Finally given in and reducing hours at work

[Wotrewelookinat]

I'm 55 and have been struggling on with peri symptoms for 18 months, tried various combinations of Hrt. Still having periods which can be heavy and painful, disturbed sleep, anxiety, brain fog. Tried to work through all of it, but after a bad few days have accepted that I might not 'feel myself' again until in menopause (or at all), and I just can't work full days any more. Why do I feel like I've failed? 😞

You haven't 'failed'.

Not sure if you've posted before and sorry if this repeats anything but have you considered the Mirena coil for your heavy periods? You can use it for the progesterone part of HRT and would just need to add a form of estrogen.

Thanks for your reply. I've had the Mirena for 2 months so far, has reduced the heavy flow, but now have almost continuous light bleeding, and some days cramps and heavier bleeding.

It’s so tough. I’ve had to cut my hours right down. Many, many women unfortunately have to leave the workforce with menopause symptoms. Before I was on HRT I was waking up every 30 minutes at night. I just could barely function. I’m so sorry HRT didn’t help you.

I do think it settles down post menopause.

Have you had any scans to check the bleeding? Also blood tests as you may be low in iron if losing so much blood.

I’d go back to the doctors again.

Urgh op I feel you here so much.

I just had four days off work and every single one of them tainted by severe period pain and the banging head and bloating and insomnia that now comes with it every period.

I was also only on 24 days ago so my cycle has been changing over the last six months.

I have brain fog,severe fatigue around the time of being due on and it wipes me out

I've been monitoring symptoms for six months now and it's definitely all tying in.

I really hope there's a better more energetic end to it is all I'm thinking.

You really haven't failed and actually a massive amount of my clients of similar ages are lowering hours now as they are really struggling and actually it's the time we need to be kind to ourselves and do things that help us through it.

I remember my mum and auntie saying they sailed through it and me reminding them both they weren't holding down massively full time careers themselves,they're dc were independent teens and they worked two to three days a week max.

@Delatron thank you, yes had scan and bloods and apparently it can take 6 months for the Mirena to work fully so I'll need to give it longer. HRT has helped to some extent, when I tried stopping it thinking it wasn't helping, I felt alot worse. But it's so difficult to phone into work and say you can't come in as you've had an awful night's sleep....

I think I'm getting my head around the fact I need to take more time off and concentrate on my health.

@dothehokeycokey thank you. Are you on hrt?

You haven’t failed. I had to give up my 8-6 pm job and take a lower paid 10-8 pm WFH job because of the sleep deprivation.

I've just resigned because after a long career which meant everything (too much) to me at times, I just can't find it in me to care about work now, and turning up and going through the motions/not doing a good job was getting me down.

HRT has helped a lot with sleep and motivation/apathy/focus in other parts of my life, but hasn't helped with work.

@Onlygoneanddoneit I feel the same. Totally burnt out from 30+ years in a caring profession. I've been close to resigning many times. Hoping I can last another year until the kids have finished uni.

Health is so important. If you can prioritise it then it makes sense to do so.

HRT is also very tricky to get right as it’s so individual (and doctors can be useless) it sounds like you’ve tried lots of different combinations so I hope it settles down for you and you get some relief.

To be fair even with HRT I still feel the need to reduce my hours. The energy isn’t really there.

Is it energy or motivation?

I have plenty of energy for other things, I'm actually performing better at my sport and have a more active social life than I have in years, but I'm finding it impossible to apply myself at work.

I left a year after DD finished uni and had a well-paid job. That last year felt like a century.

@Wotrewelookinat

No I'm currently not as seeing how I go along or for how long without.

I'm taking supplements aswell as collagen and extra vits etc

I already take thyroxine as have Graves' disease so am slightly worried about hrt affecting that x

Yes motivation. (Apparently that’s linked to low testosterone). Always have to motivation to exercise!

My pals cool took months to work. But then it was great for her. So keep the faith.

I went for regular acupuncture. It balanced me out and made my period problems stop. Thank god. But it was private. £50-£60 a go here. It was worth it to me though as I didn't want a coil.

Coil. Not cool. 😎