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[Peri2022]

Hello ladies, nothing dramatic has happened but I’m just generally feeling rubbish and sorry for myself, and would love a bit of reassurance from those who are further along in the peri/meno journey.

I started HRT 6 weeks ago, first on Estradot 25mcg and gradually edging up to 37.5mcg due to previous bad reaction to high doses. At first I felt so much better although the bar was quite low - I’d been experiencing the most debilitating bleakness and depression. Now for the last week or so I can feel a slide back to sadness: not as bad as it was as, but I just wake up feeling like there’s no point, everything is a chore and I could cry any moment.

I know that I have a good life and things are happening at work and home that are objectively exciting but I just feel flat about it all. I’m also struggling with the fact that I now have to spend so much time and energy thinking about and managing my mood and my body. Perimenopause hit me like a truck after having Covid and it honestly feels like a chronic illness rather than a natural life stage.

Please can anyone offer any words of encouragement? I know I have a lot to be grateful for but it’s tough to think that I might be on this rollercoaster for the next 10 years or more. Thank you.

[Flossieteacake]

I am sorry you are feeling low. I can relate. Peri seems like an emotional roller-coaster doesnt it?  Are you still using ultrogestan? I found that caused me to feel very low and I wonder if you are having a reaction to it.

Six weeks is still early on your HRT journey and it can take time for the body to settle and to find the right HRT. I know that feels like no help when you already feel low.

I get times were I feel so deeply low and sad for no apparent reason so I really do understand this horrid feeling.

[Peri2022]

Thanks for your reply, Flossie. I wish so many of us weren’t suffering but it does help to know I’m not alone in this.

I actually haven’t started Utro yet because my Newson doc said it was OK to do max 1-2 months without it if I was feeling nervous about just getting my oestrogen dose right first. I’m due to start it tomorrow (day 15 of this cycle). I have had bad experiences with progesterone in the past so the first time I attempted HRT last year I took it vaginally. It seemed OK. I was quite tearful but I felt like that before the utro anyway!

I have just had a big slice of buttered toast and fried egg which made me feel about 2 percent better. 😉

I am sorry you are feeling low. I can relate. Peri seems like an emotional roller-coaster doesnt it?  Are you still using ultrogestan? I found that caused me to feel very low and I wonder if you are having a reaction to it.

Six weeks is still early on your HRT journey and it can take time for the body to settle and to find the right HRT. I know that feels like no help when you already feel low.

I get times were I feel so deeply low and sad for no apparent reason so I really do understand this horrid feeling.

[Flossieteacake]

I think that is great advice. To allow your body to see how you go on oestrogen before adding the progesterone helps to know when we have any side effects. I really hope it goes well for you when you start the ultrogestan.

That sounds like a yummy lunch.

[CLKD]

HORMONES 

R your mood dips cyclical?  Ovaries can still kick out enough hormone for ages after we get into menopause 'proper'.

Try not to look too far ahead.  Make time for hobbies.  Simply sit - listening to the birds, watching water.  'me' time is important.  Keeping a journal was useful for me, allowing me to rant++.  If anyone had read it 

This time of year !  all the run up and fuss around the 'festive' season followed by New Year which is the turning of the day, not a lot more: can leave people feeing low.  MayB get a large sheet of paper with a line running from top to bottom down the middle.  Jot down your plans for this year on the left (+ive side) and people/chores who you want to avoid on the right (neg side).  Balance them until you get a kind of map which will see you through until March.

Me: it's all about gardening from now on.  Feb and March are my fav months as I can see renewal ;-).  Eating little and often can ease mood spikes too.

[Peri2022]

Thanks CKLD, these are all good things to bear in mind. I do try to be rational and remind myself of all the good things but it’s tough when my hormones are giving my brain another message. I have certainly found that small, regular snacks help, and have cut down sugar to avoid big highs and lows. Going to have a little nap now as peri insomnia had me up half the night! I suppose things always seem worse when you’re tired.

[CLKD]

I love my afternoon sleep ......... when really tired I can sleep through the rugby, down hill skiing, MotoGP