I'm so tired of the menopause :(

[NowImmeagain]

I'm probably actually post menopause, don't have periods really, occasionally feels like I'm going to have one and some light pink discharge. But I'm so tired of feeling the way I do. I have patches that have helped with night sweats. I have been using oestrogen pessaries for about six years. But I still have itchiness and dryness around my genitals. Some lichen sclerosis too. Sex is out of the question because the area is too sensitive and sore. My relationship has ended because I didn't feel anything anymore, no love, I wasn't aroused, nothing. I feel so sad that this is it for me now. I'm depressed and anxious about everything. I don't sleep well. Antidepressants haven't helped. I can't even sit in a doctors office and talk about it now and I can't discuss it on the phone. I live in a very small town, if I asked for a referral to a gynae I'd have to travel over an hour and I'm too anxious to drive that far, and there's no decent public transport. I just want to go to sleep and not wake up because what's the point anymore?

The coil was fitted about 2 years ago to control heavy bleeding
My depression is ongoing for 15 years
The doctor seems more interested in menopausal symptoms, without addressing my mental health
Thank you very much for all of your help regarding the questions I should be asking the doctor x

Most drs would give you estrogen now along with the Mirena (you can use a tablet form or gel, or a patch) and see if that helped. It may well help your depression too. Have you had counselling or CBT or any talking therapy to try to help your mood?

No I am on waiting list for C BT, I had assessment over the phone just last week and now waiting for appointment, my scan is Tuesday (which I think is waste of time),, then the doctor says to make appointment to see her , , it's like she's not really interested in what I am saying, but keeps saying wait for s an ,but all the time I'm waiting,,my depression getting worse , at least that's what it feels like ,thanks again for answering, at least somebody understands

Morning, was wondering if anyone else suffers from depression, and found that it got a lot worse during the start of menopause? Or does anyone think these are not connected xx

Hi @Martha17 I don't have time to find all the links for you on this site www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/ but if you search there are lots of articles on depression. You can put the words into the search box on the site. Good luck. Dr Newson also has a new free app which you can use to track your symptoms etc.

Hi jinglinghellsbells
Thank you so much for you reply and going to effort for me
I really appreciate your help x

@Martha17 yes, my depression definitely got worse during menopause. I too was prescribed antidepressants, but I kept pushing for hrt because they didn't really help.

@JinglingHellsBells thanks for all the information, it's very interesting. I'm still waiting to hear from my gp.

Hi nowimmeagain , I have my scan later today!!!!! , then hopefully I see doctor on Thursday,, I'm hoping hrt (if she prescribes it) will help stabilize my depression xx

Keep us posted @Martha17.

I had scan yesterday, everything is ok,,but nurse who did scan said the mirena coil was laying very low???? Now need appointment for gp ,,,as this depression/anxiety is not improving,,I feel so horrible xxx

Also , hopefully I will speak to/ see go tommorow, can anybody suggest what hrt I should be asking for??

Sorry gp

Jinglinghellsbells
Have you heard from your gp yet? Xx

I spoke with gp ,still not helping , apparently she has to wait for hospital results from scan, I told her they said coil was lying too low ,and no other issues, but all in vain , I am still stuck in limbo, I've been struggling with my mental health over a month now ,with no help from her ,, I need help x

Morning, I've had mirena coil removed, as it was laying very low and stretching cervix (yesterday) doctor has started me on everol sequi hrt , has anybody else had these ? X

I'm glad you've had some help at last. Hopefully Evorel will help. I'm using Evorel conti patches and they're the best I've used so far, I've had no side effects.

I'm STILL waiting to hear back from my gp. When pressed, reception confirmed they'd passed my email to the gp, but since then nothing.

Thanks for replying nowimmeagain, I feel really sorry for you your still waiting for the gp after all this time .... I'm still feeling very anxious and depressed, my gp is avoiding addressing my mental health issues, but just quickly giving me something to get me out the door,,,,, honestly I feel invisible,,sorry to moan bit I don't have hardly anyone to talk to xx

Morning, can anybody tell me how long these patches take to start working? And should they help improve my horrible anxiety and depression ,I feel so so low xx

I’m one evorel conti again now. Due to collect another prescription and hoping they have it after the shortages

I find it ok. Helps the flushes but that’s about it

Couple of years back a male gp bullied me into going into antidepressants instead of hrt as they controlled hot flushes!! I’m angry looking back. They made me depressed!!

Back on the patches now

My biggest struggle now is wearing a mask all day at work in a fairly physical job!!

Anyone else struggling with 8/9 hour shifts in a mask?

Thank you for replying blackpetuna,I've suffered with depression for last 17 years die to post natal depression, and my symptoms are kind of the same ,I'm fretting is it menopause or worsening depression xx

HI. Don't know if you will see this message but was wondering how you were getting on as I am going through the same?

Hi shazzyboo, I haven't felt any difference yet ,it's all so frightening, I have been on effexor for depression for about 13 years all was good until earlier this year,, I'm so petrified I'll never recover ,I'm only just 50 since October xx

I think it'll take a few weeks to start working, so try and stick with it. But you may find you need to change to another sort if it doesn't help.

If you had depression before the menopause, maybe you need to up your dosage or try a different antidepressant? Also can you self refer for counselling?