Can't Take HRT. Need SOMETHING

[SlightlyJaded]

I feel like I am losing my mind. In fact I've probably posted before but can't recall. I have been through menopause (am 52) and no bleed for over two years. I am still getting occasional hot flushes but can cope with that.

What I can't cope with is the bone and muscle ache which is extreme, the exhaustion & fatigue, the anxiety, the sudden rage and mostly, the absolutely appalling low mood day after day. I feel completely dead inside. As an aside, also dryness and zero libido.

I have REALLY high blood pressure - managed but on a cocktail of medication due to it causing episodes of unstable angina at one point - so cannot take HRT.

I have been to the GP four times in the last year and they keep telling me they will refer me to the menopause clinic but nothing. I have also repeatedly asked if there is anything I can take - that won't conflict with my meds - and they just say they aren't sure.

The thing is - I KNOW there are lots of things out there: Black Cobosh, menopace, Vitamins, Supplements etc, but it's almost too much and overwhelming, andI just don't know where to start.

I don't have a lot of money, so can't be taking a million things a month, but really need something.

Can anyone recommend a good place to start? If I could target bone ache/fatigue and mood, that would be key for me. I can work with the rest for now.

Thank you.

The vaginal moisturiser - YES VM - mentioned by a PP can be bought over the counter. It doesn't need a prescription from your GP. It's an excellent product, but it won't treat the loss of oestrogen in your genitourinary system. Ask your GP to prescribe you Ovestin. This is a localised oestrogen cream that you insert into your vagina. It will replace the oestrogen you're losing in your genitourinary system and will treat your dryness/atrophy. It doesn't count as "proper" HRT as it's not systemic.

As for being on antihypertensives - as several PPs have pointed out, you can indeed have HRT while on antihypertensives. My own blood pressure came down on HRT, and in fact HRT was much more effective at bringing down my blood pressure than antihypertensives ever were - so much so that my dose of antihypertensive needed to be reduced. This is because oestrogen is a vasodilator, and replacing it - in the form of HRT - relaxes blood vessels.

I wish I could afford to go to a private meno specialist but I can't. This thread is literally my best hope so far.

I'm making ANOTHER go appointment but this time I will be armed with facts and questions. Thank you