It seems that every time I look around on this site, I find another symptom that's been worrying me, and that other women have it too!  Thanks SO much for all the above posts, because I've been having so many of these very same symptoms.  I had even had a stress echo test done last summer, because of the pressure/pain in my chest.  I was not surprised (but was annoyed) when the cardiologist said that I was "too young to be here".  Well, I was 49 at the time, and don't we always read that heart disease is more prevalent in women than people realize?  But shouldn't a cardiologist be aware of this?  So, shame on him!  Anyway, everything was okay - just found that I had a slight valve leak, which really doesn't affect much, thankfully.  But the deep arm/shoulder pain was worrying me....I feel like a darn hyponchondriac, and I think some of my friends think I am just that, but the symptoms are all real.  I notice I get out of breath easily too, and while I'm not grossly overweight (15 lbs., at most) I really must get back into some sort of regular exercise program, for many reasons.  Well, anyway, thanks so much for all the input, and Dearest, I find that "heart pain" symptom that you noticed in the old book to be very interesting.  Kim

Yankeegal..thats basically what my cardio dr. said to me too..when he walked in the room.."What's a young lady like you doing here"...well i was the youngest one that day that i saw..i was 47 then..almost 48 (last month)..my tests came out good too..an innocent heart murmur..have known about the murmur for 8 yrs..from what i've read..murmurs can affect the way the blood flows (not all cardios believe this)..and how your body reacts to that..a syndrome type of thing..diet change and all that stuff, exercise etc.etc..and when i had the tests from the neurologist (everything there was perfect)..that doctors said "You're a perfectly healthy middle aged woman)..i was by then 48 LOL..he, a "young whipper snapper" of under 40 lol...i then was the youngest one in the lobby...i too think doctors need to realize just because we're younger than some of their regulars..we have concerns too...the neuro guy did say tho..my problem (my bodies perception) could be from my body reacting to the murmur(the flowing/oxygen blood) and or the hormones...so translated i guess he meant common for a middle aged woman hehe

Hi Wildflowers - It makes me feel better (once again) that I am not alone in this!  My arm pain is so deep feeling...a real ache!  I'm swearing to myself that once all this hustle and bustle is over, I'm really going to get back into my exercise groove.  I am searching for a video with those exercise bands, because it feels good when I do stretching, with my arms.  

None of my friends here seem to have any of the symptoms that I do (all I hear about are the flashes, of which I've had none), so it means so much to swap notes on this stuff!  Thanks again, Wildflowers!

Hi Everyone:Just scanning over the posts--as I think I have every crazy meno symptom there is.  Thought I would share something I learned last week.  A friend of mine woke up one morning with a "frozen shoulder:--could harldy move it at all and it just killed her to try.  She went to the orthopedist and he told her that 98% of all people that have frozen shoulders are menopausal women.  How is that for percentages?  This meno can really do some strange things, but thank heavens we all have each other!Ga Girl

Hey Ga Girl,

I can't believe I found your post.  I have been such problesm with my left shoulder.  I never would related this to menopause. I can only raise my left shoulder to a certain height.  This a truly amazing size.  Thanks for shariing your information.  I was about to really get worried about myself.

You ladies are wonderful.  It's so comforting to hear that I'm not alone in this.  I, too, have left shoulder pain.  It seems to be ok in the morning but as the day wears on it gets worse.  It's mostly centered in the shoulder but runs down to the elbow and up the neck.  It comes in cycles.  I'll have it for a couple of months and then it will be gone for a couple of months------then it's back again.  Who would have thought it was related to menopause?  Thanks for being there,girls.

I've got it right now too, same as you misspugs, you descibe me to a T so I had to post. When I'm tense, I tighten my muscles unconsciously. Even typing hurts it. Hmmm...guess I should quit typing!

