To be over having to give up EVERYTHING due to perimenopause

[Edenspirits]

• Can’t tolerate alcohol anymore- even a couple of drinks give me a massive hangover
  
• Bread makes me massively bloated and I have to really watch what I eat as I get piled really easily 🙄
  
• Chocolate gives me a headache
  
• Tea gives me a massive headache
  
• have to watch everything I eat as the slightest deviation and I put on half a stone by barely looking
  
• the slightest deviation to my routine and I don’t sleep 😴
  

I feel like I barely recognise my own body!

Sigh- it’s SO dull!
Aibu to be really really really over perimenopause! Waiting for HRT from the doc and ready hope it helps!

[notacooldad]

Hi Verstappen
I got the results of my blood test and it was on the whole ok except for being deficient in folic acid.
Doctor has started me on HRT and also a months supply of folic acid tablets. I'm now about two weeks in to the course. I'm not boiling up as much as I used to and if I do get hot it's not as extreme as before. I'm not as itchy either.
I'm still extremely tired but that is partly to to external factors and will be solved in a month or so.
I am definitely glad I took the plunge.
The doctor talked through the pros and cons of different applications of HRT and gave me options but guided me towards tablets for now. He said I can always change when I have my review.
He did promise me that I'd get back to being the woman I was. ( I did ask for the 1996 version but he said he couldn't promise that!!🤣)

[Verstappen]

Afternoon ladies, hope we're all doing well! Did you get sorted @notacooldad ?

By way of a little update, I'm one patch off the end of my 2 month trial and saw the GP this morning.
I'm starting to feel like a completely different person. My hair seems thicker and weirdly I've not had to touch up my roots yet, my grey is slowing. Whether thats mind over matter I don't know, but it's all rather odd in a nice way.
I have MUCH more drive to do things. I've walked the two miles to the pharmacy and back and thats something I'd never do normally.
Night time toilet visits are now a thing of the past.
I have a sex drive again!
My mood swings are virtually gone as are the hot sweats.
In terms of periods I had one erratic bleed when I changed from the conti to the sequi patch but nothing since so still seeing where we're going with that one.

But overall, if you're reading this and wondering whether to try it all I can say is go for it. I feel like me again!

[Loudestcat14]

Verstappen Good to read your update too! It sounds like it's really starting to kick in with you and it's lovely that you've now got the inclination to do stuff that's a treat for you, like getting your hair cut. Wanting to do things like that again is an amazing feeling! I'm in week 7 and started to slump a little – feeling tired again and needing a nana nap after lunch – so I've upped my gel to 3 pumps a day and already I can feel myself picking up. I've got a check up with my GP on Fri to check my blood pressure then after that I should be getting repeat prescriptions sent straight to my local chemist. Hurrah!

[Loudestcat14]

@notacooldad

UPDATE
I've just had a phone appointment with a doctor. I was dreading it because I didn't think I'd be able to express myself clearly and it wasnt my regular doctor. I wanted a female one
However the appointment was great. I didn't feel rushed, he asked loads of questions about symptoms, last period etc. He said yes, it does sound like the menopause ( I am 56 after all ) but would I like a full blood check including looking at thyroid and vit b deficiency then we can look at HRT treatment.
He asked what kind of HRT would I like and talked about the pros and cons. He said we will talk more once I've had my blood tests in.
I wish I'd done it months ago now!
I'm glad I found this page.

So pleased to read this update and that you got a GP who actually listened and took you seriously.

[Verstappen]

@notacooldad

UPDATE
I've just had a phone appointment with a doctor. I was dreading it because I didn't think I'd be able to express myself clearly and it wasnt my regular doctor. I wanted a female one
However the appointment was great. I didn't feel rushed, he asked loads of questions about symptoms, last period etc. He said yes, it does sound like the menopause ( I am 56 after all ) but would I like a full blood check including looking at thyroid and vit b deficiency then we can look at HRT treatment.
He asked what kind of HRT would I like and talked about the pros and cons. He said we will talk more once I've had my blood tests in.
I wish I'd done it months ago now!
I'm glad I found this page.

Thats brilliant news, hopefully on the end straight now!

[notacooldad]

UPDATE
I've just had a phone appointment with a doctor. I was dreading it because I didn't think I'd be able to express myself clearly and it wasnt my regular doctor. I wanted a female one
However the appointment was great. I didn't feel rushed, he asked loads of questions about symptoms, last period etc. He said yes, it does sound like the menopause ( I am 56 after all ) but would I like a full blood check including looking at thyroid and vit b deficiency then we can look at HRT treatment.
He asked what kind of HRT would I like and talked about the pros and cons. He said we will talk more once I've had my blood tests in.
I wish I'd done it months ago now!
I'm glad I found this page.

