Left the job I love due to the menopause :(

[Greaselightening]

I can't believe it. I've left a job I love due to crippling anxiety from the the menopause. I feel so empty inside 😞

I'd like to join you is that is Ok. I have other health problems so not working atm but the menopause is not helping anything.

It's the fatigue and anger I am really struggling with. I'm on HRT and antidepressants as well. Today I have mainly been in bed apart from a break to have a bath, and feel guilty as have not been out - again.

I'm also struggling with pain from shingles (which was 2 years ago but still seems to be causing problems) and the GPs want to cut down my pain meds now. Hugs to everyone struggling, it's not easy.

@Orangesandlemons77 how do you manage financially with not working?
I've also got the anger and rage; it's off the scale!

I agree, it's all hideous.
I feel like quitting my mentally tiring ( but poorly paid job) and going on benefits! Had enough today.

@Greaselightening how are you? X

It is incredibly reassuring to read all these posts. I am currently off work but it is so hard to explain to others how I feel. On HRT but I don't think enough. On citalopram but not sure if this is adding to my exhaustion. Feel completely trapped in my job. As a family we really can not afford for me to earn less but I am struggling to imagine going back.

I get PIP and cont based ESA (I was the one commented about claiming them as a possibility for menopause although have no experience of that just for other health things.) The ESA is because I was working in the previous 5 yrs, so is non means tested as is PIP.

I'm going through a Pip review at present though so that is another stress. They are taking a year and mine started in April.

DH works also. (self employed) and we were lucky to have no housing costs as paid off the mortgage a few years ago which helps a bit. Although two teenage DCs are expensive

@Orangesandlemons77 yes teens are expensive I agree ( although DD is at uni and managing okay and DS just left school this year and went to work) He's happy to be earning ( for now!)

I also get PIP for my cancer, but couldn't live off it. Next year, I may quit and claim ESA and hope they won't make me go back to work!

Evening lovely ladies. Honestly, this thread has been such a support to me. I don't feel so alone with it all.
I'm finding not having the work pressure is helping but then I have days when I feel useless. I'm definitely not as anxious on a daily basis but some days I'm really anxious. My mood is still low though. It's just scary not knowing what the future will look like. I'm trying to think in terms of one day at a time xx

I think one day at a time is fine.
Sometimes we just need to slow down and take things at our own pace x

Not sure why I'm Enigma53 suddenly 🙄

I've got a gp appointment to discuss my frequent water infections that i think is hormone related and the awful anxiety I feel I do have a horrendous family situation going on as well
Does anyone have any experience of magnesium glycinate? I took one last night I promise I am not on commission but I've felt so much better today been very productive doing jobs round the house had more energy and reduced anxiety I've been on my own as dh working and young adult dc either working or with partners which although i enjoy my own company i tend to procrastinate get anxious about work the next day and stress over the state of the house it could just be a good day or a placebo effect just don't want to down play my symptoms at the gp tomorrow after one good day

today is my last day off work and the anxiety has been high since yesterday. Although I am convinced that even if I wasn’t working that it would be the same.

so hard.

Today is start of week 3 of the gel. I had wondered if putting it on earlier in the day would help (have been putting on in evening as no time in morning to wait for it to dry before getting dressed) but that doesn’t seem to have helped.

sleep is not good either.

I had hoped that things would get better but looking at others experiences I feel like this is going to go on for years. I’m 48 and I don’t think my mum had gone through menopause until very late 50’s, so reckon I’ve got a while to go too.

Sorry to hear about the cancer. yes that could be a plan.

@Alfiemoon1 I really hope the magnesium glycinate works for you. I have heard good things. I was thinking the same about the gel as I also put it on in the evening. I have found my sleep is better when I am on the progesterone and I take piriton if I have been had a couple of really bad nights.

I have one more week at home but even thinking about works makes my chest feel it is going to explode.

Just to offer up a little chink of light on this thread (possibly)... I've got a GP appointment on Thursday morning to talk all about my peri. It's a 50-minute appointment because I have paid for it with a GP who practices locally but operates out of our private hospital as a menopause specialist.

I worked for the NHS for over a decade so have conflicted feelings about private medicine - but I can just about afford it and the idea of having almost an hour to have a proper conversation about symptoms and a way forward was too good to miss really. Particularly as the peri has caused so many issues in the latter half of 2024, I want to go into 2025 with a plan of action and hopefully on an upward trajectory in terms of the elements that make it so hard for me.

I'll report back in the event that I get given some advice that can help other people too. Fingers crossed... she was recommended to me by someone who has seen her before and said she was a miracle worker and so, so kind.

Sounds good, best of luck! I have found my GP helpful, they recommended the balance app and now I track my cycle on the app.

Thank you - my cycle is almost non-existent, just seems to pop up for one day at the most inconvenient times, and then goes again!

How is everyone today?
Such a busy day today at work, didn't think i would make it through the day!
Brain fog being the worst symptom! 🙈

They asked me about that, mine was regular but still got the HRT

Which makes perfect sense if you have symptoms doesn't it? I'm hoping they will offer it off the back of the fact that I have a list of symptoms as long as my arm plus I can only count 4-5 cycles this whole year and all of them irregular and to varying lengths.

The Nice guidance says they offer it based in symptoms only age 45+

Works for me, I am 45 and nine months!

You should be fine then, I would have a think about what kind you want to try as they will ask you e.g patch or gel, I found the patches left a sticky residue so I swapped to the gel after a few months.

I’m so sorry. Endometriosis makes everything more complicated for you. I hope someone can find something that helps.

Thanks, yes gel would be my preference if available.

I have had a similar situation op - but the anxiety was the last ten days of my cycle. I ended up raking a low dose of Sertraline which has made a huge difference