Going to se GP. How do I convince him to take me seriously?

[Ormirian]

I gaven't had a period since before Xmas. Before that it was september. Before that.....I can't remember. Suffice to say I have about 3 or 4 periods a year. I go through phases of hot flushes and night sweats. I am piling on weight. i am exhausted and sleepy all the time. I generally feel like shite.

I last went to the GP about this 2 years ago and she say No! to my being menopausal because the blood test came back negative and I was only 43. But she admitted it was hard to get any significant results from a blood test because the hormones flucuate.

But I am sure I am. And I don't want to feel ao bloody awful anymore. I have to go back to get another prescription for citalopram as I've given up giving them up for now.

What do I say? I want HRT and I know there are risks but I can't go on like this for the next few years.

Well I'm struggling to keep my BMI at 21-22 - eating pretty sensibly and doing loads of exercise. I also have a round belly now - it was never wash-board-like, but it's much worse in the last couple of years. How depressing.

But if the HRT is good for that, then I'm up for it!

Well, I had my blood tests done last week and just got letter to call the GP. And I had a scan done this morning - he said nothing untoward on it, so I wonder what the bloods will show.

Talking to friends the other night, they were dead against taking HRT, but the night sweats are back with a vengeance and I'm knackered and feeling teary / grumpy alot......

Any news Orm?

Went to see GP today - my scan was clear, but I am anaeimic and my hormone levels look like I am in the peri-menopause.

We had a bit of a chat about options, and I am going to try Norethisterone (and iron tablets!) for 3 months and then go back for a check on my iron levels and see how it's going.

I feel nervous about trying HRT, especially as the GP said that menopause symptoms will return once you stop taking it. But she is not an expert - I will see the GP who is more experienced in this area the next time I go.

Orm, have you been back to your GP?

BTM- I have heard from friends that their meno symptoms did cme back a bit once they had stopped HRt but not nearly so bad as before. i also think it depends on how you come off it- I know my gynae recommends over 3-4 monts VERY slowly.

I am experimenting with my dose and have cut it in half for about a week ( partly due to problems with supply so am eeking it out!) and have not noticed any increase in symptoms.

Cabb that's interesting (I'm sure your gynae is more of an expert than any GP!)

When you say you have problems with your dose, do you mean HRT? What problems are they (if you don't mind me asking!) And you say you're seeing a gynae -is that privately? GP said they don't usually refer on, just see another GP who is more experienced in that area.

Hi BTM- yes, I mean HRT. There have been supply problems from the manufacturers now for about 5 months. Pharmacies get a small amount of stock then it goes out straight away! I have a store of about 3 months but I have no idea when they will start production properly.

Is this what you were asking?

Yes, I see a gynae privately. I self-referred- he is happy to accept patients that way. Originally I saw him about my low bone density as he is an expert/specialist in the menopause and fertility. I have now been seeing him for 3 years so he has looked afer me from peri meno to menopausal! he is lovely.

If you want me to give youhis details please PM me. he works in London and the south west.

I think you just have to weigh up the pros and cons of HRT to decide whether it's for you or not. I'm 51 and my peri-menopause started when I was in my 40s. It eventually became unbearable - the night sweats meant that I couldn't sleep, I had mood swings (bit like horrendous PMT), I was tired because I wasn't sleeping and life was just shit.

I saw a very sensible female GP who was initially relutant to prescribe HRT but on discovering that I had three young children who were about 3, 5 and 7 at the time, she figured that young children + menopause = trouble and prescribed.

And it's been fantastic. No more sweats, no more flushes, I sleep and I'm much calmer and less moody. I know the risks. I know that when I stop it'll come back but by then my children will be older and hopefully I'll be better able to cope.

Oh, and my libido returned - that had gone down the tubes.

Cabb, how did you know you had low bone density? I might come back to you for the gynaes details, thanks!

wbb, your symptoms sound just like mine, but mine do go in fits and starts - has been bad for the last month or two. Night sweats are the devils curse. Plus a DD who is going through puberty
Reading that makes me wish I had gone for the HRT yesterday, but I guess I will give the pill a go for 3 months and then hopefully make a decision about the HRT with the more experienced GP.

BTM- bones- I had a private scan- cost around £90. was persuaded by a friend- her mum has bad osteporosis- and my friend was at risk so had a scan. She was shocked to see her bones were not good- not full osteoporosis but going that way- she was only 45.

so, I had a scan. I had osteopaenia- stage before osteporosis. I had no risk factors except being small ( max weight 8 st and on;t 5' 3) and for a while was dairy free due to allergies.

My Gp was supportive but offered me drugs which are not fully safe andhave side effects. I wanted a 2nd opinion etc which is why I looked for a specialist who could help me.

I went on to really exercise- got a personal trainer for a bit and have a scan every 2-3 years. last two my bones have been getter better.

the HRT will help too but it's not the reason for taking it. I had bad insomnia and hourly sweats and quite a late meno- almost 54.

HTH.

Thanks, that's really interesting.

No history of osteoporosis AFAIK, I am fit - exercise quite alot, including weights, and I am tall and a strong, athletic build. I'm not worried, but maybe it's something to think about!

I'm "only" 46, but the night sweats are deiving me mad ATM

It's going well. No night sweats or hot flushes which is utter bliss! And i am sleeping a bit better.

But have bad period pains now Still - at least they are temporary. The sweats were all the time!

Please stop it!