Tex

This is so great. I definitely don't fall in the 'normal perimenopausal category'. No hot flashes (although chills from time to time), no night sweats and only 1 episode of  palpitations, that woke me up at 5am and lasted about 4 minutes. Now I do have almost every other perimenopausal symptom and then some more. This left shoulder and arm  and chest tightness is driving me crazy. I get some chest pains now and then and sometimes I feel  like there is a general low level inflammed feeling in my chest. I also can get the shortness of breath thing that makes me feel like I'm 80 years or more! Of course all this makes me feel somewhat anxious so not to make the abnormal adrenaline surges worse I'll reach for my Xanax. Never have been one to take medication but I do swear by that one.Also does anyone else tend to have moderately low blood pressure? I ask because I do get alittle dizzy upon getting up quickly and it can make the tightness alittle more tight for a moment.Really this perimenopausal stuff can really undermine one's sense of well being and confidence. So glad I'm not alone with this weird stuff. Have had many of the heart tests but they have found nothing. I suppose I should feel good about this but it's still difficult to totally accept all is okay, especially recently as the chest and arm sensations have lasted longer than normal. Well I guess all we can do is get through each day as calmly as possible. So glad you are all out there!

It really is great that we can share experiences, so we don't feel so alone.  I'm 52 and had my last period in September.  I visited the cardiologist about 2 years ago for the palps, and the chest pressure and pain and all the tests proved there was no problem.  The doctor even sort of laughed at me, looking around at all the elderly folks, and said I was too young to be there! (Gee, hasn't he read all the articles about middle aged women and heart problems??)

What I also get is a numbness/tingling in my right hand (mostly) and arm.  I don't have it all the time, but I do have it now, as I type this, and get it mostly upon arising in the  morning (it's 4:52 a.m. and insomnia is another of my symptoms).  It feels like my hand and arm are "asleep", and is painful (and really messes up my typing - you should see how many times I'm backspacing!!  LOL)

I've never had night sweats but do feel warmer than others, on a continual basis...but then I feel like I've always been a little like that - it's just increased.  - Kim

I've also had the arm pain for the last 3 years. I do find it feels better if I stretch them and also after I do push-ups! Sometimes in the middle of the day I have to just drop down to the floor and do a few pushups until it lets up!

Suzie

I am having a pain in my right upper arm and shoulder and am trying to treat it with stretching. A couple of years ago, I had something similar in my left arm. I had not thought of menopause before. Actually in my case I think it may be more aging and arthritis.

Once again, I am enlightened! It never occured to me that these body aches I'm having could be another perimenopausal symptom! I had a spasm in the middle of the night about 2 years ago - felt like someone took a butcher knife and stuck it right in the outside of my left shoulder. If I could have gotten dressed, I would have gone to the emergency room! Anyway, ever since then, have had ongoing pain in that shoulder and the upper quadrant of my back on that side - also think it comes from the neck. The doctors have been totally useless on this, have had MRI, CAT scan, etc. but the pain is still there and just this last month has spread to the right shoulder, lower back, left hip and both elbows!! I have lost most all of my upper body strength due to the elbow thing! Every morning I feel like "you know what" when I get up and I just don't know what to do about it! A hot bath helps but when school starts back, I won't have time for that! (I'm a teacher) My OB/GYN dr. gave me some muscle relaxers, but they won't last forever and I don't really know if they are even helping. I see that a lot of us have this problem, but I don't see a lot of remedies listed here. PLEASE, PLEASE - share with me what you are doing or where you found relief!!

Even as I write this the tops of both my hands are KILLING me. I sometimes drop stuff and if it is heavy forget it! Occasionally when I pick something up a feeling like a spring sproinging hits in the fleshy part of my palm at the bottom of the thumb. I have to use both hands to turn a doorknob at night if I get up to go..you know. This is due both to pain and the fact that my hands will NOT work properly and do as I request--not that much to ask of a body part! I have been to doctors; the most recent ortho guy said,"I have no clue; how about some physical therapy." So I went for 6 months with no improvement. The physical therapists said a chiropractor was what I needed because I had a pinched nerve in my neck. The chiro put me in traction and it does help BUT I cannot afford to do that once a week. I have a home traction thing that is not as good as the chiro thing...sigh...my arms are tingling from the elbows down... I have read that alot of women who think they have carpal tunnel(which I have been told this is NOT!) may well find it gone post menopause. Guess I'm waiting but Ow-Ow- OW!

