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[Southsea Belle]

Following my initial posts in the introductions this is how things now stand.

If only I'd just taken a deep breath and put up with the flushes.  I feel so much worse now than I did before my doctor decided to send me down the Prozac route. 

Apparantly because my periods have stopped (about a year ago give or take) then flushes should be getting better not worse and are therefore probably something else.

Blood tests today for amongst other things, thyroid, iron, liver and a urine test to look for a protein indicative of Myeloma (think that's the right one).  Says probably not that but is she's fishing to find an answer.

Now face the agony of waiting for results which she will give me in a telephone call on 1st. 

It was such a low dose of prozac, 10mg, for just three weeks, can I still feeling the bad effects of it even now?  Or do I just write a bucket list.

[Dotty]

My flushes got worse 3 years after my last period!

I have just gone through all those tests too and an endoscopy . All came back fine so my symptoms must be menopause !!!!!!

[Kathleen]

Hello Southsea Belle.

Ah bless her, your GP is thorough but she really doesn't understand the menopause at all!

Many of my symptoms worsened after my last period and I still have daily flushing  and I'm seven years post. I  don't blame your doctor however as one GP told me that everything improves after three years but that was when I felt worse and went on HRT. It may also help you to know that I recently had the same set of blood tests and everything was normal except for low iron reserves so it's perfectly possible to be physically well but  still feel cr@p from the menopause.

I accept that it's difficult but try not to worry. This can be a tough time of life and our understandable health anxiety doesn't help.

Take care.

K.

[Southsea Belle]

Today has been a good day.  I only had the tremors for about 4 hours....from waking at 5 am.  I have managed to do Asda, Walk the Dog....I actually found myself slowing down, pulling up my shoulders and thinking how much I was enjoying the walk....and cooked the dinner.

On top of this I have a stinking cold.  I've never had a cold feel so good.

But that's been today, and tomorrow is another day. 

Each days as it comes I think. 

I think a lot of my problem with the tremors is trying to fight them and go back to sleep.  It doesn't work.  I don't sleep and I continue to shake inside. Perhaps I should simply get up, get dressed and get on.

[CLKD]

Share the bucket list?  As long as it doesn't involve leaving the UK, mine is stimeied by anxiety! so any day out or nights aware, are a bonus for me. 

Your GP doesn't have much clue about menopause by the sound of it, where does she think myeloma fits in ?  Despite Dr Currie and the British Menopause Association trying to educate GPs, it obviously ain't working!  I don't know who information is being provided to GP Surgeries but .........

Have a broswse.  Make notes.  Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful to get an idea as to any patterns emerging.  Which symptom would you like to ease first?

As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: skin, nostrils, deep in the ears, vagina - do read the atrophy threads on here, in case ;-).  Also, muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  The Change doesn't come alone   

Prozac made me    Some ladies find that HRT helps symptoms, but that they require an anti-depressant and/or an anti-anxiety medication along side. 

My anxiety was so bad I would shake enough to move the bed  .  I take an AD, Propranolol to ease anxiety surges as well as an anti-anxiety emergency pill 'as necessary'.

[CLKD]

Oh - how's the weather down South   

[Southsea Belle]

Down South isn't exactly sunny right now....wet and windy. 

The Myeloma (which she described as a "funny little cancer".  Funny?  Since when has any cancer been funny?) thinking comes from the fact that the night sweats didn't get really bad until after I'd stopped bleeding.....and that didn't fit in with the  'normal' pattern of things. And whatever diagnostic tool she was typing my symptoms into came up with that as a suggestion.  I kid you not.

On the upside, apart from the stinking cold and almost slicing the top of my finger off....today is another decent day for me.  The tremors upon waking were not as severe.  I really think, even the relatively small amount of, and time I was on, the prozac, has been responsible for a lot more than, "you might feel a little bit icky" for a few days at first!  And hasn't left my system as quickly as I was told it would.

