To think I have had the longest menopause in history!

[ConcernedAuntie]

Have I had the longest menopause in history? Please tell me I am not alone.

I’m 68. Hot flushes started in September 1999, so 22 years, about a third of my life. They had very nearly stopped three years ago but then I had a hysterectomy and that sent me back to square 1. I haven’t had too much in the way of mood swings but I am sick to death of the hot flushes. Although now usually restricted to night time they start at 9.00 on the dot every evening and continue until around 9.00 in the morning. I don’t actually sweat, thank goodness, just feel so, so hot. Each one is preceded by a rush of anxiety and as they happen at night it stops me sleeping well. If I get 6 hours I have had a good night. I spend most nights lying on top of the duvet, whatever the weather. And woe betide my poor DH if he tries to snuggle up.

No doctor would put me on HRT because of medical issues but over the years I have tried, acupuncture, reiki, homeopathy, black cohosh, evening primrose, red clover, sage, soy rich diet, hrt cake, aromatherapy, menopace, Star Powa Menobalance, royal jelly and probably more that I have forgotten over the years. Sometimes they work for a couple of weeks but then my body says, oh no, I can overcome that. Makes absolutely no difference if I have alcohol or not.

One GP put me on a low dose anti-depressant and despite my doubts to be fair it did help, but then he left and the new GP wouldn’t prescribe it for me anymore because she said she didn’t want me to get addicted.

I'm not overweight (well I could do with losing half a stone) and exercise four days a week.

So, has anyone got anything that has actually worked or do I insist the GP puts me on HRT. I really have had more than enough.

Logged in just so you know you’re not alone.

Think I am about 10 years into it but could be longer - peri with crazy mood swings, tears, forgetting my words for years and now menopausal for 4 years ish. It’s all a bit of a haze. Have been off and on HRT for years and defo helped with hot flushes but the mental stuff has been the bane of it for me. I am off it now due to unexplained bleeding and hot flushes back with vengeance. I get a depressed anxious feeling prior to them as well.

I haven’t tried everytring but I’ve tried enough to expect a little bit of luck!

I can barely string a sentence together, cry all the time, feel like I’ve got a adhd and do stuff like try to put my shoes in the fridge!

Also find it so depressing that it’s still going on, I feel like it’s my fault and people think I am whining (which I probably am….)

That’s just a small example

Do your health problems really preclude HRT or is your gp wary of it? At the menopause clinic I was under, they were definitely of the opinion that you can and should take HRT for the rest of your life.

I asked one of the Dr’s once how long the menopause can last and she pointed to the waiting room, saying look at the age range and there were all ages of women there.

I’ve previously paid £30 for an email question to Menopause Matters and found that helpful

Also I’ve heard being a bit overweight is better - I’m skinny and I smoke about 4
Cigarettes a day and that’s apparently terrible….

Good luck, hopefully someone with better advice will be along shortly

Thanks for your reply, I was beginning to think it was only me!

You sound to have symptoms much worse than mine -I am so sorry. It is so debilitating isn't it.

I have spoken to 4 or 5 different doctors over the years and they really advised me not to go down the HRT route, family history of breast cancer, blood clots, strokes and high blood pressure.

A while back I asked one of the doctors I spoke to how long I would have to put up with all of this. Her reply was Oh I should give it 6 months. When I said it had been 14 years already she really didn't know what to say. She was very young.

I've suffered only 5 years, the anxiety is killing me. I know someone who took 15 years to get through it

I can't take HRT due to cancer in my family.

I went into menopause at 38 right after the birth of our son. They told me after bloods done I was 100% post menopause. I’m almost 58 and still have hot flashes, mostly after too much sugar and caffeine. I am always hot! I don’t think they will ever go away for me although they definitely decreased in intensity, since it’s been almost 20 years for me too.

I couldn't have HRT either and at first only sage tablets helped. Due to medication, I was unable to try other remedies. My GP then prescribed a low dose of gabapentin. My life changed almost overnight. I still get hot now and then but not for long and rarely more,than once on each occasion.