wow can I just say THANK GOD for this forum!!! I've been reading this forum for a little over a month...I thought I was totally nuts!!! MRI's...Cat Scans.....Neurologists...MD's...Chiros....everything thinking I'm nuts....lol knowing I'm nuts....hypochondriac the whole deal.....my left side has been killing me....all tests thank GOD are good....went to my female GYN said sounds like perio, the nite sweats, the shorter periods.....I'm only 41 tho they say you're too young...well hello....no I'm not...I know what I'm feeling....and everytime I think I've calmed down boom another new symptom....THANK GOD for you women....I'm realizing I'm not alone and that these pains in my left side like a butcher knife in my shoulder blade sometimes....and numbness down to my knuckles and sometimes soreness and numbness up the neck and side of my face.....its insane....my GOD women go thru tooo much...lol.....but I just wanted to say thank you girls for writing and no we're really not nutz and we're really not alone......
laura

I'm short--5foot nothing, and work in a kitchen built for guys. I have been seeing a chiro for the last about 10 years cause I keep seizing up. For me, it is related directly to the counter height that I am working at. I even have my own 4" step stool to stand on when I will be in the same place for a while, but I can't have it everywhere, and platform shoes are SOOO out (and SOOO dangerous) that I am constantly working at a awkward height.
Lately, though, I have been having dull ache/numbness/loss of strength in my right arm, wrist to shoulder, mostly when at rest in bed (same time my legs decide to act up). Sometimes it spreads across my chest to my left shoulder. My Chiro sees no difference in me, and has massaged and done pressure points, but he's not there at bedtime. He's been really supportive through this peri journey of mine, asking questions (and, yes, I have mentioned this site and told him how much support I've found here)and really seeming to take interest, and not poo-pooing. He won't rule anything out, but can't really give an answer. I HAVE been to my GP and had all kinds of tests to rule out the usual suspects, and am healthy as a horse.
My smelly baths help (Lavender is the most soothing), and aspirin or clonazepam when desparate. I'm mostly thankful that when I eventually fall asleep at 4 or 5 am, I don't have to work till 3 pm! (BIG sign on bedroom door---and they KNOW what it means!)

Hi ChefMarr,I dont know if this is the same but I have a deep sort of to the bone achey pain from my sholder down to my wrist andthe same in one of my upper thighs.this is not all of the time only around ovulation.Its strange it kind of comes and goes Hopefully,you Chiro can help you out.I do, however,i think that hormones have to do with this among all the other crazy symptoms.Keep yourself hydrated.Take care ChefMarr

Got myself one of those baseball caps with "beer" holders, and straws for hands-free sipping. Now I have the choice of juice or water on the line. Management thinks its a hoot, and I only have to fill up every hour or so!

Cool, no problem with hydration there.I should tell my son about that one.His place of employment moved him up from dishwasher to prep,now cook.Hes lovin it.He dies with the heat and as you know can never have enough fluids.The kitchen has NO air cond and NO fans. HES 17 he can take it,youth (ah my poor baby) He will get a real charge out of your hat How are you doing with the aches and pains,better i hope

Thanks, Lynda,
The aches and pains are still there, but I'm getting used to them. Just had my first real period since Dec., just some spotting in May, so I guess I have to start counting again
The heat has really been the biggest problem, constantly drinking water and juice, but still suffering. We're in the middle of a heat-wave with 30+ temps for the last week. Looks like we might get a break by Wed. or Thurs. Holding our breath for it!

I am so glad to hear others talk about this kind of pain. It has been plaguing me since January and it is currently one of my worst symptoms (gee, I feel like I say that a lot). Pain in the left shoulder, in the area of the left shoulder blade. sometimes feels like it's burning right through my chest to my sternum. It's a deep pain, like I can sometimes put my finger on the area where it is deep inside. Wierd thing is in the past couple of days, I am having similar pain on my right side. I was seeing a cardiologist for all the tests, and they only found some excess fluid in my heart sac thinking at first it was pericarditis, and pretty much ruled that out as the source of the pain at this point as I don't really seem to follow the pattern of that.

