Peri menopause/menopause support

[Secretsquirrelsbuddy]

Hi everyone. I am in peri menopause. Whole range of wacky things going on with my body. But the hardest part for me is the anxiety, I am at times horrible with it. Thought it might be good to have a place to let off steam, share our symptoms and support each other.

@anewdispensation welcome on board. What I M loving about this thread is just the feeling of not being on my own and not feeling that any question or any symptom is too stupid to discuss. Thanks everyone

My anxiety has passed again so that should be me for a couple of weeks. The exhaustion and night sweats are still there though but are bearable. I have ordered some of the suggested supplements so fingers crossed

Thanks so much @Secretsquirrelsbuddy the support is indeed fabulous. I’m trying not to drive myself round the bend worrying it may be something more sinister, I used to suffer from health anxiety so I know how easy it is to spiral

Your absolutely doing the right thing going to the doctors. And just stay focused until then. Health anxiety is awful so try not over think. The radiating heat was one of my first symptoms, long before any other, but only occasionally, I never even recognised it at first, is only now looking back that I realise,

The "radiating heat" comment really rings true for me. I felt like my body temperature had been raised and warmer generally all of the time - this started many months before hot flushes began.

Same here. I remember back to people moaning about the cold and me thinking it’s really not cold. And then it progressed to me literally feeling like I was burning inside. Now during the night I am literally sweating

The strangest thing for me is when the anxiety comes, all other symptoms disappear. Or maybe I am just focused on the anxiety

Hello, I am 51 and been prescribed Everol 25 -patches along with utrogestan 100 - take 2 daily day 1-14 but when I read the leaflet it says to take on say 15-26 ?? I am confused

To anyone watching this thread please watch Davina McCall's programme last night www.channel4.com/programmes/davina-mccall-sex-myths-and-the-menopause it was so informative and helpful. I found myself in tears as I associated so much with the stories on there. I was struggling with lots of symptoms and still have some but have been able to have a converstaion with a nurse practitioner at my local GP surgery who has prescribed me HRT patches which are starting to take effect. I can now sleep through the night again which is massive! I'm going back for a review in a couple of weeks so fingers crossed we can get my hormone levels back to their correct level soon. I really want to start to live again.

Anxiety is what started me on my journey to HRT. Started with anxiety at 41 nearly 42. It came out of nowhere. The doctor gave me antidepressants that made me not sleep for days so I stopped them. I managed to get in with the nurse practitioner last year for blood tests. She was amazing my bloods were in the normal range but with my symptoms I started HRT. I feel loads better. I have a few odd nights when I only get 5/6 hours sleep but mostly I’m having 7/8 hours. It’s been so hard as last year I was getting 2-4 hours a night as my anxiety was so bad. I lost 10lbs in two weeks I was a mess. I still get a bit anxious now and again when I don’t have a good nights sleep because I read an article about how bad it was not to have great sleep ( not ideal to read when your body won’t let you sleep not because of anything I’m doing but because my hormones are going crazy!) I just have to tell myself every woman goes through this and we just need to love and support each other. So fortunate to have a very amazing husband who’s helped me every step of the way (even back rubs to calm me at 2am 😂) sending love to you all going through this we can do this together xx

Pepsi201 as long as you take 2 for two weeks it’s fine. It’s just to induce a bleed to protect your uterus. Xx

I hope you don't mind me joining and asking some questions, there is so many conflicting bits of information out there that it's hard to know where to start or what to believe.

I'm 43 and last year I had about 5 or 6 periods, the longest time between being about 4 months, shortest 21 days. Periods have been erratic and very light for a few years but now have completely stopped, the last one was December last year. I do have hot flushes, they're like lots of mini ones for a few days then they stop for maybe a week or two before starting again. Other general symptoms on and off including difficulty switching off and sleeping, anxiety feelings, brain fog, a little joint pain occasionally, niggly things and generally not feeling myself but then again, it's been a stressful time for everyone of late. My marriage is also shaky and I've asked for a separation, I worry this is the wrong decision and me not being myself. We're amicable.

I recently had bloods done, all tests were ok but my doctor now wants to check fsh and oestrogen levels in 6 weeks and said it sounds like early menopause and she suggests starting hrt. She did say the hrt she'd prescribe will be one that will restart my period.

I feel, despite the symptoms, I can cope and live with them and as long as I know nothing is wrong with me then I'd rather not take medication if I don't need it although I do understand her point about protecting my bones. I'd happily live without periods mind you, and my family is complete.

I'm not really sure what I'm asking, I know nobody can give me definite answers and that everyone is different. What are my options, can I refuse, should I refuse, are there alternatives to protecting bone health, any other suggestions or advice?

@WhereIsMyGlasses
You should have HRT as the health benefits are so vast before 50. The menopause doctor (google her) says no increased risk of breast cancer before 50 and compared to drinking and being overweight after 50 HRT carries a lot less risk. I’m 43 and I was a mess. HRT has saved me. That sounds dramatic but it’s true. I’m very fortunate with my husband he has done and continues to help me at every symptom and problem. He is so pleased I’m back to me again. As I said before I have odd nights in my cycle where I only have 5/6 hours but that’s it. It takes some tweaking but was so worth it. I’m on estrogel and the coil. It really suits me (1 pump and and 2 pm). It’s body identical HRT in the gel I would recommend reading up on it through the menopause doctor website. You will get a regular period to protect your womb. But it won’t delay Menotti will just help with symptoms. I was told if you were having symptoms because of diabetes would you refuse meds? HRT is just replacing a deficiency in your body. Not sure if that helps? I just know how bad I was and how I am now. Xx

