Antidepressants not HRT

[Ryebreadandwine]

Gp did not want to give me HRT. She did eventually but I’m wondering if maybe she’s right. My symptoms are irregular heavy periods, spotting, insomnia, night sweats before period, brain fog, lack of concentration. I have been really stressed. Much less resilient and anxious. I became tearful in the session but I’m not convinced I’m depressed. Maybe I am? Any thoughts?

Guidelines say HRT should be first line for menopause symptoms. Are you over 45? It might well do the trick- if you don’t like it you aren’t stuck with it. Did she give you patches/gel? As they are the safest form.

I had blood tests and I have low estrogen and high fsh levels. Yes, over 45. She was really not happy prescribing hrt. I honestly think it’s more peri than depression.

She gave me patches. I’ll pick them up tomorrow. She said take day 4 of period. I’m never quite sure if I’m spotting or having a period. I guess I’ll have to guess. Will it make much difference?

I'm on my second week of HRT tablets,I suffered with many of your symptoms.I can already feel a difference regarding the anxiousness/night sweats and brain fog.Sleeping better and don't get so ready eyed or emotional over what other folk might deem silly.If you're not happy,make another appt and see a different doctor at the practice?I feel more energetic too which is a massive boost.Was ready to fall asleep at 3pm in the chair most days previously.

Teary* eyed

I’ve been so exhausted. No motivation. Feeling overwhelmed with life generally but not consistently so. Today I feel not too bad. Just before my period I could actually sleep standing up. The tiredness is unlike anything. My body temperature at night is through the roof. I have to sleep under the window with it wide open. Sometimes I s pelting with rain and just lie there getting rained on I sometimes have to change my night clothes at least twice a night. Again, not consistently.

It makes me so cross when these GPs play God and want to withhold treatment that works and is safe for most women, and not least, has been recommended by NICE as the treatment for peri meno.

You have every right to use HRT.
I'd like to see GPs play God with men if they came in needing a safe and effective treatment. Why did she say she wasn't 'keen' on HRT? It's not a case of a GP 'liking it' but what is the right way forward for the patient. Unless you have solid medical reasons never to use HRT then there is no reason not to use it.

Sorry for the rant but this kind of thing is being posted about time and time again on forums. Women need to get a bit more assertive (not you!) and put GPs in their place.

I hope you feel better.

Just picked up my Evorel patches. I’m a bit scared and wondering if I’m doing the right thing. Apart from lightly bleeding or spotting the past couple of days I actually feel fine. I’m worried I’ll make things worse.

Try them,you can always stop if you want but like many on here you can feel at least the hit flushes and night sweats improve after just 2 weeks and after a bit longer the anxiety and brain fog improves.
Try them and let us know how you are getting on.

Friends and I have recently talked about drastically losing confidence, becoming depressed and feeling friendships are failing now we're a certain age. Feeling that we're not good mothers, sisters, wives, friends etc because of hormonal changes or feeling anxious and tired all the time because nights are broken by worry and night-sweats, can make you feel unhinged and unhappy.

As I said on another thread, I ended up on AD - Escitalopram for anxiety and depression and on Zopiclone for insomnia. I also left my job and withdrew a great deal. I think almost all of mine and my friends' similar symptoms were because of the menopause and resulting hormonal imbalances. Why aren't' we put in touch with good gynaecologists / doctors who are trained in this field, instead of being bunged on AD's so frequently - is it cheaper and quicker?

Why aren't' we put in touch with good gynaecologists / doctors who are trained in this field, instead of being bunged on AD's so frequently - is it cheaper and quicker?

Reasons:
1 On the cash stretched NHS this is not a priority. There are not enough gynaes available to see every woman over 50 who needs meno support.

2 It's easier to medicate women with ADs (pat on the head approach)and sheer ignorance of meno and how it affects women.

3 Many GPs are not up to date with HRT, still believe the scare stories of research now 20 yrs out of date, so they don't like to offer HRT.

I do think the NHS ought to get up to speed on this, but medicine and your health is a consumer market; there are specialists out there who are brilliant. If you have the money, you don't have to rely on a GP, spend your time researching the specialists who deal with menopause and find someone who can support you.