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What Causes Sleeplessness And Joint Pains In Postmenopausal State?
Question: I am just entering menopause. I have always been a poor sleeper but am having more serious problems now. I am exercising a lot but when I don't sleep I start finding that I am injuring myself and have a lot of joint pain. I do not have arthritis. I can't sleep because of a) muscle/joint pain and/or b) can't shut my mind off. I don't think I am depressed nor does my partner. My Dr rx venlafaxine 37.5 mg for a week, followed by 75 mg after that. I am a corporate executive and am concerned about drug that will negatively impact my cognitive thinking. I also enjoy a glass of wine or two 2-4 times a week and am concerned about alcohol interraction. What are your thoughts on this rx for what I describe?
Brief Answer:
Hi dear, it is postmenopausal symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Good to see you.
I understand your concern.
I guess it is postmenopausal symptoms and usually occur due to hormonal and neurotransmitter imbalance in late 40 or 50s.
It mimic like depression but it is not depression.
Somatic pain and stress make it worse and it affect daily living and routines.
A drug velenaflaxine is SNRI and it is useful to treat such symptoms.
But it has common side effect like nausea, gastritis etc.
With that dose 75 mg it is less likely that it produce side effect. It is tolerable doses. You can have it.
In term of side effect profile newer molecule desvelaflaxine is better than venlaflaxine. Discuss about it with your doctor.
Most of the time it has no cognitive impairment. So do not worry about that.
Tab miratazapine 7.5 mg has dual role it can beneficial in symptoms and sleep. It is advisable in this type of condition.
In routine practice it can be treated with tab sertraline and it has very minimal side effect and can be taken with alcohol. Discuss all about this your treating doctor.
All medicines do not have impact on cognitive functioning.
But it is necessary to reduce alcohol intake because it may harm neurotransmitter balance and lead to further worsening in symptoms.
For sleep you have to do following hygiene.
Certain routines and lifestyle modification will help you like
Fix sleep schedule and stick on it,no day time sleep
exercise that makes you fatigue
Stress free activities and meditations
Avoid alcohol and smoking,avoid tea coffee soft drink at night
Read up to when you will sleepy,Use bed when you feel sleepy.
All of this will help you to restore good sleep,besides this there are some medicines like benzodiazapine and zolpidam which are useful in treat sleep problems.
Still If you have a query then feel free to ask.
Happy to help you.
Thank you.
Take care.
Hi dear, it is postmenopausal symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Good to see you.
I understand your concern.
I guess it is postmenopausal symptoms and usually occur due to hormonal and neurotransmitter imbalance in late 40 or 50s.
It mimic like depression but it is not depression.
Somatic pain and stress make it worse and it affect daily living and routines.
A drug velenaflaxine is SNRI and it is useful to treat such symptoms.
But it has common side effect like nausea, gastritis etc.
With that dose 75 mg it is less likely that it produce side effect. It is tolerable doses. You can have it.
In term of side effect profile newer molecule desvelaflaxine is better than venlaflaxine. Discuss about it with your doctor.
Most of the time it has no cognitive impairment. So do not worry about that.
Tab miratazapine 7.5 mg has dual role it can beneficial in symptoms and sleep. It is advisable in this type of condition.
In routine practice it can be treated with tab sertraline and it has very minimal side effect and can be taken with alcohol. Discuss all about this your treating doctor.
All medicines do not have impact on cognitive functioning.
But it is necessary to reduce alcohol intake because it may harm neurotransmitter balance and lead to further worsening in symptoms.
For sleep you have to do following hygiene.
Certain routines and lifestyle modification will help you like
Fix sleep schedule and stick on it,no day time sleep
exercise that makes you fatigue
Stress free activities and meditations
Avoid alcohol and smoking,avoid tea coffee soft drink at night
Read up to when you will sleepy,Use bed when you feel sleepy.
All of this will help you to restore good sleep,besides this there are some medicines like benzodiazapine and zolpidam which are useful in treat sleep problems.
Still If you have a query then feel free to ask.
Happy to help you.
Thank you.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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