Feels like life is closing in on me

[Runaround50]

Hi
Two plus years into menopause and I’m still trying to find a regime which works. Currently on 75 patch, utrogestan and a blob of sandrena. The 100 patch makes me feel ill. Tried the pump gel and hated it. Thinking about oral HRT but hesitant about switching regimes and experiencing any side effects. I’m under Chelsea and Westminster, due to BC history.

I’m three years post menopausal.

The main issue is still poor sleep and feeling tired most days.

It also feels like everything is closing in. No family within 150 miles. Haven’t seen my parents in almost two years ( we have all been jabbed but they are so coved cautious, I don’t think they want to see us !). We are north, they are south and we are priced out of the market down there.

Lots to do in the house. Kids costing a small fortune. I need a higher paid job desperately but can’t face looking etc as so tired all the time.

I just need to get my sleep under control and then I think I could cope better.

Thinking of asking for mirtazapine from the GP next week to give me so breathing space and sleep.

Amy thoughts? I did try the lenzetto spray but it made me feel very low.
It’s the dosing I just can’t work out how much Oestrogen I need to feel well. .

Sorry OP. I don't have any advice on the HRT regime but just didn't want your post to go unanswered. It sounds like you're having a really tough time

I would talk to your GP (as well as your consultant at Chelsea and Westminster). See what other options there are and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Melatonin was mentioned on here to help with sleep - is that worth a go?

Can you get an appt with the team at the C&W (just noting you are in the north.) Even just an online call?

Your best bet is to see them (Nick Panay etc) and ask for advice.

You might benefit from the addition of testosterone ( supposedly gives energy.)

If you are using Utrogestan daily it's worth asking them about using it on a cycle. I'm many years post meno and still use it on a cycle as daily just zonked me out. There are various options including using it vaginally, which takes away the head-numbing feeling too.

Talk to them?

I started HRT this year and with initial success with my sleep, it went to pot during the summer and gel plus patches wouldn't sort it out.

In the end I started taking 10mg amitriptyline which I have been prescribed for a previous condition and it now I sleep reliably every night and feel refreshed the next day.

I have changed doctors recently and so I am hoping they continue to prescribe it as I simply cant cope without sleep. In fact if they don't I'll just cry and go back to my old doctors!

Funny, what time do you take the amitriptyline at night? I usually go to sleep around 10.30/45 and need to be up for 7 am daily. I don’t want to feel groggy.

Thanks

Thanks all.
Jingling, I do have an appointment with Chelsea booked for November. They are reluctant to prescribe oral Hrt and want me to persevere with the gel. I just don’t get on with it.

A private specialist says I can have BIJUVA, an oral Hrt. Do you know much about it.

If I could sleep better, I think I could function much better.

I came on to recommend amitriptyline too! I'm on nearly the same HRT regime as you, too.

I find it best to take it at the beginning of the evening- say, 7.00- 8.00ish.

Thanks crack,
I’m guessing Hrt isn’t sorting your sleep either?

@crackofdoom

I came on to recommend amitriptyline too! I'm on nearly the same HRT regime as you, too.

I find it best to take it at the beginning of the evening- say, 7.00- 8.00ish.

So its not just me!

Run I take mine just before bed at about 10.30 and have to be up for 7. It doesn't make me groggy, although I would say it takes me about 20 mins to really wake up, which is miles better than the crippling exhaustion of not sleeping

Difficult to say, really, as I have suffered from insomnia on and off for the whole of my adult life.

Funny, do you take the amitriptyline every night then?
I do have some I’ve discovered ( for shingles last year)
Suppose I could give it a go.

I just don’t get why the HRT isn’t helping with sleep?
I’m guessing the dose is too low?
I wake with a pounding heart and anxiety too, which then wears off during the course of the afternoon.

I was on a patch and the full dose of gel and my sleep was still crap.

Like you Run I would wake at about 3 with my heart racing and then never get properly back to sleep.

I can't do my job and live like that and so amitriptyline was and is a god send. I take 10mg every night.

Hope by now you have given it a go and have had a good nights sleep.

OP, I have these symptoms too and after lots of research realised that I am sensitive to progesterone. I have palpitations, anxiety and insomnia while on the 12 days of Utogesteron. I’m waiting on an appointment to discuss my options - I’ve tried 4 regimes at this point.

I think the amitriptyline might help.

Hi
Anybody on hrt but suffer trigeminal neuralgia?
Ive been taking tegretol daily for 4 years, worked it out that it came on whilst i was peri menopausal, im now a year post meno, been taking 1mg Sandrena gel & utrogestan for a week and my neuralgia has increased massively! Agonising pain.
Im thinkinging its the increase in hormones. Can't win

Did you ever fund a progesterone to suit you?