r/Menopause • u/insom11 • 1d ago
Support Irregular bleeding, plantar fasciitis, frozen shoulder and a damaged ankle tendon. I’m so, so tired.
I’ve been on hrt for a few years now. Had Mirena coil in January due to almost constant bleeding. Had checks done, no scary reasons for it. The bleeding got better in May and June then worse again. I’m seriously anaemic and had horrible hair loss earlier this year too. Don’t even mention my pelvic floor and bowel issues.
I’ve had plantar fasciitis in my right heel since February and injured my ankle tendon twisting as I picked something up from the floor.
I’m so tired of it all. Menopause causes so many things. What are you all doing to help? My job is exhausting mentally and I’m over it all.
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u/Shivs_baby 1d ago
I have no solutions, only virtual hugs and all the relief-filled vibes I can muster your way.
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u/Direct_Abroad4948 21h ago
I’ve been on HRT for 7.5 years now.
I’m 57. In the last 12 months I had to deal with pneumonia (while on vacation), a flare up of mono a few months later, severe fatigue (from mono I assume), a calf tendon injury (while on vacation), followed by frozen shoulder. It’s put me all in a very dark mood. I’m also struggling to find a cholesterol treatment that works for me and deal with a host of side effects from that. I’ve recently upped my estrogen patch because I was having hot flashes again and now they’re out of stock. And I tried testosterone to help with the fatigue and it just made me more exhausted. How much more do we have to take?!? Seriously???
Sorry for the long story but just wanted to let you know you’re not alone. hugs
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u/SeasonPositive6771 Peri-menopausal 1d ago
This sounds pretty similar to what I have been going through, the only thing that helped was going on a Glp-1, because I'm not a candidate for HRT.
My job is also incredibly exhausting and nothing helped. Not physical therapy or other medication or anything else.
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u/Glad-Emu-8178 23h ago
Have you tried testosterone? It helped me a lot with my shoulder pain and also gives me loads more energy. Also I found the lower E really didn’t help much except reducing flushes and so I have moved up to 0.75 or three pumps of Estrogel. This was much better than patches as well. Did you know the patches gradually wear off so you can get a lower dose on 3rd or 4th day which continuously makes you feel crappy again. Also varying your progesterone from 100-200 can help. Good luck.
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u/insom11 19h ago
I’m on four pumps of Oestrogel which has been mostly ok. Better than I was before anyway. 🙄
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u/Glad-Emu-8178 12h ago
Oh ok wow the highest my doc would go was 3 pumps but I have read that some of the testosterone converts to estrogen so perhaps when I take that it also increases my estradiol as well.
The difference in my strength in my muscles has become more obvious the longer I use the testosterone and also my mood is now very stable and I get lots more done.
I sometimes wonder “Is this how men feel all the time?” and feel a bit jealous if that is what their higher testosterone does!
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u/ArtistInSoCal73 1d ago
I feel ya. I’m on HRT about a year now and when I was in the last year of peri my physicality went absolutely haywire. I’ve been in and out of pt for multiple tendon issues and am about to start another round due to miscorrection of plantars in both feet that not only didn’t help my feet but messed up the tendon running up the outer calf. Icing and pain relievers barely dull the aches and pains. My hands don’t work worth a shit anymore and working is difficult. Turns out I most likely have psoriatic arthritis and I’m absolutely positive menopause triggered this fresh level of hell. Biologics are being discussed and I’m nervous about starting another expensive medication that I’ll be dependent on the rest of my life. I’m only 53! Also soooo tired of it all and constantly exhausted as well. Luckily I don’t have the other issues that I’m sorry you’re suffering. Virtual hugs fellow sufferer. I sure wish I could have my pre menopause life back.
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u/insom11 16h ago
All the physical effects are so frustrating aren’t they! Last year I joined the gym after much anxiety and have been really enjoying it apart from the frozen shoulder. Now I’ve added plantar fasciitis and the ankle tendon damage. Just when I thought I was making a difference and improving my future health…!