Seriously thinking of changing surgeries....need to shop around....cheer myself up by reminding myself that one day my current GP will go through all this herself.  Laughs wickedly! 

[CLKD]

 

You'll fit right in ........... >laughing wickedly with you<


She really has no idea by the sounds of it! 

Menopause symptoms are reliably un-reliable! and really do vary between each one of us.  Her time will come  but in the meantime, although she is doing various tests, you have not had the best start with sorting your symptoms 

[Optimist]

OMG why oh why aren't these GPs having their CPD training especially around menopause.... it's so frustrating. I was given Prozac many years ago as I was having a tough time and it caused such anxiety I stopped it. Horrible stuff I didn't even get eye contact from the gp who prescribed it. Needless to say I changed GP and I'd be doing the same if I was you. Ask around for a gp surgery who has someone who specialises in women's health/menopause. You might get lucky. Hope you feel better soon and good luck x

[CLKD]

Optimist - maybe send that query to Dr Currie and the British Menopause what-ever-they are?  Of course, knowledge is 'only guidelines'  If I had the energy and didn't suffer anxiety attacks, I would arrange a Menopause March to No10!!!

[Hurdity]

You can read about the work of the British Menopause SOCIETY (!) here: https://thebms.org.uk/ This tells you what they are doing re education. When you think of how many doctors there are then it's obviously going to take time. There is also the RCOG (Google it!) and also nursing organisations (don't know about these!), Women's Health Concern, as well as individual gynaes and prominent individuals too.

There is a lot going on but it won't happen overnight. Any pressure anyone can put anywhere will all add to the movement for CHANGE  re attitudes and knowledge around menopause.

Southsea Belle - I am horrified by what you say about your doc! Yes time to change or at least consult a different one in the practice?

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

I've been on here for over 7 years and nowt seems to change ...... ladies are still complaining of the same issues regardless of what ever Dr Currie or the BMS is suggesting that they are 'teaching' GPs.   . Otherwise, this Forum would no longer be required.

[SS1995]

I'm sick of menopause to be honest, it interferes with everything and I constantly think about it, how can I live the rest of my life like this?? I'm only 22! I asked my doctor how long will it last and he said I don't know, no one knows how long, it's different for everyone 🙄🙄

[Optimist]

SS1995 you are so young! No idea of your background but would maybe suggest some counselling to help you through this time. At least us older ladies have had some life before this sets in.
CBT is supposed to work well maybe ask your GP.
CLKD I totally agree, this is taking too long and although I agree Hurdity there are a lot of GPs to get around the newer ones coming out into practice are obviously not getting the correct information. Any GPs are supposed to follow NICE guidelines which they obviously do not as still women are being offered blood tests and antidepressants and being told they're depressed instead of menopausal. The learning is not getting to the right people and that's why too many women are still suffering.
It's frustrating and actually detrimental to women's health. I really admire the likes of Dr Currie and others like her who are really trying to get the word out to make the difference but it's still a battle.
I'm thinking of starting up a menopause support group at work, as a predominant ageing women's workforce and the sickness rates are still not being recognised and god forbid you mention the “elephant” in the room...MENOPAUSE!!! Women need to be better supported by their work and their GPs.
Rant over 😂🤣😊 let me know when you're getting that March up CLKD ...I'll be there beside you 👍🏼
I'll look at those links Hurdity and maybe start a thread asking what women on here feel they need from their workplace to feel supported.
Let's start this revolution haha (I'm having flashbacks of Wolfie...”come the revolution...”) 😂😁

[CLKD]

  don't get me started on NICE Guidelines.  They are what it says, 'guidelines'.  I've had recent experience about statins which completely contradicts what NICE recommends. 

Back to the question - if I didn't have anxiety I would be arranging that MARCH ........ perhaps starting with Dr Currie for discussion about how to proceed then to the BMS B4 No 10?  Will start the charabanc ;-)