Hello Moggy914
I am usually on the lupus thread but I like to read the posts on the RA site as well, because we are all dealing with autoimmune issues and it seems that they all interrelate in some way. I was diagnosed with lupus in March of 2009 (I really think it is more RA though because I have very few lupus symptoms, but regardless they treat them in the same way). Anyways, I was 49 at the time and was still on the birth control pill. Every time I went off it to have my cycle, I would flare - some months worse than others. It also seemed to exasberate my carpal tunnel syndrome. Well, I talked to my rheumy about it and she definitely agrees that hormones and the fluctuation of them can contribute to the flares. Well I then went to my ob/gyn in the fall and told her that I had missed 2 periods and told her of my diagnosis and she decided that I was perimenopausal, but that to keep me regulated better she put me on cenestin and prometrium. I started it last September and it has been a huge blessing. I take them daily, with the other meds prescribed, don't get a period and have noticed that my flares are not as intense. I feel that when our body's chemistry is changing, that the disease also reacts. I also seem to get the swelling in the hands for the most part and around the knees as well, but it doesn't seem to be as bad. I was getting injections for the carpal tunnel in both wrists and fingers about every 3 months, but I haven't had to have once since April now and I think it has to do with the hormones finally being balanced. Anyways, daily hormone therapy has helped me, but I don't know how old you are and it may not be an option for you, but it definitely played a part for me. It's worth discussing with your rheumy.
Hugs and Angels,
Lynnette
DX - Lupus and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
RX - plaquenil, prednisone, etolodac, lisiniprol, folic acid, cenestin and prometrium, darvocet and flexeril when needed and daily vitamins