42 and not coping

[OhHeySis]

Could be a long one, apologies.

I’m 42 and have been feeling off for about 2 years. Tiredness and anxiety which I put down to work and covid (NHS) but it’s getting worse. I can now throw in general weepiness, brain fog, complete lack of enthusiasm or motivation for most things, and a desire to hide under the duvet. I take iron and vitamin supplements regularly.

Periods are irregular but still happening roughly every 4-5 weeks. I’m on the implant. Pelvic floor has taken a nose dive in the last year, from being excellent (no kids) to needing to pee more frequently and occasional accidents when coughing during covid.

Joints and muscles hurt but that’s been coming on for a couple of years.

Last GP visit suggested I was depressed or anxious rather than hormonal. Had CBT which helped manage anxiety symptoms but did bugger all. I’ve got another appointment in a few weeks. Mum went through full blown menapause mid forties, was a bloody nightmare.

Am I unreasonable to push for HRT if all other blood work comes back normal? Did anyone else with these symptoms make a miraculous turnabout on HRT?

I’m so bloody fed up of not feeling like me. I want my mojo back!

Hi
Hope you are ok ? It’s very hard to know . I am feeling similar but don’t have many physical symptoms. I also have a history of anxiety so start an ssri next week rather than hrt although gp has not ruled out hrt .
Just wanted to say go back to a gp and see what options are. Don’t suffer .
I am 50 so must be hormonal too

I was the same as you and doctor prescribed a low dose hrt tablet. I take one a day been on it for six months now and honestly feel much better. Calmer and less emotional no pains In legs at night which used to keep me awake and generally a better mood May be worth a try if you are struggling.

I went to the gp with a similar list a few weeks ago. I also have a past history of anxiety and depression but am not currently medicated.

I am a little older (46), so I told the gp my list of symptoms and she immediately said HRT. No blood tests needed. She hasn’t suggested an ssri at all. I’m now on a low dose combined patch.

I will admit to not seeing a change yet but it’s only been 2 weeks. Go back to your GP and tell them you feel the root cause is hormonal and that your mother had an early menopause.

Good luck.

HRT without a shadow of a doubt. I promise you, you'll feel hugely better & all the other (valid) things that are causing anxiety & stress will be easier to deal with.

I'm going through a huge amount of stress & personal difficulty. Undoubtedly my anxiety & sleep difficulties are partly due to this but HRT allows me to function, to better deal with this.

Good luck 💐

Thank you all for your replies, there have been times where I wonder if I’m going mad and it’s all in my head or I’m just being a bit of a hypochondriac (ingrained don’t complain upbringing). I can’t tell you how reassuring it is to read everything you have all said.

GP in two weeks, so will see what they say. I’m too young to just give up and turn in to a wreck!

Hi,
This sounds like you are describing me!! I have had the bloods to “rule out” anything else - they came back as normal and attempting to get an appointment soonish. As I have the implant it wasn’t to test for peri menapause as such as they wouldn’t be able to get an accurate result but I feel sooo unlike myself…..constantly hot, periods are getting less and less but with the odd heavy one, sore joints (hips and feet mostly) horrific brain fog and fatigue 🥴
Really useful reading what others are going through. I’m 43 btw

Just wanted to update for anyone in similar situation: my bloods came back as normal but my GP had a good conversation with me. After discussing the likelihood of anxiety causing all the symptoms vs peri, and if I would like to start anti-anxiety meds vs HRT, we’ve started on low dose HRT for a trial period to see how it goes. I got my patches this week. I don’t know how long it should be before I notice a difference if they are working?

Rosieroo79 I’m also on the implant, but the implant doesn’t affect the blood tests for peri. Oral contraceptives can. I’d go back and ask for it again if I was you. My first GP said I couldn’t have the blood test due to implant but second GP confirmed that was rubbish and ordered the blood work.

OP are you me? I can't decide if im ill, having a nervous breakdown, or both.

Currently waiting for a period so I can get a blood test to see if GP thinks this is Perimenopause or depression / anxiety.
I've finished work and got straight into bed.

Hello, glad Gp has been helpful especially as your mother was on the earlier side.

I noticed aches and pains improved immensely within a few hours, other things took a bit longer.

We are all different though. What I would say is that over 10 months and initally feeling great, I've then had returning symptoms and sparser periods despite going up the patch strengths. Bloods were low and I'm now on 100. I didn't expect it to go down hill so fast but looking back the signs have been there since I was 42. Now 45.

I was in the same boat. At 42 with regular but lighter periods and suicidal. My body and mind out of control. Depression, body aches, dry eyes, migraines etc. Hrt made a huge difference. My only concern is about risks.