Menopause and Pain

[salter]

I have diagnoised with fibermyalgia.  I think it is hormone related.  I would like to try bio identical hormones and see if it helps.  I have made lifestyle changes and that has helped.  I exercise and eat nutritious food but at last once a month I am strcken with intense pain.  It lasts for several days and I can't really do much.  There are days I can not even type on the computer.  I'm having a hard time finding a doctor in my area that will help me.  Can fibermyalgia be caused by hormone imbalance?

[Keepthefaith40]

Hi, My computer has been down.

Happy Easter!!!!

I'm still having pain but not has bad. I started walking yesterday and finally not letting this pain win. I try to stay positive and not think about it. The pain now is in my back.

I'm hoping the books will help me stay focused.

God Bless you all.

I will stay in touch!!!

[salter]

I know I found out about Dr John Sarno on this forum I can't find the message.  I found his books and started reading them.  His most recent is "The Divided Mind."  I think it is the answer to my problems.  Most of my pain is gone.  It is kind of hard to describe but once you understand your brain is causing the problems to distract you from thinking about thinks too painful to think about, then it loses it's power over you.  My pain got better immediately. I was skeptical because I have received relief before but it always came back right away.  I have been reading the books for 2 weeks and my pain and numbness is virtually gone.  He addresses fibromyaliga, IBS, carpel tunnel, any kind of back pain, actually the list is pretty long.

Please check it out!

[salter]

I'll check that book out.  I see a huge mind/body connection in that my Dad has had what he has called, "neurpathy" for years.  His stays mostly in his legs and feet.  Mine started that way and gradually spread.  My legs and feet do hurt all the time.  They were hurting really bad last Saturday so I just decided to go for a walk.  I ended up walking 4 miles!  I clocked it later with my car.  I was better the rest of the day.  When I started walking I didn't think I'd make it to the end of the block but the longer I walked, the better I felt.  I was sore the next day just from walking for far!  I should mention I am in good shape.  I exercise every day.  I'm a little overweight, 145 for 5'5", but not obese.

That has been the blessing of this pain, it makes me exercise.  I will start hurting so bad all over that to sit or lay down is impossible.  When I keep moving it's better.

Anyway, I'll check out that book.  I am also thinkinng about trying hypnotherapy!  I'm willing to try just about anything.

[salter]

I posted my question and then forgot to check back!  I am now on the bioidenticals.  I think the pain is better but not totally gone.  It is worse in the evening and more on my left side, especially my left foot and hand and then goes across my shoulder blandes.  It's so weird.  It is a burning pain.  It is in the same places all the time.  I've been trying alternative type doctors just because I had not received help from my primary care physician.  In all fairness though, I only went to him one time. I think it's probably time to go back and let him do some testing.  I think there is a big mind/body connection because anything helps temporarily.  A chiropratic adjustment, acupunture, the bioidenticals....and especially exercise.  It isn't bad in the mornings but gradually gets worse as the day goes on.  I also have it all the time now, not just a few days a month.
I'm thinking I might be depressed!  I've never been on anti-depressants and my life is pretty good right now but have some severe traumatic events over the years.  I was even thinking this could be PTSD :-)

Thanks for your responses.

[Mary 53]

I am glad you checked the messages on this forum... and, I hope and pray, too, that you get some relief, soon.

I did send you a message on your profile page. If you did not get it, let me know, okay?

Mary

[AnotherKatie]

I am sorry you are in pain.  Here's a suggestion that many people would roll their eyes at but I am just going to put it out there anyway.  I am reading a book called  The Mindbody Prescription by John Sarno MD.  Now, I am sure many people consider him a NUT because of what he says, but I try to be open minded.  He feels that many of the pains that we Westerners experience are rooted in the brain and the memory.  I am not good at explaining it!  All I can say is, my mom had hives all her life and when her (abusive) mom died... she never had hives again.  Weird huh.  I think there is validity in examining our lives, our history, where we are going and what we have repressed.
Best of luck to you!   BTW I use hormone replacement (NOT Premarin or synthetics) and I am very pleased with the results....I LOVE Dr Vliet!

[Keepthefaith40]

I have prayed all night for an answer. I asked God to bring someone in my life to help me.

I had the MRA done of my head and neck last week and it came back just fine. Like I have mentioned earlier. I have been tested for everything. The neurologist said that he thought I had neuralgia(spelling?/) said I need to go back on gabentin, neurontin.  My family doctor still thinks I suffer from depression... I know my body and I'm not depressed. My body has completely changed and it not getting any better.

The pain is unbearable. My ear is burning my legs are burning and shooting with pain. My life has changed for my family. My daughter graduating this year and I can't enjoy watching and being with her for all of the activities. I have a great guy in my life that we will soon be married next year. They are so supportive but I feel I have let them down. I stay in bed all day cry, I hardley can't can't walk. My muscles ache with pain. ect.....ect...I can go on.........I'm on the urge of loosing my job because of days missed to going to all of these specialist.


