Sudden debilitating fatigue - hormonal?

[thefirstmrsdewinter]

Is anyone else having episodes of debilitating fatigue? In addition to feeling tired there is also some dizziness and feeling sort of overwhelmed. Even having had a restful, full night's sleep, I feel as if I've been awakened in the middle of the night and forced to get up for the day. This started Sun evening.

I'm 50, pretty active and fit, not always bursting with energy but generally I feel pretty well. I seem to have somehow stumbled into a permanent hangover.

[Emerald13]

I guess it is due to hormones. It sounds familiar to me.

[hildabaker]

Yes I too have had episodes of fatigue as you describe. I never used to get this when I was younger, and mine started with the onset of the menopause. Hrt helps to ameliorate but hasn't eradicated the episodes completely, in may case.

[GemmaB78]

7pm every day without fail; it's like clockwork. I just crash. Completely run out of steam.

[thefirstmrsdewinter]

Thanks for that, I was wondering if it was only me.

The thing is, I'm not getting tired at the same time every day, more that on Sun evening I was on my knees with exhaustion. It hasn't got much better despite getting a lot of rest, incl a 3hr nap yesterday.

I realised I stopped taking iron supplements about two weeks ago because I had a bout of heartburn I couldn't shake. I might see if I can start again. I sometimes get heavy periods so I guess that could be it - ?

I'm pretty sure my thyroid meds are good now or I'd suspect that. Will double-check my bloods from last test.

[LittleCandle]

The first thing I thought was thyroid. When mine is out of whack (and bloods are always 'perfect' ) I get so exhausted that I am dizzy and could sleep the clock round. Have you any other thyroid symptoms? Could be that, too. I had a raft of menopause symptoms that were also thyroid symptoms and when my drugs were upped, the 'menopause' symptoms vanished, so keep an open mind. It might be both or either.

[GreenItWas]

I have felt like you for two weeks but realised I think I have had Aussie flu.

[thefirstmrsdewinter]

LittleCandle ah, I've been keeping an eye for a long time (no 'fine' results for me, I always get a printout) and have been symptom-free since taking my current dose. I'll check my last results though (and in any case I'll probably end up shelling out to get private bloods with vits and mins because I do that once or twice a year anyway).

Like you when my meds aren't right my main symptom is that I want to sleep. This is more like I get up as normal, then an hour or two later I feel like a zombie. I struggled all day today, then rallied this evening for about four hours. Ready for bed now though.

[GreenItWas]

You're not giving yourself sugar spikes and then getting the concomitant lows are you? I have found that since getting older I am much more sensitive to sugar, alcohol, caffeine etc. Even something carby but not particularly refined I have found can give me a bit of a spike and then a low a couple of hours later. This goes with Paleo, as does heartburn.

[Undercoverbanana]

Can totally relate to this. Menopause symptom.

[QueenoftheNights]

Are you on Twitter? Follow Dr Louise Newson @mymenopausedr. Her tweets consist of quotes from women like you all the time. This is one

“I constantly feel as if I have a cloak around me. I have brain fog and everything feels an effort. I have put weight on and I am too tired to exercise any more. ” Symptoms of the perimenopause and menopause can vary between women. We are all treated as individuals. '

[thefirstmrsdewinter]

GreenItWas same here, I'm eating/drinking differently than I used to. I've reduced carbs to keep my weight steady (though Paleo made me feel ill).

I'll see if reducing further does anything for my heartburn. I do notice that oats of all things (porridge or muesli for example) make it worse. The thing I really need to knock on the head is eating late in the day. Dh gets home from work very late and gradually everything has evolved in that direction.

I did drink on Fri and Sat (it was a very sociable weekend, we were out every night) but I drink so little now, and just beer, it's unlikely to have been that. I feel so rough I haven't had anything to drink since Sat night. I gave up wine years ago due to sinusitis, tut.

Thanks all. Sort of glad to know it's not just me but actually I'd rather this was not one of the lasting meno symptoms. It's only been 5ish years since I got on top of the thyroid fatigue, I don't want to backslide now.

[Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar]

God, so much to look forward to . Do you come out the other side at any point?

[thefirstmrsdewinter]

GreenItWas I was crossing my fingers that I'm coming down with something (my guess was a sinus infection). At least then you eventually go back to normal!
Hope you're feeling better.

[thefirstmrsdewinter]

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar I daren't ask.
You do of course, but I think the outcome depends on the individual, how she is affected by meno and what she's prepared to accept on 'the other side' iyswim.

[YetAnotherNewName1000]

Watching with interest, I've just turned 50 and recently (last few weeks) have been struck down with debilitating tiredness which doesn't seem to correspond to lack of sleep particularly. I will take more notice of carbohydrate highs/lows, see if that is it. Otherwise i haven't really got any meno symptoms other than forgetfulness (if it's not written on the list, it doesn't get done), and an inability to recall the correct word for things.
Hmmm, how does being prescribed hrt work, do they take bloods to see if you are low on any hormone, or do they just wack you on it if you are a certain age?

