What is the best approach in tackling these perimenopause issues if you can’t take HRT?

[Carwashandthemoog]

I have been slowly going insane and feeling like shit since my mid 40’s. I am 51 next month.

I have suffered from years of gynae issues and had a uterine ablation due to years of heavy periods, uterine polyps (I kept having these removed via hysteroscopies but they kept growing back), flooding and becoming so anaemic I needed infusions.
Although the ablation has sorted out the heavy bleeding it has sadly failed as I am in agony during each period resulting in Post Ablation Failure. I asked for a pelvic MRI to see exactly what has happened and turns out my years (decades) of issues are actually all due to deep endometriosis. I also now have diffuse adenomyosis, most likely exacerbated by the ablation. I’m angry this have all been overlooked for years despite endless gynae appointments and procedures since 2015 but that is a whole other thread.

Anyhow, I am now on a year long wait to see someone at my local NHS hospital. I saw a private endo specialist a few weeks back, she advised against starting HRT atm until they do a laparoscopy (god knows how long this will be on the NHS!) I have asked on a few FB endometriosis support groups and many women said they found HRT made their symptoms worse.

So I’m stuck with lots of symptoms atm and am looking at ways to tackle these without HRT.

Anyone know the best way to deal with the following symptoms? I am lucky atm as I am not suffering too much with night or day sweats. However, I do have all the following,

Terrible anxiety, all consuming especially in the morning

Very, very low mood and find myself crying ALOT

A huge exacerbation of my decades long IBS with a very unpredictable gut
and acid/indigestion. I also suffer from frequent nausea which feels like horrible morning sickness.

Achy in all my joints on a regular basis. Feel as though I’ve run a marathon.

Lower hip and back ache.

A weird empty headed feeling as though I can not be arsed with anything, absolutely lost all my Joie de Vivre, nothing interests me anymore.

I am completely knackered every day both physically and emotionally.

I try to look after myself well. I keep my weight down, follow a special diet for my gut and gynae issues (no diary, wheat/gluten etc). I only drink water, nothing else. I walk for a hour each day. Go to bed no later than 10.30 so try to get at least 7-8 hours sleep. I listen to the Calm app every day for meditation and sleep meditation

Even though I do all the above and have a healthier lifestyle than many I know I still feel like crap most days.

Any suggestions? What else can I do without taking HRT. I really need to feel better than I do, I’m literally just dragging myself through each day longing for bed.

Vit B complex for energy
good quality omega 3 for joints
And I’d discuss antidepressants as you can’t have HRT

Anxiety - duloxetine (I'm on it)

IBS - check for intolerances. You probably have endo on the bowel (I do) but I'm also lactose intolerant.

Antihistamines help with nausea.

Buscopan and windeze help me when I'm having a gut flare up.

I think you should get tested to see if any bowel cancer. Only because I read an article by a woman just like you who had all the same symptoms and been told she had IBS because if you are anemic, the FIT( stool test) for bowel cancer will show negative even if you have bowel cancer. So she always tested negative and then she deteriorated with more pain, fatigue, bowel issues, and it was bowel cancer that was making her feel so poorly.

Thanks DustyLee123 I will try the best complex and omega’s, willing to try anything. I do have a recent prescription for Fluoxetine but have been a bit scared to try it but have a week off work soon, will give it a go when I’m off.

Octavia64 I have a prescription for Fluoxetine and will try taking them when I’m off for a week in March 🤞 I follow the low fodmap diet and have narrowed down the foods which cause my issues. I haven’t touched dairy/lactose for years as it really upsets me. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if I have endo on the bowel somewhere. I take mebeverine when I’m in a real bad flare up. Windeze really helps.

BabaBarrio over the last 4 years I’ve had every test going. 2 colonscopies with biopsies (last one was July 23), 3 clear FIIT test (last one 6 months ago), a pill camera endoscopy 18 months ago, a bile acid malabsorption scan last year and 2 endoscopies with biopsies. Hopefully that would have covered everything!