So it starts

[inaclearingstandsaboxer]

I have been peri for longer than gods dogs been alive ( well it feels like it)

My main symptoms are

Pain
Sweats
Memory loss

Can't remember the others

So I have been started this morning on Femoston 10mg

I hope I feel better soon - joking aside I am worried about my mental health as I am really struggling especially with the joint and muscle pain.

So fingers crossed!!!

I had 10 years of symptons - happily now they've ended. Didn't stay on HRT for the whole period because of the risks. Keep an eye on blood pressure. Good luck!

Hope you don't mind me jumping in ... similar scenario, but
I have just had a follow-up appointment with gp, who confirmed I am meno. I had gone to see her about something else, and lo and behold, am now a woman of a certain age!
Really my only symptoms were low libido and vaginal dryness. Something I had put down to my frantic life and I hadn't really thought about anything else. So now, my doc has prescribed vagifem and wants to put me on elleste duo 1mg. I'm almost 51.
Whilst I am not against hrt, I feel I'm 'not ready' iykwim. I like the sound of the pessaries, but taking something when I don't feel 'sick' just doesn't lie easy with me.
My doc's opinion is my symptoms will get worse, so why put myself through it... which is good advice. (And benefits re osteoporosis))
Also, didn't realise there were periods - big shock! I have a Mirena coil and love no monthly bleeding, although doc says I may not get them, just wait and see.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

Pink- it's highly likely you won't have periods if you have a Mirena. I don't think you should be forced into HRT if you feel ok. I was 53 when I started it and had tried everything else (diet, no caffeine, no booze for years , loads of exercise....) I suppose all of that must have worked because apart from hot flushes and insomnia (and a short fuse) I didn't have other peri symptoms.

Thanks Polly
I'm on the fence atm, but do see the logic in avoiding symptoms before they appear.
I'm curious tho, I take it before hrt, everyone just got on with it??

I take it before hrt, everyone just got on with it??

Yes, and many women suffered terribly (and still do!) but luckily we don't have to.

I've only been taking Elleste Duet for 12 days and already I feel fantastic!

Day 20 in the Big Bloodbath House.

Thanks for all the lovely and helpful messages including the PMs! Yes I am clearly on the wrong HRT and need to go sequi not conti, so I'm weaning myself off these over a few days (cutting the patch down) and will stop tomorrow night.

Unfortunately I can't get an appointment using the online booking thingy with my GP for 4 weeks but I suppose I could fall on the mercy of be of the receptionists. They tend to be nice.

one of the receptionists

Hi
Jumping in if that's ok
Am 50. Between the ages 45-48, had dreadful night sweats, but just put up with them ( don't get them anymore) my periods were erratic. Had a period last November, then 2 in February, since then nothing but a tiny bit of brown spotting. (Hardly anything)
I had a doctors appointment for something else in December & she took bloods & they came back post meno? (Followed by my 2 February periods)
Assuming I am well on the way to completely stopping.
The fewer periods I have the fewer meno symptoms I have. No sore swollen boobs, no spots & no sleepless nights.
I have never taken HRT, should I? Not sure if there is any point until I get some other symptoms.
Any advice much appreciated
TIA

How long has the bloodbath been going on? Having suffered terrible heavy periods leading up to the peri meno, I do feel sorry for you.

Think you should definitely talk to the receptionist, you need an appointment in the next couple of days, not four weeks!

Hope you get it sorted soon.

My joints ache , didn't realise could be menopause related .
I'm 45 still regular periods , so does that mean it couldn't be menopause yet ?

ALaughAMinute nearly 3 weeks, since I started HRT (conti), so at 56 it looms like I'm still not actually post-menopausal!

I'll stop with these particular patches tomorrow and I'll ring up for some advice from the reception team. Tbh they'll probably know more than my GP, on his current form.

Hope everyone else is doing ok. I'm sorry I can't answer anyone's questions, I'm just a beginner, but @PollyPerky often pops along to help.

Took the last remnants of that sodding patch off this morning.

Have finally stopped bleeding massively. Bloating gone down. Yay.

Back to the drawing board ...

56 now and no period for 7 months. I think I'm getting away lightly, but I had terrible joint pain which kept me awake. Boss recommended golden linseed and I now panic if the jar gets low because the pain vanished within three days. I sprinkle a teaspoon into yogurt twice a day. Has helped with digestion too.

What a bunch we are!!!

I am just about to come to the end of the white pills and start the two weeks of blue pills

I feel like I a like Alice in Matrix-land

Good job it's half term and I am off next week...

Will report back next week...

OP, will be interesting to hear how you get on. It's all such an unknown, really. Best of luck!

Filledsoda - I'm 48 regular periods but a raft of peri symptoms including joint pain. Starting HRT at next period so hoping this will help 🙂

Oh God, now having yet another painful period from hell.

it's probably because you have now stopped the progestogens (in the patch.) The reason you have had bleeding all along is either your own high levels of oestrogen are overriding the dose in the patch - which 'cancels out' the lining building up, OR your own levels PLUS what is in the patch are too high to be controlled by the amount of progestogen in the patch.

Bleeding like this only happens when there is not enough progestogen being used to stop the endometrium from growing under the influence of oestrogen.

I had blood tests today, should hear next week. As I am still quite young the doctor is doing a load of tests to rule other stuff out first. Just want a solution so I am not in pain, I can stop over heating and stop wanting to rip my skin off because of the itching!

Polly, thanks for that info. I feel very unwell today, very down and physically awful. Work is suffering, family are worried and I am trapped in the house. This is just so crap. I haven't even rung the GP surgery because I can't face it.

I haven't heard anything about the date for the myomectomy. Just sick of it all.