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[pink lady]

I have just joined as a new member. I went through the menopause at 42 and have had the most horrendous symptoms since then. I am now 53 and going through another particularly bad bout of them (they settle down for a while and then flare up again). I can't take HRT as had even worse side effects. Is it possible for this to happen for this length of time and has anybody else experienced anything similar or should I be looking at another possible cause?

[Dancinggirl]

Hello and welcome pink lady.
You are in the right place for help and advice.  Yes, it is quite normal to get symptoms for many years. Please let us know the HRT types you tried and what side effects you suffered.
DG x

[Hurdity]

Hi pinklady

  from me too.

As you went through early menopause it would be beneficial for you to have HRT to protect your heart and bones.

There will be an HRT type for you out there that will not cause really bad side effects ( unless you are severely progesterone intolerant - and even then this can be limited, under supervision.

What are your symptoms?

Hurdity x

[pink lady]

Hi Hurdity and Dancinggirl

Firstly thank you both so much for throwing me a much needed life line by replying to my post. My symptoms during a particularly bad bout which can last weeks include hot and cold flushes sometimes almost at the same time which are worse at night and usually begin around 3.00 in the morning and go on for hours. The heat is very intense, it feels like the worst flu and makes me feel so ill.  Along with these go the palpitations. breathlessness and pressure in my head with a tightness also in my head, neck, face and even throat.  I can also feel an internal shaking in my head.  I quite often get headaches during this time but these are nothing like the continuous migraines I used to get in the early years of being post menopausal. I get bouts of crying at the least little thing but wouldn't say any of this is due to panic attacks just complete exhaustion from it all.

I tried HRT a long time ago and remember starting with the patches but it was discovered from blood tests that I was not absorbing the oestrogen so I was then put on tablets with progesterone taken for so many days a month.  The cramps from the progesterone were unbearable and the oestrogen didn't seem to alleviate anything in fact the higher they tried to push the doses the worse things got.  I am terrified of going back onto HRT because of the migraines as I cannot face going back to those days even though things are pretty tough at the moment.  I am on ADCAL D3 for osteoporosis prevention.  I am considering trying acupuncture and wondered if you or anyone has any thoughts on this route.  I have tried all number of herbal remedies with no success.

I lost my job and have been unable to drive for a long time due to the dizziness, inability to concentrate and foggy head. I am so lucky to have the most wonderful husband and family. I appreciate how negative this must all sound but please keep in touch with any advice you can offer me as I am willing to try anything you may suggest.

Pinklady x

[honeybun]

Have you thought about contacting Dr Currie by email.She is the expert and may well be able to help you sort something out. You don't say how long ago you tried HRT but there have been changes in the way it's prescribed.

There may be a treatment available that would help you.


Honeyb
x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi again pink lady
You poor thing, you sound so stressed and exhausted. I hope you feel a little better sharing your anxieties with us - so many of us can relate to what you describe - you are not alone.
If I were you I'd read all the info under the various headings to the left of this screen - this will arm you with ideas about how you wish to tackle your problems. Come back to us with questions and thoughts - many of us have tried all sorts of things with varying success so we can give feedback.
Do you have a good GP who you can talk to?  Is there a practise nurse at the surgery who is specialising in menopause? If not, can you ask for a referral to a menopause clinic or gynaecologist? 
Regarding the HRT you tried; were you ever offered Oestrogel? I found I got headaches with many of the HRTs I was given but ended up using Oestrogel plus a kinder progesterone tablet which was great. The dreadful headaches/migraines you describe can and do effect many women through peri & post meno and HRT can usually help to reduce these symptoms. However, for those with migraine issues the "trans-dermal HRT route" is usually recommended and Oestrogel would be part of this.  Progesterone intolerance, which sometimes brings headaches as a side effect, is also a problem but these days Utrogestan ( a bio-identical progesterone) is kinder and brings not only fewer side effects but is also termed "breast friendly". You also describe terrible stomach cramps with the progesterone - well, now you are post meno you can have continuous HRT which would mean you could be bleed free.  When I was peri meno and had Sequi HRT with a withdrawal bleed I did get nasty stomach cramps but when I moved to continuous HRT I got the usual break through bleeding for the first few weeks but with no pain and then, apart from the occasional bit of spotting, no bleed at all.
There are some who have benefited from Acupuncture but I have no experience of it in relation to flushes and night sweats. Hopefully others may be along to advice about this.
I would definitely consider an email consultation with Dr. Currie.  Also, there is a thread that covers strategies for helping meno symptoms.
Keep us posted about your progress.  DG x

[pink lady]

Haven't posted for a while but wanted to give an update having been to see my GP today.  He was so good and listened to everything I had to say in amongst the outbreaks of me blubbering my way through the whole appointment.  He has prescribed an SSRI starting with 25mg for 3 days in order to reduce any possible side effects and then increasing to 50mg. Have to go for some blood tests especially thyroid levels as I had a problem early in the menopause with an overactive one just to add to everything else that was going on! Have been told HRT is a possibility but wants to get everything else out of the way first. I'm feeling a little better about it all tonight having made the decision to do whatever he suggests to try and get some relief from these relentless symptoms.  I'm so glad I found this website as your encouragement made me realise that I wasn't alone with it all, just wish I'd found it years ago.  Have to go and see him again in a couple of weeks so will post then. I know there's not going to be any quick fix and any treatment is going to take time to get right but at least I have some hope again thanks to you.

