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[SueRoe]

I had a very reassuring appt with GP yesterday. I asked if this "loss of self" ever goes away and she was adamant that it does. She said that the whole "change" / menopause process can take 10-15 years (probably from our early forties) and that many women have problems that are disruptive enough for them to have to give up work or go part time. Some, she said, lose the self-confidence to drive, socialise, deal with every-day things. She also said that anxiety and panic are problems too. But she did reassure me that it does improve and gave me an example of a senior medic who completely lost herself for a while and had to give up her job and couldn't even drive anymore but who is now back at work and fine. I believed what she said, she was very reassuring that there is light at the end of the tunnel even though it might take a long time. I could have hugged her! I just thought I'd share this encouragement with those of you who are suffering and those whose GP isn't as helpful.

[Greyhoundgal]

Sounds like your GP deserves a medal 

[Dorothy]

What a lovely GP!  I think we ought to have an official MM medal for ones like her!

[CLKD]

   did you point her in this direction so that she can receive    and 

[Greenfields]

I love it when GPs are empathetic and share stories of recovery like that ... we need so much more of this from the medical profession.  Sounds like your GP is great!  My GP is pretty fantastic too - I count my blessings everyday that I met her.

[CLKD]

Ours is very good too. He's 'our' age so there's no intimidation on either side and we have a usually, good 'working' relationship.  He recognised my VA before I did 

[warwick01]

Hi Freda

I had a similar conversation with my GP 2 weeks ago. I told her that this subject seems such a taboo as non of the ladies my age ever talk about it and appear to not suffer like me. She told me it does get better and other women have been 'broken' by the menopause.

I continue with this journey...........

[Kathleen]

Hello Freda.

I felt fine all day but just had a horrible surge and now jittery again so thank you for this thread, it keeps hope alive!

Take care everyone.

K.   

[CLKD]

Were you suddenly hungry Kathleen - that mid-afternoon dip?

[GypsyRoseLee]

Very good point CLKD.

Sometimes I find it quite hard to tell the difference between anxiety/hunger. I think if your blood sugar levels drop this can cause extreme jitteriness and feelings of anxiety.

[GypsyRoseLee]

The turmoil DOES stop. My Mum had a surgical menopause in her early 40s. She doesn't remember much about it now but I can certainly remember how on edge and anxious she was in the years before the hysterectomy. Basically she exhibited very similar symptoms to the ones I started experiencing at 42.

She was randomly tearful. Suddenly didn't like going anywhere without my Dad. They would take long walks in the evenings because she 'felt like the walls were closing in'. My Dad had call out the emergency doctor once because she had a panic attack.

But after her hysterectomy it all just stopped. She took HRT for a while but even after stopping she was absolutely fine and has been for over 20 years now 

[Sausage]

My male GP assured me, after I asked him if things ever get better in a teary, dramatic voice, :

'Sausage. When all this is finished you will feel like a man.'

English is not his first language but I am pretty sure he meant exactly that..

 

[babyjane]

oh, I'm not sure I want to feel like a man 

[CLKD]

  oh bless ………. how old is *he*  …….

[Sausage]

In his forties...? He's from Zimbabwe and always gives me a hug after our appointment. Usually because he only sees me when I'm at my wit's end with this menopause crap and am tearful and snotty.