Dear alinkous63,

Menopause is uncomfortable with the hot flashes, night sweats, etc., however, I do not remember being in constant pain.  May I ask where the pain is?  If it is all over or you feel like you have the body aches from the flu, or like you haven't worked out in a long time and then took a strenuous workout the day before - you know how the muscles feel after you work out when you're not used to it? - you may be suffering from fibromyalgia.  Believe it or not, just 2 years ago I had a doctor look me in the eyes and say, "I don't believe in fibromyalgia".  Now I have to say that mine started in 2001 after a head injury from a car accident - very common, approx 70% of cases start after physical trauma.  I immidiately became angry at him and asked him to tell me what I have then.  He couldn't answer so I fired him on the spot.  It took me 4 long years of ignorant doctors to finally find one that diagnosed my fibromyalgia.  That is now the first question I ask a new doctor.  If the answer is no, I leave.  The next doctor I tried was honest.  He said, "I don't know enough about it to say one way or another."  I directed him to go to www.mayoclinic.org and search fibromyalgia, which he did.  The Mayo Clinic campus in Jacksonville, FL has a fibromyalgia clinic that is part of their Rhumatology department.  He became a believer and was beneficial to me in my treatment.  I take Lyrica which is amazing.  The first 2-3 days was like being a little drunk, but after that, I was fine, so I recommend starting it on Friday night (or the first night of your weekend).  You should be fine by Monday morning.  The pain reduction was wonderful!  At first I only took it when I hurt badly (pain level > 6 or 7).  I finally started taking it regularly and it helps me so much.  I got alot of my life back.  Please ask your doctor to learn about fibromyalgia and test you for it.  It may be what's wrong and help you tremendously.  Good luck, Diane