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Menopause

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Original poster

Must be peri

6 replies

LoLo2020 · 30/07/2021 22:03

I think I've been in denial for a while now, I'm 42 and convinced I'm peri menopausal. It's really comforting to read some of the threads here. My own symptoms have been erratic periods (first time in my life they've been that way), crushing anxiety, intrusive thoughts, bladder control issues, tingling in hands and feet, tiredness and the list goes on. Speaking with GP on 17th August and am certain she'll prescribe HRT. I'll do anything to feel better, I'm really miserable and feel hopeless! I feel for
anyone going through this, it's absolutely brutal at times :(

OP posts:
Maidenpink · 31/07/2021 20:31

Me!

Maidenpink · 31/07/2021 20:47

Oops, didn't mean to post so soon ... I'll blame peri for that too. Crushing anxiety and intrusive thoughts ... check! My periods started changing towards end of last year, but in February my anxiety went crazy and I felt like I was losing my mind. Have history with depression/anxiety postnatally and I thought I was having some sort of relapse. Went on SSRI, a couple of months of living hell ... slight improvement ... but then connected the fact my cycle had changed, bizarre inconsistent night sweats, needing to pee much more, insomnia etc and penny dropped I might actually be peri! I'm now into 3rd week on Oestrogel and Utrogestan. I have been better in the 2nd week of my cycle past couple months but have fallen off a cliff mood wise after ovulation. Hoped the addition of oestrogen this month might save me but perhaps it's too soon as I fell in the hole again this week. I'm functioning and feel physically not too bad, perhaps a bit of improvement in sleep too but sadly still feel low and mad at times. I've heard it can take a while for the HRT to bed in and the psychological symptoms can take longer to resolve. So hang on in there! X

Original poster
LoLo2020 · 01/08/2021 02:11

@Maidenpink

Oops, didn't mean to post so soon ... I'll blame peri for that too. Crushing anxiety and intrusive thoughts ... check! My periods started changing towards end of last year, but in February my anxiety went crazy and I felt like I was losing my mind. Have history with depression/anxiety postnatally and I thought I was having some sort of relapse. Went on SSRI, a couple of months of living hell ... slight improvement ... but then connected the fact my cycle had changed, bizarre inconsistent night sweats, needing to pee much more, insomnia etc and penny dropped I might actually be peri! I'm now into 3rd week on Oestrogel and Utrogestan. I have been better in the 2nd week of my cycle past couple months but have fallen off a cliff mood wise after ovulation. Hoped the addition of oestrogen this month might save me but perhaps it's too soon as I fell in the hole again this week. I'm functioning and feel physically not too bad, perhaps a bit of improvement in sleep too but sadly still feel low and mad at times. I've heard it can take a while for the HRT to bed in and the psychological symptoms can take longer to resolve. So hang on in there! X
Oh no, I'm sorry to hear you're in a similar place. Everything feels so bleak doesn't it. I've heard too that the HRT can take time to take effect, I wish I'd started sooner now!

It's such a shame we have to go through this and it can be so drawn out, there's no flipping way I can carry on as I am :( x

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 01/08/2021 02:23

My peri started at 40, and I was on HRT by 41. A whole litany of symptoms, but the absolute crushing anxiety, (which I had never had before), was the worst. My anxiety was literally destroying me, no matter how hard I worked at dealing with it.

You are VERY lucky that your gp has sense. So many of them are completely clueless when it comes to peri-menopause, which is why I went private.

Aquamarine1029 · 01/08/2021 02:24

To add... my HRT worked basically immediately. It was absolutely amazing. The insomnia, the hot flushes, the night sweats, the anxiety were ALL gone within about 4 days. Seven years later and I still feel fabulous.

Original poster
LoLo2020 · 01/08/2021 23:18

@Aquamarine1029

To add... my HRT worked basically immediately. It was absolutely amazing. The insomnia, the hot flushes, the night sweats, the anxiety were ALL gone within about 4 days. Seven years later and I still feel fabulous.
Wow I'm relieved to hear that the HRT had such speedy and positive effects. Bet that was a huge relief for you. My GP has been amazing throughout and has taken the time to listen to my symptoms but also explain the options. I sense that this isn't the norm, having read some of the frustrations of other people.
OP posts:
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