ok ladies, I need help with this one. anyone that has gone thru this already and has any advice??? do your symptoms seem worse???? I am not sure if this a flare or if it is hormones out of control. I have an appt for yearly exam next month so plan on speaking to th eobgyn abou tit but don't know how much help he will be. usually get better answers from a person whom has already experienced it. thanks
7/25/08 10:59pm
I believe that early menopause (late 30's) brought on, like a Freight Train, my RA symptoms. I had symptoms of RA and blaimed it on menopause for several years. I beleive that the two together have really "Mopped the Floor" with me! I am now 41 and have had a hystorectomy, take hormones and have just recently (within the last 7 months) been getting up to speed with my RA med.'s. I am starting to feel better! The Mtx seems to be working. I beleive that I need to talk to my Rheumy and get my dosage uped, but, I feel better than I have in several years. Its just "Chemical Warfare" with your body, that you have to work thru.
I also after my surgery, have gained a ton of weight, which I feel is making my RA symptoms worse. I need to get myself on the "Fat Wagon" to improve as well.
If you find any additional information, let me know. Good Luck!
7/21/08 3:42pm
I am going though the change... The only good thing about it is that my little friend has NOT paid me is visit since Feb 08.. I know I have to go a year without.. Hot flashes are my big complant, and I feel it adds to the RA pain. It is like a doubble whammy. You already do not feel good to add hot flashes and feeling off does not help, if you ask me. I seem to be snippy when my 20 year old son said to me. " what is wrong with you mom?" I'M IN PAIN! AND SO HOT I THINK MY HEAD IS GOING TO POP OFF!" So no I feel RA does not help the matter.. I was on the pill for 4 years to control my peroid, but once I was told I had RA I took myself off the pill. I thought I will be taking enough drugs I do not want to have a stroke.. So since I went of it I have hot flashes and no show.. I would rather have hot flashes then my period anyway..
If you can let me know what your GYN says that would be great..and when I see my RA doc on Thurs I will ask him..
Sue
7/22/08 9:25am
Hi, I am in full menopause (had an oophorectomy about 8 years ago) & had a full list of stuff that I was going through with that. I am on HRT which helps with some of the effects of menopause.......so I don't get hot flashes. (but there is SO much more than just hot flashes with meno, I had anxiety, mood swings, brain fog...the list goes on) But as far as a flare, (I am assuming you mean pain?) then I don't think it's the meno. I am sure that the two combined can definitely give you problems, though. Talk to your gyno. Good Luck!!
7/19/09 6:20pm
I have been treating for Psoriatic arthritis for 25 years. Most of that time either naproxen or methotrexate shots. Had been in good shape until the past 2 years. My symptoms and inflamation are always worse during my period. I am now starting the menapause thing with skipping periods and I am having major inflamation and mood swing issues. The fatigue factor is huge. I think there is a definite connection.
7/19/09 6:20pm
I have been treating for Psoriatic arthritis for 25 years. Most of that time either naproxen or methotrexate shots. Had been in good shape until the past 2 years. My symptoms and inflamation are always worse during my period. I am now starting the menapause thing with skipping periods and I am having major inflamation and mood swing issues. The fatigue factor is huge. I think there is a definite connection.
12/26/09 9:08pm
my grandmother had RA. I just started menopause and skipping periods and now suddenly both of my knees are totally inflamed and some days I can hardly walk from the pain I am convinced it is menopause related as it was with my Grandmother. Meaning that menopause brought on an autoimmune disease that was sitting there waiting. It just seems like its too much of coincidence that they both came on simultaneously. I am thinking of asking for hormone replacement. Anyone have any similar issues?
3/ 6/10 2:01pm
I am with you on this. I did not even have any RA symptoms until I went through menopause, and they both his me at the same time. Hormone replacement definitely helped my RA symptoms. In fact, I can even go without RA meds (methotrexate) when I am on hormones. But without it, I can't even get out of bed!
8/10/10 10:02pm
I have read that estrogen has some sort of anti-inflamatory effect and when it's gone (menopause), the arthritis symptoms become more pronounced. That's what happened to me, I believe. I didn't try hormone replacement because they would only let me stay on it a few years and I would just go through all the awful menopause symptoms and arthritis flareups again later.
3/ 5/11 8:27pm
I am 48 and started menopause 2 years ago.I have exactly the same isuues with my knees that started several months ago and now spreading to other areas.
Both of my grandmothers also Has RA.
My doctor has been not helpful and am waithing to see specialist (rheumatologist).
kagi
4/29/10 10:32am
hi i am menopausal after hyterectomy and overy removal. am 39 and had RA for 3 years . the hormone changes have definately worsened my RA ,my consultant said that this would happen . am now on rituximab to try to control the disease but at present am really struggling.
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I also have been treated for about 8 years with Plaquenil for palindromic RA. 2 mths ago (i am 51) periods stopped and flare began. It hasn't stopped since and no sign of periods either. Rheumy has today informed me that I'm no longer palindromic - ie I have full blown RA - and she said it most certainly could be related to menopause.
Trace