Congestion caused by menopause

[IBlameTheDog]

Hi,

I'm really struggling and wonder if anyone can help?

For the whole of this year I've felt ill. Fatigue, dry eyes and mouth, nasal congestion and a constant feeling that my head is full of cotton wool. I bit like when you've had a couple of glasses of wine and you're starting to feel a bit fuzzy headed.

It's really affecting my mental health now as well as not being able to do half as much as I usually would. I'm in bed for 8pm most nights and find work days really hard.

I've had blood tests and cameras up my nose, I've had a brain and sinus MRI and nothing is showing up except for reasonably low iron (I'm on iron supplements now). I'm not allergic to pet, pollen, mould, dust etc.

Has anyone else felt this way post menopause? I'm about 3 weeks off 12 months of no periods. I've read that menopause can bring about allergies and wonder if it could be that?

I'm so desperate to feel better again. Some days I actually wouldn't care if I didn't wake up in the morning. I'm utterly fed up.

Omgosh I'm sorry you feel this way ...but at last someone who understands ....im 15 post menopause and guess what when I hit 12 months those symptoms stopped and I feel so much better, hopefully you are about to turn that corner. I thought long covid , weaken immune system etc you name it but I now think menopause

I had really dry mouth, HRT has helped, also drinking water, but still pain in sinus/ face, and I have found that a nasal saline spray is helping. And eye drops.

I'm pretty sure progesterone is a natural anti-inflammatory, so perhaps low levels of that have something to do with it? Sounds awful, you poor thing!

Have you tried a steroid nasal spray? I get something vaguely similar and use pirinase.

Gosh I really really hope that same happens for me.

I'm sure it's menopause related. I just feel dreadful every day. It's worse when I sit still too, I just feel this pressure in my head all the time.

I'm sorry you went through it too but delighted you got rid of it. Here's hoping I do too! Thank you for replying.

I think I might try HRT. I can't carry on like this.

I don't actually have any pain in my sinuses but my nose is always blocked and I constantly have the feeling in my head that you get with a very heavy head cold. It's horrendous.

I think you might be right. I'm off work next week so will try to get (another) GP appointment and see if I can start HRT.

I had Dymista (sp?) for a few months but it didn't help.

I'm using sterimar and Dry Noses drops and regular saline rinses. Nothing seems to help.

Cotton wool brain for me but crept up insidiously until 2yrs post period it dawned on me it might be menopause !
I found work a struggle due to sleep loss and brain fog.
That and few months history of insomnia have resolved very quickly on HRT. I don’t feel like a zombie any more.
Only on it a month so far. utrogestan pills / oestrogen gel

@Bigcatpaws

Can I ask, did your cotton wool brain almost make you feel a bit dizzy? Not room spin dizzy but just, like your head was full or something? Or being very tightly squeezed?

I keep reading about brain fog but mine feels physical rather than mental?

I think I'm definitely going to push for HRT.

Thanks for replying

No I didn’t get the dizziness, just an inability to think clearly, slowness in decision making and just general slowing down/ no motivation.

It’s worth trying hrt. Hope you get to the bottom of it.

Have you ever tried using a neti pot with a saline/bicarbonate solution? They really are fabulous & very good for clearing things out.

I recoiled at the idea at first but they are simple to use and it feels wonderful afterwards.

Definitely give HRT a go if it's that time. I had different symptoms to to - there are so many - but they all resolved very quickly once I started HRT.

@RobinEllacotStrike

I do have a netipot and I do use it but I don't think there is actually anything to clear out of you know what I mean? I think there might be inflammation there which makes me feel congested and fuzzy headed.

I've just checked my calendar and I'm four days off going a full year without a period so I think HRT might be a good move for me. I've never had anything like this until this year so hoping it's hormone related and can be fixed 🤞🏻

Absolutely try some HRT & good luck.

I had such a long list of strange things going on & the HRT stopped it all do I feel very much myself again. It also had quite a quick effect.

Controversially many GP's are poorly informed about menopause & HRT, so do ask to see your surgery's HRT/Menopause expert when you book.

You can prepay an HRT prescription on gov.uk so you only pay £19 per year for your meds (if you pay). It's a good deal.

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-hormone-replacement-therapy-prescription-prepayment-certificate-hrt-ppc

Thanks @RobinEllacotStrike

This is really helpful. I'm off work next week so will try and get an appointment 🤞🏻

I've had the exact same symptoms! I posted a few weeks ago about it. I've started HRT and really hoping it helps this issue. It's already helping with my anxiety only 2 weeks in 😊

Really? I'm sorry you're suffering the same but I feel like I'm going mad as it's such a weird thing.

I really hope to works for you.

I'm definitely going to try HRT if my GP will allow 🤞🏻

@IBlameTheDog fingers crossed for you. 🤞🏻

I've been taking fexofenadine for allergies which helped a bit and I use Hycosan intense eye drops which have massively improved my dry eyes.

Thanks @abouttoturn50, I've just been prescribed fexofenadine but will try the eye drops too.

Funnily enough, every few months I feel a bit better for 4 or 5 days. I'm sure it's to do with hormones as my skin looks glowier too.

I'm hoping HRT will help 🤞🏻

@IBlameTheDog did you get anywhere with your GP re HRT?

Is this a thing? For about a year, I’ve been using a Neti pot off and on. And I find that
Sudafed sinus-ease spray helps.

The sensation is that I need to sniffle or blow my nose, but nothing comes out.

I had no idea there was a menopausal connection?!?! (I’m peri-menopausal.)

@abouttoturn50

Hi, thanks yes I've been on it for two weeks but no difference so far. I'm only on 25mg oestrogen though, which I've read is quite a low dose. I'm not due to go back until 3 months but I might leave it another two weeks and see if I can get my dose upped.

Who knows? I think menopause causes way more issues than are commonly discussed.

I think basically, all parts of your body with mucous membranes dry out. Everyone talks about vaginal dryness but I think it also affects eyes, nose and mouth. When your nasal passages dry out, your body produces more mucous to try and protect them which causes all the congestion/inflammation/stuffy nose.

It really is the gift that keeps on giving 🙄