I agree. I am 47 and while I dont have any obvious symptoms I know its time and I need to have them checked. I have read many people feel menopause affects PN.

I am definitely in agreement about hormones or possibly rise in body temp as this occurs also as your period approaches and my symptoms are much worse then. My gp did suggest going on the pill to see if that helped

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Hi all,
I stumbled across this thread but you have given me something to think about. I am 41 but also in an early peri-menopausal stage.
I have always been very sensitive to my hormonal fluctuations.

That's really interesting. My PN started about the time I started in to peri-menopause. They have yet to find a cause. Of course it would help if I had insurance and/or could afford to see the specialists I need to see to attempt to get a definitive diagnosis. I never noticed an increase in pain around the time of my periods though. That doesn't mean it didn't happen, I just never made that connection if it did.

I wonder if, in the next few months to a year, I'll see a lessening in symptoms? That would be soooo awesome!

My Gyno has me on Vagifem for 3 years now. He has been my Doctor for over 20 years. So he's not a "rookie". He also told me Vagifem was safe and that very little of the hormone was absorbed into my body. I read these reports and told him what I found out. He reassured me not to worry and that it was ok to take it for as long as I needed too.
He said there was no correlation between the Vagifem and my SFN. But I believe menopause played a big part in my developing Idiopathic SFN!! They both happen around the same time.

I'm starting to wonder now, I feel good with the Vagifem and have no side effects, but should I be concerned about cancer and other S/E? Dont know what to think anymore...

Mrs D what are your thoughts about Menopause and I-SFN? As usual ,Thank you for your response.

I believe a small bit does absorb into bloodstream but it is suppose to be more localised effect like Ovestin. I was having some issues with my cycle and read on Dr. Oz about Vitex (Chasteberry). Anyways I started taking that (bought at chemist), and all my cycle issues normalised again with the added bonus of my hyperthyroidism going into remission after 5 years. So this Vitex blend fixed 2 health issues.

I too was offered hormones but I was too scared to take them especially since when the blood test was done my hormones were completely normal. but a change in hormones both can play havoc on your thyroid and your cycle so I knew I did have hormonal issues, to some degree.

I take a low dose of Cymbalta. Only 30 mgs. Been on this for about 6 or so years now. It stops the worst of the hot flashes. It also helps with PN pain a bit. A higher dose would probably give me better relief but all my current symptoms, depression and anxiety, are well controlled at this dose. I have no side effects from the Cymbalta at all that I'm aware of.

ETA: PS: I'm just coming to the end of that magical one year of no period, period. So maybe that has something to do with the hot flashes easing a bit...? Not fluctuating so much as just not there any more. LOL!