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[GeordieGirl]

Not one professional has mentioned gum disease and menopause being linked

Hi Annie,
I've been working my way through Amazon recently reading anything and everything about the menopause and I've come across gum issues being mentioned a wide number of times due to a lack of oestrogen. There's a significant amount about it on t'internet too, this is from a leading UK health site:

"Numerous oral changes can occur as a consequence of advanced age, the medications taken to combat diseases and hormonal changes due to the menopause. These oral changes can include altered taste, burning sensations in the mouth, greater sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks, and decreased salivary flow that can result in dry mouth.

Dry mouth, in turn, can result in the development of tooth decay and gum disease because saliva is not available to moisten and cleanse the mouth by neutralising acids produced by plaque. Dry mouth can also result from many prescription and over-the-counter medications that are commonly prescribed to older adults.

The decline in oestrogen that occurs with menopause also puts women at greater risk of loss of bone density. Loss of bone, specifically in the jaw, can lead to tooth loss. Receding gums can be a sign of bone loss in the jawbone. Receding gums also expose more of the tooth surface to potential tooth decay."

It's sad so few healthcare professionals make us aware of the issues, or indeed even seem to know what they are themselves, and how to treat them?

Hope you find some resolution soon.

GG x

[rebelyell]

All that info makes sense - just wish I had known!  But then again - what could I have done???!   Annie - just come back from Dental Surgeon about infected molar.  Absolute panic in advance thinking all teeth are loose and will have to come out...  OH sick of my anxiety...  Dentist was totally lovely and recommended extraction and implant procedure over 7 months.  He really put my mind at rest as bone density is enough for implants and other gums look reasonably healthy.

So - I need a replacement for what OH calls my 'toothgate'.  Any suggestions about what I can feed to my menopausal anxiety now?  I have time for a quick heart attack before lunch?..

[dogdoc]

Hi...I too have irregular heartbeat. Combine that with chest discomfort that I get as well, and a panic attack is sure to follow. Think I'm dying of heart disease every time. I'm getting worked up for the heart stuff...and you should as well if you're not...not everything is menopause. But I'm betting that this is. I also have the nausea...it doesn't usually last long, and I try to think of it like morning sickness. Not much helps it but I'm hopeful if I can get the HRT right it might work.

The heart arrhythmia is usually highly associated with where I am in my cycle...pre-ovulation= perfectly normal, ovulation onwards= crappy

Good luck...you're not alone
TarA

[CLKD]

Your OH needs    ………… 

Skip the heart attack, how about VA instead - that'll stop him in his tracks 

At least your dentist is supportive.  My implants sit well in my gob   

[Annie0710]

You ladies make me laugh !

I dread telling my OH my daily symptoms! But I do need to talk about them, today I had a scary phase, I was quietly sitting at my desk at work (I've been light headed nearly all day) and my left arm went weird, kind of heavy but kind of numb too, and tingly.  I thought " right stay calm, it's not a stroke, it's just your hormones playing yet another cruel blow to you"  it was horrible as I've had constant headaches today too.

I have slight nausea right now, and have had some double vision.

Re:my heart - I was told aged 40 I had arrythmia, it settled down them came back with a Vengeance 3 years ago and went on for ages, and it's returned in recent months.  3 years ago I had the 24 hr monitor put on and readings were crazy, even through sleeping, so they wanted the exercise test and scan, everything normal apart the palpitations but no treatment given.  I was prescribed beta blockers 8 years ago but didn't persevere with them, they made me feel worse
Xx

[Katrinalg]

I started my menopause at age 36 the consultant at the time asked did I want anymore children as I had only just given birth a few month before I said no,so her answer was HRT patches which I tried but was suicidle within days of starting them so stopped and she said its HRT or nothing so I went or nothing,anyway that was 16 years ago and so far have just muddled through without any meds or help but I'm now suffering with anxiety/panic attacks, these attacks are beginning to interfere with my everyday life,I don't drive anymore etc my Dr gave me some Valium to use when needed but I haven't had the guts to try them.anyone got through these attacks without meds?

