Does anyone else feel totally overwhelmed with all the advice??

[AmIPeriOrAreYouJustAnnoying]

I've watched umpteen things on the interweb re: peri & menopause.
I've cut out carbs. I've reduced my alcohol intake. Taking magnesium.
I have tracked my peri symptoms on the balance app:

Brain fog
Occasional heart palpitations &
An increased inability to tolerate alcohol
Difficulty sleeping
Mood swings
Digestive issues
Tearfulness
Irritability
Weight gain
Aching bones
Aching joints
Gum problems
Sore breasts
Hot flashes
Dizziness
PMT for much of the month.
Feeling exhausted.

I'm 45 & my periods are still regular.

Spoke to doctor who said have bloods tested. These came back normal.
Had another conversation with doctor who said I should have a think about it. I'm "very young" apparently. I should lose weight (well YES!) & meditate (ha ha!) and maybe try black cohosh. Yes my GP said this.

She also listed all the side effects of HRT. But says I can try it if I really want to she's "not going to stop me"

It has taken a month (and a complaint about being taken seriously) to get to this point with the GP.

So really I feel no nearer making a decision on this. You could take HRT & it will turn your life around.... or you might trigger breast cancer. FFS. What a bloody choice!

Anyone have any helpful suggestions or insights?
I honestly don't know what to do next.

🤯🧘🏻‍♀️

I feel you
Been on sertraline since sept
Now have headaches most days.
Still low mood
Managed to lose 8lb but have another 2.5stone to go

Unless you have extra risk compared to most women the breast cancer connection is overstated. Many GPs are not up to date on this issue.

Try HRT, it will probably help.

You're not too young.

Just checked on the menopause doctor page and the initial video consultation is £250!

Thanks for the replies.

Yes I know the risk is overstated.
Still quite off putting to have GP state it along with cervical or womb cancer I think she said (?)

@AmIPeriOrAreYouJustAnnoying

Thanks for the replies.

Yes I know the risk is overstated.
Still quite off putting to have GP state it along with cervical or womb cancer I think she said (?)

some GPs really aren't clued up at all.

I encountered this attitude at first but did find a GP who told me it was out of date.

The huge benefits of HRT far outweigh the very small risks for most women. Unless you have a family history etc. then I'd go for it.

Private consultations are really expensive but if you can afford at least one then it can push things along a bit.

That's what I'm thinking @Y0YO
It's a lot of money but might help me make a more informed decision.

The GP was sympathetic eventually but called what I'm experiencing "soft symptoms" so seemed to be saying hold off & try other things for a while.
Didn't really feel helpful. I've been considering this for some time now.

I've got so much going on (as have many middle aged women!) kids, job, elderly parents.... I know I need to lose weight & make more time for me, but there really aren't any more hours in the day.

Just feeling so tired of going over this in my own head!

If you don't have a history of breast/ovarian/etc cancer in your family OP, the risks are very low indeed and with all the symptoms you're experiencing I would recommend trying HRT. Give it three months. See how you feel. And no, you don't need to waste £250 on a private consultation - if your GP now agrees that you are suitable to take HRT - try it! It's the cost of a prescription, that's all, which is £9-something.

Yes, I'm 51. I never go looking for warnings about what might happen.
I had one issue, very heavy periods. I've dealt with that and now I'm fine. Next time I have an issue, I'll deal with that. I don't want to find out every single symptom that any other woman might have.

@AmIPeriOrAreYouJustAnnoying

That's what I'm thinking *@Y0YO* It's a lot of money but might help me make a more informed decision.

The GP was sympathetic eventually but called what I'm experiencing "soft symptoms" so seemed to be saying hold off & try other things for a while.
Didn't really feel helpful. I've been considering this for some time now.

I've got so much going on (as have many middle aged women!) kids, job, elderly parents.... I know I need to lose weight & make more time for me, but there really aren't any more hours in the day.

Just feeling so tired of going over this in my own head!

As a PP said, if GP is willing to prescribe just go for it, no need for a private consultation unless you want to get it all straight in your head (which is what I wanted too).

Don't waste any more time with soft and alternative solutions if you're feeling that bad, no-one else knows how you feel!

I spent years trying to get the right care, thought I was going mad for a while.

Have you read the Nice Guidelines on menopause? It’s quite clear on there when GPs should prescribe HRT though it seems many GPs don’t bother reading them.

They’re pinned at the top of the Menopause topic. Worth printing them out and quoting the appropriate sections if necessary.

That the GP is referring to your symptoms as ‘soft’ shows how little they know about the effects of declining oestrogen levels.

Thanks all. Appreciate all of your thoughts.

I feel the same way

Feel like I am going mad at the moment

Period from hell

I paid £300 for private consultation in Kent, complete waste of money, she recommended more tests (at great cost)

Choose wisely would be my advice

@bungabungaboo am actually wondering what more a private doc would actually say. Considering all the info out there right now!

I might just ask my doc to let me try it & see what happens.

Also need to loose weight but am thinking that a bit more energy from HRT might actually help me in this endeavour! 🤷‍♀️

Good luck amiperiorareyoujustannoyingme
I would imagine a private consultation would give you time to talk to someone, but perhaps see how you get on with the GP first?

I've had a private consultation recently. I'm now on HRT patches and progesterone as my periods are still around.

Re: consultation. I felt heard, it was a relief.
My next step is speaking to my GP and getting the HRT and progesterone on prescription. I have no idea how that will go.

I'm still not100% and I think there needs to be a tweak of my meds. Things seem to be improving for me although I have my moments they're getting less unbearable.

Good luck OP

I'd call up the docs and take up the 'offer' of HRT.
Dont stop now, even though it was begrudging.
I had a similar experience, then waited another 3 years. Watch the Davina program and tried again.
This time I got a far more sympathetic Dr who prescribed HRT imeadatly. Bit annoyed i left it so long as my symptoms have become so engrained into my life I cant remember life before.
Have fingers crossed and high hopes for these patches.