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Menopause

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Original poster

Omg! 10 years of 'depression' that's actually been Menopause

97 replies

MabelsMam · 20/09/2022 23:02

I just wanted to let folk know my story, I hope it helps someone.
In 2013 I had a full hysterectomy, and went into menopause the very next day I remember it as clear as day.
I was refused Hrt as I'd had a blood clot after pregnancy 21 years previously and I was told I probably wouldn't need it anyway.
Over the course of the next 3 years my mental health took a nose dive, I'd loose my shit with my partner, cry and scream like a banshee, get in the car and just drive ( often not being aware where) my memory was shocking, I'd have panic attacks, anxiety was through the roof and my entire body hurt like hell... it got so bad I had to leave my job in 2017. The doctor prescribed me anti depressants they didn't work, I was sent to a psychiatrist who worked his way through a long list of anti depressants ( 9) for me to try .. again non worked. I was sent to therapy where they dragged up past events and told me that was causing my depression .. therapy didn't work.
I was sent to a rheumatologist who said I had Fibromyalgia and there was no cure for it .
A became a hermit I didn't leave my house, get dressed go shopping nothing I barely existed.
Now fast forward to Sunday past where I came across Davina Mccalls Sex, myths and menopause programme on C4... Omfg !!! This entire programme was about Me ... my symptoms, mental health everything ... I sobbed and sobbed because I finally knew what the hell was wrong with me !!! ... I had over 20 of the 34 menopause symptoms on the show .... I wasn't mad I was menopausal !!
Women who have a surgical menopause can suffer more severe and much longer symptoms than someone who goes into natural menopause ... so why in God's name had not one of the 3 Gp's, 3 psychiatrists, x amount of therapists never asked me about menopause symptoms even though I was in my 50's ?
Why was I handed tablet after tablet instead of considering whether the symptoms I was having could be hormone related ?
10 years of my life I lost and can never get back.... after watching the TV programme, researching non stop I could and can be prescribed HRT .. in patch, gel or spray just not in tablet form .. I can be prescribed testosterone ( yes ladies produce it too infact 4x the amount compared to estrogen ) to help with muscle and bone pain, loss of libido, and energy.
On Thursday I go to see a menopause Specialist in my area - a doctor who specialises in perimenopause, menopause and post menopause to get the HRT I should have had 10 years ago.
I can't get those 10 years back but what I can do is share my story incase there are other ladies who are feeling as crappy as I've been, who can watch Davina and go to their doctors armed with information and not get palmed off with anti depressants that won't cure menopause symptoms!!

Thank you for reading x

OP posts:
FlippertyGibberts · 20/09/2022 23:14

Oh, OP, that sounds awful, but I'm so glad you've found out what's likely to be causing your symptoms. Lots of luck to you.

Dora26 · 20/09/2022 23:18

Thank you for sharing!

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 20/09/2022 23:19

Good luck for Thursday! It’s horrifying. I am so lucky to have good gps who have a grip on menopause and have happily prescribed HRT including testosterone.

Original poster
MabelsMam · 20/09/2022 23:20

Thanks @FlippertyGibberts I'm excited and nervous for Thursday, but so so angry that I've been a total shell of the person I was for so long when a simple patch could have helped years ago ... but onwards and upwards I've got alot of time to make up for x

OP posts:
Original poster
MabelsMam · 20/09/2022 23:21

You are so welcome x

OP posts:
Original poster
MabelsMam · 20/09/2022 23:23

It seems alot of Gp's are still of the 2002 'hrt gives you cancer 'mindset sadly, but thank goodness for those who are in the know about menopause x

OP posts:
Whatsnewpussyhat · 20/09/2022 23:24

Yes, it's so absurd that a process that half the population will go through isn't more commonly known about by GP's.

I was told I was depressed too, because I was 'too young' to be peri menopausal despite having a long list of symptoms.

Dragonskin · 20/09/2022 23:25

I'm so sorry OP, that sounds absolutely horrific Flowers

Thank you for sharing

ColeensBoot · 20/09/2022 23:27

Bloody hell OP. Your poor thing. Davina is doing a good thing.

Original poster
MabelsMam · 20/09/2022 23:27

I discovered watching Davina that training on Menopause is an extra module for trainee doctors and gynae it isn't compulsory which explains alot !!

OP posts:
Original poster
MabelsMam · 20/09/2022 23:29

She is incredible, I downloaded her book last night 'menopausing' and have it finished already- I'm armed with everything I need for Thursday thanks to Davina !!

OP posts:
nonstoprenovation · 20/09/2022 23:35

This post is amazing.

The lady who produced the documentary with davina is called Kate muir, she would just love to hear your story and how this has changed your life.

She's on LinkedIn, I'm not press btw, just happen to know the producers.

I so hope this works for you and keep us all posted with this new journey.

Original poster
MabelsMam · 20/09/2022 23:52

Oh thank you so much, i will keep you all updated.. for the first time in 10 years I might feel alive.
My symptoms have driven me to the brink a couple of times, I just wanted how I felt to stop and I didn't want live like it anymore. I can't help wondering how many other ladies have actually taken their own lives due to missed menopause symptoms ?

