The menopause is sucking the life from me.

[checkedcloth]

I don’t recognise myself at all. I am on HRT max dose. Have tried various combinations. It’s impossible to get a GP appointment now though to try another combination.

im 45. Diagnosed through blood tests to be in my menopause in 2021. Hadn’t had a period for 1 year before that either.

I have no confidence, I feel so anxious. Physically , I am gaining weight, my hair is like straw and thinning and I feel tired and worn out. I literally cannot make a decision, I procrastinate continue and my memory is terrible.

is this it? I feel bereaved that I have totally lost myself.

Have a look at the menopause section, there are some knowledge posters on there who may be able to help. 😊

I hear you, sister

For me the poor sleep is a killer. I can't function, and life has changed for me due to this. The memory, concentration, stamina, ability to focus - all gone

Join the Facebook group The Menopause Support Network. Lots of great advice there.

You can go higher than the maximum dose if you can get a referral to a specialist from your GP or go private.

I hate the sleep thing. Not knowing each night if I’ll get a decent night’s sleep. DH and I now sleep in separate rooms 😞 We avoided that even when I had bread cancer.

And the brain fog is horrible.

I hadn’t thought about the hair or stamina, but both make sense.

I've heard menopause described as the "loss of joy" and that's definitely true for me. Someone will be along soon to tell you to buy up half the contents of Holland and Barrett, eat the diet of a Buddhist monk and take up yoga and all will be well with you. I eat healthily, exercise regularly and watch my alcohol intake and still feel like absolute shit both physically and mentally. I'm on HRT and although it has helped with certain issues it wasn't the cure all for me.

I am just dragging myself through life at the moment hoping I will come through it all at some point without murdering someone.

Are you living with any other chronic health conditions, OP? Should you seek diagnosis wider than menopause?

How is it going with minimising other lifestyle factors that can worsen mental health issues, I mean like reducing stress,v not being obese, taking some exercise, moderate or no caffeine/alcohol, no smoking, etc.