, so if your treatment plan was working ok to control it, now your doctors will need to re-assess dosage to help you through it.