I don't know if I'm flaring or starting hot flashes or both!

OK so my gut has not been happy for some time now.  Despite the budesonide, I am still having random pinching in my guts, a lot of exhaustion and very bad joint pain...so I am pretty sure I am not back to remission state----but.........

Now I am also having extreme waves of burning hotness.  I have always had flushing and warmth in my neck when I am flaring.  Now it is so hot I am taking jackets off and sleeping without my usual two blankets and a comforter (two minutes later I pile the blankets back on).  I notice some gut pain usually around the same time but I just don't know.

I know I have mentioned before that I am wondering about perimenopause or menopause starting.  I have no family that can be used as a good bellweather for me.  I just know that I am doing all those things I have seen ladies do when they are having hot flashes.  I have been over 4 weeks without BC (testing to see if it was bothering me) and still no period. Oh and I am 48 years old and never had any children.

Frankly, I hope it is menopause!!!!  If it is not menopause, I want to have a new conversation with my docs.  What do you think

Thanks kazbern...I have not been to see my GP in a while and he gets upset when I don't see him at least once a year.  I guess I should give him a call.  Will ask him about those tests.

ITA. Perimenopause is not for the weak, LOL.

I think it's perimenopause coupled with budesonide (steroids are notorious for this) and throw in a flare, yep, all of the above. Stopping your BC may make it a bit worse since you've been getting estrogen through it.

I had surgical menopause at age 30 and took Premarin for years, but my Gyn. warned me that I could still go through a menopause when I was at "that age" and I did-am.

A few years ago, I went on Cymbalta and had the absolute worst hot flashes anyone could have. I put in a window air conditioner on top of our central air. My face would flush so badly and my heart was doing all sorts of things. Three showers a day, etc. It was awful. When I finally got off Cymbalta, it got much better but I was still having regular hot flashes. I had stopped taking Premarin somewhere around that time and didn't want to go back on it (the whole pregnant horse thing-a guilt I didn't want plus I didn't digest them half the time). I went to the dr. and asked for the synthetic estrodial pill ($4 generic) and it's been a lifesaver for me. Since I have no ovaries and have osteoporosis risks, it's the right thing for me.

I feel for you. Menopause is tough. Going through it twice (surgical/natural) just stinks.

Well, I went through early menopause..I was perimenopausal by 32 (not on meds), and I am menopausal/postmenopausal by 44..Perimenopausal I saw alot of just waking up drenched in sweat, moody, and I went from being cold to hot by nature..By 42, when the periods pretty much stopped, I got severe hot flashes and night sweats..It would kick in every half hour it seemed like. Whether flaring or crohns has made it worse, I am not sure..I am a long term steroid user..I was told early menopause was common in autoimmune disease..I had children in my earlier 20's so fertility was not an issue then I had my last baby at 25..I have tried alod of over the counter supps for hot flashes and night sweats..My new doctor stated baby aspirin with Xanax..I have gotten where the baby aspirin I am not tolerating..but it is effective..