I am a different person (in a bad way). Help.

[FineAnd]

I use HRT, Evorel Conti patches.

Even so:
I have put on 3 stone.
I cry all the time.
I am exhausted.
I'm sleeping for 12+ hours a day.
I had to give up work because I'm so exhausted that I have to sleep in the car at break times and I can't perform to my best.

What fresh hell is this?
When will it stop?
What can I do?

Also I've got a cold all of the time. I do mean all the time.

It doesn't sound like your HRT is working.

I tried patches and they were utterly useless. I am now on 4 pumps of gel and uterogestan and even then have to supplement with amitriptyline to keep my mood stable and my sleep OK.

I would go back to your GP if I were you, it sounds awful for you.

Thank you.
I'm glad that you are finding what works for you.

I can't take antidepressants, so HRT is what I'm stuck with.

I have tried the gel, but it took ages (about 30 minutes) to dry.
Was I doing it wrong?

Have you had bloods for other things, iron/ferritin, thyroid for example?

I'm taking iron.
Still knackered.
All else on the blood test is fine.

Are you perimenopausal or menopausal? i had all yoru symptoms (but took no HRT) and they vanish once I hit the actual menopause. I got a new lease of life. I know a lot of women who have the same - the weight comes back off, the energy returns. You won't be like this forever.

What helped me was:

Lifting weights. They make you feel strong in mind and body. They tone you up and they burn shedloads of calories. They also massively help with bone density in later life. Get weightlifting.

Also do tiny 5 minute HIIT bodyweight workouts and 5-10 minute yoga stretches, maybe one of each, morning and night.

Take Vit D spray. And magnesium.

If you can, cut right back on refined carbs and increase your protein. Easier if you aren't veggie. Increase veg to 8 a day and fruit to 2-3, making one of those berries (cheap if you buy them frozen)

Check the constant cold isn't late onset of allergies. I developed tree-bark hayfever in menopause. Non stop streaming eyes, nose, cough, breathlessness. A daily non-drowsy antihistamine really helps.

@FineAnd

Thank you. I'm glad that you are finding what works for you.

I can't take antidepressants, so HRT is what I'm stuck with.

I have tried the gel, but it took ages (about 30 minutes) to dry.
Was I doing it wrong?

That sounds like a long time. I found that I had to apply gel either over the whole of both arms or legs and spread it as thinly as possible. It then dries in about 5 minutes.

I use 2 pumps in the morning over the whole of both arms and then 2 pumps at night over the whole of both legs.

I'm still not back to how I was pre menopause, but an awful lot better than I was.

@FineAnd

Also I've got a cold all of the time. I do mean all the time.

and yes, that could be allergies. My asthma got a lot worse one I hit peri menopause and I am now on a high dose antihistamine every day.

I think I'm Peri. I don't know for sure as I had laser treatment, which I was told would sort everything out. All it has done is stopped my periods. It didn't help anything else.

Last night I didn't sleep all night.
I am exhausting, tearful and completely overwhelmed.

I lost my job recently, I'm a teacher and I was managed out after I asked to work 3 days a week instead of 5.
I've been an outstanding teacher for over 20 years and suddenly, because I asked to reduce my hours, they said that they questioned my commitment.

I find the gel dries in a minute or two - I spread it over my inner thigh, alternating legs. You need to apply it where the skin is thinnest.
Do you know if they tested your thyroid and your vitamin D ? If so what are your results ?
You may need a test to see if you are actually absorbing enough oestrogen.

Is testosterone an option for you?

~If your GP won't help can you afford to go private clinic? I only say as testosterone might help and GPs won't prescribe.

@FineAnd

I think I'm Peri. I don't know for sure as I had laser treatment, which I was told would sort everything out. All it has done is stopped my periods. It didn't help anything else.

Last night I didn't sleep all night.
I am exhausting, tearful and completely overwhelmed.

I lost my job recently, I'm a teacher and I was managed out after I asked to work 3 days a week instead of 5.
I've been an outstanding teacher for over 20 years and suddenly, because I asked to reduce my hours, they said that they questioned my commitment.

that sounds just awful. I hope you are taking them to a tribunal?

You really need to rest and re group. You have a lot going on. How old are you OP?

@FunnysInLaJardin I agreed to the operation, but as I say, it was oversold I think. This was private! I did Google the operation thoroughly and believed it could help with a lot of things.

As I say, it just stopped my periods. In fact, my periods weren't a problem. Plus, after having regular periods for years they were moving further apart, which was useful because it was a guide to where I was in my peri and I would know now whether the menopause had happened.

I'm late 40s.

I've used testosterone gel and I have a horrible allergic reaction to it, I keep trying but the reaction keeps happening.
Can you take testosterone orally?