I think I'm dying of the peri menopause

[MorningsEleven]

I've had kids, labour, c sections - one crash- an endometrioma the size of a jaffa orange on my ovary, an operation to remove the ovary and several paper cuts 😉

I went to bed this afternoon because the cramping and the flooding and the clots and the fucking anxiety and sleepless nights have ground me down. I've got a migraine aura and I'm just so bloody angry that my fertility can't gently fade away with a whimper.

I've always been the "get your bodyform and go roller skating in white jeans" type but I can't do this. DH gave me a hot water bottle, he's on my good list

If anyone has any advice, chocolate, chips, wine, bread, cheese, weight loss tips, similar peri distress please come share.

Don't laugh about the psychosis. I wouldn't be surprised if many female murderers who simply lost their shit one day, were actually menopausal. It would make sense. It makes you feel so out of control. And so fucking awful.

Definitely sugar and alcohol worst combo ever. My symptoms have lessened since religiously sticking to Keto diet for my migraines. Of course, I even bore myself stupid as a result. (There are other unexpected benefits - no arthritis in my fingers or shoulder. Have had to get rings sized down two sizes.). I eat a lot more veggies. My kids do too as a consequence. (Smuggled into spaghetti bolognese, lasagne, etc.). I have lost a lot of weight, which I needed to do. My skin looks great. My hair looks better, etc... (Healthy fats?)

I also watch Eric Berg tutorials (in limited amounts) -He is a doctor of Chiropractic healing, not medicine. I like what he says about a lot of things, but you have to think for yourself as well.

Ok thanks folks, I'll ring the gp this morning, I have been feeling spaced out and feel a bit out of touch with realality- my spellings also gone to pot this last week weirdly! Last few years my normal anxiety has gone through the roof. Also back to the nightmares hence waking up so early.

I skipped my periods for 6 months but they came back over Christmas. I had thought things were over.

I don’t get hot flashes any more or night sweats but anxiety and insomnia are crippling. Plus weight gain is so depressing. Can’t bear to accidentally see my reflection.

There’s a photo of me and dh on my dressing table. It’s only from 2 years ago but apart from my hair you wouldn’t know it was me.

Oh littledog I'm sure you're still lovely. None of us look how we used too, I'm trying embrace my rosaeca and grey, thinning hair!

JMA, lots of suggestions have been made by lots of posters. Many have not been commented on...

I think most of us are comparing notes and commiserating with each other at this point, rather than here to research solutions.

For anyone wondering about JMA's DIM supplement...

www.livestrong.com/article/215001-what-is-a-dim-supplement/

The thing with supplements is, it depends on other elements in your diet and how you metabolise the nutrient in question. What works for one person will have no effect on the next if that isn't their deficiency.

I think that as far as supplements go they can have a place in helping with menopause symptoms, but are not recommended by GPs as not proven to work. Of course things like exercise, diet, alcohol in moderation etc will also help.

I do agree that for some people they do work - as do things like evening primrose, glucosamine etc. I actually tried Curcumin last year when I had joint problems, RSI etc - didn’t do a thing unfortunately, but does for other people.

The problem with some supplements is finding the most effective, safe dose. With DIN, from reading the article, this is unknown. The biggest issue I have with it is that due to it being absorbed in the liver it might interact with other medications and decrease it increase effectiveness. So if taking other things your GP should always be consulted first (or a pharmacist).

I’m not knocking it as such, just saying go in your eyes open. The article is actually quite interesting, and ties in with others I’ve read on eating foods related to providing/boosting estrogen, ie doing it the natural way.

Reminds me - I have shredded sprouts in the freezer...I might have them for supper with chestnuts and bacon 😋.

Ok...funny story...a friend (similar age) invited me to a concert this weekend. She bought the tickets online a year ago. She now can’t find the tickets - looked everywhere, checked emails etc. She phoned the box office today. Apparently she never bought the tickets
Am now wondering which is worse - imagining you’ve done something or forgetting you’ve done it 🤔🤔🤔

The triage nurse just phoned me back, I'm having a full blood count done for anaemia, pernicious anaemia, iron levels and thyroid (I have hypothyroidism 11years+) plus an ECG to see whether palpitations are heart or hormone related.
Thank you NHS, I feel very grateful for the care given.
Posting this to encourage other pps who like me just normally get on with things quietly and don't perhaps value themselves or want to make a fuss.

