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[sandeevie]

Morning,
 I really need some help! I feel like I just want to curl up and never move! I was told about eight weeks ago I was going through menopause although looking back after reading things on this forum I have been going for longer, at the moment I want to cry my eyes out and just stay in bed, I have arthritis already so I am used to constant pain of that but I now have constant hip and left shoulder pain, night sweats ( flushes have started in the last few days) and I am constantly tired no matter what and I am usually such an upbeat person I am as miserable as sin! I can't take HRT as I have Breast Cancer rife in my family but I have been taking EPO and B6 plus a multi vitamin with others you have all suggested but it is not getting better.
I am sorry to be moaning you have all got on with it and here am I a newbie ready to give up! I just don't know what to do anymore I have no one to ask as My mum has been gone sometime and my aunts are also not around, this has got to improve doesn't it? it can't make me feel this low for the next 15 years please! I feel so out of control I am the person who fixes everything I am the shoulder to cry on and now I am the one bawling at the drop of a hat, what can I do ? I will try anything I HATE FEELING THIS BAD
So Ladies advice please and again Thank you for letting me moan
Sandee xxxxx

[peegeetip]

Have a look at this article first.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/302331-joint-pain-progesterone/

Just because there is BC in your family certainly does not stop you taking HRT yourself.

As long as your monitored because of the extra risk then the HRT is not impossible.

Its your choice after all and the benefits for you would surely outway the pain and misery your going through.

If you've stopped your periods you can go straight to conti type of HRT and that would boost your prog even more.

I really hope you can try and get some relief.

Thoughts are with you.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I know its not popular on here but there is also the option via private Dr of natural progesterone cream, this was a lifesaver for me when I was in perimeno with constant bleeding and large ovarian cyst due to oestrogen dominence.  I was considering hysterectomy and this was last thing to try and within 6 weeks my constant bleeding had stopped and my large cyst had gone!

Its not a cure all as I still have hot flushes and other meno symptoms.

[BrightLight]

You've made a great start with the EPO and B6. You might want to look at Vitamin D as well and increasing your intake of Omega Oils.

There are some non HRT products that can help some with hot flushes, there is a tab for alternative treatments, you might like to try agnus castus. It will take a few months to see the true change any of these things will make, so keep the faith that your body will adjust and things can improve. It won't stay the same, hormones go up and down as well, so its just not going to stay the same. Keeping positive is important for the mental health side of things, so write and 'moan' all you like

[Winterose]

A lot of us have felt despairing over menapause and what it does to us, however knowledge is power so read all you can and I assure you once you see a way forward things start to improve , few people have found starflower works well and you ve found this site so lots of support and opinions . You could also have a chat with Dr Currie.

[Gill Mojo]

I can't give you advice on the medical side, but I can say that joining this forum has been the best move I have made in forever! Everyone here is full of useful information, but more importantly, they listen and support. That was so what I needed, as I have no female relatives or friends to bounce this stuff off of, and I suspect it is what you need too. So I would say go ahead, moan, ask, talk, listen and read the funny section It all helps

[Kathleen]

Hello sandeevie and welcome to the forum.

As you have probably gathered you are not alone in your suffering or indeed your reaction to it. Believe me there are plenty of veterans of the menopause on here who understand how despondent this time in our lives can make us feel.
I think the other ladies have given a good range of advice and hopefully you'll soon find a regime that works for you. Also feel free to moan as much as you want as that helps too!

Take care and keep posting.

K.

[CLKD]

   what's EPO? usually it's a banned substance for cyclists etc..

You will feel like this for a while so need to adjust.  It's not called The Change for nowt    .  "rife with BC" ? means what exactly, even if some family members have been affected it doesn't rule out HRT!  Also, one has to consider quality of Life as we can't go on feeling ill for ever.

Have a browse of the menus, top of screen: ask away: find a GP who knows about menopause, maybe ask a Pharmacist in your area to find out which surgeries 'support' menopause the best  . Let us know how you get on!

[BrightLight]

CLKD - EPO is Evening Primrose oil

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/otherpreps.php

[CLKD]

  ………..

[sandeevie]

Thank you all Ladies, I was feeling so bad this morning and you have all helped so much, it is so strange all this happening I always thought you had to be in you 50's to start GOD WAS I WRONG lol but you have all been a great help, I just feel so out of it I am at work and can't concentrate I keep bawling so look an eejit! but talking has helped so a huge thank you again
Sandee xxxxxxxxxxx

[CLKD]

As for the shedding of tears, there are only so many 'dead relatives' that one can cry for when at work  ……

A problem shared and all that 

[Hurdity]

Hi sandeevie

 

Sorry to hear about your symptoms. How old are you and what are your periods doing - ie what was the basis of your being told you are "going through menopause"? Presumably your symptoms and irregular periods?

