I put this under post-menopauseal because thats what the Dr told me I was about a month ago,after several blood/lab workups because of some problems I was having..anyways my problem now is I have pain/soreness in my upper ribs..like above my breasts...I do have a herniated disk at C-5 that causes headaches and arm/face/neck pain at times..I've had an EKG and blood work most recently (May 1st) and said everything was fine but to press on my upper ribs hurts like crazy..plus at times it's like a bad muscle spasm..I was asked had I ever been checked for fibro which I have not but the pain sometimes is terrible..usually rest,a hot bath,a heating pain or pain releivers help....but was just curious as to whether anyone else had this...and no I don't take any type of bio hormone replacement because the said the cancer risk was way too high in my family

Yes I have had a similar thing and the doctor thought it was inflamation of the rib cartilage. I recently saw a specialist who said I also most likely have fibromyalgia as I also have other symtoms in my arms and legs. I am also newly post menpausal at just turned 50.

fibromyalia is a sydrome, they cannot explained away...try to take aleve on a daily basis......doc's have no clue, i find it is inflamation (sp) of the ?????????. when it comes on, you will know it...........will take ya down quickly.....yet there are "tender parts" that they can find....mine is..if somebody quickly says HI..and then bings me on the back ...ever so nicely..i could fly foward into oblivion with a sharp shock to the entire back...per say...that is what it is. i have it and aleve helps when i know it's coming on, i can get bedridden on this thing if i do not stay on top of the upcoming warning signs, trust me on that one

UPdate...well after an MRI among other tests my doc says Fibro is defianetly there,along with osteoarthritus in my spine and both shoulders,degenerative disk desiese (spellin not right i know) plus a herniated disk in my neck pinching nerves in the left side of my body....so if anytime i'm in so much pain i may end up in the ER they will want to run and EKG to begin with he said then of course figure out what's up but i need to tell them anyways,let them do their job because it's better to be safe than sorry...now the only problem i have with pain meds is tordal,advil,moltrin,anything for inflamation all causes my stomach to be upset...how about the aleve? does it mess with your stomach.....I know the feeling about the simple "slap" on the back..makes ya wanna punch 'em sometimes..if they only knew..lol..and what i've also noticed and told my mom..i'm right handed but when i drive i'm usually using more with my left hand..why?? i don't know but after driving all day or something to that nature it leaves me in serious pain and muscle spams...my legs also have pain too....and on another note my doc tested my sugar levels,thyroid,hormones,etc...only thing he found was estrogen was fine but according to my other hormones levels..i'm POST menopausel...he told me he'd never seen anyone at my age with that low of a hormone level,usually it was in women at least 10 yrs or older than me....which i had a partial hysterectomy 22 yrs ago and it left me 1 and 1/2 ovary to run on...guess they finally dried up..lol....and i'm not a candidate for synthetic hormones because of the high risk of cancer in my family...now i've heard alot about bio-hormones??? anyone know of or tried them??...you'd think they'd come up with something to help us out here...I know like the ol song..."I'm much too young to feel this D#%@ old"..lol

I hear you, I get it on and off mostly cyclically or due to stress, big time.
I believe the fibro is linked to hormonal changes in out brain, as I never had this sever muscle pain and burning in my life.
I have found this on the causes:


http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pag...omyalgia_causes

Consider that mine started with perimenopause, I am certain it has to do with hormone related neurotransmitters changes, mainly low estrogen.
Mine follow my estrogen, when it drops, I am in agonizing pain, when it is more or less decent, I am almost pain free.
How often you take Aleve and are there any major side effects from the medication, as I can't take NSAID or Tylenol, and just take xanax which helps to a degree.

Consider that mine started with perimenopause, I am certain it has to do with hormone related neurotransmitters changes, mainly low estrogen.
Mine follow my estrogen, when it drops, I am in agonizing pain, when it is more or less decent, I am almost pain free.
How often you take Aleve and are there any major side effects from the medication, as I can't take NSAID or Tylenol, and just take xanax which helps to a degree.
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I have the same also but believe mine is low progesterone ,, I believe I am NOT ovulating so no progesterone which can lead to no GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) neurotransmitter in the brain .. try some l-theanine when this flairs and let me know if it helps ?

I have tried P in different forms, and sworn not to touch it again!!! It made me plain depressed to the point of that I started having persistent suicidal thoughts..P not only impacted me mentally but physically, I was in the worst pain ever, every cell of my body was screaming, muscles firing, joint aching........
I am not sure if L-Theanine can really cross brain blood barrier, it is just amino acid, I think it should be processed by liver first.
Thanks anyways, I will read more about it.
I know loss of estrogen lowers pain threshold in general, in addition to estrogen being anti-inflammatory agent. Progesterone always made me fatigued and sleepy, when it was high during lutheal phase of the cycle, I still have 2-3 days every months when I need a nap after dinner, so I know it is progesterone that kicked in.
Best,
I.