[Annie0710]

I started my menopause at age 36 the consultant at the time asked did I want anymore children as I had only just given birth a few month before I said no,so her answer was HRT patches which I tried but was suicidle within days of starting them so stopped and she said its HRT or nothing so I went or nothing,anyway that was 16 years ago and so far have just muddled through without any meds or help but I'm now suffering with anxiety/panic attacks, these attacks are beginning to interfere with my everyday life,I don't drive anymore etc my Dr gave me some Valium to use when needed but I haven't had the guts to try them.anyone got through these attacks without meds?

I haven't, but I'm seeing a gp Thursday to discuss mine plus what can be done for my 100s of other symptoms, I'm scared to try new medication as I've recently started a new job and can't be doing with feeling any worse than I already do.  Do you work ? If I didn't work I'd feel happier trialling new medication

I feel for you, I have my moments and I really hate them :-(
Xx

[CLKD]

>welcome< Kat …….. nope, I have to take medication to help the anxiety surges.  Otherwise 

Drop of oestrogen can cause laxity of muscles = weird sensations in limbs, cheeks, face, etc..  Also if your sitting position is incorrect and now at 'this age', you may find that you feel these weird sensations more often. 

[Annie0710]

>welcome< Kat …….. nope, I have to take medication to help the anxiety surges.  Otherwise 

Drop of oestrogen can cause laxity of muscles = weird sensations in limbs, cheeks, face, etc..  Also if your sitting position is incorrect and now at 'this age', you may find that you feel these weird sensations more often.

CLKD, do your anxiety mess give any side effects ? I've had more today and I'm not liking it
Also, I'm noticing some double vision, I've read this can be a  meno symptom too, I'm developing new things daily, I'm totally convinced I'm not ill from anything, over the 3 years I think I've had every organ possible tested.

Also, I'm on 2mg elleste solo daily, I've been told that's the max dose, 'if' I am lacking oestrogen can it be topped up another way ?
I just want to take all info I can for my visit to the gp (don't think I've seen this particular one before) in case I need to fight my corner
Xx

[CLKD]

Yep.  I take a BetaBlocka 40mg at night as well as an anti-depressant 5mg morning and evening.  I feel slightly hung over which is FAR better than the depression that kept me in bed for days and does help the anxiety. Should panic take over then I have an 'emergency' pill to swallow - for years I used Valium on an 'as necessary' basis …….

I have learnt not to do too much each day and not to plan too far ahead, otherwise  .  I always begin new medication at night and over a Fri./Sat./Sun. …………. 

[Annie0710]

Yep.  I take a BetaBlocka 40mg at night as well as an anti-depressant 5mg morning and evening.  I feel slightly hung over which is FAR better than the depression that kept me in bed for days and does help the anxiety. Should panic take over then I have an 'emergency' pill to swallow - for years I used Valium on an 'as necessary' basis …….

I have learnt not to do too much each day and not to plan too far ahead, otherwise  .  I always begin new medication at night and over a Fri./Sat./Sun. …………. 

I am worried that any thing new I agree to try is going to affect my ability to do my new job which I started weeks ago, i I have to be on the ball but I need slightly sedating too !

Xx

[CLKD]

Are you otherwise enjoying your new job?

[Annie0710]

Are you otherwise enjoying your new job?

I am CLKD but it's very intense and fast paced, and deadlines to adhere to. The funny thing is, since my onset of peri 3 yrs ago, I'd left my bookkeeping job as I felt my brain wasn't switched on enough for the responsibilities, so I loved the sound of this one, data entry.  I thought it was just inputting data! It's quite stressful but enjoyable in a weird way, I think that's why this new set of symptoms is upsetting me, I don't want to give in, but on troublesome days, it's really hard to manage
Xx

[CLKD]

Could you mention to your work mates that you have 'senior moments' 

[Annie0710]

I'm always taking the Micky out of my age , and I dropped into a conversation to my female boss Monday that I have many symptoms of menopause but to be fair to her she runs a very busy office and wears many hats, so doesn't do illness very well. I understand that.

I have decided that I'm tackling this head on tomorrow at the docs and will try what they recommend then I will move onto my other meno symptoms to see what can be done for me

Onwards and upwards (hopefully)!
Xx