[junipertree2]

Yes @notacooldad, HRT would deffo work against the tiredness. I think it's quite similar to the fatigue a younger woman gets just before her period comes - a hormonal crash. I used to wake in the morning still feeling knackered. Oestrogen does help with that.

[Verstappen]

@DaveDave

Does anyone know the impact on birth control pills on peri-menopause? I am on Cerelle, but have so many symptoms of peri. But I am trying to figure it all out! Is Cerelle not similar to HRT in that it is giving me extra progesterone?

I was on Cerazette and stopped them the day before I started the patches. I had every symptom going and looking back have had them for about 2 years, slowly building. The only thing I couldn't say with any certainty was what my cycle was like as I didn't have a break at all.

A week and a half in and I'm feeling great. My mood is lifted and I am starting to do stuff again. @Loudestcat14 over the last 12 months I've been very guilty of needing something from Tesco and thinking "I'll get DH to pick it up on his way home", now I'm actually going myself and looking forward to it. I even booked in for a hair cut next week, something I've been procrastinating over for a long long time. I'm starting to look forward to things again.
I finally also started some semblance of a period, that came with worsening night sweats for a couple of nights. Oh, and I seem to be able to sleep through without needing a wee 😂

I am struggling slightly with another health issue at the moment, but daren't speak to the GP just yet as I'm certain he'll blame the HRT. It was starting to ramp up many months before I started this so I know its absolutely nothing to do with it, but I daren't take that risk at the moment. You'll prise those patches from my cold dead hands 😂

[DaveDave]

Does anyone know the impact on birth control pills on peri-menopause? I am on Cerelle, but have so many symptoms of peri. But I am trying to figure it all out! Is Cerelle not similar to HRT in that it is giving me extra progesterone?

[Loudestcat14]

@notacooldad

I cant believe the waves of anxiety I'm getting.
I was out cycling with some friends in the woods last week and got a feeling of terror. I couldn't slow my heart rate and wanted to throw up. Thankfully it only lasted a few minutes and no one noticed.
It also happened in a child protection meeting. I've been doing these for years, know my stuff, knew the case well yet I went in feeling unprepared and wondered how the procedure worked. Again that feeling only lasted a few minutes but it's making me lose confidence in things that I know I usually do well.
On my days off I'm having up to 5 x 30 minute naps and still tired.
I need help don't I!!!

You really do! The need for napping was a massive indicator for me that I wasn't right. Every day I'd have to go for a lie down around 4pm just to be able to function enough to make dinner, do bedtime, etc. I started HRT six weeks ago and the naps stopped almost immediately. Definitely make an appointment to see your GP.

[notacooldad]

I cant believe the waves of anxiety I'm getting.
I was out cycling with some friends in the woods last week and got a feeling of terror. I couldn't slow my heart rate and wanted to throw up. Thankfully it only lasted a few minutes and no one noticed.
It also happened in a child protection meeting. I've been doing these for years, know my stuff, knew the case well yet I went in feeling unprepared and wondered how the procedure worked. Again that feeling only lasted a few minutes but it's making me lose confidence in things that I know I usually do well.
On my days off I'm having up to 5 x 30 minute naps and still tired.
I need help don't I!!!

[FunnysInLaJardin]

if you can take HRT, don't hesitate.

I am peri and started HRT in February after insomnia, joint pain and anxiety.

It really is life changing and I haven't had to change my lifestyle at all!

I've just turned 50 btw

[notacooldad]

On going to have to re read the thread but I have finally made a doctors appointment. I'm a bit concerned that it's not my regular female one who is the same age as me (we've gone through similar life experiences at the same time including children at the same age)
It's a phone call so I hope I can convey how unhappy and uncomfortable I am.
Fingers crossed for me!🤞

[Loudestcat14]

Great to read your update Verstappen, I've been wondering how you were getting on. I'm six weeks ahead of you and I can confirm the urge to be more active does kick in. I'm walking everywhere now – on Thursday alone I did over 20,000 steps! – and next week I'm going to start resistance training because I feel much more energised. I'm also eating better so I have high hopes for losing weight too!

[YellowSunshineSky]

@lazylinguist thanks so much for mentioning the magnesium connection with stomach issues. I'd never heard of it.

I've had morning diarrhoea on and off for a while and I now suspect the magnesium I take at night might be causing at least some of my issues (I think there's a hormonal side to it too).