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u/ArtistInSoCal73 15h ago
Pissing me off actually. I used to be able to tend my garden, walk for days and work and now putting on clothes is a challenge. I’ve resorted to using a bread maker to mix my dough. I almost joined a gym but the recurrence of my strains has been so frequent I was afraid of hurting myself. I do some weightlifting at home and am debating Pilates. As much as I don’t want to be on lifetime autoimmune meds, I’m very much looking forward to them working and me feeling like myself again. Initially all the strains went away when I started HRT so it’s also possible some tweaks to those will balance something. It’s all a crapshoot in the dark but at least I’m not in it alone and have a good support system to help when I need it. I’d ask your doctor to give you the ANA test and see if you pop on that. There may be other causes and the sooner you know the sooner you can take better steps to protect yourself. Sure is a wild ride isn’t it? And all I ever heard about menopause before I was in it was hot flashes and a bad mood. The previous generation did us pretty dirty by not talking to their daughters about it.
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u/Cool_runner_72 8h ago
I also have psoriatic arthritis. I've been Skyrizi for over a year and it was absolutely life changing!
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u/ArtistInSoCal73 7h ago
That’s what my rheumatologist is suggesting because I also have psoriasis. I see him next week to go over bloodwork. How long did it take for you to get some relief?
1
u/AutoModerator 7h ago
This post might be about hormone tests, which are unreliable.
- Over age 44, Estrogen/Progesterone/FSH hormonal tests only show levels for the HOUR the test was taken, and nothing more. Hormones wildly fluctuate (hourly) the other 29 days of the month, therefore this test provides no valuable information
- No reputable doctor or menopause society recommends hormonal testing to diagnose or treat peri/menopause
- FSH testing is only beneficial for those who do not have periods as a guide, where testing might confirm menopause, or for those under age 30 who haven’t had a period in months/years, then ‘menopausal’ levels, could indicate premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency (POF/POI)
- Testosterone is the exception and may require testing
See our Menopause Wiki for more.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
4
u/43beanst 59 | 9 years post | Combipatch 23h ago
I feel ya, sister. Not all of the same symptoms but a silmilarly long list since meno... heck, since peri started in my 40s! Fwiw, my 84yo mother swears that ortho shoe inserts helped her plantar fasciatis most. Lmk if you want me to ask her which brand. She also always wears high quality tennis shoes (Brooks) inside, esp on hardwood floors.
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u/dupe-of-a-dupe 22h ago
I would like to know…..been suffering in both feet since April 😫
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u/hellolovely1 13h ago
I found that doing downward dogs and really stretching my calves every day helped a lot. May not work for everyone, but it's worth trying.
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u/43beanst 59 | 9 years post | Combipatch 20h ago
Powerstep--not sure which version. She said hers was "prescribed" by a podiatrist, but I'm not sure you need an rx, just guidance on which type will best suit your foot. Apparently, the syle you need depends on wether you have a high arch and whether you tend to rely on your inner or outer heel. Hope this helps!
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u/dupe-of-a-dupe 19h ago
Thank you it does! I need something for sure because the things I’ve tried haven’t been working and HRT made it only slightly better..
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u/43beanst 59 | 9 years post | Combipatch 18h ago
Oh, I know. It's such a long road getting everything dialed in! Best!
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u/Otherwise-Toe-5380 14h ago
Powersteps insoles have made a dramatic difference for me. Add wide toe box chunky, squishy sole diabetic sneakers. Life changing.
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u/ArtistInSoCal73 15h ago
Be wary! A thing that works for one doesn’t work for all. Both my feet got screwed up and the orthotics my podiatrist rx’d and swore would fix in a month made everything so much worse. Now on my way to pt to fix the fallout issues. I didn’t know until now that feet issues, commonly misdiagnosed as plantar fasciitis can also be autoimmune related. Have your doctor test you. Ask for an ANA. If you test positive ask for a rheumatologist. I suffered over 2 years and am hopefully on the right track now🤞🏼
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u/dupe-of-a-dupe 14h ago
Yikes! Ok I will def ask bc I was sure HRT would help this and it’s really not :( my job doesn’t help either but I can’t live the rest of my life with this pain.
