Has anyone been signed off due to menopause symptoms?

[Notsleepingagain]

I am struggling with various menopause symptoms. I have a responsible job role and I am really finding that I am lost in a sea of brain fog. I do recognise this and try hard to use coping mechanisms ( writing instructions down / reminders/ getting others to check etc), but it is taking quite a toll on me and causing me a great deal of anxiety. I am also often struggling to sleep and wake several times, often having nightmares. I get some hot flushes. I also have very up and down moods. I’m currently on patches and have a coil. However, as I lay here awake again, I feel I have hit a wall. I just feel I can’t do another week of dealing with it all at work and feeling such a failure. Do you think I will get signed off? This feels like I’m taking the mickey although I have an excellent sickness record, and I’m also worried how this will be perceived at work. I’m not really sure what the point of my post is, just that I’m so tired and fed up of having zero brain. I do exercise and find this helps, but if I’m off and people see me out, what then? Gah. Just done with the whole thing. Sorry for the late night ramble.

Even in this current day and age I’d just fake a cold or tummy issues or something and take a break for a week see how you feel with some rest. If after that you are still struggling can you reduce hours?

Thank you for taking the time to reply @reversegear . Unfortunately reducing my hours is not an option. I think I’ll talk to my GP about my current prescription and just try and soldier on.

I was signed off for six months whilst they tried to get my HRT right. I eventually decided to leave as I discovered it was the job not my mental health making me ill.

Sympathies OP, the insomnia is always a nightmare. Have you tried taking phenergen? You can get it over the counter - I find one 25mg will make me sleep. I use it on the nights when I know the next day is going to be one where I really need to be on it eg big meeting/chairing something

I presume you are taking all the appropriate supplements- magnesium for sleep etc? I do find it has helped with my insomnia. There are other things for night sweats and brain fog etc.

Thank you @Theeyeballsinthesky . I will try this. I did not manage to get any sleep at all last night 😕. I take a combined magnesium supplement @Smartiepants79 . I’m just exhausted with this and the constant fact of being utterly rubbish at a job I love. Sorry to hear that @Swampthing55 I hope it all worked out for you.

Ok you sound so burnt out take a break if you can soon, get some rest if you can and maybe even have a small break away from stress, I don’t know anyone’s financial situation but I feel you need some self care whatever that is to you, a massage, some gentle exercise, a yoga retreat, good food and some time to read and recharge and think.

Symptoms aside that should help with sleep even a tiny bit, I did read even broken sleep is ok sometimes even eyes closed and deep breathing is ok for us to rest.

Also maybe adjust your dose talk to the GP about maybe increasing oestrogen, changes to patches or something that’s a step forward for you. HRT is trial and error.

sending hugs

To get some sleep try some boots sleep ease tablets. I buy the 50mg ones and break in half. They really help me sleep.

But yes I wouldn't think twice about going off if I needed too.

Increase the oestrogen. And take it consistently. Improved my night sweats to the point where they don’t wake me up any more.

and if you are ill, you are ill. Whatever the cause. If you need to go sick to recover energy then that’s what you should do.

I can't have HRT so I'm on 10mg anti depressants, really helps the anxiety. I like to do weekend siestas if my sleep is bad in the week.

Thank you all so much @CarminaBiryani @ElfWhatElf @reversegear @Sunshineandrainbow . I teared up reading your responses, it’s so relentless and having you all understand meant a lot to me. I’ve booked a HRT review and am going to try the sleeping aids suggested. Thank you all again. ❤️

Unfortunately, if this were a thing it would be another reason not to employ women, it’s bad enough when you are younger and they refuse to hire you due to potential pregnancy (happened to me at a prestigious Cambridge college but i couldn’t prove it as no recorded)

I have huge brain fog and anxiety despite upping my HRT. I don’t think I could ever ring in sick with it, I’m just trying to muddle through and fake it, and will retire early on a hugely reduced pension - just because I hate feeling incompetent and I have to get away. I’m surrounded by very intelligent, confident, quick-minded people at work and I just can’t keep up any more. It’s a huge effort to get through each day. I feel your pain.

Not being quick is not a weakness. There's evidence that older employees make better decisions.

I use a spreadsheet now for everything and have also accepted that good quality is okay.

Really strong (matcha) green tea helps.

Plus tend to eat high protein breakfasts, and carbs at lunch. My day is punctuated with food lol. Reducing sugar is good for brain fog.

Atm I get siestas on the weekends to catch up. Magnesium glycinate 300mg before bed also helps. Double bag camomile tea. A weekly soak in Epsom salt bath is good for anxiety too, I do notice when I haven't had one for a while. Eating more green vegetables helps lots too.

Depends on your sector. In mine I would never tell the truth. I’d take a few days off with a “stomach bug”, get some rest, and recalibrate. Then talk to the GP about increasing your HRT if they can.