Yes linz57 - I have read that fibromyalgia is a syndrome ie collection of (often debilitating) symptoms but as far as is known not a disease as such. As well as low oestrogen, there appears to be evidence that low testosterone and underactive thyroid (or other related endocrine problems) is associated with the syndrome, and there are probably some unknown causes too. Unfortunately since doctors rarely test for testosterone deficiency, and women can be symptomatic with thyroid levels within the normal range, and also few doctors will link menopause and oestrogen deficiency with joint/muscle problems - so women are sent to rheumatologists etc without full endocrine tests - it is no wonder that the most common group being diagnosed with fibromyalgia is women of peri-menopausal age through to post-menopause.
I think it is shocking as such a diagnosis (along with many cases of CFS and ME) means that many women are left to get on with it and may be signed off work as invalids, perhaps given treatments or physio for symptoms - without ever having the sort of testing and subsequent treatment that could make such a difference to their quality of life!!! I have said before on here when I went to my (not good) female GP ( the other one is brilliant!) with muscle pains and exhaustion - and I suggested testosterone deficiency whereupon she said we can't go around testing this for all women who say they're tired!!!!! When I went back some months later still complaining and asking for reasons - she shrugged and said she could refer me for fibromyalgia. No way I thought! I had to go privately (at the time) for treatment with testosterone and also though I still suffer morning tiredness and could sleep for hours, the muscle aches and pains have mostly gone. Also my thyroid measurement although within the normal range was higher than optimal so could also be contributing (still).
Sorry for the rant but I do feel strongly that women do not get the best treatment they deserve and tend to be fobbed off too much!!!
JaneB So sorry to hear you had breast cancer and can understand why you do not want/are not able to take HRT.
Unfortunately oestrogen levels continue to fall sharply for the first two years following menopause and then stabilise although there is some hormonal activity for a while longer.
It would be odd to come on almost overnight though if it has a hormonal cause. Have you had full blood tests, vitamins etc - as Dancinggirl suggests deficiencies can cause symptoms.
Sorry I can't help any further but good luck with trying to find a cause and treatment - if it turns out to be oestrogen deficiency then ask to be referred to a specialist to see what treatment you can be given?
Hurdity x
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