To those who have this, can you bring on the pain, or more of it, by doing a lot of upper body activity, like cleaning the house kind of stuff? I find that I can bring it on or make it worse by pushing too hard.

I have also experienced the not being able to lift your left arm too high without pain at times over the last couple of years (before I even knew I was in peri), although that is not happening now. I have seen a rhuematologist and had arthritis ruled out (as well as other things). I also get tingling in my hands/fingers and sometimes wake up at night and my arms feel numb.

Okay, now for a suggestion as to a remedy........a couple of months ago, my GP suggested that I do the kind of exercises that stregthen your back/neck/shoulder/arm muscles - like a rowing machine, and all those other machines at the gym where you are doing a lot of pulling mostly. He told me it would probably feel worse at first, but this helps a lot of people with pain in these areas. So I have been going to the gym at least every other day for the past two months and working on the machines, taking it slow of course so as not to make myself even worse. Sometimes, when I have the pain, and go through a workout, it actually feels better afterwards. And I have noticed a substantial decrease in this pain just coming on all the time. I can tell that those muscles are getting stronger because I can use more weight. It's not gone, but it is substantially better.

Something to try....it might help you out.

Chefmarr, Just when you think its over huh I guess your hormones decided they wanted to stick around a little longer.Im sorry that you are still having pain.I wonder what causes these symptoms Its like there is a new one every day,for me.Its wierd how now i feel every little thing where as before peri i just blew thigs off.We are having a HUGE HEAT WAVE here.Its like pea soup here,cant enjoy the outdoors.IM sick of air cond.I cant wait until fall to smell the crisp air again Take care keep intouch,hope your pain goes.Im sure its just hormones.It sounds like your body is trying to level out

Hey,Pixiegirl I do notice that when im useing that arm it does aggravate it.Some times it will come in waves,even if im not doing anything.It gets scary because,like you, mine is on the left side,but now it is on the right.Both, off and on.This is only for a small part of a day and around ovulation,it seems.It is hard to judge because i have bursitis(sp) on the left shoulder.I hope this helps.Does yours come and go? and how long does it last? When you talk about pain when trying to lift your arm,that is what I have in the shoulder whith the bursitis.Did the doc say what is causing the fluid around the heart?Isnt this hormone stuff just peachy I hope you are feeling better soon,try to rest that arm.Drink lots of water for joints.Take care

Thanks,,,,Lynda for the sympathy!

My ache is in my RIGHT arm, and is really more weakness and dull ache than pain.
It comes and goes (can't tell if its related to ovulation when I've only had one period in the last 7 mos!)but it is REALLY annoying!
I've actually dropped things in the past few weeks if I am not paying attention!
I'm feeling it now, and I just want it to go away!
My exercise/activity level has not changed, although I do notice it more when I am tired (meaning I got less than 3 hours of un-interrupted sleep )

HEY---got my paycheque yesterday and SURPRISE I got a raise that I didn't ask for, and wasn't expecting. Confronted my boss (in case it was a mistake) and he shrugged his shoulders and said that "since you have been here, I have felt comfortable, for the first time in four years, to actually be able to take days off and know that the place will not fall apart, because you are there. I just wanted to say Thank You."
Well, there's a pat on the back that I needed!

Yea Me!

Congrats Sounds like you have a boss that appreciates you.Keep heathy and i hope this meno JUNK (And im being nice) goes smoothly for you.

Lynda

Wow! I just got here and already I see we have a lot of the same symptoms no one tells you about. I do yoga and I found that I was getting very stiff, with pain in my joints and a permanently stiff neck. I thought I'd never feel OK again. But, hey everyone, there's hope. I'm getting towards the end of perimenopause and I don't feel stiff anymore. I kept on with the yoga-- just took it easier-- but what seemed to help most was working out on a ballance ball.

I also still have times when I feel I can't take a deep breath, and I think that has sometimes led to incipient panic attacks, but I've been able to talk myself out of them. It's very interesting to hear that these are common symptoms.

Hi cheche,
Yes, this is all just peachy....it seems like one thing after the other.

