Can't do this

[Enigma52]

52, post menopausal, TAH and unable to have HRT due to a secondary breast cancer diagnosis.

The symptoms are crippling me. Sweats in night and anxiety, oh the anxiety; it's brutal!

Driving is a disaster. I had to drive 10 minutes to the shops. Couldn't remember what to do, what gear, stalled the car.. it was horrific!

I simply can't live this way.

All I am told is try ( yet more ) medication for the symptoms. The cancer drugs are brutal enough, without adding more into the mix!

Oh you poor thing, that sounds awful.

I don't have anything helpful to say, I'm afraid, as I don't know what the alternative to HRT might be, but I do sympathise. Before I got HRT the night sweats, anxiety, depression and brain fog were crippling.

I wonder if there are any menopause services that could advise better?

@ClawedButler thanks. I'm at a loss to be honest. I feel really really stuck.

Hi. Would you be agreeable to trying antidepressants? They are what have helped me immensely

@DaBlackCatsAreDaBestCats which one do take?

I take 20mg Citalopram. Give it a go. See if it helps x

@DaBlackCatsAreDaBestCats I've got sertraline in my drawer. GP prescribed a few weeks ago. I didn't take it, as felt scared of the side effects ( on top of the cancer drugs). Maybe now I should take it?

All you can do is try it. If you feel it doesn’t agree with you, you can stop. These things are a bit trial and error. I wish you the best x

@DaBlackCatsAreDaBestCats

Thanks, nothing to lose I guess x

Sertraline is great for getting you back on an even keel. I had breast cancer too and the tamoxifen isn't fun on so many levels. Anti depressants and testosterone help. The side effects are so worth it, for me at least
There's no shame in taking them. Cancer upends your world and the lack of oestrogen after is really hard to cope with
Good luck, hope you're feeling better soon

Hi OP,
Totally sympathise with the symptoms- I’m the same age as you. I’m on HRT which I know you can’t take, but tbh it’s not cutting it now either. Just came on to tell you you’re definitely not alone and to ask if you had seen the very excellent Balance app? It had a section and articles for women who aren’t able to take HRT. It’s run by Dr Louise Newson who has some great advice. Hope you can get some relief soon.

@rumred thanks. Yes tamoxifen is another nasty. I'm on letrozole, so any tiny bit of oestrogen produced, is being blocked. I feel as though I'm being tortured! After I had my primary diagnosis, I found a specialist who prescribed me a low dose of oestrogen and that worked. Then the cancer returned. Do I blame myself? Probably. But was desperate for quality of life. Now I feel I have none.

I've got the sertraline out and am planning on taking tomorrow morning, just 25mg.

@Holidayhappiness I will download the app now. Sorry your hrt isn't doing what you want. It's a blooming nightmare.

@Enigma52 - here's a copy of the post I wrote on a similar thread only last week to another OP - I've not got time to rewrite it for you but really wanted you to know that Sertraline has made a MASSSIVE difference to me in the last few weeks:

"When you eventually get to see your GP, don't discount anti-anxiety / anti-depressant meds. Although it was bloody wrong when women got fobbed off with them instead of HRT, they are a really useful weapon in the menopause armoury.

I was lucky enough to be prescribed HRT > 5 years ago but my anxiety, irrational rage, overthinking (borderline paranoia?), brain fog and other utterly shit symptoms had got worse in recent months and my mood was desperately low, despite the HRT. I did some reading and asked my GP for an SSRI. She agreed it was worth a punt and bunged me on Sertraline. All I can say it that it's been an absolute game changer and I wish I'd done it years ago. It did take 3 weeks to kick in but I feel like a different woman.

Menopause is the gift that just keeps on giving for some of us and I hope you manage to find something that helps."

I did feel a bit pukey the first couple of days but really no biggie. I feel better in myself than I have in months. I hope you get an equally positive outcome as it just sucks

@Falifornia Thankyou so very much.
I really appreciate you taking the time to send me a copy of your post.

Enough is enough and my shockingly bad driving was enough to make me realise that this can't be life from
now on.

I will start sertraline tomorrow.

Indeed it sucks with bells on! 👍

P.s @Falifornia what dose are you on now?

@Enigma52 I did 2 weeks on 25mg as GP wanted a slow start. Whacked up to 50mg on day 14. I kid you not, on Day 21 I woke up and thought Bloody Hell, I feel like me. I got more work done that day (without bloody overthinking or questioning my every action/decision) than I'd managed in months. I also feel way more motivated and OK to tackle the tasks (both and work and home) that I've been simply putting off. It's definitely taken the edge off both the anxiety and the Can't Be Arsed-ness.

My mum found letrozole brutal and manages better on anastrozole. It is still an oestrogen suppressor but seems to be less nasty. It's a condition of the other treatment she is on, that she must take a hormone suppressor.

@Falifornia Wow!!
A total game changer then?

Okay, here we go!

Assessing the sheer shiteness of my life right now, there is seriously NOTHING to lose!

@iwafs yes letrozole is brutal. They should use it as a form of punishment!

Hi, am also on Setraline 50mg, it has helped although I still get flare-IPE or anxiety when my period is due (or would have been due as I seem to be missing some periods now but not yet consistently). I don’t seem to have any side effects, really. I would agree that trying it is sensible.

Good luck OP. Sertraline works for my peri symptoms - insomnia, anxiety, low mood, even the flushes. Even now I'm on hrt I still take a low dose.

Holland and Barrett black cohosh tablets for night sweats and hot flushes. They may take a few weeks to fully work, but they are amazing.

Thanks again everyone.

I just cant see the wood for the trees right now. Can't imagine working again in this current state.. it's a horrid situation to be in.

Urghh the symptoms due to lack of hormones is scary! I'm becoming a soul less, can't be arsed, don't give a fuck type of person.

What have they done?
Can they really deny me oestrogen?
I'm only 52! 😪

@Enigma52 Deep breaths - you're not facing this alone. We've got your back on this thread.

OK there is a valid medical reason they aren't prescribing oestrogen and in your heart of hearts you know that.

Now, I'm going to put my Girl Guider voice on. Have you started the Sertraline? In the absence of the oestrogen option it's got to be worth a crack. If you haven't started them yet TAKE THE DRUGS.

I'm no way promising they'll have the amazing effect they've had on me but it's GOT to be worth trying? And go into it thinking "these could make me better". You might get some side effects the first few days, but you feel like shit now so there's not a whole lot to lose . . .

The other thing I meant to say is that my lack of oestrogen fecks my legs; and I've got a friend on letrozole who also has vile muscle aches. Magnesium Glycinate is your friend here (don't get Magnesium Citrate - it's crap).

Keep coming back to the thread . . . . we're all in the same boat

I was on Letrozole and it was so bloomin awful I had to come off it. Now been on Exemestane for a couple of years and while I'm not completely free of S/E and my old self, it's definitely better than letroze.

Good luck 😊