I did a search and read a few threads on menopause but I still have some concerns. I read recently just the fact of having RA can increase one's chances of early menopause by 10-30%. I am also taking Methotrexate which I'm assuming can increase those chances even more.
Before I was diagnosed with RA back in December, I was having night sweats..not every night but at least once a week. Since starting methotrexate, things have gotten worse. I used to always sleep with covers/comforter all the way up. Now I have to turn the air conditioning on high and sleep with no covers. I am literally soaking wet when I wake up in the middle of the night or morning. My hair is all wet, my sheets are completely wet. For the past month or so I've been having hot flashes during the day....every day. My last 2 periods have also been very light. They still last about 7 days, but they are so light. I did make an appointment with my GYN for Monday, but I guess I just wanted to know what your thoughts were. I'm only 35. Could this already be happening or could it just be odd side effects of the meds?
Training Girl, I had a hysterectomy when I was 40. I got RA when I was 48. Since RA my menopause has definitely kicked in. Hot flashes, night sweats. I hate it. I don't know if it is the ra, the meds, or a coincidence that my menopause is just showing symptoms. I am so sorry you are going through this at 35. NOT FAIR NOT FAIR. It did seem like it was worse for me on mtx. I hope it is the drugs. Talk to your doctor. Since I am now 50, my doctor's love to say things like "you are not getting any younger"
Let us know what you find out on Monday.
I went into full menopause at 33. Now at 35 I've been on HRT for more than a year now. Besides some weight gain I'm blaming on that I'm doing just fine. I had all the "menopause" symptoms before taking HRT but now their pretty much gone....or theres been a noticable change anyway.
None of my doctors will say for sure if it was the MTX or just the fact that I have RA that caused it. It could go either way but the fact still remains I'm in menopause.
It can definately happen.
I had a very similar experience to Training Girl. I was perimenopausal and had been for awhile, but I started MTX in January and any hot flash I had experienced before was NOTHING compared to the raging heat and night sweats after I started it. It certainly COULD have been coincidental since I was 49 almost 50 anyway, but it sure seemed to be the MTX that sent me immediately into menopause for good. I am on HRT now because the interrupted nights were intolerable since the fatigue at that time was so bad anyway.I too have started the hot flashes/ body temperature changes since i started on MTX. The problem is that I am 45 so the gynie just says it is menopause starting. I truly believe it is all the MTX symptoms. I have had normal periods that last 3 days that have been completely regular for 30 years. Started MTX in October and hemorhaged. No more periods for 3 months. Went off MTX in Feb (bad liver numbers) Went back on MTX in late Feb and hemorhaged again. No period since. Is it menopause or MTX??? I think it's the MTX.
At the age of 41 I had a full hysterectomy because of endometriosis, I did not take estrogen afterwards due to the possibility that if there was any endo left the estrogen would make it grow. So I went through surgical menopause without anything. I was going outside in the middle of winter, in MI, just to cool down I was over all that after about 6 months. I had read that some drugs can make your menopause more intense, and this could be your problem. Your dr should be able to give you suggestions and maybe something to help you through this if the mtx causes the symptoms to get even more intense maybe you need to change to another med. memeHEY MEME.....it's good to see you. Hope you're doing well Sweetie. I miss you!Training girl,Thanks for all of the replies :)
Now I can't wait to get to the doctor! I will let you all how it goes. Ugh...I'm sitting here having hot flash after flash right now! Driving me nuts!
I have one word for you...REMIFEMIN. works wonders for night sweats and hot flushes.[QUOTE=pammy416]I have one word for you...REMIFEMIN. works wonders for night sweats and hot flushes. [/QUOTE]
Is that an HRT? I don't know why, but I'm scared to take HRT...well..I do know why. I know someone that had a very serious reaction to HRT, but I guess I have to weigh all of the options. Right now I feel like complete crap so if it is indeed early menopause, I'll have to give it more serious thought.
And then there's me. I'm 50 & on MTX & haven't noticed any changes at all. No night sweats. Still using the electric blanket in June. So I don't think it's the drug. It's the drug in combination with different body chemistries.I didn't really want to start taking HRT either. My symptoms weren't so bad I didn't think. I thought I could deal with them; but my doctor insisted.
He said considering my age and the fact that I've alreaady got bone loss I needed to take it. But how long can I be on the stuff? I'm only 35 and I've already been on HRT for more than a year and a half now. How long is it safe to take the stuff?
I have been pretty confused by it all as well; but will admit I do feel better after starting HRT.
Remefimin is an over the counter item you can get in your drugstore or Wally World, it is suppose to be an herbal form of substitute estrogen. Alot of women swear by it, and Lovie, you are not suppose to be on hrt for more than 2yrs, because of the increase of cancer, The dr can give you a med for your bones that you can take once a week or once a month which will help with bone loss. memeKaren
Karen,