First of all, let me offer my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the women of this forum for helping me and countless others suffering with the changes of menopause. If I could still drink alcohol, I would raise my glass to you all.
It's been a very long time since I last posted, but I read the forum most days, since perimenopause hit me four years ago at age 52. My worst symptoms have been:
- anxiety & fearfulness (excruciating in the beginning)
- ibs
- night sweats with adrenaline surges
- va with pelvic pain
I read some where that the worst symptoms of perimenopause start occurring two years before natural menopause. I can say this statement was fairly accurate for me I believe I had my final menstrual period last year, at age 55. I have had no symptoms of ovulation, since that time, so I think I am finished with that.
About a year ago, I was offered escitilapram (Lexapro in the U.S.) for anxiety by my primary care doctor. I was very afraid to start taking it, so I started with half a pill, which was 2.5mg. This worked wonders for me for about 6 months, even though the dose was minuscule. My hot flashed were reduced, and my anxiety, IBS, and sleep were greatly improved. However after six months, the hot flashes and anxiety started coming back. I was reluctant to up the dose, so, I went to my gynecologist, and she prescribed Duavee.
To be honest, the Duavee didn't seem to help much at first, but since I wasn't having any bad side effects, I decided to soldier on with it. After about a month, the night sweats went away and my sleep and ibs improved again. By three months, I was feeling a lot like my old premenopause self. I went back to work. I'm traveling again. Life is good. At six months, I noticed I don't have background anxiety anymore. The great thing about Duavee is that there is no progestogen. My Dr said this drug is a game-changer for women, especially women like myself who have a family history of breast cancer. Duavee may actually be protective against breast cancer! The only caveat is that it's very expensive. $180 per month for me in the U.S. I don't think I'll be able to afford to take it for the long term. I can only hope that within a year or two I may not need it anymore.
Another discovery I made is that for some reason, I feel better since drinking whey isolate protein shakes. I just feel less achey and my digestion works better. I have no idea why, but I just feel better since adding the protein shakes to my diet. Maybe we need extra protein at this stage in our lives?
I'm still struggling with va. I was prescribed estradiol vaginal tablets (generic Vagifem) but I don't get on with them. I find they cause stomach cramping and don't really help much at 2x per week. Plus, they are so expensive - $160 per month. There is no way I can afford the tablets and the Duavee. One of them had to go.
I hope I can offer some help to someone who might be struggling with menopause by voicing what has helped me. I am so profoundly grateful for the support and helpful information given on this forum. I don't know where I would be today without it. I seriously thought I was dying or headed toward insanity when this menopausal upheavel started!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