The cardiologist says that the fluid they see may be normal for me, maybe it's been there for 20 years and we just did not know. I go back to see him this week, and hope to get a go-forward strategy for that one. I would like to know if it is normal for me by monitoring it for a while. As with most doctors, he really does not understand anything about peri and can't relate this to anything hormonal - not sure that I really do either, but you never know after all the wierd things I've had happen so far.

The pain in my shoulder/arm comes and goes, it is not constant. It's often hard for me to tell where exactly the pain is originating - in the shoulder, in the back, etc. Sometimes when I feel it coming on, straightening out my posture - pushing my shoulders back and sitting up straight, can help along with stretching and "popping" the joint to loosen it up. My GP has been pretty useless on this one except to suggest the exercising, which really has helped and is the one thing that has got me to go to the gym regularly.....I guess that part is a good thing.

Hey,Pixiegirl,I know what you mean.It makes it so much more confusing,when drs dont understand whats going on with us either Thats why i feel we need to take the bull by the horns and become as educated as we can.Tg for PS.It sounds like your a-ok and that these lovely hormones are causing yet another wierd symptom.It is so confusing to me that all of these symptoms i have and the intensity of them are all caused by hormones.Who knew Dont get discouraged,just keep digging until you get an answer YOUR happy with.You know you body.I know its hard because our bodys are not ours anymore.I have the same symtoms on the shoulder your talking about and i stretch and change positions also and that helps. One day we will look back on this and say thank god its over Thats my dream Let me know how your doing.HUGS

Lynda

Hi swhatnext,I am glad to hear that yoga could help these aches and pains.I dont know what it is but i have so much stiffness and clicking in my neck since peri.I have been reading so many posts about women with the same.I wonder what hormone or lack of, causes this.Seriously,I feel 90 yrs old and im only 47.Scary I feel like someone switched my body with a old lady Im glad that you are getting some easeing of the pain



Take care,
Lynda

Girls,

I think hormones can do about anything. I never realized how much they effect your bodily funtioning. I have had most of the same symptoms as Pixie. I think she's a few months ahead of me in this process so reading what's happening to her has been quite helpful. It saved my sanity to find so many people with the same weird things going on. I have recently began suffering from burning mouth (another bizarre symptom) and started to have some difficulties swallowing (just ocassionally) in researching burning mouth it is a symptom of that condition. At first I was really freaking out....even though 98% of the time I can swallow just fine, and it never happens when I'm eating or drinking...just out of the blue I feel like I can't swallow. I BELIEVE that all of the symptoms I've had since last fall are due to peri and while no doctor will tell me that I have found too many women who experience the same thing.

I get really tired of dealing with the symptoms and anxiety each day and then to compound everything something new comes along when I haven't really gotten over or used to what I already have been dealing with. It's exhausting! After experiencing and reading all I have nothing would surprise me about peri.

Che Che - I tell my husband I feel like I'm 46 going on 90. Such a change.....overnight

Teejay,Every thing you put in your post is how i feel.I cant get used to being SO aware of my body.There is a new symptom to add to the list almost daily. Im not used to being obsessed about my health ya know.I have had that feeling of not being able to swollow but only maybe twice in 1 yr.It dosnt last long.Wierd.I havent had the burning mouth yet.....but im sure thats on the way

Hang in there girl,

Lynda

I can't believe I found this site, its nearly five am here and I can't sleep, what everyone has put up on this forum is So Me, I have hardly ever gotten sick and hardly ever visited my doctor except for my children, of late I have spent half my time there, I have been in hospital with suspected heart problems but no all fine, but pain still there, in sholder, neck under left arm and numb feeling in my face, I thought I was going crazy, I have felt so down and have asked about memopause but told I am to young at 40 personally I don't believe I am to young as according to my mother she started young also, I get so frustrated and finding this site has sort of calmed my nerves, Thanks

sorry guys new to the site and boy is that obvious now LOL posted in the wrong place.