[quote Jamn50]@WhereIsMyGlasses
You should have HRT as the health benefits are so vast before 50. The menopause doctor (google her) says no increased risk of breast cancer before 50 and compared to drinking and being overweight after 50 HRT carries a lot less risk. I’m 43 and I was a mess. HRT has saved me. That sounds dramatic but it’s true. I’m very fortunate with my husband he has done and continues to help me at every symptom and problem. He is so pleased I’m back to me again. As I said before I have odd nights in my cycle where I only have 5/6 hours but that’s it. It takes some tweaking but was so worth it. I’m on estrogel and the coil. It really suits me (1 pump and and 2 pm). It’s body identical HRT in the gel I would recommend reading up on it through the menopause doctor website. You will get a regular period to protect your womb. But it won’t delay Menotti will just help with symptoms. I was told if you were having symptoms because of diabetes would you refuse meds? HRT is just replacing a deficiency in your body. Not sure if that helps? I just know how bad I was and how I am now. Xx[/quote]
Thank you Jamn50 that is true in that we wouldn't refuse treatment for something else, I have high blood pressure and I didn't think twice about taking meds for it.

I will have a look at that website, I have a few weeks to arm myself with questions. At the moment I'm not even sure what questions to ask.

I know there is limited increased risk of breast cancer, I suppose what concerns me there is that my mum had it but that's not to say I'm any more at risk than anyone else.

This might be a stupid question, but is it not good for the womb to not have a period? I don't feel bad in myself despite some symptoms.

@WhereIsMyGlasses
Re the bleed and womb protection. It’s only on HRT if you still have some bleeds it’s needed as you replace estrogen you need to replace progesterone too. If you don’t the estrogen can thicken the womb. Once you are cycle free or I’m sure the menopause doctor says on HRT for over a year (don’t quote me on the year I would have to check!) you have say estrogel and one progesterone tablet every evening (they can help you sleep too) as you don’t need to bleed as your estrogen levels are a lot lower. Hope that makes sense. I have looked into it a lot!!!

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/resources/booklets-fact-sheets

www.menopausecliniclondon.co.uk/hrt-side-effects-and-risks

Hope the link helps with your questions. If not please just ask.
Take care. You don’t need to suffer.

@WhereIsMyGlasses

secure.toolkitfiles.co.uk/clients/39855/siteimages/hires/womens-health.png

Thanks for the links, it's appreciated and I'll have a research

Thanks for this thread, I have not been on the Menopause section before.
Im 54 and up till now was begining to wonder if I am one of the very lucky ones that was not going to get any or very few symptoms as my periods pritty much stopped about a year ago, but...
Gradually over the last month I have noticed;
I have lost my appitite compleatly, even the thought of food makes me feel sick (this is prob good tho as I am overweight)
I cann't go to sleep
I am permantly covered in sweat
and the main problem - any physical activity exhausts me. Even walking up the stairs I have to sit down for five mins afterwards to get my breath back.
I am also mentally struggling as somehow I cant seem to focus on anything, its really weird.

So what I am asking is; is this it? is this the menopause? or should I see the GP?

I’ve just been slam dunked against the perimenopause wall of horror. It came on very suddenly and it’s paralysed me, has anyone else had the severe symptoms of raging - panic- hopelessness- pointlessness - dead inside - paranoia that everyone is out to criticise me and judge me and act unfairly towards me- not understand me - and not see how inside I am screaming for help - and just needing to feel protected and safe whilst this happens to my body ???? Anyone feel this too or felt it in the past??? Please help anyone ? I feel so alone.
I’m on week 2 of HRT and so far I feel worse (although the hit flashes are semi abated). I think I preferred it when I had them and didn’t feel like a crazed loser🤪

@Mess50 I can relate to this. It helps to know I’m not alone. I started on Everol Sequi 50mg 2 months ago. Initially I felt better-ached less, slept better and flushes disappeared. After a month though I feel like I am back to square one or even worse. The flushes are back and the anxiety is just dreadful. I am permanently angry with my dh. I am due for a hrt review after 3 months so I’m just trying really hard to be patient and hopefully things will settle down.

I've had slight symptoms of peri - some condensed cycles and anxiety for a day/couple of days each cycle, slight raise temperature, mood swings. This month has been different I have had night sweats and night terrors for 5 consecutive nights. I actually dreamed someone close to me was about to die, I've been waking up terrified.
I am open to medicating and have always said if I get any more symptoms I will medicate. The last time I went to the doctor they said the first step was to go on the pill. Do you recommend I got to a specialist or will GP be best start. Really interested to hear what you first medical step was. Thanks very much

I went to my GP for advice and support. I initially tried the progesterone only pill but that did not resolve my symptoms. Tried various herbal treatments which did help symptoms such as insomnia and restless legs - no good with hot flushes, night sweats and anxiety though. GP suggested different options for HRT such as patches/gel etc. I was hoping I would feel better now I am wearing a patch but I feel dreadful mood wise ☹️

Hey, peri menopause has hit me so hard!
I have so many symptoms and the gp won’t do anything yet because I have issues in my ovary ( I had a subtotal hysterectomy a couple of years ago) now I have more cysts and endo back

It’s all shite.
Post menopausal here and still bloody struggling with it all three years on. God alone knows how we are meant to live and work, with this to deal with?

Sophia, is a total hysterectomy an option for you?
What about asking for a very low dose of HRT, so it doesn’t aggravate your endo further?