Hey Zinnia. Good morning. Thank you for responding. And you’re welcome. I’m not one to post either really. But I just couldn’t find any answers on dr. Goggle lol that made much sense to me. I’m New to this even though I was diagnosed way back in 2004 but it was by a family practice doc and he didn’t send me to a rheumatologist. But since the hysterectomy in February, my body has turned on itself for real!
Are you doing any better? I live in South Georgia so I know about the heat and humidity of the South and I’ve visited Florida a lot with family that still lives there. Bless you hunny.
Idk if coming off the estrogen will help or make it worse but like someone else said in more than one post/ discussion it is trial and error.
Another really annoying symptom of the menopause is the increased need to cry at the most ridiculous things. I found myself crying at TV ads about baby animals playing with toilet rolls - yes seriously. I cried at least three times a day at truly the most ridiculous things for months. Drove me bonkers and was so embarrassing.
Hey Poo. Thank you for your input.
Oh hunny, don’t I know it! For the first 3 weeks after surgery I cried about every thing, and yes even commercials!! Lol yes it was ridiculous and embarrassing! Lol I was like what the heck!!! Then it went to the opposite…yeah I was not a nice person or it seemed to me. That was one of the reasons for the hrt. It helped tremendously really with everything except I started having hot flashes again and not sleeping well again too. My feet, ankles swelled. And The the other side effects and added risks of heart problems. My mama passed away in 2007 from heart problems at the age of 52. High blood pressure and heart problems, disease, runs on my mama’s side of the family. I’m 46 now. I’m not trying to make that a tradition. So far just 2 days/nights not taking the estrogen pill and haven’t seen any changes yet. Well yesterday I was a bit emotional, but idk if that’s from not taking the estrogen or from ma in law drama. Lol Time will tell. Hoping and praying that I don’t start the crying about every little thing again! Lol
Update:
Well, it’s been 2 weeks with no estrogen pill. My feet, actually it’s more like my ankles, are still swollen. And new things started happening for no apparent reason. My heels get hot and hurt out of the blue. Still having the pain or spasms in my chest area, ribs under my breasts actually. So I don’t think the estrogen caused this. I’m having crying spells but usually when I’m alone with my thoughts. I really shouldn’t be alone lol Hot flashes are not any worse. I still can’t get even a mildly warm shower. The water has to be almost cold or l feel like I’ll pass out and start sweating like crazy. Shoulder pain had moved up into my neck all the way up to my ear at times. Idk if being off the estrogen had made it worse or just the PsA .
On top of it all, I’m fighting depression. Most times when I’m alone, all I can do is cry. I couldn’t even hold my 2 month old granddaughter for 2 minutes the other day. Things like that doesn’t help with depression at all.
My husband doesn’t want me to get another job yet but oh Lord it would help financially so much! But honestly, I don’t know if I could work unless it’s a much less demanding job than I had before my body turned against me. My husband seems to understand somewhat but he just won’t talk to me about the possibilities of what This damned disease could do to me. My first ever appointment with the rheumatologist isn’t until August. A whole month and a half away still. The oral surgeon appointment wasn’t encouraging and the next appointment is at the end of july.
I’ve found another rheumatologist in our network for insurance and an oral surgeon. I’m going to call them Monday. Praying they will be more accommodating.
Sorry for the pity party. Thank you all for reading. God bless y’all!
If it helps, I cried my way through the menopause, especially early on in it. That passed though. Hot painful heels is fairly classic PsA usually to do with where your Achilles tendon is. New pains anywhere is also fairly classic PsA, for me anyway.
Getting an earlier rheumy appointment certainly can’t hurt. Do you meditate? That can often help steady emotions a little more. And given the feeling hot issues have you tried icing your feet and neck and ribs etc. It might also help.
Big hugs. The menopause does put lots out of kilter and PsA certainly doesn’t help either.
Hey Poo. Thank you for responding.
Yes, I’m learning that about both PsA and menopause. just so hard for me to not be able to do things. I feel like I’m dying or my body is, if that makes sense. I’ve always been positive about every thing, even when my mama passed suddenly in 2007. I was thankful she wasn’t hurting anymore. Of course I mourned losing my mama, and I still miss her terribly but she had been in pretty bad health for several years and had a lot of pain. but this happening with myself, I just can’t see a silver lining or a bright side.
I haven’t meditated. maybe I need to try it. Couldn’t hurt.
I’m going to call the other rheumatologist first thing Monday. Praying he can see me before Aug.
Thank you for your input. I’ve a horrible headache so I’m going to bed.
Hope everyone has a good night. God bless.
Well the rheumatologist I called today has to have a referral from my doctor, pcp. The oral surgeon office is closed until the Monday after the 4th. And no answer at internist office I was going to see about making my pcp. so is the way of my life.