Don't apologize, chi. Like in Love Story - PS is not having to say you're sorry. I never went on chat lines or message boards, but I sure frequent this site when I need it. I go for weeks without the arm and shoulder pain, etc, but when I get stressed like tonight - I feel like hell. I go for weeks thinking this peri stuff was all a bad dream and I'm okay, then boom. It returns with a vengence with my period or period time or stress. This site is a safe place to fall.
KGB

Thanks KGbell, this site seems like a supportive group of people, agreed safe place, hope things are better for you soon, I know how you feel.

Here comes a weird reply.

CTS. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. (sp) on Carpal?. I have had episodes where the entire arm is in such a sensitive state that air moving past my arm makes it ache. Wearing any kind of sleeved shirt is impossible as the fabric touching my skin causes excruciating pain. Maybe? Maybe Not?

Linderful

Hi, I'm new to this website, but I can't tell you how you all have been a godsend to me. I'm 48 and last year started to think that I was losing my mind. Went to doctor and then hospital with pain down my arm and up to my neck, lightheaded, foggy, anxiety and pounding heart- spent 2 days and had an echo, stress test, ultrasound of carotid artery, blood work, you name it and all was fine. they told me it was acid reflux. Something in my head told me that wasn't right, but went home with Prevacid and that didn't help. My family doctor is great - a 48 year old woman also, and said that she can relate and that its perimenopause. I still have a regular period, but nothing else about me is regular anymore. I don't know what the day will be like when I get up and a good day can turn bad really fast. I try to talk myself out of the anxiety and the arm pain when I'm stressed, but it's hard to rationalize the pain, dizziness and panic when you are in it. The main thing that helps me now is you guys. You put my mind at rest, that i'm not alone and that i will hopefully get through this. It's hard explaining to your husband and kids why you don't feel like driving to the store or if you do you stay in the slow lane for fear of passing out or dying and hurting someone else. I try now to take a deep breath, talk myself out of it and think of you all. You are my angels. You are helping me cope and I pray for all of us to get through this difficult time and be "normal" again. Why do "they" only talk about hot flashes and night sweats? That we can handle - this is hell. Thank you all for being my medicine.

Whatisthis,

I can totally relate. The past week has been hell for me and I am afraid it is going to get worse before it gets better. Right now I am dealing with insomnia, relentless
ear ringing with head pressure and/or hot flushes, crying and just helplessness.

I am on Christmas break with my daughter but I am so scared I won't be able to function when I return to work next year. I just have to be strong, we all have to be strong.

I too am 48 years old but still cycling and right now have a period so maybe this is why I have so many symptoms this past week. I too get scared driving my daughter everywhere, I am afraid of getting into an accident and it takes all of my energy to focus on driving.

Take care,
Plumeria

Plumeria,
I know that there are times I can go out and times that I just can't. I seem to talk myself through my day sometimes - telling myself to keep going, one foot in front of the other. It's frightening when you have to get on with your day and you're afraid to do the simplest of things. If you've been checked out by the doctor and everything is "ok?" , then maybe it's the anxiety. I'm learning alot from Power Surge and every entry seems to mimic what i'm going through. It's strange how you have trouble telling your family what's happening, but total strangers know exactly what you mean. I guess we're not strangers then! Take care of yourself and remember that lots of other people are wishing you well!

Take care,
Whatisthis

Hi Allie
Yes one of my many symptoms is pain deep in the arm it sometimes feels like it's the bone that is hurting. Practically all of the symptoms I have been getting and thinking like I am dying seems to come from the peri thank god I found this site.
Still haven't found if I am using this site properly I am new to this and peri need I say more
Roeben

I am just SO amazingly thankful for this site. I posted on the "perimenopausal" board about my first "arm numbness" experience I had this morning..which led me into a panic attack most of the day..sigh...I had cardiac check ups yesterday anyway, so I knew that was okay..went back to the MD today about the arm pain and of course there was nothing..so next week I made an appt with an OB/GYN that has some people that know some stuff about 'peri-menopause" (I asked )
I am so glad to know that we are not alone!

This moring I woke up with aching in my left arm. Everytime I tried to stretch my arm out , it ached more. I decided to apply a Thermacare pad which relieved the aching somewhat. I still have aches about my body but not as excruciating as what I felt in my left arm. Could someone reassure me that this is normal in the peri world?