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[ban-sithe]

Hi everyone,
I first posted on here awhile ago in a bit of state which people kindly dealt with.  Thank you      

I've had some ups and downs but still more or less still in a state.  My GP in many ways is very supportive, but because my FSH levels are normal, no one at the surgery will entertain the thought I might be experiencing perimenopause.  I find this odd despite the fact that due to abnormal bleeding and the onset of flooding periods, I was referred for an endoscopy and a Mirena coil. 

Because of my age (nearly 46) and family background (mother, grandmother and great grandmother all had difficult transitions), I'd like to believe my symptoms are due to peri – on balance, it seems the most likely.  But because my GP (who is female and probably 10 years older than me) dismisses it, it does make my health anxiety go through the roof (and my anxiety levels have been on high alert for nearly a year).  I'm relieved (in a weird sort of way) to see that other ladies on here have worried about things like pancreatic cancer and carcinoid – and everything in between.  After a junior doctor guess-diagnosed me diverticulitis (incorrectly), I've been semi-diagnosed with IBS (after 2 colonoscopies) – which I gather is not that common after 40, even as a result of stress and anxiety.  I've tried bringing lists of symptoms in as is often recommended- but I think that's just cemented my reputation as a hypochondriac.

What else can cause anxiety, sore thumbs(!), sore feet, a feeling of smearing chilli paste over my face, back pain, shoulder pain, breast pain, abdominal pains/burning, random other digestive issues, heart palpitations,  sore tummy, adrenal rushes/goosebumps, panic attacks, burning mouth/odd tastes, itchy scalp, dry skin, a sore left calf, massive irritability, huge mood swings, despair, acid reflux, repeated UTIs, brain fog, bouts of fatigue/crashing fatigue, overheating (esp. when exercising)...?  Sorry for the stream of consciousness – it just feels a bit lonely sometimes. (If anyone remembers, I was asking about organising a menopause event at work – I did (thanks for everyone's thoughts and advice), and then it was scheduled for when I was on holiday!).

So glad I have been able to get an appointment at a menopause clinic in August – thanks to advice on Menopause Matters – I'm really hoping it will help me get some perspective and understanding. A 'diagnosis' would be nice, too. Thank you for listening!   
 

[anon2021]

Hi there,

My GP wasnt interested either other than giving me the pill back to back to avoid flooding period and hopefully help with mood swings. I did give it a go but the mood swings were bonkers! Im 48.

So i bit the bullet and went private. You are describing perimenopause to a tee so i hope you do get the help you need. Its all a bit trial and error and finding the medications that work for you.

Im 8 weeks in and am delighted to say feeling soooo much better. Im sharper and more balanced. I think my family might even like me agin ha ha! Effect was almost immediate.

I was prescribed Estradiol gel; Utrogestan 100mg and Testosterone gel (but that worked a bit too well!!! So im having a rest from that).

My symptoms were heavy long periods, mood swings, insomnia, morning hot flush, general lethargy, brain fog and just lost my spark!

My first batch of private prescription will last me until Sept.  i then hope my GP practice will continue my Estradiol and Utrogestan on the advice of my consultant. The Testosterone i have is only available privately though so if i do require that its only via private consultant and one chemist in London!

I think my blood tests and consultation etc came to about £800 and the 3 x month meds £340 so it was a big outlay but worth every penny!

Good luck! X

[ban-sithe]

Thank you for sharing that! It's really helpful as I have had the idea if going private in the back of my mind. Useful to know how much, but what treatments you accessed. SO pleased to hear it's working for you and you've got your spark back!

And thank you for picture of lavende. I will be spending a restorative day in a hay meadow :-)


 x

[Hurdity]

Hi ban-sithe - great that you've been referred to a menopause clinic! Unfortunately these are few and far between nowadays - eg there are none in SW England where I live but if you have them near you then great! They do tend to have a waiting list though it seems....

The main clue as to whether you are in peri-menopause is your cycle - if you have a uterus, and are not on the Mirena coil or mini-pill. If your cycle has become erratic and there cycle length changes by more than a week each month then at your age you do not need blood tests and the doctor should go by your symptoms alone.

If your cycle is still regular and pretty consistent  (or getting consistently shorter) then you are not yet officially peri-menopausal (accordng to medical definition) although at this last stage before peri some hormones do begin to go awry and some women get worsening pms - I certainly did ( although only looking back do I realise why). The thing is this stage can be difficult to treat as HRT doesn't not always work if oestrogen levels have not yet fallen - but some women find for example the CCP can help. There are a couple which contain the same oestrogen that is in most types of HRT - QLAIRA and ZOELY. These will suppress ovulation so prevent the hormonal surges that you are probably experiencing but also replacing some oestrogen but at a pretty constant level. You would be able to get these as contraceptives - so free!!

Anyway just a thought but do let us know how your appointment goes in August if you take it up - others will be pleased to hear!

Hurdity x

[ban-sithe]

Thanks, Hurdity. I keep forgetting to note that. My periods have been regular. Just the, er, 'quality' has changed. Except in May, I think (hard to tell with Mirena) it came about a week early.

That's useful to know about how HRT might work at this stage, and given me some good questions to ask.

It may be helpful for some people to know  I was able to do a self-referral, with a 4.5 month wait. I was sent a 3 month diary to track symptoms and there was a sort of relief that it included everything I've been experiencing.  It certainly made me feel like less of a hypochondriac!

[ban-sithe]

Sorry, Hurdity. It's just seeped it. No clinics in the SW!? I've been think about this a lot lately. If we all had better access to specialist clinics, I'm sure it would work out better for GPs and the NHS in the long run. It's inescapable that menopause IS going to happen for 1/2 the population.