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[TS]

Hi
I had a phone call from my GP Monday morning - can I talk? She dropped the bombshell - I'm in premature menopause! It's great to know I'm not going barking mad but still a shock. Glad to find this forum, where I can do my research before seeing her next week (1st available appointment) as she said that my anxiety and feelings of doom were not related to the menopause. Any advice or tips very welcome!

[Briony]

Hi and welcome. I was diagnosed at 42 after three years of suffering, but you'll find others on here who're still in their 30s so you're not alone. You may find The Daisy Network helpful too. Do browse on here  - there's so much info and experience, plus plenty of shoulders to cry on. I'd suggest your gp has a nose on here too, given what she's said to you so far!!! Xx

[Dancinggirl]

Hi TS and welcome to MM
I had an early meno - started in my mid 30s!!! You will need HRT and I'm afraid it is trial and error to find the one that suits you. How old are you?
Do read up all the info on this site and also check out the 'Daisy Network' site.
Low mood, low energy and anxiety can certainly be linked to the menopause.
Hopefully your GP will prescribe HRt - do print off the info about anything you want to discuss with your GP - write down questions etc. and keep us posted.  You might want to ask for Femoston Sequi 1/10 first as this has a kinder progesterone so suits many women very well.  GPs will often fob you off with the cheapest HRT first.
We're here to support you.
DG x

[TS]

Thank you DG and Briony its so good to know I'm not alone!
I'm 43 now but have been having irregular to non existent periods for 4 years and associated symptoms. It was only something on the TV and on Twitter that made me go again to my GP having been palmed off several times before. Having read the signs it seems so obvious now as I tick most boxes!
Thanks for the info about HRT the GP said on the phone you may need it, which maybe an understatement from what I've read! It's difficult to trust what she says when she obviously doesn't know about the menopause. Is it usual for the GP to deal with this or should I ask for a gynae opinion?

[Dancinggirl]

GPs should be able to prescribe things but if they are clueless (and yours doesn't sound up to speed) then you may need to be assertive about what you want in terms of type of HRT. If need be, ask if there is a meno clinic in your area. I would definitely start with a sequi HRT and perhaps ask for something like Femoston 1/10 as it has the kinder progesterone.
It's worth printing out stuff from this site to help support the discussion - do write out questions etc before you go in to make the appointment more successful.
Here is the important section from this site you need to show your GP if necessary:
Appropriate information and support should be provided since Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) can be a very difficult diagnosis to come to terms with.
The main aspect of treatment is the provision of adequate estrogen replacement to both control menopausal symptoms and to reduce the risk of later health consequences. Estrogen can be in the form of HRT, which will include a progestogen to protect the womb lining if the womb is still present. If HRT is used, it should usually be continued until the early 50s, ie the average age of the menopause, for both symptom control and bone protective effect.
Here is the page with the types of HRT :  http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/perimeno.php
Good luck  Dg x

[Dorothy]

Is there any reason your GP says your anxiety is not meno related? I know a lot of GPs are sceptical about meno causing anxiety, but all I can say is that my anxiety levels suddenly went through the roof just as I started getting erratic periods and hot flushes...  If she's not helpful, it might be worth trying to get another GP.  My first one was awful (I laughed at Dancinggirl's quote regarding 'appropriate information and support' since mine was non-existent), but the one I have now is great, very helpful and sympathetic.

Give yourself a bit of space to adjust to this news if you can - I remember when I first found out it was a shock and took a few days to get used to the idea.  As you say, at least you now know you are not barking mad or suffering from some terrible disease!

[CLKD]

   GPs ought to be aware that any symptoms complained about can and is probably due to hormonal changes leading up to peri-menopause  so don't be fobbed off with Anti-depressants - often the 1st thing they prescribe (cheaper and less hassle than thinking about meno!!!).  Browse the menus, top of screen and make notes.

let us know how you get on!

[TS]

Thanks all for the info, it's been a long week since my phone call last Monday!