[niceupthedance]

I've had this this week, I put it down to the hot weather and not sleeping well at night but it could be a virus or peri? Joy.

[thefirstmrsdewinter]

Hmmm, how does being prescribed hrt work, do they take bloods to see if you are low on any hormone, or do they just wack you on it if you are a certain age? According to NICE guidelines they're only meant to do blood tests if you're under a certain age (45 iirc?) as they're unreliable if you're older. A trial of hrt should be offered if you're over 45 (I think) and having symptoms but it seems to hinge on hot flushes (ie if you're not having them they don't want to offer it). They should not offer to treat meno symptoms with antidepressants (eye-opener) except when hrt is contraindicated. Google the NICE guidelines and familiarise yourself before asking your gp.

In my experience asking for hrt is like asking for black magic. My gp doesn't understand it and keeps talking about 'risks' (though she doesn't appear to be clear on what the risks are). She has said she will prescribe if I come back and ask again (though how the dreaded risks are affected by asking a second time is not clear).

I'm fucking fed up of the nonsense and pseudo-science and bullshit and lack of protocol around hrt. I'm at a higher bc risk so I really would like to know more about increased risk and how to handle it but in practice the gp is so ignorant I'd rather not be treated by someone with such poor understanding of the whole matter.

She also kept telling me it is a 'natural' process this from someone under 35. As natural as influenza, tooth decay and broken bones I guess.

[GreenItWas]

I got bunged on HRT Premique lo dose to be precise because of my symptoms alone. It was like coming out of prison! I ached all over, I hadn't slept for months because or night sweats. I could barely put one foot in front of another. I have stopped them now after three years and they don't make them any more. I have an alternative but I am trying to not use them.
Currently I am in muscular and boney pain all day and half the night. I am hoping I have come up against a virus. I have a bad day and then a slightly better day. I have an appointment with my GP for the 29th and I am hoping I can ultimately be diagnosed with something. The signs and symptoms are quite honestly like fibromyalgia or RA and I am shitting myself about this as a diagnosis. DH keeps saying virus but it has gone on too long I think and worry there is something else going on. Logically I should take the HRT I have stashed and not used as I realise the aches possibly are hormone related. There is also the fear that one day I will have to come off it and feel like this again just a couple of years down the line which is not a happy thought. I am hoping to donate a kidney to my DH and I'm not quite sure the best way to proceed.

[QueenoftheNights]

Premique is an old type and uses horse urine in the estrogen. newer ones are all made from plants. You'd be better off changing anyway for a newer type.

Why have you stopped taking your HRT? 3 years is no time at all. If it was working why stop? How old are you now?

There is no time limit on using HRT. Many women use it for life and others intend to as long as their health is okay.

[GreenItWas]

Hi Queen I stopped because of the risks basically but this thread has focussed my mind and I think I will go back on them. The quality of my life is low at the moment so something has to change. Thanks for your interest and comments.

[QueenoftheNights]

I really like these moving scales!

menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php

Up to 60, benefits outweigh risks
60-70 B and R equal
Over 70 - depends on type of HRT used and your overall medical history

[siftingflour]

Debilitating fatigue
I've had it for around six years
Three years pre menopause possibly worst- would drop kids off at school and go to bed
last six months - tend to lie down when kids get in, rouse myself- just about- to make supper and lie down again. I don't even remember the last time I actually sat down in the house.
feel as if crashed into a wall middle of day -
nearly fell asleep driving.
am now going to a NHS menopause specialist to see re HRT

[siftingflour]

thefirstmrsdewinter
I hit on an excellent GP yesterday. She listened to me. I told her what I wanted to try (gel and progesterone tablets as advised by a relative who is an obstetrician). she said she didn't know much about that and the clinic didn't prescribe those and referred me to an NHS menopause specialist. I was incredibly grateful.
The hot sweats thing: mine are quite low now - raised body temperature but not unendurable. But the fATIGUE and the body aches and headaches and anxiety have not abated.

[QueenoftheNights]

I told her what I wanted to try (gel and progesterone tablets as advised by a relative who is an obstetrician). she said she didn't know much about that and the clinic didn't prescribe those and referred me to an NHS menopause specialist

Why oh why does a GP who knows nothing not take the time to find out? These are supposedly intelligent and educated professionals.

These drs are dealing with an issue that will affect 50% of patients.

The prescribing rules for gel and Utrogestan are online. Anyone can find them. A GP ought to search online and find out OR go on a course- plenty around all year organised by the BMS.

I think i's a disgrace they aren't willing to learn and simply pass the buck.

[siftingflour]

In this case it was practice policy not to prescribe gel. I think it probably has to do with cost... as looking on line gel is much more expensive.