Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Binbon2]

I have been off work for about 4 months because of insomnia - I made a few mistakes because of tiredness and even small mistakes can cause a problem in my area of work.

I suspect if I can't resolve the insomnia soon then I am going to be dismissed due to medical capability.

I was just wondering if anyone has had problems with keeping their job during the menopause?

As far as the insomnia goes, I have been on Elleste duet 1 mg for 4 months and have started the Elleste duet 2 mg last week. No sign of the insomnia letting up so far.

I find that my insomnia gets much worse in hot weather. Anyone else notice this?

[CLKD]

Could you be moved within the Company Binbon2?  Is there a Union to discuss issues with?

[walking the dog]

Hi binbon2 I left my job in November due to anxiety caused by premenopausal symptoms I Sa I left but if i hadn't they were looking for ways to get rid of me , intimidating me , lack of support mot giving me an inch etc.
I hope tho doesn't happen to you, good luck xc

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Binbon2 - there are many reasons for insomnia, if the HRT hasn't helped so far then I would hot foot back to the GP for further advice and help. It can be a meno symptom and in my experience whenever I had had a break from HRT and then went back on, the first thing I noticed was the improvement in my sleep but this improvement would start quite quickly within the first couple of weeks.  HRT does not and really cannot solve everything.  There are strategies and things that could help you improve your sleep overall so I would seek advice for this. 

On the general question of the meno compromising our ability to work - I think if they did a survey on how many women have to either give up work or at least reduce their working hours due to meno symptoms they might start treating these symptoms better. DG x

[elsie001]

Hi Binbon, I work as a Receptionist in a very busy GP Practice.  Like you I suffer from insomnia & was finding my hours a nightmare - I worked 8.30 - 6pm Thurs & Fri.  Stress levels were thru' the roof due to working a long day on no sleep and paranoia of making a critical mistake.  I requested a change of hours which took over a year to happen due to Practice Managers changing and messages not being passed on.  I now work 3 afternoons per week and am so much better as a result.

I got the mirena coil fitted a year ago and although it's far from perfect, the progesterone in it really seems to help with my sleep. I'm 50 and suffered very heavy periods as well as insomnia.

I really feel for you - lack of sleep impacts on all areas of life.

[Joyce]

I gave up my job 7 years ago. I was struggling & arrival of my eldest grandchild was good excuse.

[CreamTeaGirl]

Hi Binbon2,

I stopped working full-time in January due to stress, anxiety, sleepless nights, awful flushes/sweats etc. I was so utterly exhausted I was practically falling asleep on the bus every day! The temp (admin) contract was about to end anyway, I wasn't being treated fairly, and as my boss was a man felt unable to discuss my symptoms/problems, so sadly I shut up & put up  I could've gone to Unison for help, but again thought what's the point? Wrong I know, but I'd really had enough, & after struggling for nine months I just wanted to get out.

The hot flushes/night sweats (no HRT) disappeared almost immediately, so I reckon a lot of that was stress related. I'm still awake in the early hours for an hour or so, but can go back to sleep now I'm not up at 6.30am 

As I can't really afford to stop working, I've now said yes to a low-key 17 hr job within walking distance which shouldn't have the sort of pressure I've been used to. We'll just have to manage on less money, as my sanity's at stake! I feel SO much better now for the break, and have spent time re-vamping the garden/long dog-walks etc, so am back 'in balance' again. I'm very lucky to have a supportive OH, as I know my single friend's would love to drop their hours, but really can't afford to.

So you're definitely not alone! Maybe look for something part-time to suit when you're ready? X

[Annie0710]

I gave up my full time bookkeeping job at the start of peri as I thought I was going mad

I couldn't concentrate, I started to struggle to understand my work and as a result lost my confidence, I became short tempered and was so fatigued I was getting myself in a tizz

I now work 2 full days a week in payroll and although I'm shattered it frees me up for appointments/grandchildren

Annie x

[Taz2]

One of my reasons for asking to start at the age of 53 was the fact that I just knew I wasn't doing my job properly and it was a choice of either trying to alleviate the symptoms or resign. I didn't want to give up my job and, just as importantly, I couldn't afford to. I'm lucky that, now, at the age of 62 I only have to work four days a week. Three more years till pension...

Taz x

[Nikki180515]

Yes I had to resign from my teaching post, due to anxiety and stress.  Some of it was caused by hormones, I had a hysterectomy and ovaries were removed, so has a surgical menopause.  But the main reason I resigned was because I was constantly undermined by my headteacher who made me feel like I was the crappiest teacher ever.   Before she took over as headteacher had always had good reports.

I am now going back on the supply List after lots of counselling and a self eternal course!   I can choose which days I want to do, and hopefully nicer schools and less stress!

Nikki xxxx

[Dawncam]

Hi Binbon2 - I'm self-employed so luckily I can manoeuvre things a little to suit my symptoms. I used to have a small beauty salon but have recently (after a year of aching joints and swollen fingers) given up completely.

Insomnia, night sweats and dropping oestrogen levels causing aching joints, coupled with 2 boys, a dog and 2 businesses all took their toll and I found myself being short-tempered and uncommunicative with long-standing, lovely clients. I just wasn't interested. And the job left me in pain.

I had another business which is less physically demanding and am now concentrating on that. I shudder to think what would've happened if I'd been employed in a salon as there's scant regard for sickness in these businesses.

Good luck with your job difficulties and hopefully you'll feel better with the right combination of meds.

Dxx

[Ju Ju]

Nikki, I do sympathise. Many years back I had a head teacher who mistook bullying for managing and made my rather problematic pregnancy very difficult. I didn't go back after maternity leave. As I found the energy required to work full time was beyond me, with bringing up a family, a husband who worked ever changing shifts in a stressful job and no child care or family available, I resorted to part time and supply. I learnt to enjoy the advantages. You don't have your own class, but you can say no. And if you get to work in a school you like regularly, you have the chance to work throughout the school and get to work with children throughout their time at the school. I have some wonderful memories.

Sadly, my energy levels dipped gradually through the years and was very much compounded by the onset of the menopause. I retired when I was able to take my teachers pension, which of course is much smaller than it would have been had I been able to work full time. I had got to the point that I needed 2 days to recover from 1 day of teaching. CFS was being banded around by the gynaecologist and endocrinologist as a diagnosis. At age 60, I sought help privately and started HRT in desperation. I now have enough quality of life to peruse my interests and enjoy my grandchildren. I'm fortunate that my husband has been able to support me, though it has impacted on our finances.

[Tempest]

I feel for you totally, and yes I'm unable to work now. I was a Certified Accountant before all this, previously working for a very large organisation and laterly in private practice.

It's taken a huge toll on us financially.

Sleeping is definitely much worse in warmer weather! I can't wait for Autumn to arrive.

[Dorothy]

I'm self-employed but had to cut my hours drastically, as I simply couldn't cope.  Now, of course, I am running out of money... But I know I am still fortunate to be self-employed as I would probably have lost my job by now if I were working for someone else...just used to fall asleep in the middle of the day, I was so tired!

[Dancinggirl]

What a good thread this is.  Really highlights my point that someone should look at the impact of meno in the workplace. I doubt they took this into account when they raised the retirement age to 66/67??!!
DG x