I have been going thru the beginnings of menopause/menopause for about 2 yrs. Oddly about the same time as this autoimmune issue. When I told the rheumatologist yesterday to add hormones to med list, he said that will help your bones/joints. I hadn't really thought about it like that. Has anyone else noticed these issues interacting? And if a little is good...would more be better? I have regular mammograms and there is no breast cancer history in our family. I don't smoke either. So, comorbidities with estrogen use are minimized. I am all for minimizing pain and joint destruction. Open for opinions--please. Karla
Excellent post! I'm interested in everyone's thoughts on this as well. I believe I'm premenopausal as well, the same time this lupus kicked up for me. Actually, when I first started having these low fevers, a co-worker told me I was having a hot flash or my blood pressure was up. Which I didn't believe because my blood pressure is always low. Thanks for starting this discussion : )
I wondered about that too. But some of the symptoms of menopause are not nice either. When the OB/GYN asked if I wanted to try it--knowing full well I probably have lupus--and the rheumatologist feeling it may help--I'm giving it a whirl. I'm on a low dose to start. It seems like there's some little side things that go with these disorders that after that fact you are like, "oh, that explains something." I just wish I knew ahead of time. The ethnicity factor I was not aware of which could be why only certain family members are affected--with the Native American blood making it more likely. Of course it's deceiving when you look like the poster girl for Germany. Anyway, I am only a couple weeks into taking this low dose hormone and I have to say I do feel a little better. I have a cold and worked double shifts last weekend--so, I was hurting but I walked the dog in the park today and not hurting much at all. Poor little dog got his medicine for his achy bones. But he loves the park. I've been running alot of errands with switching jobs and in and out of car and buildings. Doin good. So, I think I'll finish the month of the hormone and see. Karla
Lie Trisha said you've done a good post but can i highly suggest before trying hormone meds...that you have your GP or specialist run a menopause test...it's a blood test which is taken and can tell if your in the menopause or not. The blood test is expensive and doctor's here don't like doing them through that reason but because i had so many issues with monthly's before i had an operation to stop them...my GP ran the test twice and i'm 44 and no signs of menopause.
You could be going on hormone drugs for no reason what so ever...i was put on years ago to help my hormones which thickened my womb.
Hormones do, do alot to our sytem with Lupus and like poobie also stated (Hormones do help prevent osteoporosis that comes with menopause) but if you not in the menopause what's the point of taking hormone drugs when it's actually Lupus itself causing the issues.
Hormones in general like thyroid trouble does'nt help and causes a wide range of symptoms...so i'd definitely ask to be tested first.
Yes it was brought out here a few years back so the states will definitely have it.
It's called an "FSH Test" because we both know hormones cause alot of our issues but the meds can help with joints which is stated but side affects can cause other issues which i stated so it's best to get checked first.
"The FSH test"
One of the ways doctors can tell if you are nearing the menopause is by doing an FSH test. They usually do it if they think your symptoms may be due to something other than the menopause.
This test measures the levels of a chemical called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in your blood. When your oestrogen levels start to drop, the pituitary gland in your brain releases more FSH to try to get your ovaries to make oestrogen.
So, if your levels of FSH are rising, you could be going through the menopause But if you are taking the contraceptive pill, the FSH test won't work, because the pill affects your hormones.
Love Terri xxx
sunrisetrisha said:
Terri,
I appreciate this, I didn't know about this test, good to know.
I had a total pan hyst at 23, back in the dark ages there were only pills for hormone replacement, they made me sick, so I just stopped taking them, in 10 years I was in bad shape from lack of hormones, by this time the patch was out, I have used them since and am 57 and don't ever want to give them up! They make me feel so much better!
Yes, I thought I would take myself off them at one time and was a mess, everyone I worked with and all of my friends begged me to go back on them, so I learned my lesson!
They will really help you, Karla! I currently use 'Vivelle', they are about the size of a postage stamp and stay on very well!
its an interesting issue isn't it? I commenced first time shift work in a labour intensive field coupled with part time study around 3 years ago, (I know, what the hell was I thinking?).
Also broke out into the PeriMenopause from HELL around this same time, (I thought I was just a bit too old for the work & study I had taken on). My G.P. said the random & horrendeous joint swellings & PAIN and marathon sleeps were just 'Menopausal Arthritis' & to 'cope', - which I did. Or I thought I had coped.
Most of 2012 has been spent working up to a Lupus Dx & a hospilisation & now recovering slowly & getting used to a 'new' future filled with jig-saw puzzle symptoms & meds that may possibly cause as many issues as they mask.
Maybe I never had 'Menopausal Arthritis' (is there such a thing) after all? If Lupus had been considered any earlier could things have played out differently / better? I'll never know.
New studies seem to undemonise HRT, so maybe the next wave of Menopausal Women will have it a little easier if they wish to try this option & not be told to just gut it out & cope.
Best Wishes & thank you for posing a very interesting query. Kaz
hi All!
