Does anyone else feel like this? What's wrong with me?

[AlphaBravoCharlieDeltaEcho]

I will start this off with some facts.
I'm 44 years old, female.
I have been diagnosed with depression due to physical symptoms - insomnia, low mood, lack of concentration, lethargy.
I am overweight by a stone and a half.
I cannot sleep through the night due to repeated toilet visits. I have headaches every other day and about twice a week these will develop into migraines.
I have asthma so I cough all night.
Im a walking zombie.
I get wet patches in my drawers due to slight incontinence. Pelvic floor exercises hasn't helped.
I feel heavy in my body - my bones if you know what I mean. I am forgetful, I am fuzzy-headed. I also get pins and needles in my feet upon waking, severe cramp in my legs and feet at random times and my fingers, hands and wrists hurt all the time and get stiff. I am so tired I'm struggling to care about anything any more. I have had thyroid tested - all clear. I have been tested for diabetes - all clear. I am so fed up. Does anyone else feel like this? Has anyone else felt like this and been diagnosed as a result. It's a cliche but I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I have not always felt like this. It's been gradually getting worse since the birth of my DS , now five years eight months who is no bother at all - he sleeps like an angel so it's not him keeping me awake. Not pregnant afaik. What am I missing here? TIA.

I'm surprised he offered sleeping tablets as it isn't primary insomnia you ate suffering from, but other issues that seem to be causing the sleep problems.

I'm so sorry you had such a rubbish appointment. I would try and book another with a different GP. There are helpful ones out there (even though it doesn't feel that way when you've just had a bad one)

Would it be worth pushing for an in person appointment rather than phone? I struggle with phone appointments to be honest, as my communication is much poorer on the phone. Also if you have one in person you could take someone along, like a friend or family member, to help you stand your ground and get them to listen?

@AlphaBravoCharlieDeltaEcho

Thanks for the additional replies. I am overweight but I walk a fair bit every day (about 15,000-25,000 steps on average). I'm veggie so maybe that is relevant. I do take supplements though including extra iron. If it is perimenopause how would a person know if they were on contraception that stopped their periods? You wouldn't miss them if you don't have them in the first place.

You’d know by all the other peri symptoms. Of which it sounds like you have many. I’m 47 and just started HRT patches, it’s helped tremendously. Still get the odd hot flush so currently trying to see if I can increase dosage, but much less depressed, achey, incontinent etc and libido has returned thankfully! Also yes definitely check B12 if you’re a veggie as it’s mainly found in meat.

@AlphaBravoCharlieDeltaEcho

I'm awaiting GP call-back now. It's a lot to unpack but I'm determined to get there. I'm going to make a list of all the advice on here too and make sure I go thru each thing step by step. Wish me luck!

If they try to fob you off with anti depressants or tell you you need blood tests first, refer them to the NICE guidelines which say that if you present with symptoms at this sort of age they should automatically prescribe you HRT.

See 1.2.2

NICE guidelines

And 1.2.4

I take a supplement called Complete Woman from Boots and it contains every possible thing you may need..worth a try. Really helped me at that stage. Any way of getting an appointment with a female doctor as that man sounds completely out of touch.

Don’t start taking vitamins or supplements before your blood test as they can affect the results (b12 in particular I think)

Ok I won't start taking anything yet but thanks @junebirthdaygirl @RaisedByPangolins and @Rose5678. The one female doctor that was there retires tomorrow so it will then be an all male GP practice and all are over 50. I think I'll see what blood test says then jump ship. There are female nurses there but I have a feeling if it is menopause then it'll be GP who sees me rather than nurse practitioner, surely? Very grumpy and craving crap food today. Also have breast aching and tenderness which is so bad I'm wearing a restrictive sports bra to try and stop the pain. Started listening to podcast recommended early and will continue you it later when I cook the evening meal. Thanks all.

Definitely sounds menopause-y sorry!

To be fair it isn’t always women GPs who are good at this stuff - they can be as dismissive as the men sadly. It might be an idea to call and ask which doctor would be best for this stuff. But with all the recent press about it and the lack of training, a lot of GP practices have signed up for some specific menopause training recently to bring them up to speed. Otherwise you can always ask for a referral to a specialist although that may take time.

As you’re already taking the pill I’m not sure how HRT would differ tbh. Not sure what the ratios of oestrogen and progesterone are in either one, but it may be that an adjustment one way of the other may help you.

ABCD your GP sounds awful. I’d put in a written complaint quoting nice guidelines and then tell them you’d like another phone appointment and that this time you’ll have it on speaker so that your DH/DP/friend can listen in, as you would have brought them along to an in person appointment. See if he changes his tune when it’s not just you there being dismissed by his useless attitude.

Dont start taking the tablets till youve had the blood test in case it skews the results. He sounds horrible tbh, can you speak to another doctor for your results ?