Tips needed - peri memory loss and work

[UmpteenSteps]

I’ve been on HRT for two months (3 pumps Oestrogel and 1 tablet progesterone), thyroid is normal, but still having terrible short term memory issues (and bad sleep, anxiety and joint pain).

I am really worried about the impact on my work and all the googling I’ve done hasn’t surfaced tips on how to cope with poor memory and work (just things like “reduce stress”, which is unlikely at my workplace!)

I have two questions please:

1. What methods do you use to keep your focus and keep track of things at work?
2. Does memory improve the longer you are on HRT or is this it for me now?

Maybe you need a higher dose?

I was in a fog at work until I started on hrt patches - I increased the dose after a few months as my rage was returning.

I’m only on the oestrogen pessaries for atrophy but do experience brain fog. I have a notebook I constantly make notes in and a ‘to do list’ and put alarms / reminders in my phone. I often write on the back of my hand as well🤦🏼‍♀️ I will also follow for useful tips!!

@rowantree1997 Would that help? My gp already increased it from 2 to 3 pumps 2 weeks ago (helped with other stuff but memory loss persists) and said she wants me to do a full cycle before reviewing.

@FatherJoseFernandez i really hope someone with ideas that work comes along for both of us! I need to get through the next few weeks if increasing the HRT is the only way to solve this one.

If you're still getting those symptoms OP I would go back to your GP, although it's fair enough that she wants you to persist for a bit before trying something else. My joint pain disappeared after two days on Oestrogel, but some people need a different delivery method.

As for how I cope - lots of lists. I use the Notes function in my phone to make endless lists, I have post its on my desk which I use liberally, and I put absolutely every appointment straight into my phone calendar and set up an 'alert' to remind me before it's due to happen. These days people often say 'You're so organised!' to me, which is funny, because I'm only organised because I'm so naturally disorganised and now utterly forgetful as well, which is not a great combination.

Obviously I forgot to say 😆 I made my line manager aware I am experiencing menopausal symptoms as they have to make reasonable adjustments to manage symptoms

The calendar on your phone is your friend. Use it to set reminders for anything and everything important. You can schedule alerts for each thing for as often as you need them. If I have a "big deal" event/meeting for work, I'll program an alert for a couple of days before, the day before and the morning of. My memory is actually quite good, but I definitely have too much on my plate at the moment, so I find the reminders really helpful. I worry more about possibly forgetting things than actually forgetting them.

My joint aches didn't go until I changed my utrageston to 1 tablet a day. I still keep making silly mistakes at work though.

Yep - peri combined with ADHD means I have to write everything down otherwise it's all just a big hot mess.

Lists, reminders and lots of alarms on my phone are my solution. When I'm driving and think of something I speak to Siri and get it to remind me about X when I'm at work or home or to add something to the shopping list.

Also tell HR and your line manager and they have to make reasonable adjustments.

Will you consider other types of HRT?

I probably should however I’m 39 and relatively young for perimenopause. I’m worried about taking too much in case I’m on it for years. The pessaries have solved the atrophy problem. I have brain fog still but the hot flushes, itchy skin and rage etc disappeared after I started taking black cohosh. Hopefully I can middle on a few more years until it gets really bad!

*muddle

Lists, reminders, also checklists. For tasks I have to do regularly I make a list of the stages, then go through at the end and tick everything off to make sure I got it all.

I use Asana for managing a to do list. It's my brain now!

Asana is brilliant!

The HRT has sorted my brain fog (for now).

HRT helps some women but not all. If you only increased 2 weeks ago, it is too soon to review that, they usually suggest 3 months
I'm older so well through the worst now. I just relied on notes, lists, etc and think I came out the other side of the brain fog at a higher level of function than I went into it! There is hope!!

Thank you everyone. It seems there’s no magical method I haven’t tried yet albeit the things described so far are things I do anyway in a haphazard way so I’ll need to be more regimented about it now.

@FusionChefGeoff i used to use Asana many moons ago - forgot about that app! I’ll download it again.

@FatherJoseFernandez @RSintes I have an occ health appointment tomorrow. Work have been great so far but no idea what I should ask for. Do you have any ideas on what I should ask for?

I also use it to log stuff I've done even if it wasn't in the list so I don't spend hours checking / looking for confirmation emails etc and use the notes section / comments to add more details

I made them aware of my issues just in case I forget something and hopefully it means they will be a bit more understanding! They suggested they could assist with things like a fan if I was suffering with hot flushes or a change of uniform to a more forgiving fabric. It depends what would make your working life easier x