Post Menopause. Loss of estrogen. Can’t sleep due to Hip pain.

Addition = I also use a body pillow at night in bed plus I have a Sleep Number bed where I can adjust the firmness and softness of the mattress. Having a heating pad on my hip all night long has helped me to sleep for 2-3 hours at a time before I wake up in pain and have to turn over again.

I realize how important sleep is now that I don’t get quality sleep! I’m seeking answers and suggestions. Thank you.

@louiserivers , I wake up sometimes that is bothersome, but it’s no longer due to pain. I’ll just share my experience.

Have you been evaluated for arthritis? There may be some treatment options for that. I don’t have that, but was having sore joints….not swollen….sore, tender muscles and tissue under the skin. No cause could be found. Tried various treatments. Was evaluated for many things….eventually, my dermatologist prescribed daily Hydroxychloroquine in case it was autoimmune issue. Huge difference. Pain stopped pretty soon after starting. I mentioned it to my Endocrinologist who said good! Probably decreased inflammation. It may not be for everyone, but I’d explore it if you have autoimmune issues. I do….type 1 diabetes and psoriasis. I don’t have lupus but……it seems to help me.

Also, I use red light therapy for my scalp. Recommended by my hair doctor. I was also suffering with hair loss. Unknown reason. I do it daily. My hair is doing much better. But I have multiple things I do to treat it. I will continue using it. My device was expensive.

Good luck. Hopefully, you’ll get other ideas.

I like the HRT idea and want to start that soon. The small dose sounds good.

If I didn't know otherwise, I'd think this post was written by me. I have the exact same problems during sleep (and daytime) due to pain. I have it mainly in hips and lower back, shoulders, and elbows. I have been seeing a pain Dr. and have had imaging that shows nothing and ablation that did nothing. I use an OTC BHRT but its low dose. I too would like to begin a prescription BHRT but the ones I have found are extremely expensive. I have just started on Low Dose Naltrexone as it is suppose to help with the inflammation. I am still researching a more inexpensive BHRT solution. I will keep an eye on this post to see if anyone else has good reports for a remedy.

@celia16 Thank you! You’re right! I do have arthritis AND degenerative disc disease (lumbar region). And yes, it could be inflammation. I see my endocrinologist in 2 weeks. I have Diabetes type 2. I’ll discuss the hydroxychloroquine with her, plus I see my primary doctor after that and will bring up these issues with her.

Loved hearing you use red light therapy and that it helps your scalp.

I’m encouraged by your story of not giving up and continuing to seek answers to your health issues.

@cherawgirl
Now I had to google BHRT = “What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?” I didn’t know about this. Thank you for sharing.

Hope you can find an inexpensive one. And I hope the low dose naltrexone will help your pain. I’m going to check into this too.

I’m 62 and feel my quality of life has significantly declined over the past 7 years due to the loss of estrogen.

I asked my OBGYN if I could just have a higher dose of the estrogen patch, but the body doesn’t work that way. I miss my original estrogen!

I had a male doctor comment “I thought women would be happy to go into menopause. No more periods.” I corrected him by listing all my severe menopause symptoms = hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, joint pain, etc. I told him I’d rather have my period back! 😲🤪

As I’ve done more research, this has helped me know it’s not all in my head AND it’s not just because I’m getting old. There’s proof =

When estrogen falls:
• Inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) rise
• Joint linings become more reactive
• Pain sensitivity increases

This is why many women notice new aches, stiffness, or “creaky” joints right around perimenopause.

I know we live in a time where more research is being done on menopause, but I just wish we had even MORE information.

And one doctor isn’t enough. Some people, like me, need several specialists = OBGY, endocrinologist, orthopedic and primary. 😲

It’s one body, but they break it down into too many separate parts.

All these specialists need to have a group conference with the patient and come up with a combined plan. Just my opinion!

@louiserivers , ok, I got some interesting info this week.

Tuesday my Endocrinologist, who is with a large teaching hospital here in NC and very experienced was supportive of my new med. I trust her implicitly and she told me that the Hydroxychloroquine was a good idea.

AND, she suggested that I consider adding a small dose of a GLP1 med by the end of the year. (I may not qualify for insurance coverage though because my BMI is too low,). She understands that I like to fully adapt to the new med before starting another one. The GLP1 is not only for weigh loss, but for type 2 diabetes (I’m type 1). AND inflammation! It also aids in cardiovascular health! So, I will likely do it. May have to pay privately though.

Also, I had a remote consult with my Duke rheumatologist today. I explained what has happened. She ordered some more labs, but was glad the Hydroxychloroquine is working for me. She doubled my dose, so hopefully it will help my hair loss too. I asked her about HRT. She encouraged me to seek HRT. I must find the right doctor. It seems only those with a boutique practice that is private pay only prescribe it for post menopausal though.

Please you and others post your progress and what you discover.

@celia16
After reading your post, I will definitely be looking into hydroxychoroquine! Thank you for this information.

I’m on Mounjaro. It’s a GLP1 + GIP. I didn’t know GLP1 also helped with inflammation So far I haven’t seen this with Mounjaro. Endocrinologist prescribed for diabetes and weight loss. I’ve lost 30 pounds in the past 4 months and my A1C is now 6.4. It’s working for me.

Losing weight will eventually help with my painful joints.

I eat very low carb. Under 70 grams of carbs per day versus the 180 grams registered dieticians recommend. I’ve learned that sugar causes inflammation for me. And of course it raises my blood sugar, which isn’t healthy for a type 2 diabetic like me.

I live in WI. My OBGYN prescribed HRT while I’m in post menopause. I wish I would have seen her earlier when my severe menopause symptoms started. Why would a NC doctor only prescribe HRT for post menopause? I guess I’m always confused by the definitions of perimenopause, menopause and post menopause.

My OBGYN did explain that she prescribes estrogen AND progesterone combined because I still have my uterus.

I feel there’s so much to learn about my health issues at this age. I really appreciate all that you are sharing. It helps physically, emotionally and mentally🙏

There are many online companies now that prescribe BHRT. Google "Best BHRT Online" and you will find list and reviews of them. Some are more expensive than others but I was paying $40 a month for OTC so $75 a month is not much of a stretch. I have signed up for one to get a 3 months supply. I will try to remember to post my success of failure for joint pain after 3 months. Also there are many promo codes out there for the companies that prescribe online, search on those if you narrow down to one you want to try.

One other curious thing. Seem I recall that quercetin is somewhat similar to hydroxychloroquine. Quercetin is OTC so if you can't get H check that out.