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[sheila99]

Hi

Just to chime in and say have you tested your iron?  The reason I say this is I've had  All cycling women need their Hb to be 130 or above (anything below 127 = iron deficiency) and a ferritin above 100 to not have iron deficiency symptoms.  Pretty much every single GP and gynae would argue with that, but the iron specialists I've been dealing with are emphatic on this point.  I'd encourage any woman struggling with peri to ensure her iron (and other blood builders such as folate and B12) is optimal  (and not to take a GPs word for it). 


Reb
x

Reb, by hb do you mean haemoglobin? That comes up on a blood test as Haemaglobin Estimation? Mine is 140  (not sure why it's an estimation though), serum ferritin is 40. Does this indicate I should take additional iron or am I barking up the wrong tree? Ferritin range is 10-291, gp thinks it's fine but it seems close to the bottom to me.

[Itwillpass]

Hi ladies here’s a catch up, so felt just as bad off hrt as on?! Spoke to usual lovely gp who has put me on gel & 14 days of Utrogestan 200mg vaginally. Finished the Utrogestan stage had a tiny tiny barely noticeable bleed. But basically have felt no different in fact the last week or so has been awful, every morning have buzzing/fizzy arms & legs. I’m so nauseas & bloated my gp has put me down for a non urgent ct scan of abdomen & pelvis. I’m so exhausted even though I sleep well?! Had bloods done yet again have enlarged red blood cells & b12 was 799 which is high? Hope you are all feeling better than me x

[Ellen May]

I am in tears reading all your messages as I am feeling just the same. I feel odd today and really nauseous so although I know I need to eat I can’t face it.

I can’t believe that the menopause can make me feel so very ill although the symptoms don’t seem to link together and all tests have been clear so far. I had what I assume was a hot flush last night where I felt really hot and spaced out, then thought I would faint followed by a bout of diarrhoea! I was fine afterwards just felt a bit sick.

I have had a nearly constant headache for 2 months which 4 doctors and other professionals have said is a tension headache but I can’t shift it and nothing helps.

My eyesight is giving me grief and new glasses haven’t really helped so I am always talking to optician to sort it out but no luck so far. I am on now my 3rd pair of new glasses in the last year!

The menopause seems to have triggered health anxiety so I do worry about every niggle now and it then escalates. I am currently worried about a mole on my back but in googling it ended up diagnosing myself with a brain tumour and IBS..

In case any of you have advice for me, I am on oestrogel 1 pump and utrogestan 12 days a month.

So sorry you are all going through this too.

[Itwillpass]

Oh Ellen May I really feel for you 😢 I’m not actually sure if I’m now suffering more with anxiety, I totally understand the rushing to the loo then feeling sick & exhausted after this for me is anxiety. I was on gel & 12 days of utrogestan (my 3rd type of hrt in 11 months)! I’ve been off it a week now & actually feel better, not sure what is going on with my body at the moment but don’t underestimate how poorly anxiety can make you feel x

[Ellen May]

Thank you so much for your lovely reply Itwillpass.

I wonder a lot of mine could be anxiety too. I’ve never had problems with anxiety until the last few years so it is still taking me time to recognise the episodes..

I had a month off hrt as doctor wanted to see if that was causing the headaches but as they didn’t stop I am now back on it. Can’t say I really noticed any change though so not sure it is helping me.

[EllaAurora]

Hello all,

wanted to jump into this discussion, as the topic is just spot on what I've also been questioning over the past months. Can it really be 'just' menopause that causes all these symptoms and makes me this ill? But apparently it can be, or at least no clear physical reason has been found to the adrenaline surges, insomnia, heart arryhtmias, stomach issues etc etc the list goes on.  And not to even mention anxiety, which seems to be the hardest one to get under control. I'm on HRT since last year, now trying out patch after couldn't find balance with oestrogel.

Its a total rollercoaster, one day slightly better, then the next day really bad and so on.. From my symptom diary I can see progress since April, but its so slow that some days like today it just feels like this will never get better (though I know most likely it will, eventually).

Take care ladies and lets continue sharing -it helps a lot! xxx

[CLKD]

I read this week that low VitD levels can cause sight problems.  Mine often feel blurry and gritty so when I find my VitD Capsules I will take 1 a day.  It won't do any harm and may improve my eyesight.  1 shouldn't require new glasses that regularly, did U see the same optician Ellen May?

I felt quite ill a few weeks ago and realised that I wasn't eating enough face2face Veg., DH has been stir frying a lot more with diced chicken breasts, or adding sweet corn, peas or other tinned veg. on the side of my lunch time pizza.  it's improved me enormously!   

Sometimes when I have to dash to the loo I feel ILL after: hot/cold, weak, shivery - like my body has gone into shock.  I often have to sit down quietly for about 20 mins. after.

If you think there is a mole do get it looked at.  I have a blemish which is probably an old age patch but it's altered character in recent months. Off to the GP next week for a thingy put over it to make sure.

[Ellen May]

I have seen the same opticians but they can’t seem to work out the right prescription for me as yet! My sight does seem to vary day to day and as I am so short sighted it’s hard to get the varifocal bit right. I was taking vit D tablets but haven’t for a while so will get back onto them and up my veg intake too 😊

I sent a photo of my mole in to our gp today. He thinks it’s a harmless angioma but has sent the picture to dermatology to check so that was good news.

That’s just how I felt after rushing to the loo so in a way it’s nice to know I’ve not alone!

I just find that some days I can manage well with my symptoms but other times it’s horrendous and I can’t cope..

