12 years of menopause blues

[madcatladyforever]

So I've had 12 years of the menopause most of it on HRT and another 2 as having a gastric band fitted made the symptoms come back. This has been confirmed by my consultant.
Nobody told me about that side effect or I'd have thought twice!!
Anyway now coming to the end of it all I feel I as a person have died.
I don't think I'm fun anymore I don't find the enjoyment and spark in life I used to have.
I know I've had a lot of things going on in the last few years like divorce and so on but I always used to be able to rise above all that and find the joy in life and new experiences.
I haven't been anywhere for three years, not even one night away and don't particularly want to.
Is this it? Is this how it ends. Because if it is I'm going to kick bastard nature up the backside for this nasty twist.
Has anyone managed to get past the menopause and still have a wonderful life? It really feels as though this is an initiation into the underworld for those with an esoteric bent!
Or am I just a miserable old cow who needs to get out more

How did having a gastric band affect your hormones?

Being very overweight increases the amount of estrogen you body has , because the brown fat (a type of fat cell) help the body create its own estrogen (this is why being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer as there is more estrogen circulating.)

So maybe it was the weight loss not the actual band that was the cause?
How old are you now, when did you start HRT and how long ago did you stop?

One thing I don't understand is why you are now off HRT. There is no time limit on it. Why don't you go back on it? (And if a dr is saying you can't, find another one who is up to date. :))

I'm still on HRT which stops the hot flushes but doesn't do anything for my mental state so I'm on citalopram. I was on duloxetine but that causes hot sweats so no thanks.
It was the losing weight rapidly that did it not the band itself.
Started the menopause at 45 and now 57.
Physically I'm ok but my brain has shrunk I think. I missed an interview this morning because I forgot . Thank god they let me rebook it for next week. I was honest. There is a lot about the menopause in the news so I guess they cut me some slack.

what lifestyle stuff are you doing along with HRT?

Exercise is really important for overall health but also brain health to prevent dementia. Are you getting a good 30 mins at least every day of something to make you raise your heart rate?

It's also proven to be better for mental health and mild-moderate depression than drugs.

Lots of info on MIND website.