I'll now stop taking them and see what happens.

[OhWhyNot]

LizzieMacQueen

Anyone mentioned the brain fog? The eye sight and hearing deterioration about the same time. Maybe that's just me?

No it isn’t just you. Brain fog is my biggest issue and in the last few months my eyesight has very suddenly deteriorated and I’m having to wear glasses. My hearing is too ! it’s embarrassing in meetings either I can’t hear what is being said, I get confused or in mid sentence I forget the most simplest words or the point I’m trying to get across

Weight gain has been an issues for 10 years now (by also have under active thyroid it piled on within a few months, many symptoms overlap but I think they are more peri menopausal now)

[lazylinguist]

Btw I meant to add... I was convinced for a while that my possible food intolerances were something more sinister, either stomach-wise or gynaecological. However, I discovered that my stomach symptoms were partly down to the magnesium supplement I had been taking for 7 months to help me sleep! As soon as I stopped taking them, my daily stomach/bowel pain stopped and I now only get issues when I eat certain things. I can't even use spray magnesium without the pains coming back! Magnesium supplements also gave my DM horrific sickness and diarrhoea. So watch out if you try them - they work, but some people can't tolerate them!

[junipertree2]

Good stuff, @Verstappen. HRT does work to help quell those volcanic rages you were describing!

It is really hot at the minute so flushes and sweats will break through initially. I have always been a winter person but never more so than in these last three damn years...

[Verstappen]

By way of a small update. Probably too early to tell and absolutely mind over matter, but I feel calmer. Put my first patch on last Tuesday. Night sweats are still the same at present but I feel better in myself and I’m more cheerful.
Interestingly, I stopped taking the cerazette on Monday and still haven’t had a period. I was expecting to be very heavy and very miserable but nothing.

I agree about losing weight @lazylinguist trouble is you have no motivation or push to exercise because you feel so low. Hopefully I get to the stage where I can be arsed at some point.

[lazylinguist]

Amazing thread, very useful and, in spite of the ghastliness of it all, some of you are very funny.

I'm 49. No hot flushes yet, but I have:

Heavy, longer periods
Waking up at 4:30 a.m.
Skin getting worse
Thinning hair
Aches and pains

And food intolerances - I had no idea that perimenopause could cause those! I've been driving myself crazy for months trying to work out what does and doesn't trigger my symptoms. Lactose definitely a problem. Maybe gluten. Possibly nuts and tomatoes.

One thing I am managing to do is lose weight. Partly through various diet tweaks, but I'm finding exercise really good for my general feeling of well-being and weight loss. Fast, hilly walking, plus alternating days of yoga and weights. The weights in particular are making a difference.

[IlonaRN]

Would hrt kill fertility?
I am 47, and have PCOS. I know I need progesterone in my luteal phase, but am wondering if estrogen in the follicular phase would help or hinder? (I would love another child if I could fall pregnant again!)

[ArabellaScott]

Verstappen, so glad your doc has listened and you are getting help.

As far as going the non-HRT route: I've been feeling better since: eating far less processed food, prioritising sleep; Vogel Menopause support tabs; kelp tablets; exercise; less booze, LOADS more water. It's shite hard work all this being healthy, I'm not naturally inclined to it, but hopefully this will work longterm.

[Maverick197]

How interesting that so many have mentioned that their alcohol tolerance declined in peri-menopause, I had to give up alcohol completely at the age of 43, just a small glass of wine would trigger the worst migrane attack. I did drink like a fish in my 20s and 30s, so I think it was about time to give up! I have been tee-total for the past 3 years, sometimes just the smell of alcohol can trigger a headache. I never made the connection between my alcohol tolerance declining and perimenopause.

[RainbowRaine]

@Verstappen Remember to set a reminder on you phone, for the days you need to change patches, set the alarm for a time when you can change it as soon as the alarm/reminder goes off.

I once went 11 days with the same patch on and only realised when I started getting night sweats again.

[Verstappen]

[quote junipertree2]@Verstappen, Evorel need to sort out their packaging. You put the patches that say 'Evorel 50' on for the first 14 days, then ones that say 'Evorel Conti' for the next fortnight. Otherwise they just look identical. My eyesight is so bad I got them mixed up last week & wore the wrong patch for two days...[/quote]
They do! Not helped by the fact I was given zero instruction anyway and the included leaflet, once I'd waded through 200 ways this will kill you, was a bit small. Googled it.

I'm the queen of not reading things so will have to watch for this one. Be so much easier if they were just different colours or something.