[Ellen May]

Hello all,

wanted to jump into this discussion, as the topic is just spot on what I've also been questioning over the past months. Can it really be 'just' menopause that causes all these symptoms and makes me this ill? But apparently it can be, or at least no clear physical reason has been found to the adrenaline surges, insomnia, heart arryhtmias, stomach issues etc etc the list goes on.  And not to even mention anxiety, which seems to be the hardest one to get under control. I'm on HRT since last year, now trying out patch after couldn't find balance with oestrogel.

Its a total rollercoaster, one day slightly better, then the next day really bad and so on.. From my symptom diary I can see progress since April, but its so slow that some days like today it just feels like this will never get better (though I know most likely it will, eventually).

Take care ladies and lets continue sharing -it helps a lot! xxx

That’s it exactly!

I can’t really believe that the menopause can make you feel this ill but the symptoms don’t seem to join up into anything else..

It’s a good ide to keep a diary, so think I will try that.We definitely should keep sharing and taking as it’s the only way to stay sane and navigate our way through this.

[CrispyChick]

Just re-igniting this topic!!

How did all you ladies get on this year???

I came off the pill in Sept. I had swapped to yet another one to try and reduce the bad effects of microgynon - it made me feel ill.

First few months off have been anything but great - but now, the last 2 weeks have been awful. So bad that I think (thought) I was ill.

I caught covid - got through that fine. At the same time I had my first month of anovulation - this resulted in an extemely late period (first time ever) and, as I understand it, my progesterone will be low. Since that period I've felt ill.  fluey symptoms (sore throat, weird ears, that fluey feeling in your blood). Extemely achy back. No temp. No cough. No runny nose. I just don't feel well.

As a consequence I've been to gp. Had various tests. Nothing showing. As I'm at the start of my cycle after a non ovulatory one... Maybe its my high estrogen.

Sigh. I just go round in circles.

So yes, I really do find hormones can make me feel this ill.

[Itwillpass]

Hello Crispy  so basically I’m still struggling along too. Been off hrt for a couple of months now tried desogestrel mini pill in November but this also may me feel poisoned so stopped after just 3 weeks. My anxiety is better lately & energy level most definitely better off hrt. Still struggle with nausea, buzzing legs/arms, waking early some mornings, still have that feeling ill/fluey in general, still got ibs (as the doctor calls it) bloating, sore abdomen. Had a transvirginal scan in October have a 3cm cyst which needs checking in 3 months times again. Had another CA125 blood test 3 weeks ago thankfully that was fine. But my god my back ache is seems to be getting worse, sometimes feel it in my hips but my doctor still says it’s tension or the ibs?! On my period now but just get very minimal dark blood. Like you Crispy I’ve done a couple of covid tests on the really bad days but always negative, I even put off my booster till the new year because the day it was due felt awful. So yes like you struggling on & going round in circles 

[Nas]

Yes feel like death here!

Off HRT due to bleeding and tummy pain.

All symptoms have returned but worse. Still bleeding etc. Can’t have scan until February! Just been left to it now.

A slow death it feels like!! 😥

[CrispyChick]

Hello itwillpass  . Hello Nas 

Glad I resurrected this thread then.

Nas - what stage/age are you at??? Itwillpass and myself both peri.

A slow death it very much feels like - I can't believe how ill our hormones actually make us. I had covid 5 weeks ago. I don't wavt to belittle it for others, but for me, this hormonal hell is much worse. I've been in this hell for 5 years!

So I stopped the pill abc expected it to be rough. The first two months were bad, but this month I'm off the scale. My own body is now poisoning me!!!! It's horrific. I know I'm at my worst when I lose my appetite. Poor gp has been testing me for all sorts this week... Cause it just is unbelievable how ill we fan feel.

So I've been seen privately and did bloods. My progesterone is low, so I'm starting prog only. Had to wait until day 11. So started last night. So I can only assume my estrogen is causing my poisoned feeling - which makes sense when I went off the scale on an hrt trial. Also, as I said, I had my first anovulatory cycle last month, which means, I won't have produced progesterone.

So... Onwards avd hopefully upwards.. But right now I could've been fed rat poison. That's how I feel.

What's your plan it will pass???

Where is your back ache. I've got incredible pain in top half of back. That's new for me. Connected or not, I don't know 

[Nas]

Crispy, I’m post menopausal by three years.

Been in hormonal hell for 3 years. History of BC, finally allowed HRT via specialist team at Chelsea Westminster hospital. Ongoing Pain/ bleeding has caused me to stop HRT, but can’t get scan for weeks.

 Feeling like death is an understatement!

Sadly I cannot advise, but can offer sympathy and support. I feel we all need degrees in hormones to help  make any sense of what’s going on !

🌸🌸🌸. 

[Itwillpass]

Hello ladies, a slow death yes hit the nail right on the head there! I still find it hard to believe hormones can cause us to feel so ill but I guess having what feels like ongoing tests & bloods coming back fine just carry on & hope for better days. I’m going to stay off hrt for at least 3 months reassess my own cycle because my periods certainly seem to be very minimal. I’m currently doing a two week reload of vagirux after dr Googling (yes I know I shouldn’t) hoping my ongoing back & abdominal pain/period type cramps are VA? My back ache is low like each side of my spine & feels like a burning/stinging. Also take menopace & vitamin D which I’ve taken for about two years now. So good to hear from you both again even though we are still struggling I can accept these awful symptoms are more hormonal related x