I was diagnosted with lupus last year, about the same time I started menopause and a thyroid problem, I’m a mess. It was not until 3 months ago I was finally given meds for lupus. Around then my “hot flashes” I guess is what it was, was making me crazy. So my gp put me on a patch that has helped soooo much. I do still have a feaver once in awhile but not like before. My vit D was at 9 so we are trying to get it up where it needs to be. And my B vit are very low as well. I’m not sure where my problems are coming from lupus, thyroid, menopause, or low on vitamins. My lupus dr. Is trying to retire as soon as they find her replacement, so I sometimes feel like she is just putting in her time. not a lot of help. I’m very discouraged. Plus I have diabetic and it’s not under control. Does anybody else’s Medicen chest look like a pharmacy?
p>Hi Karla,
I had a total pan hyst at 23, back in the dark ages there were only pills for hormone replacement, they made me sick, so I just stopped taking them, in 10 years I was in bad shape from lack of hormones, by this time the patch was out, I have used them since and am 57 and don’t ever want to give them up! They make me feel so much better!
Yes, I thought I would take myself off them at one time and was a mess, everyone I worked with and all of my friends begged me to go back on them, so I learned my lesson!
They will really help you, Karla! I currently use ‘Vivelle’, they are about the size of a postage stamp and stay on very well!
Yes my medicine chest looks like a pharmacy and as done for the past 26yrs so your not alone.lol
Sorry to hear you was diagnosed last year as it can be a nightmare at times but it's all about mentally fighting it.
I've got thyroid trouble like yourself but i am pleased the patches helped but you can get sweats and fevers from Lupus also....regarding your Vitamin D level i highly suggest getting intouch with
"Ann A." as she studies in that field of work and will be able to help you a great deal on sorting it out to a good level.
You do need to try and get your diabetes under control though as that's very important are you on tablets or insulin.
I am on about 4 diffrent pills for diabetes, plus a new one victoza which you do with a needle but its not insulan, or so im told.
Im hopeful the new dr. coming to replace my lupus dr. can help me. thanks i will talk to Ann A. and hope i can get these vitamins up to the levels they need to be.
thanks again Terri, sometimes all thats needed to feel better is talking to friends like you thats going thru the same types of problems/
MY FRIENDS ARE SO SMART!!!! Why do we bother with Dr.'s? Well, I'm almost a month into the low dose hormones (estrogen-testosterone) and had previously been getting the progesterone 14 days a month if no menses--when I could bear it. I feel pretty good. The hormone panel showed low on all except for thyroid. And I won't even say what the Dr. said about the rest of the exam. Dr. said you are in menopause by labs but randomly I still have a period once in a blue blue moon--that's why I say peri-. Now with hormones likely every month again. I know it's stupid but the whole thing made me feel old. For now I remain on my last oral option for my "autoimmune disorder, unspecified"--after 2 yrs. with rheumatology, sulfasalazine. I had a weird hand issue yesterday but it worked itself out. One of the metacarpals in my dominant hand was swollen, stiff, and sore. It is usually an all or none deal--so, I was a little concerned. Especially after the local steroid conversation on Thurs. I need to find some fingerless support for my hands for when I have to work and have this type of issue. My compression gloves I've only used at night when my hands are bad. I hate gloves and socks; so, I have to get over this. I worked 2nd's last night and didn't have any support on sore hand--I was glad it came out of it. The place was crazy with the full moon. I had one poor fellow that was suicidal. Thanks everyone for the input. I am learning all the time. I've got another new thing cropped up but I think it's minor and I'll start it in a new discussion. Love to all, Hang in there! Karla
Your welcome in my reply and i can't understand why your on meds victoza is a substitute for insulin and only used with type 2 diabetes...so really you do need to get this sorted out because my mom was a bad diabetic and a type 2 and she was on meds which could'nt control it and then they took her onto insulin, i'd really ask about what you should be really taking because it needs to be controlled...i have type 1 disbetes where it's 2 low all the time. This link explains about Victoza. http://www.victoza.com/
Well i hope the other doctor can help you more, as i was under a crap rheumo oh he diagnosed me well but did'nt want to treat me and now i'm under an excellent rheumo and started treating me on the first visit but reagrding your diabetes either your GP should be treating you or a specialist in that field of work and i do hope Ann's able to help you as she's very knowledgeable in that field of work.
We all need someone to chat to, i know i have my hubby but it's not the same as connecting with people going through the everyday issues we suffer.
Do takecare and all my love Terri xxx Gandalf1 said:
Thanks for the reply Terri,
I am on about 4 diffrent pills for diabetes, plus a new one victoza which you do with a needle but its not insulan, or so im told.
Im hopeful the new dr. coming to replace my lupus dr. can help me. thanks i will talk to Ann A. and hope i can get these vitamins up to the levels they need to be.
thanks again Terri, sometimes all thats needed to feel better is talking to friends like you thats going thru the same types of problems/
If i go back to 1997 when i was under the brain surgeon he had me on estrogen to try and sort my problems out and did it do anything for me NO WAY mate...instead the tablet thickened my womb after 5yrs of taking it and was pulled off the med.
If it helps you then all the better. Love Terri xxx
Dunnia said:
Hi...I have been taking estrogen 14 days at month too....for about two years now
Hi Terri… I take mine for my menstrual periods… I couldn’t stop bleeding, one time I bleed for almost 3 months without stooping so they put me on hormones to regulate my period and it worked…
That's what they put me on it for because i was all over the show seeing more than i should plus they reckon i was carrying to much of the male hormone because i don't sweat "Never heard nothing like it" plus to help my PMT...the tablet never worked on bit.
They do with some like yourself but in the end it came where i had to have the novasure operation to stop me.