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[Lyndsey0506]

Hi everyone, I'm only 38 and have been confirmed as going through the menopause, it was a bit of a shock and I have awful anxiety and the whole thing has knocked me for six! I'm ratty and paranoid and each day is quite a struggle. I'm worn out with it all. Does anyone else suffer with really itchy skin aswell as mine is really bad. The doctor has given me various creams but they don't seem to help. I would be grateful for any advice. None of my friends are anywhere near this yet and I feel quite alone, my husband has been very understanding and thankfully my family is complete but it's hard nonetheless xx

[Joyce]

Hi there. I had hysterectomy mid 30's. HRT Worked well with me.

Itchy skin, oh yes. Some days worse than others. I've seen it described on here as feeling like ants crawling under your skin. Does that sound familiar? Trying to keep as cool as possible sometimes helps. Maybe some antihistamine tablets would help.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Lyndsey0506 and welcome to MM
I had a premature menopause in my 30s so I can understand your distress.
Do read up all the info on this site and particularly the section on premature meno or early ovarian failure.
I do hope your doctor is recommending HRT as at your age you need the hormones to protect your heart and bones.  The itching is quite common as the skin tends to dry out with the oestrogen deficiency.
Keep posting and ask questions.
BTW I'm 59 and still using HRT. Don't listen to the scares about HRT as they won't apply to you at your age or at least not until you reach 60.
DG x

[CLKD]

   yep for a few years the insteps on both feet itched - usually at the end of the day in the bath.  After I was out of the bath and after I had taken my medication, most of my back would itch, DH would scratch it gently for me.  Never knew if that was hormonal or the medication 

Have a browse of the menus top of screen.  Ask questions.  Keeping a mood/food diary can help too as can eating regularly to ease that hunger surge = anxiety!

[Lyndsey0506]

Hi thank you so much for your replies it's really nice to know there are people out te who understand. I have just finished my first month of HRT and I am hoping to feel the difference soon. The doctor also prescribed fluoxetine for the anxiety I was experiencing. I am a little bit concerned about taking the fluoxetine but the way I felt I would try anything! My mam has oesteoporosis so I am glad I was given the HRT. Yes the itching is exactly like ants crawling under the skin it drives me mad especially at night. I don't seem to have hot flushes though but maybe they will come at some stage. I think all the changes together with the shock of the diagnosis has thrown me but hopefully it will improve soon. Thank you again for your advice. Lyndsey

[CLKD]

HRT can take 2-3 months before 1 really notices a difference.  it's all Trial and Error ….. so may take a while before you feel more settled, plus your own hormones rattling around may require alterations in dosage as the year goes on.  Is your GP supportive?

Have you had a pelvic scan for bone density?  Might be a way to go as it will give you a base line upon which to work.

[Lyndsey0506]

My GP wasn't supportive at first he refused to check for the menopause because he said I was too young but eventually I changed my GP who did the necessary tests and he has been fantastic so I feel happy to go to him anytime with my worries. He did mention a scan but said we could look at doing that at a later date. I wonder if it would be worth asking about it next time I'm there.

[CLKD]

Glad you have found a supportive GP.  Tell him he would be welcome to start a Menopause Clinic in his area 

[Hurdity]

Hi Lyndsey0506 from me too!

Have you been taking the Fluoxetine for long and before you were confirmed as going through the menopause?

As an SSRI this will prevent hot flushes in many women so masking one of the key menopausal symptoms - and often then other symptoms come to the fore that aren't obviously menopausal especially in younger women. More vigilance is needed therefore to make sure you are getting enough oestrogen (through HRT) until the natural average age of menopause of 50-52.

Also if you have sufficient oestrogen (through HRT) it may well be that you can eventually stop the fluoxetine because ideally with the right HRT it should lift your mood - if your anxiety is hormonally induced.

Hurdity x

[Lyndsey0506]

Hi Hurdity thank you for your post. I started the fluoxetine at the same time as the HRT. The anxiety and awful feeling of dread was overwhelming. I too wondered if once the HRT starts to work I may be able to stop taking the fluoxetine. I think it is all related to my hormones as although I am a worrier I haven't experienced anxiety like this before, my GP suggested it was all connected which helped because I thought I was losing my mind which then just made it worse!

[Dancinggirl]

Lyndsey0506
You seem to have a GP who is on the ball which is great. It will take some time to get your symptoms under control and you maybe abel to reduce and stop the Fluoxedine after a while to see if the HRT is enough to control the anxiety.  The important thing is to have the HRT because you are so young and this should protect you from long term problems with your bones and heart.  Which HRT have you been given?
DG x

[Lyndsey0506]

Hi DG, he has given me prempakc he said it's a low dose, I take one tablet for 16 days then 2 for the rest. I have just had a bleed on finishing my first pack. I'm so grateful for everyone's help with this it has has really helped me x

[Dorothy]

Hi Lyndsey

I'm 39, also found it very scary at the start, though my best friend who is 38 is going through it at the same time, which helps.  I found the first few weeks were the worst as I was reeling from the shock, but once I'd accepted what was going on, it became a lot easier.  Still feel a bit odd being with some of my friends though, as I feel like I've suddenly moved into a different stage of life from them!

I've just started trying Epsom Salt baths which have really helped with the aching joints and itchiness.  I come out feeling so relaxed I nearly fall asleep but after a couple of hours it wears off and I feel really energetic, which is a nice change from the constant stressed slothfulness I'd been feeling before 

So glad you have a helpful GP...mine is useless, but I am moving shortly so hope to have a better one then!

[Lyndsey0506]

Hi Dorothy thank you so much for your advice. My husband picked me some Epsom salts up on his way home from work yesterday and I tried it last night. I definitely felt much more relaxed and slept better last night. So I really appreciate that thank you.

Yes it's strange some of my friends are still having children or just getting married. I'm just thankful that I have 3 children already or this whole thing would have been devastating.

I really hope you do get a better GP mine has been really good (and he's a man!) and I think that would make a difference for you x

[Dorothy]

Glad the Epsom Salts helped -I'm thinking of starting an Epsom Salts Fan Club    Only problem is that these baths become addictive - I feel so much better after that I want to be sitting in my bath all the time.