Nurse appointment tomorrow for perimenopause symptoms, what do I want to ask for?

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I have finally managed to get an appointment. A double no less. Not with the GP I wanted, but it’s a start.

What should I ask for?
Other than help

I’m 47, overweight but finally losing, 2.5 stone down. Was previously on mirtrazapine that made me gain weight just by looking at the fridge. No longer have elderly dying parent that made me need the antidepressants.

I have fibromyalgia, adenomyosis, raynaulds, palpitations, lichen sclerosis, eczema, hayfever and now perimenopause.

I have for used to always having low level pain, but this is worse. I try not to take painkillers other than ibuprofen or paracetamol when needed, usually I just use heat, breathing, meditation.

My symptoms are

~Cycles changing from very regular to anywhere from 20-70 days, and bleeding from 4 days to 7-25 days
~Currently spotting every other day, & strong period cramps, no sign of period, on day 48
~Aching joints
~Frequent flares of existing usually under control lichen sclerosus
~Frequent UTI, or start of UTI symptoms.
~Worsening allergies to everything, particularly pollen, and now sadly most alcohol, even small amounts, makes my face and chest flush and burn, eyes water, nose run, sneeze.
~Constant nausea, feels very similar to morning sickness, aversion to many foods and textures, and much heartburn.
~Difficulty falling asleep, and waking between 4 and 6am. By 6.30 I give up and get up.

I haven’t taken hormones other than the Pill in my late teens. And felt that really didn’t agree with me.

Will they even prescribe HRT if I’m still very overweight?
I have already asked for topical estrogen for vulva symptoms, but had to wait for the nurse appointment, they wouldn’t add it to my prescription.

is there anything else I should ask for or
make suggestions for?

🙏

Ime the nurses are better than the GP’s, they have much more training in HRT than GP’s do.
There is some info here that may help. Good luck!

https://www.themenopausecharity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/How-to-ask-your-GP-for-help-rev.pdf

Not all. There are often posts here where it's clear the nurses are not up to date and know very little - and have given out incorrect information. They only know more if they have been on a recent course.

Your weight won't be an issue, but as long as you're committed to losing more, that's great.

I think you need to keep it simple and just ask for a 3-month trial of HRT.

Have a read around what you fancy trying-patches or gel- and go in with your opinions so you can discuss it all.

Thank you both
Nurse was rubbish, insisted on doing a very painful swab and told me to make an appointment with a female dr to discuss options. Thankfully a nice receptionist managed to find a telephone appointment with one tomorrow as I’d already been in.

Well that was two disappointing appointments yesterday and today. 😢

I didn’t feel I had a low mood which the Dr kept asking about. Now I do after that.

Yes my weight is an issue.
no she didn’t want to prescribe HRT, until I lose more weight. Every time I see any GP whatever reason, it’s always my weight that is the issue. If I had a broken leg it would probably be the same.

All I wanted was a Mirena and some estrogen cream, which is already asked for twice and is recommend by the Lichen society.

she did agree I could have a Mirena and some cream. But their wait list is up to 6 months, suggested I try local GUM clinic, one she said turned me away as wrong county, other in correct county said no as I don’t need contraception.

So I’ve put a 1 hour private menopause clinic appointment on my credit card. And again for private Mirena fitting.