Perimenopause help

[cloudbusting12]

Ive been to the doctors multiple times now about suspecting I have started peri, I’m 38. I keep getting fobbed off as they have said blood results are normal. I have ADHD and take Elvanse which has been extremely effective and life changing until recently.
I also have an autistic daughter who needs a lot of support and patience (mentioning as in my current state this is becoming increasingly difficult). I have the following symptoms:

Chronic eczema (never had before in my life)
heavy periods with clotting
Low mood
irritable
lack of patience

Night sweats
Weight gain
no sex drive
Headaches and migraines most days (never had before)
Dry skin and hair
Unable to do basic tasks (Elvanse seems to no longer have any affect)
brain fog
Breast tenderness that lasts all month

does anyone have any advice on how I can her my (female) GP to take me seriously.

the irritation and lack of patience are particularly concerning me giving how much of this I need with DD. I have always been a very calm and rational person and this sudden change in temperament is really causing issues at home.

any advice would be much appreciated.

Im 10 years older than you op and have all those symptoms you mention apart from the eczema and heavy periods. I was also fobbed off by GP. I have since entered a new relationship and started taking the combined contraceptive pill, microgynon. Ive actually found its helped reduce my peri symptoms especially the awful anxiety i was suffering the week before my period each month. not a perfect solution but could this be an option for you to try? may especially help with your heavy periods.

Thank you, I’m so cautious about taking the pill due to a really bad experience in my 20’s where it caused depression but could have been the type of pill. I can try and ask for that. Thank you.

@cloudbusting12 the pill is a rubbish solution really as you really need to be taken seriously by your gp. But its just an option to try if you're not getting anywhere with the gp. And i have read online it can reduce peri symptoms which it has with me slightly.
the female gp I saw was equally rubbish and dismissive. im sure its to save the NHS money so they're not having to prescribe expensive HRT, cheaper to let us suffer.
I can totally relate to the lack of patience, ive also found ive completely lost interest in babies and children, like my maternal instinct has completely gone. no longer interested in the slightest when a friend or relative even has a new baby, im just a bit meh. I feel im changing loads. even my lack of filter I'll now happily tell people what I think of them and do not tolerate any shit. I was never like this a few years ago and was probably a bit of a doormat tbh. peri is definitely changing me.And in some ways for the better as ive gained a confidence i never had!

I would register with another gp practice if your current practice remains unhelpful. Is there another gp you can see in this practice?.

Have they tested your thyroid levels as these symptoms can also be linked to an under active thyroid.

could you see someone privately?

@AttilaTheMeerkatthere is but I’m shocked as this GP is normally good. I can try and see someone else. Thank you

@Blueuggbootsyes it’s definitely an option I can look into. Thank you

I’ve recently been seen virtually by Newson clinic. Really helpful, no cheap but worth it!!!

I was listening to a peri expert on the radio who said something along the lines of if the doctor offers you a blood test, walk away as it won’t show anything. Find a better doctor. Totally sympathise, I think I’m going through it too. Losing my bloody mind.

What blood tests have you had, and what were the results? The NHS clinical guidelines for diagnosing in under 40s is 2 blood tests to check FSH levels 6 weeks apart.

I’ve signed up to a private GP with Boots. After an online assessment I’ve got a prescription for HRT to help with my perimenopause symptoms. I, too, got fobbed off by a male GP and, as another poster said, a blood test won’t show anything. I just want my boobs to stop hurting and a decent night’s sleep!

You poor thing. That sounds a lot to deal with.

I was 41 so a bit different, but when I had peri-menopausal symptoms I asked for a referral to the menopause clinic. My GP was initially reluctant to refer me as I was under 45 and the blood tests were inconclusive. I pointed out that I had lots of the symptoms and was concerned about early menopause and the associated risks of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis and I eventually got a referral. It did take a year (and in the meantime I had an MRI because my brain fog was so bad I was worried I had dementia!) but once I saw the gynaecologist he was happy to do an HRT trial on symptoms alone. He suggested a Mirena for the progesterone element and this might be worth looking into for you now, particularly as you have heavy periods. I had a prescription for Oestrogen but then had to wait about 3 months for the Mirena and I could have done that while I was waiting for the referral.

