Is it ok to go on HRT just in case?

[Mummytron]

I've posted on here a few times but basically I am 39 almost 40, lots of peri symptoms for nearly a year. Family history is early meno (by 44)
My symptoms have been palpitations, hot, sweaty at night, struggling to lose weight, insomnia, irritable, rage, tearful, the list goes on. I am writing this at 5:45am having not gone to sleep until 1:30 simply because my body seems to want to be awake and I'm struggling. All my symptoms are worse a week before my period. My periods are the only thing letting me down in my diagnosis as they are still regular but have changed from 28 days to 24 and are terribly heavy on the first two days. My bloods are normal apart from one sky high which the doc said must have been wrong as it wouldnt be so high once than go back to normal.
So what do I do? Is it ok to try HRT to see if it helps? I have an imflammatory arthritis with a link to heart disease plus a huge family history of heart disease and I don't know if I should be protecting myself? If I went on it now and it wasn't the peri just yet, is that going to do more harm?
My docs are not particularly helpful and are having to go on guess work.
Thanks in advance
X

[pinkfrocks]

Would your unhelpful GP refer you to a nice, kind consultant?
If not can you afford to pay for one consultation privately?
You need some advice and treatment.
You are having an early menopause (peri at the moment)- roughly 10 years early so yes, you need HRT but I understand that the Pill is also sometimes prescribed for younger women in peri.

Don't suffer- see your GP again, or change GPs, or insist on a referral to someone if he can't help.

[Mummytron]

Hi pink
I would love to be referred but our GPs are not keen on referrals. I suppose I could pay depending on how much it is. Any idea?
Thanks for your help as always xx

[pinkfrocks]

Hard to say about cost- most consultants charge between £150- £250 for the first appt which can be as long as an hour. They may be able to then refer you back to your GP with advice on what to prescribe.

If you are having an early meno and your GP is a bit clueless, then they ought to refer you to a specialist. I do feel for you because your GP sounds a bit rubbish. You might want to check and see if you can find a menopause clinic (NHS) in your area. Some large hospitals have them.

[overthemill]

Your GP isn't keen on referrals? So what? They have a duty to refer you to a specialist if you need it. Ask again. And if they say no complain to your CCG

[pinkfrocks]

Do they? I'm not sure about that. I thought it was at the discretion of the GP because it costs the practice money. You could have the situation where every patient waltzed in and demanded to be referred and the system would buckle under the pressure.

[Bellaciao]

Mummytron You might like to read this article about women and HRT during peri-menopause - it's the Daily Mail ( online) but don't let that put you off : www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2800760/should-women-hrt-menopause-experts-say-s-best-way-ease-symptoms-avoid-long-term-health-problems.html

[overthemill]

you are entitled to request a referral to a specialist on the NHS

[overthemill]

They may say they dint think you require one but then you gave a basis to complain. Yes it may cost the practice money but not if you do it via choose and book

[Mummytron]

Thanks all for the replies.
I'm quite happy to stand my ground but unfortunately I get referred a lot for my ankylosing spondylitis so I think they sometimes put everything down to that.
The daily mail article was really interesting. Food for thought. Seems I should be on HRT as the benefits far out way the risks. Plus my extra risks with my imflammatory arthritis.

I will make an appt as I'm a week away from coming on and all the symptoms are bad again. Headache tonight, palpitations, achy, slept for three hours the night before last as I couldn't get to sleep before 1:30am then woke at 4 and stayed awake.

X

[thenightsky]

i started hrt at peri stage. I would say it was one of the best decisions i made.

[overthemill]

When I went on HRT eons ago ( over 10 years and still in it) I spoke to my fil who was a GP. It was the time of all the cancer scares. He was very pragmatic about it and it seemed to me that the benefits outweighed the risks. I was managing ( at the time) a full time job, many voluntary positions, 3 kids and a big commute. I needed all the help I could get! I had an early menopause at 41 and still have some effects now . Had to come off it (ironically) while on chemo ( not breast cancer) and I really struggled. Changed brand. A few times and very very happy with it. Good luck.

[thenightsky]

overthemill I've been on it for nearly 10 years now too. Not sure I could have held down my job and busy life without it to be honest.