All, in 2013 at age 49, I had an Oophorectomy (Total Hysterectomy), so went overnight from Estrogen-functional to no-Estrogen. I was otherwise fit, completely healthy & not on any medication. I tried very low-dose estrogen-replacement, with Evorel-25, but struggled to tolerate it, so am not currently on any HRT or hormone supplements. (Some of the)Problems experienced since then include:-
1. Within 3 months of the surgery the SOLES of my FEET starting being extremely painful, causing problems walking. In addition, my toes swelled and felt like they were bits-of-putty attached to the ends of my feet. This continues 15 months later.
2. Within 8 months, I developed De QUERVAIN's SYNDROME of my Right WRIST (inflammation & swelling at the tunnel for tendons serving the thumb & 1st finger / tendonitis). It was treated with a Cortisone Injection, but returned within 4 months, and is agony.
3. Within 10 months I developed CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME of both WRISTS - tingling, loss of sensation and numbness of the Fingers & Palms of my Hands. My fingers are swollen / have developed fluid (edema), so it is also difficult to bend my fingers properly at times.
4. At one point during this period I also suffered 'HOUSEMAID's KNEE', edema on the Right KNEE.
5. In general, my ligaments feel weird - loose & 'clickey', which I understand may be a consequence of low estrogen.
6. It is my firm opinion that ALL this is part of a systemic issue caused by the radical & sudden loss of ESTROGEN after the Hysterectomy.
7. All Medical Professionals so far have looked at each of these issues in isolation, despite my continued insistence that they are all linked. I am struggling to get anyone to take the Menopausal-link seriously - and treat the UNDERLYING / CAUSATIVE PROBLEM, instead of each of the SYMPTOMS as ISOLATED ISSUES. After months of medical appointments and attempts to get someone to take my concerns seriously and assist with expedience, I am having to do my own research (hence stumbling on this helpful website, and thanks to all) - and consider independently what I can do to assist improved well-being and a path back to good health.
8. I am posting this, so that my experience joins the 'weight of emerging opinion' about the LINK of such issues to MENOPAUSE / hormonal balance and impact to the body of LOSS of ESTROGEN.
9. To my fellow-sufferers out there. You are not crazy. In my (layperson) view, there is a definite link to the Menopause / mid-life changes to Hormone Levels - and this is what needs understanding & treatment. Please continue to share as you move forward.
10. If anyone can advise WHAT the BODY NEEDS by way of Supplements (or otherwise) to mitigate the Underlying Cause of this collection of problems (the Systemic Issue) - informed responses / shared experiences would be very gratefully received.
Please see my related posting from Richmond-upon-Thames, UK
Further to my posting in the last few minutes:-
11. From what I can determine, each of the problems I am experiencing involve some form of EDEMA (collection of fluid) - both visible (in the case of De Quervain, swollen fingers & toes, housemaids' knee) or invisible (in the case of Carpal Tunnel). Am beginning (as a layperson / patient) to believe this is the link between the various issues. If so, what is causing the EDEMA?
12. These problems have also been accompanied by massive Back Tension in the mid-thoracic and lumbar regions.
Hi there Kathy
My name is Carroll, I am also 46 years old also started about 42. I have no idea how to get rid of the pain, I was wondering maybe you have found a solution, I have got n the internet, they do give advice, but the things you need is expensive. How many hot flushes do you get, I get about 10 throughout the whole night and day, and causes me to sleep. Any suggestions.
Thanx Carroll
Wow, so do you all, also have finger joint pains as well as pain in the heals and toes? I'm going crazy... it's like the pain seems to be at it worst first thing in the morning and gets better as the day goes on, and I keep moving! I'm exhausted, if I sit for half hour, I'm back in pain. Is there really no hope until when... menopause is over? is it really ever over? Help!!! My holistic Doctor has me off of all night shade foods, not sure it's helping but it's only been 5 days.
Omg........... yes. I too have been suffering from the past 2 years with foot pain I was certain was related to menopause. Some days, my tendon in my ankle hurts like I rolled my ankle and makes it impossible to walk far. My feet swell, they tingle and sting. When my husband massages them, I get relief, but, I did take some ibuprofen the other night and the pain disappeared! I am also suddenly suffering arthritis in my fingers. I have been suffering night sweats, day sweats, hot flashes, brain fog, lethargy, etc.... and some days, I feel great! It's so weird!!! So I too, am going to try the celery seed extract and cherry extract and see how much that helps me!!! It is totally related to menopause, yes sir it is! I would swear by it.
I feei same as you
11, 12, response:inflammation is the issue.
Started change at 50, tried many thins. Settled on a magnet. It helped two other friends. But the heel pain moves on my right heel. I just started reducing caffeine which has helped and am just starting to increase calcium in my day routine. This has helped.
How do you apply the magnet and where? I'm 49 and now have non-stop heel pain, ankle pain and the bottoms of my feet are hurting. Since I turned 45 or so, this used to just happen for a couple of days every third or fourth cycle, but now it is not going away. I have seen an accupuncturist 8 times now for this problem and also for the terrible tastes in my mouth that have been non-stop since 4 months ago. The chinese herbs she has me on are helping with the bad tastes, but not the foot/heel/ankle pains. She says I am very Yin defincient. Apparently building Yin takes a very long time and you have to give up alcohol, caffeine, sugar, spicy food, etc. I am not doing so well at eating Yin-fully all the time, but I am trying. Am very interested in trying magnets for these pains. Will also try some of the supplements this forum has tried. Thank you!
I too am 46, have the sorest feet. The left more then the right. If I sit I feel like its almost nerve pain. Im on almost 8 months now. Doc says Im no where near menopause? Im now taking a tablet for three months to shrink a uterine fibroid. I assumed this fibroid was causing my feet to be sore. Night sleeping it is more painful. My ankles even kill me, feel brittle? This came on very suddenly. Im an active childcare provider. Makes no sense. Logged on out of desperation, thinking I may have something fatal that the doctors are missing.
so pleased i typed hormones in feet in google i too thought i was going mad or had gout my pain starts around 5 days before my period and lasts till its finished the pain is unbearable soms days i take paracetomol which helps but really need something that willmmake this disappear its awful x