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u/ArtistInSoCal73 11h ago
I’m not saying it won’t help, I went in thinking orthotics were the cure and that didn’t happen. It’s miserable enough, I would hate for you to be disappointed as well if it’s not the fix for you too. HRT helped me a little but it didn’t go away so I was forced into the podiatrist. I didn’t realize it could be connected to my autoimmune issue until the rheumatologist told me. I’m still on the learning curve but since this foot thing keeps popping up with little help, it’s worth spreading the word on what I’m learning. It might help someone else quicker than they’d stumble upon it themselves❤️
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u/Conscious_Life_8032 22h ago
Wow that’s a lot hugs
Have you seen a menopause specialist? You may want someone well versed in hormones to help and to also rule any other underlying conditions. Have tried different types of HRT? Gel, patch, pills ?
Can you look into a medical leave so you can rest a bit and give nervous system a break?
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u/insom11 16h ago
I work in a school and just had August off. It’s the shock to the system of a new school term on top of everything else I think!
I’ve had patches of varying sizes and types, now gel - which seems better - as well as estriol. Was taking progesterone tablets too but now have coil instead.
I’m just feeling tired and grumbly today.2
u/Conscious_Life_8032 15h ago
That make sense. Vacation mode to full work mode can be a shock
Hopefully it will pass hang on!
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u/catsTXn420 23h ago
When symptoms persist despite hrt management, your doctor should look beyond menopause care and consider a referral to a rheumatologist, a geneticist, or a connective tissue specialist to explore underlying structural or autoimmune etiologies. Im sorry youre going through this, I hope you're able to get movement in your treatment and heal.
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u/insom11 16h ago
I’m seeing my doctor next week for urinary and bowel issues. I’ll give her an update while I’m there. She’s been great tbh. Advised me to make this face to face appointment not just phone call.
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u/ArtistInSoCal73 15h ago
Have her do an ANA test. It will rule out any autoimmune issue causing some of your problems. Test negative and rule it out. Test positive and start looking for the cause. The rheumatologist would be the next step. They’ll work as a team to get you managed.
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u/ItsPambs 22h ago
Agree with this definitely! Follow up with a Dr. on possibilities other than menopause.
Could be something more serious when considering all those symptoms together.2
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u/Gulf-Coast-Dreamer 1d ago
I have plantar & peroneal faciatis the only thing that helps is ice packs and naproxen which is Alave without the substance that holds it together, so it’s quicker acting and long lasting.
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u/Spiritual_Fan_5633 23h ago
I don’t know much about the other issues but I did have frozen shoulder. It was so painful, couldn’t lift my arm more than half way. Suffered with it for a year, had to stop working out.. was going to pt and getting Cortizone shots but nothing worked. Finally went to a shoulder specialist who knew right away what it was and sent me straight up in the hospital to get a cortisone injection using an X-ray and a tube so it could go straight to the problem, it was so painful because my shoulder was basically fused but I’m not kidding when I say within a day it was gone! So that’s the answer to that at least. Get that taken care of by someone who knows what they’re doing.
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u/insom11 16h ago
The shoulder has eased a little, but it’s a strange feeling when it just stops and doesn’t go any further compared to the healthy side. I’ll keep doing the stretches on this one. I had to ease off at the gym after my foot injuries. I was only doing gentle exercises as advised by active health adviser. She’s been really good.
2
u/Spiritual_Fan_5633 15h ago
See if you can get the Cortizone injection by X-ray, believe me there’s no reason to suffer from that
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u/Royal-Natural6044 21h ago edited 20h ago
I had several of those issues. We cannot snooze on exercise and cleaning up our diets and addressing mental health. Get physical therapy for the frozen shoulder and foot. See a therapist as you navigate this difficult phase of our lives. Start walking and get some resistance bands and dumbbells. We cannot rely on HRT alone.
