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[giniboz]

Hi, haven't been on this forum for ages, but... I am desperate.

I started the menopause in 2010, and if anything, the symptoms are far, far worse now than ever before.  My main problem has always been the night sweats and flushes.  These have now become almost unbearable, and I am at the end of the line... I have a flush almost every 5 to 10 minutes, and am totally drenched by the time it passes, and then am left shivering with cold.  The night sweats have escalated too to an unbelievable degree, and despite a fan, sleeping on a towel, I wake 15 - 20 times a night, drenched, burning up, feeling almost dizzy with the severity. I have a stack of fresh cotton nighties next to the bed to change into.  HRT is not an option, because mum died of breast cancer, and my doctor categorically says NO because of the increased risk.  But frankly, I am so tired, and sick of it all, and sick of the crying, and awful, awful mood swings, that I don't care.  I think I would rather be dead than to suffer this nightmare for much longer.  I have looked on the internet for specialist meno clinics, and there are some in London, but it seems that I must be referred by my GP, and he has said no, as I asked him six months ago...

Where can I get help? I have never felt so helpless as I do now, my relationship is in tatters, I can barely drag myself to work beacuse I haven't slept, can anyone recommend a hospital or clinic that i can attend that does not have to be a referral from your GP?  I am prepared to take the risk of HRT because I cannot go on like this for much longer.

[Joyce]

Have you checked out the "Find a specialist" part of forum? You need to find something which helps.  Can your GP not recommend an alternative?

[Taz2]

I can feel your desperation Pixieboots. Do you know for sure that your mum's breast cancer was oestrogen receptive? This would mean that HRT is more risky for you but many breast cancers are not related to oestrogen and so HRT would be ok. Have you thought of emailing Dr Currie to see what she thinks your next step should be? I am not sure that a meno clinic could help with the HRT if, indeed, your mums cancer was oestrogen receptive - the advice would be the same. Maybe you do need to go back to your GP and ask some questions - go armed with advice from this site - or is there a different GP you can see? I had to try two in my practice before getting it prescribed. Don't give up!

I know how you feel re the sweats as mine were like that before going onto HRT six years ago and they return exactly the same when I try to stop. I have to come off it by the time I am 60 next year and I am dreading returning to feeling just as you describe.

Taz x

[CLKD]

Oh poor you.  Having to work and not sleeping ........ could your GP sign you off for 3 weeks so that you can sleep?

I had breast disease but am taking Orthogynest pessaries which state on all the packaging 'not to be taken if a woman has had breast disease' .......... sometimes quality can be better than quantity and 3-6 months HRT might at least ease symptoms.

You could ask for the appropriate genetic blood test to see if you are at high risk?  Some GPs read notes and make decisions without setting up further investigations 

[Taz2]

Although that's a good point I think that you have to meet certain criteria to have the tests CLKD - a certain number of close relatives with it and diagnosed under the age of 50 comes to mind.

I know that when I had those drenching sweats it made no difference when I tried to sleep - they still wake you up three times an hour. Horrible things!

Taz x

[Hurdity]

Pixieboots - that sounds so miserable for you.

I agree with the others - see if you can be referred to a specialist to help you decide on the best course of treatment if you cannot use HRT.

If you can find an NHS specialist near you - is it possible to contact them directly? If your GP cannot help you he is surely obliged to refer you to someone who can.

Is there a different doctor you can go to in the practice who can refer you? Definitely go back and insist.

The other thing is - although these shouldn't be the first line of treatment for relieving menopause symtpoms in most women, if you find that you definitely cannot take it ( ie the breast cancer was oestrogen receptive or if they can't find out), then SSRI's can be used for relief of flushes and several women are prescribed them for this purpose? In your situation I would definitely want to take something. There is information about these on the menu under Prescribable non HRT. I would understand if you are reluctant but maybe for a little while this might help you?

Hurdity x

[Winterose]

Pixie boots, I have been there but fortunately can take HRT, Hurditys advice as usual is spot on but I would call DR Currie as a chat with her will give you confidence, you need to address this situation asap .Suspect the resultant stress from lack of sleep etc makes the sweats even worse.

[Joyce]

Push for referral from GP. Took me ages to get any GP to take me seriously. All of them kept trying to get me off HRT, except one. She is actually someone I knew from when I worked. She got me referral and now I go to Menopause clinic every 6 months.  They will be used to ladies with varying health issues and should have the best knowledge. I know you said your GP is dead against you having HRT, but you can say you would like a second opinion. They may be able to advise you on alternatives.  The sweats and flushes wipe you out. Lack of sleep just adds to it.

Can you see a different GP at all?
 

[Elena]

Pixieboots this sounds so grim, no wonder you feel so bad.  I know it's not for everyone but would you consider taking one of the SSRI group of anti depressants?  10mg is usually enough to prevent hot flushes, or at least lessen their intensity.

As I say, I know it isnt everybody's choice but when life is as tough as  yours sounds it could be worth a try...

[giniboz]

Thank so much for all the advice - I've made notes of everything you've said.

Questions: How would I go about speaking or emailing Dr. Currie?  Confused... not sure how that works.

SSRI's, they are anti-depressants, is that right?  I tried Fluoexetine (Prozac) for a bit when the awful flushes first started, and thought they were working, until... I realised that my periods hadn't quite finished... they came back (this was a couple of years ago - I thought I'd found the Holy Grail but it was not to be). I carried on taking Fluoxetine but they honestly didn't help and I gave them up.  Do you mean another sort of anti-depressant then? Do you know the name of one that I could ask for?

With regard to Mum, on her death cert if just says multi-carcinoma (or something along those lines) would her old GP still have records do you think, or who would know whether her cancer was oestrogen receptive?

When you say genetic blood test, do you mean the test that brave Angelina Jolie had?

Also - 'find a specialist' I can't see it on the menu on the left, but then I do seem to be unbelievably fuzzy at the moment, (I forgot to mention that I seem to have mislaid my brain thanks to this awful meno, along with my sex drive and quite nice old trim figure...     )

I really am grateful to you all for your sound advice, fantastic.

Both of my closest friends have started HRT just in the last 3 months, and say that they feel transformed.  My very closest friend said that she could not have gone on, and felt suicidal at times.  I'm not feeling that, and I feel glad for her, but incredibly bitter and envious that it seems to be unavailable to me.

I've looked at the list of GP's in my surgery, and there are four women.  I am going to make an appiontment with one of them (hope I choose the right one...) and see if she can help me. 

I'll let you know how I get on, and thanks again for your wise words, it has really helped 

[Hurdity]

Pixieboots - The consultation with Dr Currie is on the front page of the website ( ie home page) it gives the phone number. The e-mail facility doesn't seem to be there any more.

Find a specialist is in the black writing all across the page above the forum. Here's the link http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/clinicfinder.php - and then just click on where you live. Some ar privtae and some are NHS. Private ones you don't need a referral as far as I know - just the NHS menopause clinics.

Sorry don't know about SSRI's specifically but just suggested them if you decide against HRT after consulting a specialist. Sorry to hear they didnt work for you in the past. Hopefully someone with more info/experience can advise.

Hope you have a better night.....

Hurdity x

[Taz2]

Find a Specialist is at the top of the page - above the green bar. To contact Dr Currie you need to use this link - it does cost a few pounds but I am sure it would be worth it http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/

Taz x