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[Dandelion]

I take femoston sequi 2mg oestradiol and it is useless.
I still get night sweats and hot flushes/sweats during the day.

[Kirstie]

Hi everyone,
I just joined the forum and wanted to say it's lovely to see how everyone supports and encourages each other.  I know we all feel symptoms and sometimes these are terrible but we should remind ourselves that we are going through a natural process and try not to feel bad about ourselves. I think part of the problem is that we live in a society where older women aren't valued- we are youth obsessed- and the menopause just reminds us that we are not "young". They did a study recently which showed that half of women feel invisible past the age of 50. This is terrible. It would be great if one day the menopause was seen as a positive thing cos it proved how wise and grown up you were!
Kirstie x

[Dandelion]

Hi everyone,
I just joined the forum and wanted to say it's lovely to see how everyone supports and encourages each other.  I know we all feel symptoms and sometimes these are terrible but we should remind ourselves that we are going through a natural process and try not to feel bad about ourselves. I think part of the problem is that we live in a society where older women aren't valued- we are youth obsessed- and the menopause just reminds us that we are not "young". They did a study recently which showed that half of women feel invisible past the age of 50. This is terrible. It would be great if one day the menopause was seen as a positive thing cos it proved how wise and grown up you were!
Kirstie x

We don't have to suffer now, with modern hrt.
I wrote above that femoston is useless, but it works for most women.
It's just that I am not absorbing mine. I'd suspected that for a long time, but kept quiet, as my doctor gets cross for some unknown reason so it put me off addressing the matter until recently.
I've been in contact with our great Dr Currie and she confirmed my suspicions and with her help I am addressing this issue when I see my GP next week, for a specially booked double session.

[Hurdity]

Hi Kirstie

 

Glad you find the forum supportive.

I totally agree with you about society's view of women and our youth obsessed culture - but that does not mean we should embrace menopause naturally ie do nothing to alleviate the miserable symptoms which can seriously effect quality of life and health for many women.

Menopause may be a natural process but diabetes is also a natural disease. Unfortunately women can spend one third of their lives in menopause with life expectancy at an all time high and there are several health conditions associated with oestrogen deficiency - of which osteoporosis and heart disease are two, not to mention the discomfort associated with bladder problems, vaginal atrophy and other things like fatigue, low mood, joint problems, hot flushes etc!

I agree we should not be made to feel invisible - but I am 61 and will never embrace menopause - although at this age I do feel grown-up and hopefully a little bit wise  . I don't feel invisible though!!!

Do tell us some more about yourself and where abouts you are in menopause in the new members section

Hurdity x

[Kirstie]

Hi,
No of course I didn't mean to say that we shouldn't seek help or medication - in the form of HRT or whatever works for people. Everyone is different.
It's a shame that so many GPs are so clueless when it comes to menopause- and also a lot of them won't prescribe hrt anymore.  A lot more research needs to be done but the more we educate ourselves and talk about it the better.
I'm just starting to notice hormonal changes (skin, flushes and memory loss!) and I want to know as much as possible so I am prepared for what is to come.
x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Kirstie and welcome to MM
It's really good to be clued up on the menopause and what to expect.  I think there is a danger of looking for or expecting problems and a small percentage of women sail through their menopause with barely a flush - they are the lucky ones. Do read up all the info under the headings to the left of this screen as it will really give you a lot of what you need to know.  Here on MM we exchange our experiences and try to support each other through the minefield that is 'the menopause'.
Sadly there is still so much misinformation and secrecy around 'the change' and the medical profession is generally slow and often reluctant to help.
It sounds as though you are in early peri meno  - Keep posting.  Dg x

[middlekid]

Hi all

I'm 52 and I thought I was 'getting away with it' until 6 months ago.  My periods were getting more gappy, but apart from that I felt just the same as normal.  Then in June this year the night sweats suddenly started, almost immediately after my period stopped.  I haven't had a period since, and the sweats have gradually worsened, increasing in frequency and severity, and then last month starting in the daytime too as well as at night. 

It seems to be a different kind of sweat to normal sweat - thick and greasy and very copious.  In the night I have been sleeping on a bath towel to save the sheets and pillows, but in the daytime, god help whatever clothes I am wearing, no matter how fast I shed the layers, the bottom layer is always quickly drenched and I can literally feel steam coming out of my collar.  Forget about makeup, it slides off.  Winter temps and more clothes on actually make it worse, at least in the summer when I was in light clothes the sweat had more chance to evaporate.  If I get one when I'm out in a winter coat ... ugh!

All I have to do is even think of anything stressful and it seems to trigger a sweat.  I'm having one right now as I type this.  My whole body gets drenched, from my head to my feet - hair, neck, chest, back, arms and legs.  And it's just so horrible and unpleasant.  At night I wake with a start, wondering what the matter is, and seconds later the sweat starts...

I started on Femoston 1/10 dual phase continuous pills three days ago, after the third lot of arguing with my GP, who wanted me to go natural, and then offered me other meds not HRT.  I swear if my GP had to go through even one month of night and day sweats like this he'd be begging for HRT too, whatever the risks.  It's all about quality of life at the end of the day. 

I hope and pray it's going to kick in soon, as I have a job interview a week tomorrow and just know that if the HRT hasn't stopped or reduced the sweats by then, that I'm sure to have one during the interview   

I'll let you all know in due course if the Femoston makes any difference.  It took my mother 3 goes on different types of HRT before she hit on the right one for her, which was a Prempak C patch.