I hope you get it sorted. In retrospect I had symptoms from 38/39 but it took me a while to join the dots.

@JacksGirl23 The tests were for gonadatrophin? Levels anti ccp antibody level and rheumatoid factor (this was because I’ve been complaining about stiffness in my hands). They didn’t do the tests 6 weeks apart.
I did put the results through AI which suggested that some of my scores were lower in line with peri but when I spoke to the GP about it she said that it was incorrect 😅

@Gunpowderthanks so much for this. When you started treatment did you see a vast improvement. It’s mood changes that are effecting me the most. I’ve been crying for the last two days with absolutely no reason to be it’s so frustrating.

@cloudbusting12 despite what others have said about blood tests not being helpful, please push for the 2 FSH blood tests 6 weeks apart. I'm the same age as you and have recently started HRT because my FSH levels were through the roof - this indicates low oestrogen levels i.e. perimenopause. I had many other symptoms too but the doctors seem totally unwilling to consider perimenopause at our age. I agree the NHS GPs are rubbish, and it's such hard work to keep advocating for yourself when you already feel like crap and don't feel listened to. Also, I know it's a luxury not everyone can afford but if you can go private (even just for the initial investigations and first HRT prescription did needed) then I would do that.

@cloudbusting12 huge improvements! Especially in terms of mood. I ran out of HRT a couple of months ago for a few days and I kept crying for no reason (well, for very inconsequential reasons) and I shouted at my children which I wouldn’t normally do. For me, perimenopause without HRT was like having horrific PMT but it didn’t follow a monthly cycle anymore. It did take a while to get the right dose of oestrogen, but my gynaecologist told me to expect this and suggested experimenting with cutting up patches to find the correct level. It has been life changing for me.

Just wanted to add that the symptoms I found that were taken most seriously as potentially perimenopausal were the night sweats and hot flushes. I think because they are harder to explain as anxiety/depression or long COVID.

Thought I’d just leave a quick update. Thanks so much to everyone who commented. I saw the (same) GP again on Monday and for some reason this time she agreed to put me on HRT, wondering if it was the headaches that swayed her??

Im on the gel and progesterone tablets, she gave me the option of the pill or patches too but said she felt this would be most effective.

Anyhow, I’ve been on it for 3 days and I am hoping this isn’t a placebo but I feel like a new woman.

I feel happy, calm and clear headed. My sex drive has instantly come back after 2 years of utter disdain at the thought. I can focus and my joints aren’t painful. I am not finding my husband irritating. No sign of a headache.

I feel like this is too good to be true.

Has anyone found that it works initially and then stops working as I really want this to last.

Aw thats great news op that you've finally been listened too and taken seriously by your gp. hope the HRT continues to help and make you feel better infact im jealous and want to try some myself especially if its boosted your libido. im in a newish relationship and just cba with sex most of the time and it is bothering me as I find him very attractive. a few years ago I wouldn't have left him alone!
I've again woken with awful anxiety over something silly and trivial that I cannot let go ive been like this for days. And had headaches. The battle to see my gp again is just too much hassle for me to cope with at the moment.
Hope the HRT continues to work for you op, please keep us updated.

@cloudbusting12 this is great news. I’m so pleased it’s working for you! If at any point it feels like it’s stopping working you may need to increase the dose.

@gandeysflipflop It’s really hard to advocate for yourself when you are anxious, exhausted and have headaches and brain fog. I feel for you. Does your survey do e-consults? I think it’s worth sorting out if you can bear to as it could make such a difference to your quality of life. I wish I had advocated for myself earlier as I feel like I had a lost year of feeling dreadful.