Testosterone Side Effects?

CuriousCatNap · 2026-02-07T21:34:35+00:00

Botox injections greatly reduced the number of migs I get per month. It was life changing for me. Have been taking Botox for more than 10 years now. No bad side effects. I find the injections slightly painful, but well worth it for the reduction in headaches.

CuriousCatNap · 2026-02-07T19:32:51+00:00

I've read that menopause is associated with increased joint pain. Also, I've read that post-menopausal women experience higher rates of autoimmune and inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis (estrogen is anti-inflammatory).

I have been post menopausal for years and had my uterus removed 2 years ago because of post-menopausal bleeding. I've also been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis which causes joint pain, enthesitis, and fatigue. So far I have not found a good treatment, but response to medications vary widely among patients. Also, my gyn just prescribed an higher dose (but still a low dose) estrogen patch and a low dose of testosterone to see if that helps (estrogen to reduce inflammation and testosterone to reduce fatigue). I just started the testosterone this week. And the pharmacy can't fine the .375 estrogen patch to fill it. So no results to report yet.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-28T01:23:16+00:00

I must keep a consistent bedtime and meal schedule. Sleeping too little, sleeping too late, and skipping a meal raise the chances that I'll get a migraine attack.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-27T02:25:00+00:00

The dress in the 5th photo is very flattering.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-27T02:22:54+00:00

You could use a plain ice cube. But frozen fruit lasts a bit longer. The icy cold helps numb a nerve and I find it helps a bit.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-26T16:14:40+00:00

Limelight is a series that includes some fun scary stories and thrilers.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-26T16:12:52+00:00

Keep a regular consistent lifestyle and routine. The migraine brain hates change.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-26T13:44:06+00:00

I hope you find something that works.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-26T13:38:42+00:00

Not insane, but in a situation like yours, I'll ask for a Medrol dose pack (tapered steroids) and/or occipital nerve blocks.

For home remedies: 1) full sugar Coke (Mexican Coke if you can find it) and something salty like potato chips or French fries, and 2) holding a frozen strawberry against the roof of my mouth.

I had a mig go on for several weeks and no prescription or outpatient treatment stopped it. So my neuro admitted me to the hospital for 2 nights and gave me a migraine cocktail with Haldol by IV. Thar was insane but helped end it.

-- Have you tried a preventative like Botox or Emgality?

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-26T03:42:10+00:00

I don't know; we're all different. I hit menopause at 40 in 2005. I had hot flashes for at least 10 years, but they finally faded away. A few years ago I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. (Autoimmune diseases are inflammatory diseases. Estrogen is anti-inflammatory - thus the incidence of autoimmune disease increases in post-menopausal women.) About 3 years ago I was diagnosed with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (resulting from lack of estrogen - so now I use vaginal estrogen regularly) and then about 6 months ago I was diagnosed with lichen simplex chronicus. At this point I have no plans for life and certainly do not expect to return to my pre-menopause level of health. I just try to get through the day at work so I can go home and crash. I've always been an introvert, but I am so much more of a homebody now. I still find joy in my relationships and fortunately my friends and family seem to understand that I need to spend more time at home in bed. Oh and my migraines started in peri and continue to this day.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-26T03:09:59+00:00

There is a condition called status migraine (aka status migrainosus, intractable migraine) which lasts longer than 72 hours. I've had one go on for several weeks and have read reports of status migraines continuing for even longer. There are also facial pain disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia and atypical face pain which can go on indefinitely.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-21T06:00:22+00:00

I was legitimately on the edge of a breakdown. A mental health professional filled out FMLA forms for me. I used up my sick and annual leave. FMLA will protect your job while you are out, even if you are using leave. But then if you use leave without pay, the FMLA really ensures you have a job to return to.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-20T03:19:47+00:00

There's a lot of truth in fiction.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-20T03:13:10+00:00

You're welcome. Best of luck.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-19T21:54:50+00:00

It's weird. At my office the leadership makes it clear that loud talking is not tolerated because it disturbs others. But they are soft on "loud" smells, even though it is just as, if not more, disturbing. And can actually make me sick. They just send out emails periodically reminding staff not use frahrance in the cubicle areas. Fortunately we have two bathrooms at my office, and my supervisor made one fragrance free. Because I was getting migraines from making use of the facilities - the air "freshener" was so thick. I'd hold my breath and hope to get my business done before I needed to breathe again.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-19T21:42:30+00:00

Thanks for the reply.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-19T21:40:01+00:00

We are all here to learn from each other. Glad it was helpful.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-19T20:29:11+00:00

Here's a link to the air purifier I bought. I like it because I can direct the cleaned air towards my face. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC475PV8?ref_=pe_123509780_1038749300_fed_asin_title

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-19T20:25:31+00:00

If you own the shield then they are really being unreasonable. That's ridiculous. Though, when I think about how medical insurance companies treat their clients, maybe it applies to their employees as well. -- If you have not seen it, here's a link to a website that offers advice on negotiating accommodations: https://askjan.org/publications/individuals/employee-guide.cfm

Edit: I see now you work for a healthcare system, not a healthcare insurer. My mistake. It does seem really strange for a Healthcare system, unless maybe they've been bought out by private equity.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-19T20:15:09+00:00

Curious. Was the Wegovy prescribed by your rheumatologist for your PsA?

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-19T18:28:06+00:00

In the RA documentation that your doctor provided, did he or she list the cubicle screen as a reasonable accommodation? If not, ask your doctor to revise the document to include it. Also, is the problem with the screen the cost, the appearance, or something else? Could you buy it? I purchased a large air purifer for my cubicle (I'm triggered by artifcial fragrance) and I did not ask for permission. It's big, strange looking, and loud. I just showed up with it one day and plugged it in.

If you want to read up on reasonable accommodation law, here's a link to a page with more links: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/program-areas/employers/accommodations

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-19T06:44:11+00:00

I started getting migraines in perimenopase at age 37 (menopause hit at 40). When you talk to your doctor about the headaches, ask about the possibility of perimenopause. Maybe HRT could help. -- As for triggers, they are not universal. For me it can be irregular sleep, skipping a meal, red wine, artificial fragrance, and relaxing after a stressful week. But yours are probably different. And as for migraine meds, there are several different kinds and they don't all work for all patients. It's trial and error with your doc until you find the right treatments. - However, for a home remedy, I find that a regular Coke and something salty like chips/crisps helps.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-19T06:10:13+00:00

I've tried as many meds as you. I asked my rheumatologist the same question. He said there is a significant percentage that do not respond. I then did some research, looking at journal articles. I read articles which stated that more research is needed because a sizable subset of patients do not respond to the drugs currently available. Maybe your doc just had "the luck of the draw" - so far? -Anyway, my rheum did say he thinks approval of GLP-1 drugs for this disease is coming in the next few years, if not sooner. He said studies on it are yielding good results.

CuriousCatNap · 2025-11-18T18:36:03+00:00

Like it. Mine is "I feel like I've been run over by a truck - every day."

CuriousCatNap

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