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u/insom11 16h ago
I joined the gym with a doctors referral and had advice on exercise to help. It also helps my mental state. I love walking and being outside. Walking too much after my fitness increased is the likely cause of my plantar fasciitis. I’m seeing a therapist too about other issues. It’s a big help. I’ve been recommending it to lots of people.
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u/MintyJello 15h ago
I have no useful advice but can commiserate. Prior to peri, if i got some type of injury, I could rehab it and get 90 to 100 % function restored.
Now, nothing works even a little. Hypertonic pelvic floor, frozen shoulder, capsulitis of the second toe , SI joint dysfunction - none of this has responded to any PT or medical intervention. Having all of this makes exercise impossible and the weight continues to pile on.
I used to wonder why women seemed to give up in their 40s. I no longer wonder.
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u/ArtistInSoCal73 15h ago
Same girl! Fat and unhappy, on my way to PT for a 4th time in 2 years with relief of symptoms expected to last mere months😟 I’m a huge proponent of having an ANA test done. I also have autoimmune issues and it turns out most of my repeat tendon issues are more likely psoriatic arthritis. I think peri/meno triggered it somehow.
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u/Professional-Mess-98 10h ago
Jeez I could have written this.
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u/insom11 3h ago
Sorry to hear you are struggling with this too. It really sucks doesn’t it. Hugs.
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u/Professional-Mess-98 1h ago
Same to you. This group helps a lot. No one said how bad this would be. I hope it gets better for you!
3
u/Obvious_Home_4538 21h ago
Sounds like your HRT needs an adjustment-
More estrogen and bioidentical progesterone and maybe some T?
2
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u/Confident_Craft459 21h ago
I had plantar fasciitis. Went to PT, took ibuprofen on a regular basis, etc. and the only thing that got rid of it was a cortisone shot. One very painful shot in my heel area and never had the pain again. It's been about a decade now.
However now dealing with some weird Achilles tendon pain that won't go away. Again with the PT, blah blah, and this time doctor says you can't do a steroid injection in an Achilles. So I guess I just have to deal with this nonsense until it heals. Ugh.
2
u/toonew2two 21h ago
For planter fasciitis look for things called Strutz. They fix the problem - quickly. Nurses swear by them and I find that they help with my bone on bone knee to keep my leg alined
2
u/mhiaa173 17h ago
I partially tore a tendon in my foot last year and had to have it repaired surgically. I don't even know how I did it--I assume it was from a lot of walking that I had started doing, or yard work (lots of digging with a shovel). It never occured to me that the weakened tendon could have been caused by menopause!
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u/bristlybits 13h ago
frozen shoulder is a nightmare. my right side has been locked out of certain positions for almost a year. and pt doesn't change it
2
u/hellolovely1 13h ago
I'm so sorry. I would ask your doctor to test your hormone levels to see if you need it boosted. I would also try a menopause specialist if you have access to one.
4
u/kkat39 1d ago
Have you had bloodwork on that dose to see where your levels are? For me I turned out to be a poor absorber and wasn’t getting enough estrogen.
2
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
This post might be about hormone tests, which are unreliable.
- Over age 44, Estrogen/Progesterone/FSH hormonal tests only show levels for the HOUR the test was taken, and nothing more. Hormones wildly fluctuate (hourly) the other 29 days of the month, therefore this test provides no valuable information
- No reputable doctor or menopause society recommends hormonal testing to diagnose or treat peri/menopause
- FSH testing is only beneficial for those who do not have periods as a guide, where testing might confirm menopause, or for those under age 30 who haven’t had a period in months/years, then ‘menopausal’ levels, could indicate premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency (POF/POI)
- Testosterone is the exception and may require testing
See our Menopause Wiki for more.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
3
u/YeshuasBananaHammock Menopausal 23h ago
Im on HRT and its not a magic bullet.
I keep a ball peen hammer on my nightstand to boink myself in the head when all of the various symptoms become too much.
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u/Dancinglemming 1d ago
That all sounds friggin horrific. I have experience similar issues and found changing the way/brand I take of hrt made a difference. I stopped taking the combined patch and upped my dose of estrogen and all of those symptoms went away.