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[Purpletabbycat]

Hello everyone.

I only joined the forum today.

I got the results of my FSH blood test today and it is 107. I'm 51 and this seems awfully high to me. I'm getting all the usual meno symptoms. The night sweats are the worst.  Haven't had a period since March.

My GP prescribed Clonidine a week ago. But it doesn't seem to have made any difference. Does anyone know how long the Clonidine will take to kick in?

Many thanks in advance. This looks like a great site for information and support.

X

[Joyce]

Hi there.

Clonidine apparently only works for 1 in 3. I tried it & didn't make any difference. I think you have to give it up to 4 weeks if I remember correctly. If not working by then it's not going to work. That's what GP told me.

I hope it works for you though, you may be one of the lucky ones.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome Purpletabbycat
If the FSH level is high this means you are well into menopause and I'm not surprised you haven't had a period since March.  You are still technically peri menopausal though.
Is HRT not an option? At 51 HRT would have been the obvious choice.  Is your GP one those 'out of date' doctors that still thinks HRT is too risky?
The 'Prescribable non HRT' (which is featured under that heading to the left of this screen) would only be appropriate if there were health issues that prevented the use of HRT e.g. family history of breast cancer.  For the vast majority of women the additional risk of breast cancer only really kicks in if still using HRT beyond 60 and even this is being questioned!
Do read up all the info under the headings to the left of this screen as it really helps to be fully clued up.
Do tell us why HRT has not been prescribed?  DG x

[Hurdity]

Hi Purpletabbycat

  from me too and to the mad world of menopause!

I do agree with Dancinggirl.  Drugs such as this should not be prescribed as the first line of treatment for menopausal symptoms unless there is a medical reason why HRT cannot be prescribed for you. It (Clonidine) can be helpful as a treatment for flushes in such cases, but otherwise will not treat the underlying cause of the symptoms which is oestrogen deficiency.

Hurdity x

[Purpletabbycat]

Hi everyone, thank you for the helpful replies.

When my GP prescribed Clonidine I hadn't had the blood test at the time.  So maybe he thought he'd try this first before he got the results (?). There is no medical reason why I shouldn't be able to take HRT ( as far as I am aware ) .

When I read the leaflet enclosed with the Clonidine I was rather disappointed to discover that this would not address my other issues, such as mood swings, irritability and the emotional hell.

I'm having such a bad time with everything and am aware that this might take several months to sort out and find a suitable drug.

Maybe I'll go back and see the other (younger but still male) doctor in the practice.

I've only recently found this site and I think I need to do my research too.

Thanks again. It's much appreciated.

[Joyce]

Clonidine is fine if it works. But HRT is only thing which helps me. Tried herbal stuff too, but they were useless too. They may be fine for the lucky few who have mild symptoms though, so it's always worth a try.

[Purpletabbycat]

Yes, I've tried herbal remedies but nothing helps.

The trouble is everything takes so long to kick in, I feel like my life is slipping away whilst I am stuck in a perpetual state of misery.

Sorry to be so down, I'm just really fed up at the prospect of another night of disturbed sleep.

[Joyce]

It's finding what's right for you. I was fairly lucky, but I'm only on oestrogen so much easier than those on progesterone too. Hang in there, but don't suffer for too long, it's not worth it.

[honeybun]

When I first started HRT at 49 (Evorel sequi patches)  My flushes were gone within three days, i was sleeping again and life looked so much brighter. Patches can work very quickly and they did for me.
Go back and discuss your options with your GP.


Honeyb
x

[Purpletabbycat]

Thank you honeybun and cubagirl. I think I'll go back to see my GP.

I must admit that with all the mental confusion that I'm getting, I can't seem to get my head around what I should be on. Estrogen or progesterone. It's all very confusing.

[honeybun]

If you have not had a hysterectomy then you need both. A sequi HRT will be the one. Two weeks of oestrogen only and then two weeks of both oestrogen and progesterone. Then you have a period.

I find patches the best and they are thought to be the safest option although pills are fine too.
It's difficult to get your head around it to start with.
Ask questions, we are all willing to help if we can.

Honeyb
x

[Dancinggirl]

purpletabbycat.
You are peri menopausal so you should be on a sequential HRT which will be oestrogen continuously and then progesterone for 10-14 days each month that will bring a withdrawal bleed to protect your uterus lining.
Do read up all the info under the headings to the left of this screen so you have a good understanding - go back to the GP armed with all this knowledge and perhaps ask for some HRT. It may not improve all your symptoms but it may be a good start. 
If you want to go for the simplest option which is probably HRT in pill form try Femoston Sequi 1/10 as the progesterone is very well tolerated by many women.
I suspect you are very tired and feeling very down because you are so exhausted.  Sometimes it's difficult to know what to do for the best but so many of us on here have been in your situation so we really do understand. You are not alone.  DG x

[Purpletabbycat]

Thank you so much Honeybun and Dancinggirl! I really appreciate all your help.

I shall read up and go back to see my GP I think.

Dancinggirl, I think you're right, I'm exhausted and very emotional. I feel like I have permanent PMT but there is no end in sight.