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[AngsanaBlossom]

I am seeing a private GP tomorrow who specialises in the Menopause. Although I have a list of symptoms, I don't feel prepared and I want to get the most out of it. I'd appreciate some feedback and/ or suggestions on the following:

1) Is past history relevant to the chat?
My history is that I started periods when 13. Always had very bad PMS, pains and backache. Only took the pill for a couple of years when early 20's. Then had fertility issues and ended up having IUI for both my children. I had polycystic ovaries and very low progesterone which had to be supplemented in my first trimester. I had a very short luteal phase and periods came every 23 ish days and lasted a week. PMS and pains went away until 1 year ago. I am just shy of 49.

2) I have the following symptoms which have been going on for a year:

Night sweats (not that often)
More frequent periods. Closer together, heavier and more painful. They start for about 3 or 4 days, then stop, then start up lighter and can last up to 11 days.
Forgetfulness
Insomnia
Brain fog
Tiredness

The above don't bother me that much. It is the following that really concern me:

Anxiety which goes out of control just before my period and for the first few days of it. I feel depressed once it starts. The anxiety I have felt has seriously impacted my family life.

I dont know what I want from my appointment tomorrow. I don't really want to walk out with a bag full of HRT. I am OK with going through the menopause and I don't really care about ageing or most of the physical symptoms. Perhaps more correctly, the other symptoms are not really bothering me yet. The only thing I care about really is the crazy PMS I seem to have and I cannot put myself or family through that again. I nearly had a mental breakdown during those 4 days this and last month.

I am also very upset with my GP because I went there a year ago and presented the above symptoms and was given Propranolol and told to go for CBT. I feel that is a very ill informed way to deal with me and for the past year I have had this constant thought that I am going going round the twist, rather than it is my body ageing.

I suppose what I want form tomorrow is for someone to tell me that yes, they have heard all this before. No, its not just you, you are not going crazy. It's quite normal to feel this way. I'd like one place to manage my health and not have conflicting info. I'd like to know what I can do to help myself through this as naturally as possible. But, I do need something to stop the PMS/T symptoms as my life caved for those 4 days. I am happy to take anything for that.

Are there any big things I have missed. I feel like I have missed some obvious questions.

[helenmelon]

Hi Angsanablossom,

Firstly, let me say that most of us will confirm that your symptoms are normal, we've all got all, some or a mixture of them 😄
And a lot of us on here have felt the madness of menopause and it's shocking and terrifying in equal measures especially when it happens all of a
sudden, I honestly thought I'd gone completely mad!

Please don't worry about your appointment, whoever your seeing will be there to help you. When I saw my menopause specialists in Leeds she was fab. I had written down everything I was feeling, symptoms and actual feelings about how I was feeling about myself, relationships, confidence etc in the end I couldn't read it for crying so my husband read it all out.

Do you have someone who could go with you??
I like you wanted a miracle alternative to HRT. I said I'd never take it, but my symptoms got so overwhelming I decided to give it a try for 3 months. That was December last year and I'm still taking it and although not perfect I feel almost human 😂

Go with an open mind, write everything thing down even if it sounds unbelievable (mine did) and try what they suggest be it HRT or alternatives.
Good luck xx

[Daisydot]

Great post helenmelon I totally agree with everyth8ng you say,go with an open mind and accept whatever help offered because you'll only be back 6 months down the line it's not going to change without the appropriate help so gather the information and advice offered ,by all means have a good think/ discussion then do what your gut tells you.
Write down a history and take it with you as you may have forms to fill in anyway it'll help good luck xx

[AngsanaBlossom]

Thank you both. I really appreciate the comments.

[paisley]

Good luck with your appointment
I think you have covered everything. Seeing a menopause specialist is good because they have seen it all before & will be able to offer you different things. The specialist is there to help you.
For a lot of women (me included) menopause is a an awful time & I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. It is amazing how hormones can affect us mentally by just being slightly out.

[Kathleen]

Hello AngsanaBlossom.

I have also consulted a menopause specialist in the past and I'm due for a follow up appointment soon. The woman I saw was very helpful. Like you anxiety has been my worst symptom so far and the fact that it's hormonal and comes in cycles doesn't make it any easier to deal with in my opinion.

Take care and do keep us updated.

K.

[Dotty]

https://menopausedoctor.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Menopause-Doctor-Questionnaire-1-1.pdf

Have a look at this questionnaire and fill it in.

[Mary G]

Good luck with your appointment, I hope you get the help you need.

I am going to say what I always say and that is the only way to treat the symptoms of oestrogen deficiency is via oestrogen replacement - I'm sure you already know that.

What is important is getting the right type of HRT that works for you and that is where the challenge starts because everyone has different tolerance levels. 

Please let us know how you get on.

[helenmelon]

Thank you both. I really appreciate the comments.

Let us know how you get on xx

[Daisydot]

Great link dotty well done,we should print them and smuggle into gps waiting rooms all over the country lol tucked inside the magazines,imagine their faces if our ladies turned up with them eh? Xx

[Mary G]

I meant to say that I think that questionnaire is great too.  So many doctors still don't recognise the symptoms of oestrogen deficiency.

[Dotty]

The questionnaire is from Dr Newson.

[AngsanaBlossom]

And a lot of us on here have felt the madness of menopause and it's shocking and terrifying in equal measures especially when it happens all of a sudden, I honestly thought I'd gone completely mad!


You summed it up in a nutshell Helen. That is exactly how I felt.

[Florence69]

I've recently seen a meno specialist after 3 years of thinking I had lost the plot! Anxiety yet again being the main symptom. Mine was constant tho every day without a break, I just woke full of fear every morning and couldn't understand why. No one warned me about the menopause and how it could impact on my life. I saw GPs, therapists and psychiatrist and was taking so many pills I rattle and not one picked up on hormones.
The lady I saw was great, I took a friend with me and she asked my friend to tell her what differences she had noticed in me. She started me on a new hrt regime and I don't want to tempt fate but I feel a big difference ... I'm not scared all day anymore and I feel like I want to do things again.
Good luck with your appointment and fingers crossed you get sorted x

[Daisydot]

That's a lovely happy story for you Florence well done xx