Pinklady X

[Chatty]

Am so pleased to hear your last message and hope all is well. I have had problems taking hrt but felt fantastic for the two days I did try it for but had nasty physical symptoms. Keep trying it will be worth it.

[Dancinggirl]

pink lady - I am delighted you are moving forward in a positive way.   Sometimes a gently push from others can make a big difference.  It sounds as though you have a good GP who is taking things seriously so I would trust him/her to rule out all other issues that may be contributing to your symptoms and then perhaps try the HRT route if appropriate.
Keep us posted about your progress.
DG x

[pink lady]

Can't believe I'm posting again so soon but I've just been through the most horrendous night having taken the SSRI I was prescribed. It's called Sertraline. I took it about 8 o'clock in the evening and I don't know if it's just coincidence but I've been up half the night with a stomach upset which started at around 2.30am with an intense feeling of heat in the upper part of my body and head immediately followed by a rapid dash to the bathroom! This continued on and off till about 4.30. Have been reading some info on it on the net this morning and it seems some people have some quite bad side effects with it including night sweats!! and upset stomach.  Has anyone else been on this drug and had similar problems, and if so how long should I persevere with it to see if things settle down?  I know it's only been one dose and I will carry on taking it if only to see if it does the same tonight.  Any feedback would be soooo welcome.

[Milliemoo7]

I'm on a different SSRI antidepressant and I've not had that sort of problem. I've been on others previously but not Sertraline.

Sorry if this isnt helpful but we all process drugs in our own unique way.  Have you ever reacted in an odd way to other drugs in your life?  I have a friend who goes hyper if she takes valium 

[JJ]

I couldn't tolerate the ssri type anti depressants, they really upset my stomach so much so that my stomach began to bleed - apparently this can happen to a very very small percentage of people. I went on to an older type and have been fine. 

I think the ssri s can upset stomach as a side effect thankfully not normally to the degree that I experienced, it your stomach doesn't settle discuss with your gp. X

[Sarah2]

It's good you are making progress.

I just wanted to add something- the calcium supplement you are taking is probably not enough on its own to stop osteoporosis. It really is just calcium and Vit D- same as you can buy over the counter.


I have a very close friend who has a family history of osteo and low bone density even though she had meno at an average age- she takes Adcal but it's just one of the meds she takes. She was prescribed Raloxifene for her bones which is a specially targeted oestrogen.

When she took Adcal and HRT for a few months ( for meno not her bones) her bone scan showed a deterioration.

I also had low bone density but it's gradually improved with a combination of exercise, diet and HRT.

Have you ever had a bone density scan- a DEXA scan? Your dr should arrange this so you have a base line for your bones.
You need a scan every 2-3 years to keep on top of what is happening.

Might be worth mentioning and asking for at your next appt?

[lubylou]

Dear Pink Lady

You really are having a miserable time, and sound quite desperate. Your early post's description of your nights sound like mine without HRT, my night flushes without HRT are as you have titled your thread “severe and prolonged”.  I would just be relentlessly hot, you really have my sympathies, and, has already been said, you are not alone.

I would repeat there are many different types of HRT these days so maybe you could work with your GP to find one that suits you. I realise the prospect of trying new things is no easy thing but it just might work out for you.

Sertraline does have side effects of nausea and dizziness as very common side effects. My GP recommended this website as having reliable information and it does list as side effects the things you describe. http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/sertraline

It helpfully list “Common sertraline side-effects” and a separate column lists what to do if you experience the different side effects under a column “What can I do if I experience this?

This may help you decide whether to give it a bit longer (side effects often wear off after a few days).

Whatever you decide I wish you all the best. Please post here if you need to it can be a great help to get things off your chest and get shared experiences from others on the forum.
Lubylou

[pink lady]

Hello to all you lovely ladies and a big thank you for taking the time to reply.  Sarah thank you for your concern re the ADCAL. I have had 2 DEXA scans approximately 4 years apart, the first showed that my spine and wrists were fine but my hips were slightly down and was advised to do weight bearing exercise such as walking. The second scan showed no deterioration but I am probably due another scan so will mention it to my GP. To Lubylou you don't say how long you suffered before going onto HRT and which type worked for you?  How long before the HRT took effect and did it stop your symptoms completely?  After another night spent in the bathroom I have decided not to take any more Sertraline and have rung my GP's surgery. I really don't need it on top of everything else! I'm not convinced antidepressants are the answer for me I think trying to get some balance with the hormones would be more helpful.