Peri-menopause

[mandie12]

Hi, I am 49 and have been suffering for a few years now but recently my symptoms have worsened. Night sweats, hot flushes, headaches, erratic periods with awful clots, nausea, fatigue, brain fog and really bad anxiety. It has affected every aspect of my life - especially my work as I feel I am unable to do my job competently and confidently anymore. I had a panic attack over my job and have made myself sick with worry. I went to my GP with my symptoms and she has prescribed me Novofem. I am really unsure about taking HRT and would love some advice from people who are taking it - especially the Novofem. Thanks. x

Hi @mandie12,

We're just giving your thread a bump to get it back into Active Conversations and hopefully get you some advice and support from other Mumsnetters.

Sorry you're going through such a tough time.

Hi @mandie12,

I suffered from many of the same symptoms as you have. I started to have panic attacks as well as anxiety, and I had terrible reflux and digestive issues. I had to take a couple of weeks off work following a particularly bad panic attack. I knew that everything I was going through was probably hormonal, but when I spoke to a Dr at my surgery he suggested a blood test, which of course came back normal. He then gave me a leaflet about the menopause and told me to stop being so anxious. Eventually I demanded to see a female GP who I found to be really positive and instantly recognised I was having quite severe peri-menopause symptoms. She offered HRT, did not push it on me, but suggested that it would really help and that I should research it, which I have done exhaustively (a couple of important links below) as bad publicity had done untold damage to what should be promoted as life enhancing for many women. Although, it should also be recognised that HRT is not a choice for every woman.

I've been on HRT for about 9 weeks now (swapped from tablets to patches evorel Sequi because more research has identified that using patches can also help avoid some side effects such as indigestion, and unlike tablets, they do not increase your risk of blood clots. ). I am not 100% there yet, but I can feel myself improving every day. No more panic attacks, night sweats, aches, brain fog, and overwhelming fatigue that is so debilitating. My digestion feels better, although I still get some reflux symptoms. I have always been a healthy weight and have been really into exercise, but I know this and a healthy diet is also key to managing symptoms.

If you haven't already please do think about going to your GP, after your research, and if you do decide to explore HRT, just remember that it wont work straight away. You do have to give it some time, 3-6 months, although you should find relief from night sweats and sleeplessness quite early on. If it doesn't work, go back to your GP and they will reevaluate and change the method or the dosage. I hope you find some relief.

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23
www.menopausematters.co.uk/

I was out on a different type at first which didn’t agree with me, as I think I was allergic to something in them, and was then moved over to Novofem. I’m a few days into month 3 and it seems to be working fine for me Give it the full 3 months and see how you get on. But don’t be afraid to go back if it doesn’t feel right as different HRT works for different people. Good luck!

Novofem is only one of many types of HRT.
If it doesn't seem to help after 3 months, try something else.

I've been on HRT for over ten years. Might think of trying to reduce or come off it now, but for someone your age, it's worth trying and not suffering.