I feel like im going mad

[AnxieteaAndBiscuits]

I've suffered very vague symptoms for some time. The list is too long but it's ranged from panic attacks, excessive sweating to painful finger joints and panic attacks. My GP diagnosed my with hypochondriacal disorder 18 months ago as I convinced myself I was dying or had an undiagnosed illness.... he prescribed sertraline 50mg and that was pretty much it.
Things have been clicking into place and I decided to reach out to my GP (I requested a female) who I could discuss my symptoms with. She agreed that it sounded hormonal and suggested HRT. She says she'll prescribe it once she's had advice from the gynae team re: familial breast cancer risk.

Everyday I'm getting new symptoms. I was woken up in the night by a painful vagina. Like, it was actually painful. As if I'd had sex but had been dry - I can't explain it. I'm 43 and I'm mid cycle. Yesterday all day I was passing lots of mucus (as in ovulation) but today much less and again I'm very awate of my vagina (sorry for the TMI). I've also had a really painful knee which the physio told me its "wear and tear" but now I have really sore shins.
Someone please tell me this is peri and I'm not just making stuff up. I really feel like I've been gaslit by GPs for so long now I actually doubt my own feelings.

I'm sorry for the long post. It's so much easier to type than to speak to people.

Don't put up with all that fobbing-off nonsense. Go back and insist that they do something. They probably won't give you HRT if there is a history of breast cancer among your relatives though.

You do sound like you may have health anxiety. I don’t know you so this is just guesswork from someone you have never met.

The fact is you’re 43. So you’re quite likely to be perimenopausal and beginning to show signs of ageing (e.g. knees).

I think the best thing you can do is focus on ageing well. This means cutting back on junk food, alcohol, taking exercise etc .. Perimenopause is part of ageing.

Keep talking to that GP who was more sympathetic.

Thank you @BrunchFace I am very anxious and I do find myself spiralling about symptoms. But, mainly because I feel unheard. You're right though, there are several areas I need to get sorted so that the next few years aren't so difficult.

Thanks for the reply @LeefsPrings I'm hoping she'll get back to me tomorrow so I know either way how I can move on with or without treatment.

Gosh you sound like me! I’m 45 and definitely perimenopausal. I am spotting all the time with lots of mucus, periods all over the place, sore knees, tired, going hot regularly and arthritis in my finger joint (only one so far!). It’s awful. I have not mum to talk
tI as she passed a year ago and like you I have breast cancer in the family - my mum had it at 42 so I don’t even know when she went into menopause as her drugs put her into it anyway. I have refused the coil to aide symptoms because of this risk but at the same time I think maybe it’s worth the risk not to feel crazy!

Cant really offer any advice, I just want you to know you aren’t alone. X

Oh @cazb78 it's a horrible feeling. And I'm so sorry for your loss.
My mum was treated last year, her sister has had bc for many years and they had to maternal aunties who died from it.
When I first contacted my GP it was with the thought of increasing my sertraline and maybe taking the mini pill. But, straight away she went into the HRT discussion. My own research from what I've seen online says the risk is minimal- I'm not sure my anxiety could cope with even the thought of a minimal risk.

My mental health has really taken a battering over the last couple of years. I often doubt what I'm feeling as I've been told so many times it's anxiety. I'm not doubting that anxiety contributes but I also know that anxiety is a symptom of perimenopause.

Thank you so much for your reply. It's so helpful to know I'm not alone x

I often find I go to the GP and just don’t get out what I need from an appointment. Sometimes they don’t understand what I’m trying to say or they make light of your worries. Other times they can scare the life out of you.

I have suffered health anxiety all my life and it’s crippling at times. I’m really sorry that you are feeling like this too.

I’m also sorry your mum has been treated for breast cancer. Must have been scary for her and got you. Like you, I wouldn’t be able to cope with the slight risk of hrt. I had a hysteroscopy 2 years ago and the consultant was almost desperate to give me a mirena coil but I was very firm and said no. She agreed with me in the end.

Feel free to message me any time. I’m happy to listen and help if I can. Don’t suffer alone and sometimes others can give you a different way of looking at things xxx

There's two kinds of assessment aimed at diagnosing peri-menopause. Blood tests and one based on answering questions. The blood test isn't necessarily reliable, hormones fluctuation is a key feature after all, so results might wrongly say not peri menopause. In case any further effort is needed to prove it

In the UK at least, it's not uncommon to end up with an incorrect diagnosis of mental health issues and antidepressants of some sort. Apparently the reason is trying & failing to cope with symptoms of unknown cause, so obviously women do end up at the doctors stressed/anxious etc. Comes from a lack of popular understanding of the full range of symptoms that might manifest, I think

A friend of mine was in that exact position not too long ago. Multiple visits & failing to pinpoint cause. UK doctor training on menapause is crap, to put it politely. If one is knowledgeable, they've chosen optionally to put extra work in. If you are in UK, and it's relevant, there are menopause specialist centres to get referred to, that's my understanding at least

Perhaps it might be worth asking for a referral to the hospital to see a specialist. If your symptoms are that severe and the GP says they don't want to give you HRT, then you need the input of an expert gynaecologist.