A thread to discuss the extra less obvious bits to the menopause

[GetStrongKeepFighting]

I've been to the GP today and she's said most of what I was telling her are due to the menopause.

I had to come off HRT so I'm just on starflower capsules, Angus castus and vitamin B.

I'm having blood tests and have been referred for a neurological appointment.

My menopause started after the shock of a traumatic event well two and it's been 2-3 years ish. Periods all over the place, anxiety for first time ever, daily painful headaches, not sleeping very well, emotional, knackered, suicidal at times PMT like grouchiness, lack of motivation.

Sigh.

I have started having anxiety attacks and they started around the time I had two difficult events which the GP think sent me into early menopause.

Ah, that’s similar to mine as it started after my mum died in an accident. Initially I thought it was due to losing mum but it seems to be connected to peri menopause.

Perhaps they are indeed linked- a traumatic event and the start of menopause- a perfect storm...

Yes that makes sense.

Yes, another one here who seemed to crash into menopause at the same time as a period of stressful family illness, caring and bereavement.

I used to be so confident, sharp and active and almost overnight I became a blethering mess with anxiety and heart palpitations, numerous aches and pains and irritable bladder which made me want to pee every hour.
I also had terrible, terrible pains in my legs overnight which, combined with hot flushes, meant I was so, so tired.

I started HRT in desperation and it ALL stopped within a week. I was genuinely gobsmacked and was convinced it must be a placebo effect. But when I later tried to reduce/ change my HRT it all came back.
Seriously, I think I'm on HRT for life!

My mum was on hrt for years and this was in the 70s. She swore by it. I don't need it so far, I've been lucky so far, just bladder issues.

I started in HRT but had to come off. I can't see much different between before, during and after tbh other than slightly more hot flushes since stopping the HRT. Also anxiety attacks and hot flushes are in close contact sometimes..

That's a shame you had to come off the hrt, it seems like the holy grail and if that doesn't agree with us, I don't know what the alternative is.

Everywhere is so dry i think I am turning to dust my ears espe ially are so flakey and rank !

I recommend the oestrogen gel. I tried the patches briefly and they were dreadful - uncomfortable, pulled on the skin and kept coming unstuck. I can’t think why anyone would use patches or tablets in preference to the gel. I don’t take progesterone, though, as I’m menopausal due to a complete hysterectomy.

I feel absolutely crap all the time. No idea what’s due to the menopause and what’s not, though. 🤷‍♀️

I've got another weird symptom this week - I've been having the brain fog for months and inability to concentrate (on anything other than browsing mumsnet!!) but this week I've become incapable of typing a message or email using the correct format for their/there/they're or your/you're!! As a grammar pedant its really ANNOYING!!!!! I'm having to treble check any written communications!

My hrt is a lifesaver for me and I can continue my work and my life without all these awful symptoms. My only and big concern is about the duration of its use and the safety.