Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Taz2]

Hi ronthecat 

I understand what you mean about not wanting to take HRT and then having to stop and then feel rubbish all over again. However, I have had six years on HRT feeling great and my friends have had no HRT and have spent the last six years feeling awful. I am now feeling not so good having had to come off it for a while due to my age (almost 60) but at least I have had six years of life whereas they have had six years of hot flushes and all the other things you mention.

I'm not sure how old you are but I think that life is too short to try to get through it when nobody has any idea how long it will be before you are "through it". Things like hot flushes can last for a long time or a relatively short time. Vaginal dryness is usually here to stay - although you can have a topical oestrogen treatment for this without resorting to full HRT - tiredness, itchy skin, hair problems, irritability can all last for a long time also. If you are lucky enough to have been offered HRT without a fight then my advice would be to give it a go. Nobody gets a medal for putting up with these horrible symptoms.

[ronthecat]

Thank you Taz2 - I turned 50 this year - just to add to my woes!! Had all the flushes etc for about 2 years but its steadily got worse so I've admitted defeat and seen the Dr.  Not sure what I want apart from feeling alive from the feet up again.  Unfortunately by sticking my head in a bucket and stressing I think I've made things worse which is why I'm muddled, tired and incapable of making a decision. I need to be more positive and adapt my lifestyle to make it easier I think - ditch the stress and take the plunge.

[CLKD]

Taz - what happens now?  Do you go to your GP kicking and screaming?

[Taz2]

No - she's really good and is only following the guidelines. As long as she has made the risks clear to me and I accept them then she will prescribe it but wanted me to find out whether I was ok without it or not and to try to come off it. Having pestered and pushed to be referred to the menopause clinic a few years ago she finds it a bit frustrating that I am now no longer listening to their advice - which was a definite "no" to continuing with HRT after the age of 60 - because as she says it is not what I want to hear. She's right of course. Once the meno clinic said "no" I then had my meno care transferred back to the GP as she seemed more flexible on whether I could continue or not.

I would love to be free of the hot sweats, grumpiness, really dry and thinning skin, tiredness etc. but am trying to get a balanced view of it all - not easy. The lack of sex drive is also bothersome although, worryingly, not half as bothersome as it used to be.

ronthecat - I would say that HRT would be your best bet as you are only just 50.

Taz x

[mags]

Hi CLKD,  just wanted to wish you a very      and hope you have a lovely day, Love Magsxxx

[bev567901]

CLKD another Saggi?  We are fab aren't we. Happy Birthday 

[littleminnie]

How's it going Mags? Has the extra dose kicked in yet?

[CLKD]

thanks Mags - I thought peeps had forgotten 

Yep - off to add something in the Events thread 

Taz  -  how long do you intend to wait before trying HRT again?  I don't see why we have to put up with symptoms when there is a solution what ever the guidelines tell us, after all, we might get run over by the preverbial bus ..........

[mags]

Hi  littleminnie and thanks for asking,   I had a bit of a lift in mood for about half an hour yest and the same the day before, but in between times wasn't very good.  Today I feel awful and soooooo low, I think it's probably the thought of Christmas looming,   My family all understand and my hubby is cooking , but feel so bad for feeling this way.  I have written it off really, and if I have to stay in bed  then that's all I can do      My motivation to do anything is nil right now, and to be honest I just feel desperate,    I am into week 3 of the increase and  hoping  it will do something soon,  the Dr said last week that without it I would be far worse and told me to stick with it and the CBT,  but it's so hard to stay positive,   did your AD'S take a while to work?  Did you feel desperate too?   So sorry to be such a moan  and hoping that you are well, Love Magsxxx

[honeybun]

It's so difficult to count your blessings when you are very low. Have you tried keeping a mood diary. I did not have much success with CBT because the councillor was not very good but one thing I did get from it was the mood diary. I ended up with a count my blessings list.
All the good things in my life even if it was only enjoying feeding the birds. It did make a difference to see things written down. I also wrote down my achievements no matter how small. When I felt very anxious and down I got out the diary and reminded myself of the good things.

I hope you see an improvement very soon.


Honeyb
x

[littleminnie]

When I was at my worst I felt dreadful. Everything was an effort. I was off work 3 months then went back but had a few odd weeks off after that.
When I went to the doctors it was the first time I had been in 17 years. I then went about 10 times after that.
I used to mark myself out of 10 each day and put it in my diary.  When I started missing days in my diary I realised I was starting to get better. So as Honeybun says, it's worth doing.
Don't worry about Christmas, it's just another day and xmas dinner is just like having a roast on a Sunday.
Are you eating any better?
X

[CLKD]

Wish it was 'just another day' <sigh> then I could opt to stay here.  However, if you feel like staying in bed, that's OK.  Allow yourself the indulgence and have visitors during the day.  Little and often, a quick chat and then they can return to the 'party'.  At least I had the dog that I could take round the garden for a comfort break when visiting ;-).

After 3 weeks however you should begin to feel better.  Keep a mood/food diary.  If in another 2 weeks your Ads haven't made a noticeable difference you probably need an upward hike in dose!

[mags]

Thanks to CLKD, littleminnie and honeybun for your kind replies,  I do keep a journal of how I have been feeling and it does help sometimes. I am just trying to keep going , as hard as it is.   I am back to the dr's in two weeks so will see how it goes.   Thanks to you all for your wonderful support and  take care, Love Magsxxxx

[Kathleen]

Hello mags and sorry to hear you are still feeling so rough.

Are you taking any vitamins/supplements at all? If your appetite is poor you may be in need of something which will help your energy levels and mood. I've just added large doses of B vitamins to my daily routine and I have noticed a lift in mood and energy. Could all be coincidence of course and just part of the emotional ebb and flow that is the menopause, but it may be worth a try.

I'm not surprised you don't feel positive, and if I were you I wouldn't even try. Mother nature is giving you a hard time at the moment and other people will adapt so please don't be hard on yourself. 

Wishing you well and sending you hugs.
Take care.

K.

[mags]

Hi Kathleen, and thanks for your kind words,  My appetite is not very good right now  and I have actually started a multivitamin but will give the B vits a try.  Am just trying to go with it, but struggling,     I just had to answer the door before as everyone was out, It was my son's girlfriend and her mum  dropping some presents off, and as I wasn't really expecting them I still had my dressing gown on, and my eyes were red from crying , so  I had to  put a front on, but dread to think what they must have thought     I feel so stupid sometimes for being like this!   Lots of love and hugs to you too Magsxxxx