Are there 'any' upsides to Menopause?  At the moment it feels like a cruel joke on women.  Men don't know how lucky they are.

[Lynjane]

Wow Middlekid, you really are suffering! I did have quite severe flushes, but it was more about the heat, I didn't seem to sweat much and I didn't have the horrific night sweats you describe! I started the meno at 53. I'm 62 now and the flushes are reduced in number to a few a week, and of much lower intensity. I still have most of the other symptoms, aching joints, insomnia, lack of patience , mood swings etc, but hopefully these will ease as time goes on. However, having read a few of the earlier posts on this thread, I soooo agree that today's society only values youth! For goodness sake its just not possible to stay looking 25 forever, so why does TV and magazine advertising suggest that only 'young and beautiful people' count???

[Taz2]

I hope your hrt kicks in soon middlekid. I'm not sure how long pills take to work but I know from my own experience that the patches stopped my every-twenty-minutes-drenching-sweat routine within twenty four hours. I used to take a change of clothes into work.

Taz x

[kayeb]

Was able to cope with hot flushes last week on holiday.... Air con in the bedroom kept the room like a fridge, & sitting under an umbrella by the pool in a swimsuit aeemed to work too ....back to normal this week :-( x

[missjanecobb]

The only thing that controls my flushes and night sweats is HRT, and that is 20 years after my last period. Doctors don't take it seriously and will not acknowledge just how ennervating and unpleasant it can be especially when you are woken repeatedly during the night. I'm now 60 and my doctor refuses to prescribe any more, and after 4 weeks I am desperate to the extent of looking for online sources.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome Missjanecobb
The new guidelines say that as long as you are fully aware of the risks there is no reason for not continuing with HRT beyond 60. I'm not sure where you will find these new guidelines but have a hunt around on this site - it could be under : http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/board,4.0.html

Can you ask for a referral to a meno clinic or, if you can afford it, go privately. I'm 58 and recently saw a gynae privately to get HRT again - though my GP wasn't against me going back on HRT she wanted a specialist opinion.
Do start your own thread so you get more support from all the ladies on here.
DG x

[Hazymaiden]

Hi everyone, everybody has been so supportive before so I'm here for more advice. I had started HRT and it did work but after taking a reduced dose due to increase in migraines (the reason I stopped the pill) I had to stop due to increased migraine activity. I stopped in June 2013 and the flushes have been relentless really intense, sometimes I feel I am going to pass out and I have to sit down, with and without palpitations, recently I have started breaking out in a sweat.
I did take clonidine for a while and it did work it reduced frequency and intensity, I had to reduce those as I was virtually falling asleep at my desk, so I take just a half dose at night and a sage tablet in the morning.
The reason I am posting and if it's in the wrong place please re direct me, the flushes are bad enough as they have regained their momentum and sometimes I am up about 11 times per night, I need advice with those but I now have problems 'down below'. I have tried lubrication but that doesn't seem to work 'inside' if you know what I mean? I have grazed slightly as well during which I think has put me off a little. I can't tell my hubbie he is so kind, I think he would worry too much and I don't want to spoil what little affectionate time we have (that's due to me feeling worried & embarrassed)
can anyone advise. by the way I menopaused at 40 and am now 48, thank you x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Hazymaiden and welcome back
You poor,poor thing - sadly nobody can tell us how long these meno symptoms will last - for some women things settle after a couple of years while others suffer for 20 years or more.
Firstly I think you are way to young not to be using HRT.  Were you using HRT in pill form before?  If so then you need to try using trans dermal HRT as it is less likely to trigger migraines.  Also the type of progesterone can make a big difference as well.
Have a look at the section to the left of this screen under HRT preparations in green.
There are patches but many of us are now using Utrogestan for the progesterone part as it is bio identical and generally kinder.  For the oestrogen you could use patches or Oestrogel.
As for the vaginal problems, you need local oestrogen like Vagifem - this will restore things down there and keep it healthy.  Even if you don't use full HRt the local oestrogen can be used for ever to help prevent atrophy and bladder problems. I also use Multi Gyn Actigel to keep things lubricated and comfortable.
I am 58 and after a one year break from HRT I am now back on as the lack of sleep was getting to me and I couldn't function well.
Many GPs are not clued up about HRT and the menopause so maybe ask to be referred to a meno clinic.  If you have a good GP who can talk to then perhaps print out the info from this site and show them what you would like to try.
Do start your own post under 'all things Menopause' on the forum so more ladies can respond and support you.
Keep posting.  DG x
PS - If you didn't want to go back on HRT then the gynae I saw recently recommends a SSRI called Citalopram that he finds the most effective in controlling meno symptoms. I have a colleague at work who is on this and she is feeling great. You should still use Vagifem for the lady parts as it is only absorbed locally where it is needed.

[Hazymaiden]

I'm not sure whether I'll be allowed to take oestrogen as the Dr's think it's this that caused my migraines and they are worried about me having a stroke especially after being stopped when taking the pill and twice with the HRT, that is why I wonder whether they will prescribe vagifem as it says in it's contra indications that you shouldn't take as risk of clots.
They have offered me anti depressants for the flushes too but I have found from previous experience that they 'mind warp' me. I am at the stage and probably due to sleep deprivation that I can't handle it any more, especially as our loving relationship is suffering......