OP posts:
BrazilianBumBum · 21/09/2022 00:11

MabelsMam · 20/09/2022 23:02

I just wanted to let folk know my story, I hope it helps someone.
In 2013 I had a full hysterectomy, and went into menopause the very next day I remember it as clear as day.
I was refused Hrt as I'd had a blood clot after pregnancy 21 years previously and I was told I probably wouldn't need it anyway.
Over the course of the next 3 years my mental health took a nose dive, I'd loose my shit with my partner, cry and scream like a banshee, get in the car and just drive ( often not being aware where) my memory was shocking, I'd have panic attacks, anxiety was through the roof and my entire body hurt like hell... it got so bad I had to leave my job in 2017. The doctor prescribed me anti depressants they didn't work, I was sent to a psychiatrist who worked his way through a long list of anti depressants ( 9) for me to try .. again non worked. I was sent to therapy where they dragged up past events and told me that was causing my depression .. therapy didn't work.
I was sent to a rheumatologist who said I had Fibromyalgia and there was no cure for it .
A became a hermit I didn't leave my house, get dressed go shopping nothing I barely existed.
Now fast forward to Sunday past where I came across Davina Mccalls Sex, myths and menopause programme on C4... Omfg !!! This entire programme was about Me ... my symptoms, mental health everything ... I sobbed and sobbed because I finally knew what the hell was wrong with me !!! ... I had over 20 of the 34 menopause symptoms on the show .... I wasn't mad I was menopausal !!
Women who have a surgical menopause can suffer more severe and much longer symptoms than someone who goes into natural menopause ... so why in God's name had not one of the 3 Gp's, 3 psychiatrists, x amount of therapists never asked me about menopause symptoms even though I was in my 50's ?
Why was I handed tablet after tablet instead of considering whether the symptoms I was having could be hormone related ?
10 years of my life I lost and can never get back.... after watching the TV programme, researching non stop I could and can be prescribed HRT .. in patch, gel or spray just not in tablet form .. I can be prescribed testosterone ( yes ladies produce it too infact 4x the amount compared to estrogen ) to help with muscle and bone pain, loss of libido, and energy.
On Thursday I go to see a menopause Specialist in my area - a doctor who specialises in perimenopause, menopause and post menopause to get the HRT I should have had 10 years ago.
I can't get those 10 years back but what I can do is share my story incase there are other ladies who are feeling as crappy as I've been, who can watch Davina and go to their doctors armed with information and not get palmed off with anti depressants that won't cure menopause symptoms!!

Thank you for reading x

I'm right with you, you have it bob on. Exactly what happened to me, other than hysterectomy. I started HRT 3 weeks ago! I felt 110% better but now only 20%. I'm sticking with it an look forward to your next post. Good Luck 🤞🏼

Queuesarasarah · 21/09/2022 00:24

I had a similar thing of terrible symptoms and being told it was all in my head for years. Turns out hormonal treatment for PCOS cured the heart palpitations, anxiety, mood swings, severe short term memory loss and joint pain. I was mid twenties but felt like I was in 80s.

Unfortunately the medical profession still doesn’t really understand the huge impact of hormones.

Amarette · 21/09/2022 00:29

Queuesarasarah · 21/09/2022 00:24

I had a similar thing of terrible symptoms and being told it was all in my head for years. Turns out hormonal treatment for PCOS cured the heart palpitations, anxiety, mood swings, severe short term memory loss and joint pain. I was mid twenties but felt like I was in 80s.

Unfortunately the medical profession still doesn’t really understand the huge impact of hormones.

What hormonal treatment did you have for PCOS? Was it the pill or something else?

MrsMorrisey · 21/09/2022 00:56

I'm so happy for you OP. Bloody unbelievable that sometimes people just don't listen. You knew something was wrong and they just fob you off.
Make these next ten years the best OP. I'm a firm believer that we as women truely know our bodies.

Original poster
MabelsMam · 21/09/2022 07:21

Oh I'm so sorry you have suffered this way too, I know it takes a while to get dosage right so maybe let your doc know theyiggt up your dosage for you xx

OP posts:
Original poster
MabelsMam · 21/09/2022 07:23

I'm so sorry 😞 I swear if it were men going through it, it would be alot easier to get treatment and be listened too !!

OP posts:
Original poster
MabelsMam · 21/09/2022 07:26

I think the worst thing for me was being told by one psychiatrist that there was nothing else he could do I was just someone that was unable to be mended ... you can imagine how that made me feel !!
But I'm now determined that once I get the HRT and my symptoms stabilise my next mission is to get off these bloody anti depressants that do sod all for me !!

OP posts:
UghNoTime · 21/09/2022 07:32

I didn't have half as bad symptoms as you but HRT was still a miracle drug for me. It made me feel a zillion times better.

I really hope it works wonders for you too

mumda · 21/09/2022 07:39

I'm just quite shocked that your health issues weren't blamed on your age and sex.

Roselilly36 · 21/09/2022 07:50

Must have been a lightbulb moment for you OP, so sorry for how you have suffered Flowers. I have Multiple Sclerosis, when I saw Neuro I explained some symptoms (that I thought were down to my MS) he said migraine, due to me being 50 and going through menopause, for me that came as a relief, as I was convinced that the MS was active.

picklemewalnuts · 21/09/2022 07:51

I hope your appointment goes well. I'm diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but a bit suspicious! I'm due a GP appointment, but you have to be quite well to have the determination to get an appointment right now!!

Astrantias · 21/09/2022 08:03

Thank you for sharing OP. Must be such a relief for you but also frustrating as this could’ve been dealt with a long time ago. You must be so excited for Thursday. Looking forward to hearing how you get on.