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[DaisyB]

Hi - I am new and need any advice or guidance I can get! I'm 50yrs old - I've ran to GP for three years with aches, pains, fatigue etc mostly severe and crippling anxiety that something was seriously wrong with me. Background of ME and IBS so GP usually ends up back at these two by way of explanation. Periods on/off since last year - very stressful family situation in January led to counselling and an increase in night sweats, with crippling panic and fear. Pins and needles and heavy feeling in left arm and leg as well as very low mood. When anxiety hits I am unable to move(literally) Gynae specialist tells me that herbal will no longer cut it. Had mirena coil and D&C done last week. Waiting to have estrogen prescribed next. Totally opposed to synthetic hormones but am going insane. GP checked bloods before surgery showed underactive thyroid and low iron - took shingles and off work. I am demented and do not know where to turn for straightforward advice and guidance to get me and my family through this! Thanks in advance if you can part with words of wisdom. DaisyB

[CLKD]

 

Browse round. Make notes.  Maybe decide which current symptom you would like to ease.  Would keeping a mood/food/symptom diary be useful?

[MicheleMaBelle]

Hi DaisyB-
You've certainly got your work cut out. No wonder you're feeling crap. You've done the right thing by getting to see a specialist and getting the Mirena coil and oestrogen. You'll ideally need to give this regime  3 months to see if it works. It may have to be tweaked.
It is all hormonal by the sound of it. I'm assuming that in addition to the HRT side, you're getting treatment for your under active thyroid and low iron? You must have been feeling rough indeed.
On the meno side, your symptoms all sound pretty par for the course and unfortunately a lot of GPs just don't understand the severity of symptoms and effect they can have. It's a vicious circle and anxiety and stress can make all of the symptoms worse. There are separate thread on here about IBS so have a read. Might be worth also pointing your partner in the direction of the men's section of the site and get him to sign up for the online training course that's about to launch ( earlier posting today)
It is horrible- you've got a lot going on and it may take a while to feel better. Listen to your body, don't try to do too much and enlist your family's help. Be kind to yourself- it won't last forever x

[Mbrown001]

Hi Daisy.

I'm new too and no great expert but I thought I would say hello.

I would take one thing at a time otherwise you won't know where you are.
Firstly you have had a coil fitted so now all you have to do is try an oestrogen.
No need for pills and having IBS I know how badly my digestive system can react. You can try patches or gel. Start low dose and then you can build up until you have good symptom control. It can take a little while to settle so try to be patient although I know how hard that can be. The gel is as natural you can get, it's very close to our own hormones so you are just replacing a hormone that your body is lacking in.
If you have to take medication for your thyroid then it's yet another hormone so don't worry about synthetics, just get your symptoms sorted out.
I do know that some women need to take an AD for anxiety but you may well find that when your body adjusts to HRT then your anxiety becomes much more manageable.
Has your GP suggested CBT or have you considered Mindlefulness. Lots of different things to try to get the anxiety under control.

I'm sure someone much more knowledgable than me will be along soon to give you some advice.

Wishing you well. You will find help and understanding here. It's such a friendly place to be I've found, with others who understand and have been through, or are going through the same.

Mrs Brown

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on!