I'm not sure if there's any reason why my GP isn't keen to link anxiety to the menopause but she's offered my antidepressants twice now - when I saw her last week and again on the phone when I asked if anxiety was part of menopausal symptoms. I suspect if as CLKD says they're cheaper that probably has something to do with it!

I've made a list of all my symptoms to take with me as I was so convinced I'd got something awful it's hard to get my head around there's nothing else going on. I will print of the various pages, thanks for the link DG and take my iPad and hotspot this website so she can get some up to date info!

It has made me be a bit kinder to myself, when I really can't get my backside in to gear I've allowed myself to 'chill' for a bit longer (my 14yr old son even sorted the washing today) oops more tears and a hot flush at the same time whilst thinking about that!

Thanks ladies - I'll keep you posted!

[TS]

Well I've been and come out with a headache, tears and general confusion ... Oh and a prescription for low does Prempak -C!

Anxiety is NOT part of the menopause nor any of my other symptoms (if she'd listened to me she would've know what they were) - she's only had 'womans' come to her with symptoms of hot flushes and mood swings like snapping at people.

She would discuss any of the preparations to explain how they work and which one would be best for me.

Far from today being 'D' day I'm now in a right state, has anyone had any experience with Prempak - C?

Thanks TS x

[CLKD]

I do wonder why GPs go into Practice.  Have a 'search' - top left hand of screen - for the script the GP has recommended.  Have a look and see if there is a Menopause Clinic you could go to if not, ring your GP and ask for a referral to a local Gynaecologist!

Did you mean 'she would …… discuss any of the preparations …. ' 

It is not up to a GP to tell a patient that they have 'only had ……… ' with certain symptoms.  This is about *you* not other patients.  I had a Psychologist tell me a similar 'story' about another patient, I walked out ….. I was there for my problems.

[TS]

Oops typo ...she wouldn't discuss any of the preparations

Thank you CLKD - I've looked up prempak-c, people have had issues with it.

I've asked about memo clinic, the receptionist explained that you normally talk through your symptoms etc with a GP. I repeated this back to her saying the one I saw this morning didn't (Very unlike me)! Talked through what I wanted male or female but with experience and 'bedside manner' - bless her she was very good, makes me think I'm not the only one who isn't happy with the GPs at my surgery - it seems I can have experience or 'bedside manner'! I've gone for the later as I don't think I could deal with someone not listen to me again.

Next instalment due next Monday!

Thanks again - take care!

TS

[CLKD]

In the meantime have a browse locally for a menopause clinic ………. or ask your Pharmacist which Practice supports menopause 'the best' in your area 

[Dancinggirl]

TS - it's probably worth trying the Prempak C - GPs tend to prescribe this because it's one of the older type HRTs so they are familiar with it - it's also cheap!!!. Some women really do well on it!!!
Give it a couple of months and if you find the progesterone gives you PMT, then go back and ask to try something like Femoston 1/10 - print off the details from this site to show them as many GPs are not up to speed on the various HRTs.  DG x

[Dorothy]

GPs like this make me so mad. 

I've learned two lessons about GPs and Meno

1.  Tendency is to talk first about the symptoms bothering you the most...don't! ALWAYS stress hot flushes and erratic periods first even if they are bothering you less than anything else.  Hot flushes are my least distressing symptom, but as soon as I mentioned them, my GP switched from 'probably not' to 'probably' early meno.

2.  Ask for the GP with the longest waiting list.  There are 3 at my local surgery.  I could have seen 2 the day after ringing to make an appointment.  Or I could wait a month to see the 3rd one.  I waited the month 

Hope you get somewhere on Monday, TS

[TS]

Ive done a bit more reading about the different types although I think this is what scared the first GP, me being armed with stuff off the web, but I feel I know a bit more about it all and have good questions to ask! I didn't get to my questions last time but I've booked a double appointment so I should be able to ask what I need to.

I'll kee you posted!

TS x