As others have said if breast cancer is in the family it does not necessarily preclude you from taking HRT but I can understand your concern if they are close relatives. Some women are able to be tested for a particular gene that can increase the risk of breast cancer and I expect you've read about these? Perhpas if you haven't already done so you could conisder genetic testing if you are not sure about the cancers in your family? http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Breastcancer/Pages/Breastcancergenes.aspx

If you are not able to take HRT due to very high risk then you do have my sympathies as it is not easy struggling through. Here is the information on this site about breast cancer and menopause - but actually referring to women who themselves have had this disease.

Breast cancer   
    A history of breast cancer is generally seen as a contraindication to the use of systemic HRT but vaginal estrogens may be used for treatment of vaginal and bladder symptoms. For systemic menopausal symptoms, non-HRT therapies should be offered. Occasionally, if symptoms are severe and unresponsive to other therapies, HRT may be considered under specialist supervision. A recent trial, the HABITS trial suggested that HRT may increase the risk of recurrence of breast cancer but a study in Stockholm showed no increase and further trial results are awaited. Occasionally, the breast cancer treatment causes a premature menopause and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Bone protective measures should be considered.
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/atoz.php#GlossB

These are the non HRT therapies linked to from the article above on this site:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/prescribed.php

These are remedies that won't replace your oestrogen nor help with bone loss or joint pain (as far as I understand - but I know very little about them sorry) but will at least reduce flushes and sweats.

The various herbal remedies either are not recommended for long term use as their safety has not been fully examined ( eg Black Cohosh) or they are phyto-oestrogens - with weak oestrogen like activity and are therefore also not recommended for those who are unable to take oestrogen due to having had breast cancer. I understand Agnus castus falls into this category although there is limited evidence (from what I've read) of its effectivenss in treating menopausal symptoms.

You will see that you can still use vaginal oestrogen for dryness and bladder symptoms without worry about increased risk.

Re the progesterone - you haven't mentioned heavy bleeding and it is in early peri-menopause due to cycles where ovulation doesn't take place and progesterone is therefore not produced, that the womb lining can continue to build up and various treatments (including progesterone) can be given - but if necessary to regulate the cycle it is available on NHS - no need to buy the weak ineffective cream that is generally pushed by the alternative/oestrogen dominance lobby out there!

Other than that it is a good time to look at all aspects of your health and lifestyle to make sure you are in the best possible shape as you approach this next stage in your life. There is info here on this site: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/diet.php ie eat a healthy diet with low fat/sugar/refined & processed foods, maintain weight in healthy BMI range, take regular exercise - especially those that strengthen joints/bones - Pilates is a good one, regular walking and fresh air, limit alcohol, stop smoking (if you smoke), get plenty of sleep and reduce stress if you can!!!

By the way I spent my peri-menopausal time crying at the drop of a hat and this does pass!

Here is an article about peri-menopause you might be interested in - about what's happening in your body:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/article-perils-of-the-perimenopause.php

Hope this helps.

Hurdity x

[SueRoe]

Sandievee, no it doesn't last for ever but it can last long enough to be disruptive and in some cases pretty unpleasant. For me at least the helter skelter of perimenopause before my periods stopped (I'm 53) was the worst and this is quite common. There's lots of information on what's happening to you and the options for improving things on this website and I've been so grateful for the support of the other women on this site so keep off-loading here - there will always be someone to sympathise even if they can't actually help. Don't suffer alone. I'm currently on Citalopram. It's an antidepressant but it has the useful property of helping with hot-flushes as well as helping lift the awful feeling of "I can't deal with this, I want my life back". If you really can't take HRT which helps many but not all women, you could ask your GP about this (many women take it) but overall try whatever you can to get you through this. Many of the women on here say that improving quality of life now is more important than worrying about "maybe's" several years down the road, and I agree. It does take time to find what suits you though and there are no miracles. Also, don't worry about "being a nuisance" - see your GP as many times as you need to to get this sorted out. And if he/she isn't supportive get an appointment with one who is. Good luck. Keep posting about your progress. Big Hug. 

[Mary G]

Sorry to hear about your problems, it sounds like you are having a tough time of it.  I don't know how you are placed financially but it might be worth a visit to Professor Studd in London.  You can discuss your worries about BC in the family and he may or may not suggest HRT anyway.  The medics now think that it is the progesterone content of HRT that causes the BC problems and if that can be limited, you might be able to use the gel - he tends to recommend Estrogel.  It may depend on the type of BC that runs in your family i.e. is it hormone based or is it the BRAC gene?  You can be tested for that.  I have read so many conflict reports on BC and HRT it is difficult to know who is right.  Some medics are even suggesting that oestrogen only HRT helps to prevent hormonal HRT - if you have the BRAC gene, that would not apply though.  In the meantime, why not send Dr. Currie an email, it costs £25.00.