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[minnieminx]

Hi there. I'm new to the forum so I hope I hope my post is in correct place. Apologies if it isn't.

I was looking for advice as I'm going out of my mind. My menopause symptoms started two years ago (46 years) I was put on HRT in January and it made me so ill I was taken into hospital. The reason for this I think is that I take morphine & Fentanyl for chronic pain. Two years ago I had a failed spinal operation. I was left six days with a huge blood clot on my spinal cord. I have been left Incontinent bowel & bladder, part numb legs, chronic pain in back & legs and I fall over quite a lot. My legs just go numb with no warning. I have injured myself quite badly. To top it all I am am suffering menopausal symptoms like you wouldn't believe. I suffer from chronic anxiety & depression since my operation and been diagnosed with complex PTSD. Does the menopause really cause depression or make depression worse? Does it make your mood swing so drastically I don't recognize myself. I feel like I have a split personality. I can't remember anything, I don't leave the house often as I feel & look horrendous? How can I cope with all this without HRT? My drug intake at present is very high. I am on morphine, have Fentanyl Patches & Amatryptaline, anti depressant (Sertraline 150mg)! I'm taking Vitamin B6 & 12 as I've read this could help. I'm going out of my mind. How am I going to get through the next ten years in this state? My family think I'm a raving lunatic. I'm up one minute, crying the next. I'm really scared. My doctors advice was to look on google. I did that and now I'm terrified! I just don't have the strength to go through ten years of this! I'm so sorry to rant like this. I'm just so worried about these symptoms and how it's making me feel. Do you know alternatives to HRT that work? I am unable to do any exercise or swimming due to my spine. I'm due to start hydrotherapy in three months as a trial. So the gym is out for me as well. Does anybody else feel like this?

[CLKD]

You rant away! You've been through a lot!!!

Along the top of the screen is a line of green 'rooms' i.e. Treatment - do have a browse and make notes.

I have been left Incontinent bowel & bladder, part numb legs, chronic pain in back & legs and I fall over quite a lot. My legs just go numb with no warning. I have injured myself quite badly. - what support to you have for these symptoms, do you have access to a Continence Nurse for example for support?  Do you have a walking frame for safety ?

I am on morphine, have Fentanyl Patches & Amatryptaline, anti depressant (Sertraline 150mg)! I'm taking Vitamin B6 & 12 as I've read this could help. : a Pharamist could look at this combination and see if any of the HRT meds would interact so drastically.  VitB12 should not be taken with some Anti-depressant medication so he/she can advise thus!

I'm going out of my mind. - nope, it only feels like it!  Do your family tell you that you are a 'raving lunatic' or is that how you see it?  Time to sit them down and explain that on top of the results from surgical intervention, your hormones are not waxing and waning, giving the mood swings that they see.  Also, is it possible to delegate chores etc. around the house/garden? 


I just don't have the strength to go through ten years of this! I'm so sorry to rant like this. I'm just so worried about these symptoms and how it's making me feel. Do you know alternatives to HRT that work? I am unable to do any exercise or swimming due to my spine. I'm due to start hydrotherapy in three months as a trial. So the gym is out for me as well.  Does anybody else feel like this?.

Yep!  HORMONES  .  How were you during your menstruating years?  R any of these feelings familiar to those you had then?   Which is the worst symptom?  Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use. 

Have you been referred for talking therapy?  MIND have walk-in sessions, you might like to send an e-mail to your local group to see if there is someone who could visit you at home if you can't get there.  Your GP could also arrange for a member of the local psychiatric team to visit if this hasn't been suggested.

Menopause can cause anxiety and depression and there is the feeling on here that those symptoms should be treated with HRT, however, it really does depend on how quickly HRT might work in order to ease symptoms and as you have had problems previously, not a route to take unless all your medication is analysed against what is available. 

Some ladies find that ADs and Anti-anxiety meds along with appropriate HRT does help.  There is an alternative section here where you may find ideas.   

[Annie0710]

Hi

You poor thing.  Have you only tried the one hrt? There are lots and you'd probably need to investigate what hrt can be taken with your pain relief.  Many ladies do take hrt with ADs but not sure about morphine although opium based meds were offered to me just last week for my back but I struggle with them.  GP could refer you to see a specialist hopefully either at gynae clinic or menopause clinic if there's one near you

HRT can help anxiety and depression that is caused by menopause but sometimes for some women it isn't enough and they need the help of ADs.  Whatever gets us through this phase is different for each individual x