Sadly, this does make sense to me. I too felt as if I was dying before starting treatment. I said as much to a rheumatologist & instantly regretted it, thinking it sounded ludicrously OTT. But she said a lot of patients say just that or similar.
Absolutely acknowledge just how much you’re struggling and then look after yourself to the best of your ability in terms of eating well, sleeping properly and keeping moving. If movement is difficult, it might be as well to try to get some interim physio advice - even the very, very boring ‘leg lifts’ can help prevent muscle wasting. Your husband sounds like a good 'un so let him help and support you. Having someone who understands to a certain extent is a godsend.
Well, I probably wouldn’t share about feeling like death warmed up if I thought it was destined to last. But in all likelihood you’ll come back to the land of the living once treatment starts and kicks in. Where you’re at - it’s the pits, but while you’re biding your time, keep your mind firmly fixed on how much better things will be in the future. You’re gonna get there.
Hey sybil. Thank you for responding.
Thank you so much! It helps to know that I’m not the only victim of PsA that feels like that or did at some point. It’s not from the lack of estrogen. I’m sure trying to eat right and get rest. I’m tired all the time and not doing much either. I have to get up and move every few minutes it seems. I have to use the bathroom more than I used to. All I did today was put more soil in one of my plants and planted some tomato seeds. It was very humid today and hot. I’ve noticed when the humidity is high I hurt and feel worse. So I know that couldn’t have helped today but I just didn’t have the energy to do anything else. Even for supper I didn’t even cook. Just heated up leftovers and made me a smoothie. I feel like a lazy bum and just a sorry excuse for a wife. My husband mentioned filing for disability. I know he means well, but in a way it made me feel worse.
August 23rd can’t get here fast enough!
You did something constructive. Not bad going, all things considered. Your body has taken a bashing with both PsA and a hysterectomy. However, whoever coined the phrase ‘the weaker sex’ had their head where the sun doesn’t shine. Not that I’m a raving sexist, but seems to me that we women are tough and hard-wired to recover from just about anything. This is a recuperation period for you as well as a waiting game.
I am struggling to keep my kiwi vine alive, having planted it in a drought. I love plants!
O I love plants and gardening too. My plants are from a basket set someone got for my grannys funeral in 2015. my uncles let me have the set. I’ve got only 4 of the 6 left that was in the basket. With my husband helping, he has more of a green thumb than me, I’m hoping these 4 won’t die.
You are absolutely right! Weaker sex my @&%!
The not knowing exactly what it is or and waiting to hear it from a specialist is very difficult.
But I’m thankful that most of the emotional stuff isn’t from lack of estrogen!
Hey y’all.
Update with gyno.
Thank God she’s taking me and my condition more seriously now. She said it seems I’m doing ok without estrogen. Yay! She’s prescribed me a round of, I guess, prednisone. (Methylprednisolone, brand name is medrol)
And a modified Myers infusion for either 4 or 6 weeks, can’t remember which she said. I’ll have to go to the office to get the infusion each week on the same day each week. But praying I have only good results and no sensitivities or bad reactions.
Does anyone know anything about this infusion I’m going to be getting? Is what she prescribed the same as prednisone?
Thank you and God bless!
I think anything with ‘pred’ in the name is basically the same as prednisone, but don’t quote me on that. I don’t even know what a Myers infusion is, I just hope it works though!
(I found a way of watering my kiwi that it likes - 3 times per evening with breaks in between. It’s a bit of a diva.)
Hey @Sybil. Thank you for your input.
You’re probably right. She had said prednisone in the office and before I actually saw the prescription. It’s a step down dose. Take 6 the first day, then 5 the next, and so on.
The modified Myers infusion is a lot of vitamins and minerals through an iv. She said it takes about 30 minutes for it to run. And have to do it for at least 4 weeks, Maybe 6, on the same day each week to get the full benefit and for it to build up in my system. On the paper she gave me about it, there’s a long list of what it will help. Inflammation is only one of the conditions.
Yes, I’m praying it helps and I don’t have any allergic reactions to it.
That’s great! Even the name, kiwi, is a bit diva-ish.
That’s interesting, so the infusion is to give your body an all round boost? It seems something mainly associated with alternative practitioners (from 5 minutes googling).
Yes exactly. I was pleasantly surprised by my gyno prescribing it. But thankful she is finally getting it that I, or my body, don’t like pharma drugs when natural alternatives exist and are available.
about every little thing again! Lol
just so hard for me to not be able to do things. I feel like I’m dying or my body is, if that makes sense. I’ve always been positive about every thing, even when my mama passed suddenly in 2007. I was thankful she wasn’t hurting anymore. Of course I mourned losing my mama, and I still miss her terribly but she had been in pretty bad health for several years and had a lot of pain. but this happening with myself, I just can’t see a silver lining or a bright side.