Wrongly diagnosed with psychological issues/depression instead of being offered support with peri menopause

[Imhappynotsad]

I’m so angry. I’ve been having what I’m sure is perimenopause symptoms for nearly 3 years now (I’m 46)

I have always been happy ! Enjoyed my life ! No MH issues whatsoever, I’ve been seen multiple times by my gp and a few times at an and e (severe Period bleeding and passing out) . I’m anaemic.

I have been having regular periods but much shorter cycles and heavier bleeding 24-26 days when used to be 30-32 day cycles and light.

Im obviously knackered , I’ve had to significantly cut down my hours at work because of physical issues and the sheer exhaustion. I’ve now been told that it’s all psychological and the screening tools are showing moderate depression??? Therefor as I’m refusing medication for that and a referral they can’t who me any more . I’m not depressed !!! I’m going to have to find a new gp surgery I think

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/menopause/diagnosis/diagnosis-of-menopause-perimenopause/

These are the NICE guidelines, I suggest you go to your next appointment with them printed out and ask for treatment for perimenopause.

Sadly this happens OP
Stand your ground and good l uck

I'm not a medical person but assuming by treatment you mean HRT. This does have side effects. How old are you.

I assume they have checked your red blood cell count for anemia and Vit D levels as both of those cause exhaustion.

Ask for the results and do your own research as to whether they truly are in the "healthy" range?

Heavy frequent periods often cause low blood count. Floradix works better than iron tablets.

LOL you are anemic, what are you taking for it? No wonder you are exhausted.

What are you taking for heavy periods is it working?

I am fucking furious on your behalf OP and let me tell you, this is FAR FAR FAR too frequent for far far far too many women.

I had a prescription for antidepressants slid across the desk when I was severely anaemic after the birth of my first child and was told to “take up swimming” by my GP.

Change GP, do it, just do it. Advocate for yourself like a fucking warrior. Write it down, go in armed, you will find that not all GPs have this outdated, small minded and dismissive way of ignoring the actual problem, there are some wonderful GPs out there who will make a world of difference to your world.
keep going, you are not wrong.

I’m 46 and I’ve been saying for 3 years to the gp about peri menopause. I’ve been constantly fobbed off to wait and see and now they’ve said ‘this isn’t a physical issue - you have depression’ . I really don’t !!!! If I wasn’t bleeding so much so often , fainting, having brain fog and memory issues, hot flushes , headaches etc I wouldn’t be going to the gp at all and I’m certainly not feeling down I’m just feeling dismissed by them

They won’t even do my hormone bloods because my periods are regular - despite me saying my cycles have shortened by a lot and gone from light to very heavy. I was told it could be ‘low mood altering the perception of it’ and that tiredness and struggling with daily activities like work is a strong indicator of depression

As previous posters have said, do whatever you can for yourself so get your blood results, do you have the NHS APP? You can see them for yourself on that, do t just look at Haemoglobin, look at ferritin levels too, get some iron tablets, take one every other day. ( this may not be enough for you if your periods are that heavy though, you may need other iron treatment)
Carry on monitoring your periods, this is all good information to present at your GP appointment.
Research the offering of medications for your heavy bleeding.

Please ignore the poster rattling on about your age and side effects of HRT, it is a game changer and the choice of medication for millions of women who are needlessly suffering the debilitating effects of peri and menopause.

I’m going to get some bloods done privately and see if I can find a new gp. All at my current surgery seem to be reciting the same phrases so it’s not even possible to see a different gp there as I’ve tried a few and they all say the same dismissive things.

Honestly if you get your anaemia sorted, you will feel like a new woman, get your peri sorted and you can run a fucking marathon while juggling and throwing back a glass of champagne!

Remember hrt is not the cure for all ills and has drawbacks. Have you had a blood test for iron and vitamin levels? Also check b12 specifically. Obviously your hormone levels.

Antidepressants are approved for use to deal with symptoms caused by the menopause. So have the blood test, get your current hormone levels and talk it through- at my practice it's a nurse practitioner who is the best to look at options. I personally have a mirena coil and that is sufficient to h

You don't get your bloods done for peri it's meaningless as they change throughout your cycle.

NICE guidelines are clear - 45+ and having symptoms you can have treatment. Seriously print them off and go through them with your GP.

How are your heavy periods being treated?

Hormone bloods are not helpful though because they fluctuate so much, it’s pattern and symptoms which you describe perfectly!
If you can afford private bloods, could you afford a private iron transfusion?
It would make a world of difference.

The other thing that hits a lot of women around menopause which can cause these symptoms is hypothyroidism. I'd fortunately paid for a BUPA checkup when I was about 50 which showed my levels looked like they might be on their way down. So when I started feeling tired and depressed I went to the GP, raised this as a possibility and they did blood tests - for iron and vitamin D as well. Sure enough I needed some thyroxine.

Some women will have these things going on in addition to needing HRT of course.

The questionnaires that the drug companies give to GPs to diagnose “low mood” almost always result in a diagnosis of “low mood”, cause they pathologise perfectly normal feelings.

Of course you feel tired and low. You’re anaemic!

How dare they say it’s all in your head when you are perfectly aware of how your cycles and bleeding have physically changed!

Definitely don’t accept this. I am so angry on your behalf. Is it every GP in that surgery?

I’ve been on ferrous fumarate for 3 years and was told I didn’t need a gynae referral but I had a scan privately just in case which was normal. The gp told me to try some spatone water as well and they’ll recheck levels in 3 months but they aren’t too concerned. I’ll find out what the exact levels are

What actual treatment have you have for your heavy periods? What treatment would you like for your other symptoms?

Tranexamic acid can help with the bleeding. Well worth a try if you're flooding. Mirena coil may be a more complete solution but it's more difficult to reverse if you don't get on with it.

Literally in line 3 of the OP. 46.

I'm just a bit older then you and started having awful bleeding and very painful periods last year, plus waking up in the night all hot and sweaty.

I didn't want HRT due to other health issues, anyway my GP agreed that as my periods where regular still I could go on the pill (mini pill for me). It's really helped so that is an option. It has stopped the heavy, painful bleeding and night sweats. I feel better for it. I understand what you mean by doctors just labeling you depressed, I've had this before. Luckily I now have an understanding GP who is really great. I'd look for another doctor if I was you.

Low mood is one of the symptoms of peri and menopause. Sounds like your GP needs to update their training on menopause! Good luck with getting help.

haemoglobin 94 g/L
ferritin 13 ug/L

not exactly sure how low those are but I feel extremely tired

I don’t even feel low or unhappy but a lot of the questions they’ve asked about physical health and exhaustion are on the depression questionnaire and the fact I said I’d dropped 2 days a week at work apparently points to depression . If my anaemia was better and my bleeding improved I know I’d pick hours back up again !!

Those levels are slightly low - what has your GP prescribed for them?