I've been reading the forum for a while, because of my symptoms but have just joined. I'm 45, I first noticed my symptoms about 18 months ago. These were sweating (even Mitchum deodorant doesn't stop it!), disruption to my sleep pattern such as waking very early in the mornings, but falling asleep on the sofa before 9 at night. Periods went from 28 days to around 21 days and sometimes 18 days. They mainly got lighter but some were heavier. I also suffered from lots of itching and swelling down below, which I thought was thrush, but sometimes it obviously wasn't because treatment didn't work.
I also started to get joint pain, swollen knuckles and had an x-ray but these were fine.
Sadly, I had a very traumatic year in which my Dad was very ill and eventually passed away (I spent six weeks sitting with him in hospital). Anyway, I think this accelerated my symptoms. I began having panic attacks and was very intolerant to noise (especially music from my neighbours or hearing people enjoying themselves). Obviously, I was grieving at the time but eventually went to the GPs and had blood tests for menopause. These did show that I was in peri-menopause but then my GP retired. I went back to see a different GP and he prescribed me Fluoxetine, as he said these would help with the sweats and the "depression". Obviously, I was upset at losing my Dad, so I took his advice. I only stayed on the Fluoxetine for 7 weeks as I saw another Dr who prescribed me Prempak C 0.625 tablets. Tried these for 3 months but they gave me bad headaches, so I came off them and tried natural remedies, without much success. Also tried St John's Wort for my low mood and panic attacks. The noise intolerance continued and I found myself anxious about hearing music from next door.
After suffering this for another few months, I went back and saw a lovely new GP. She has prescribed me FemSeven Sequi patches and I started these 5 days ago (on the first day of my period).
I'm holding out that these patches work. I have to say I do feel a bit better, my neighbours had a barbecue today and had their music on and I managed to sit out in my garden for a while. A few weeks ago, this wouldn't have been possible - it would have made me very anxious. Can anyone relate to this?
The patch has managed to stay put for 5 days (despite 2 showers per day) but the very edges have started to lift. I'm due to change it on Wednesday morning, so I assume the very slight lifting of the edges won't matter?
Can anyone else relate to my symptoms? I was very hesitant about HRT as my grandmother died before I was born of breast cancer, but to be truthful I really needed something to make me feel better. I understand that the risks with regard to breast cancer don't really kick in until age 50 anyway - hope I've understood that correctly.
Thanks for reading.
