Is there a general chat thread for peri sufferers waiting to start HRT?

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Admittedly, quite a niche group demographic, but anyone who wants a general chat really.

I’ve been struggling since my “diagnosis” 2 weeks ago, and I’m waiting to see my gp again. She has said she will prescribe hRT, I was waiting for some bloods to come back but she wasn’t expecting anything in the bloods to change her decision . My previous bloods showed Subclinical hypothyroidism as well, which could also be contributing to my symptoms. I was doing ok but then today I’ve had a total anxiety attack driving my car with my dc in the back and it just feels so overwhelming and awful. The anxiety bubbling away is so draining and I feel like I just would like to talk to people who understand how hideous this is.

so if there’s anyone out there who would like a chat thread, please say hi 👋

Been taking HRT for 3 days now. This morning when I got out of bed, I noticed my feet didn’t ache like I would expect a 90-year old’s feet to ache any more.

(For context I’m a fit and active 41 year old).

Not noticed any other changes yet - but it’s only been 3 days.

@ryenosta this sounds very similar to my experience. I would hit peak anxiety at ovulation and then again in the week before. I eventually went to my gp after having a panic attack (on a B Road in the countryside ffs) because I couldn’t see over the brow of a hill and I knew I was near a motorway. Like genuinely couldn’t drive. I pulled into a carpark and waited an hour for dh to rescue me, the kids were in the car. it was the gp who suggested HRT to me, and while it’s not perfect and I actually think it’s not going to help my (clearly underlying) heart condition, the anxiety has definitely subsided. That horrible chemical powerless feeling like you’re on a mental train and you can’t get off, and I was having the darkest thoughts as well- those dark thoughts do still creep in but now I can just go ‘shut up brain’ and think of something else. I’ve also lost that horrible, electric vibration feeling- i would get into bed and feel instantly charged like I was shaking. That’s totally gone (and it’s definitely a peri thing, google internal fluttering peri !)

I saw the GP today. She asked loads of questions about my symptoms, my menstrual cycle, my life...

She didn't rule out menopause but wants to rule out other things eg thyroid issues, anemia, depression, specific ovary issues. I have bloods booked and a follow-up when the results are back next week.

I'm on my period this week and my "mood" is definitely better than it was last week. As PP I'm going to start a symptom/cycle diary.

@thenewaveragebear1983 I have been convinced I am peri since I've started researching. In fact I am now convinced my PND was hormonal and I've not been the same since.

I can't believe what I'm writing but I started on oestrogen gel and progesterone tablets last night and I slept through the night for the FIRST TIME IN 2 YEARS! I have woken up feeling like a totally different person. I cannot even believe it. I know this could be initial surge but praying this lasts!

@nosta that’s wonderful. Sleep improves and it automatically makes us feel better doesn’t it? I found I slept better as well. I wear silicone earplugs every night now, they take a bit of getting used to but I sleep so much better with them in. My Garmin concurs, my sleep quality is better, not just the number of hours.

I kept a diary the first month tracking daily, and it’s been very useful as I have had a couple of tearful days in month 2 but when I track back I can see that actually, it happened same time in month 1. Despite my initial worries I actually think I overall felt better on the progesterone weeks and actually I’m looking forward to changing patches tomorrow back to the combi.