I’m well past peri but experienced all these horrors which continued well into manopause. I couldn’t take the pill so steered well clear of HRT - but - after eight years of horrendous and debilitating hot flushes my GP persuaded me to try HRT patches - amazing!! All symptoms gone and I haven’t had a migraine since I started. Truly life changing

Good one slipways, I hope they can help with your symptoms.

Slipways, that’s good, hopefully you will get answers soon. Fast work for the NHS 😀

Dancing - I think some people don’t realise that even if they can’t take the pill (contraceptive or HRT version) that there are other options. Great that the patches have worked 👍🏻

HRT has been life changing for me, too. I am 47, and had terrible insomnia, anxiety, joint pain. Now I can cope with life again. There is no increased risk of cancer if you are under 50 and on hrt. And after that the risk is less than if you drink alcohol, or are overweight. It also protects against many other things.

I am having a hard time with the patches. I apply them to clean, dry skin with no moisturiser. (I read the bloody instruction booklet - also, I’m not stupid!) They only stick for a day, maybe a day and a half. I think maybe my skin is so lizard-like, it exfoliates the patches off like a reptile skin.

Justilou, I think this is a common thing - sometimes it’s just that the patch is not sticky enough. I’m on estrogen 50mg patches and the 1st lot I was given was Evorel which stuck really well to the point I had loads of rectangular marks all over my bum and upper thighs (baby oil helps with that) The next lot, I was given Estraderm, and they were rubbish for staying on. My GP suggested using a hairdryer which helps activate the glue more. Perhaps try that?

Anyway, I’ve requested just Evorel in future (apparently Estradots are also good - and smaller)but have been told it does depend on supply.

Have a google on menopause matters and I’m sure you’ll get good advice on if there are alternatives.

justilou- I have Estradot patches- they are tiny and stick really well. I started off with Evorel- they stuck fine but the glue made my skin really itchy. So many different types though- you will find one that suits. Also Sandrena Gel which you rub into your skin.

Thanks, @over50- It's Estraderm. I'll try the hairdryer!!!

Baby oil removers the glue patches.

Removal isn’t the problem. It’s getting them to stay on! I have ordered some tegaderm film dressings also. (Very expensive here in Aus!!!)

Am picturing someone walking in while I have the Dyson supersonic aimed at my bum.... could be interesting! 😆😆😆

Justilou I had mixed results with the hairdryer (and overthinking things a bit I wondered if heating estrogen to bloody hot kills it ) A friend had the same problem and tried all sorts to keep it on, including dressings. Didn’t work! You just end up wasting half of them.

I think ideally Estradot would be best, then Evorel, then Estraderm. It really does depend on supply though. My GP wrote Evorel on the prescription and I when I go to pick it up I will open the bag to see first.

Just i am in Australia too. A senior palliative care specialist at work advised us to spray Rexona hypoallergenic on skin that patches won't stick on. Spray onto skin allow to dry and dust off white residue gently with tissue.
Patches stay on and it doesn't interfere with absorption of pain killers so should be fine with hrt.
https://www.amcal.com.au/rexona-anti-perspirant-deodorant-hypoallergenic---150g-p-9300666330246?cmmmc=GooglePLAANANA--Rexona---9300666330246&utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcontent=ivvp11g692548261211c3268227627722wpla-6168602759755nggdmmvltrr1o1xxplayy7969406ffonlineooP93006663302466zAUUiennj6168602759755sehh9071816iivi&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjeKKwKqb4AIVRbaWCh2s8A1hEAQYASABEgKA1fDBwE

Ooooh Possum 123 I love learning stuff like this Have googled and guess what?...Rexona is known as Sure in the U.K. I still have a month’s worth of Estraderm to get through so....actually I wonder if any ant persperant will do it 🤔

One thing that winds me up (one of many ) is when someone absolutely won't have it that you're perimenopausal and says 'oh no you can't possibly at your age'
Gives me the rage even more than normal