Mary, I am purchasing Dr. Vliot book today. I have done so much research and I don't know what answers I'm looking for. Everyone has so many opinions.

Thank you so much...God Bless you!!!!!

I will keep in touch!!!!!

[AnotherKatie]

If you google "fibromyalgia and hormones" you will discover thousands of articles that do suspect a link between the symptoms of fibromyalgia and hormones.   Men have hormones too (!) and so of course they could suffer imbalances and symptoms.  

Fibromyalgia IS a blanket term that is used to describe many problems, including symptoms such as keepthefaith and salter are experiencing.

It is believed that it is a central nervous disorder but no one really knows for sure yet.  Some doctors don't even believe in it.  (Tell that to the people who are experiencing pain.)  Keep researching!   Many people are becoming more informed and interested regarding the use of bioidentical hormones (and other lifestyle changes).... the big drug companies are not happy because they can't cash in on some of the profits....  
Good luck and I hope you find some answers....

[Mary 53]

All due respect to the previous poster, but from the research I have done on Fibromyalgia along with information from my sister and also a close friend who suffer from Fibromyaligia, the pain does come and go. My sister usually calls me when she has had a flare-up just because the pain is so bad.  Then it will subside only to rear its ugly head in the not-too-distant future.

Many of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) are similar to symptoms of fluctuating and/or decreasing ovarian hormones, according to the reseach work cited by Dr. Elizabeth Vliet. There are a number of ways, both direct and indirect, that decline in these hormones can either instigate or irritate FMS. The work that Dr. Vliet is doing centers on the suspicion that the estrogen factor may have more of a role in FMS than anyone has realized. Some women may want to add appropriate hormone therapy to their overall FMS treatment.

Since ovarian hormonal decline can start at an early age for some women, when you consider that 80% of the FMS patients were women with the average age onset ages 30 - 50 it makes sense to me that there my be an overlooked hormone connection to FMS.  Understandably there are many causative and contributing factors and it is too simplistic to say that FMS is due to only declining estrogen, but I am glad that more attention is being paid to the hormonal (particularly estradiol which is more prevalent in our system when we are in our 20's) and other ovarian hormones.

You can read more of this information in Dr. Vliet's book, "Screaming to be Heard," in Chapter 11: Fibromyalgia, Aches and Pains: The Estrogen Factor. After trying to get more help regarding my own hormonal issues, I have found Vliet's information the most helpful for me. Some of my symptoms have been similar to symptoms of FMS, but I am far from having all of the symptoms. I have had some significant decrease in symtoms since I have followed Vliet's recommended Protocol (and found a menopausal group that agreed with her findings and suggestions.

Mary

[ohanamama]

Fibromyalgia is nerve disorder and affects as many women under 50 as over.  It also impacts men, therefore, relating the illness to the reduction of female hormones is quite doubtful.  Regarding pain, it may stop completely in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but it won't just come and go.  If you're getting the pain only during certain days of your cycle, then it may very well be due to hormones, but not fibro.  Sincere hopes you feel better and find the root of your discomfort.

[Mary 53]

Please check my profile page and find my journal comments on Bioidentical hormones. I just updated the information last night.

If you could look at the last entry (dated yesterday, March 25.... I hope they're dated:)) you can find the name of the book that has been so helpful to me. The book, by Dr. Vliet, has information pertaining to all things hormonal and she recommends only bioidentical hormones for menopausal women (she is not totally against synthetic hormones for pre-menopausal women for several reasons). Her book is huge but so helpful. She also has a website where you can find information on Fibromyalgia. She is extremely suspicious of a huge connection between Fibromyalgia and decreasing (or non-existent...as is the case in a surgical menopause) ovarian hormones. She is particularly informative regarding the use of Estradiol, a very important bioidentical hormone.

I have had the symptoms of which you speak, and I feared I was heading towards Fibromyalgia myself this summer. I am 55 and had my total hysterectomy in 2000. My sister suffers from Fibromyalgia and at age 68 has gone back to the use of the bioidentical hormones so she can try to get relief.

I have not had as much time as I'd like to devote to this forum, but if you cannot find the information I mentioned, please leave me a message or respond here. Hormones are to be respected but not feared, in my opinion. But, I understand the confusion for sure.

Mary

[Keepthefaith40]

Hi.

I've been going through some strange things since my hysteretomy in August.

Severe ear pain and burning, Tingling,  Major burning sensations all on the left side.

I have had MRI, CT BLOOD TEST, you name it. I have had it.

Monday I'm having MRA on my head and neck.

My left leg tonight is burning and killing me.

I was wondering the same thing. My doctor had mention fibermyalagie and wanted me to take Lyrica, but I didn't.

I'm afraid of taking any HRT. I don't take it either.

I'm having so many problems with the left side of my head, I'm wondering now if it's due to hormone imbalance.