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[bombsh3ll]

Long term antihistamines are not benign either, and whilst any one of that cocktail could be causing itching, opiates are well known for doing so.

Personally I don't think opiate analgesia should be prescribed in the absence of a diagnosis as you don't know what you are medicating. This is justified in an emergency situation whilst the cause of the pain is being investigated, but not just go away and take this indefinitely.

Medicolegally it would be difficult to defend.

[Ayesha]

Hi, I had my most severe menopause symptoms before my periods stopped, not after.

I don't know if that was partly because I wasn't allowed HRT before I'd had my period free year age 51-52, sounds like you're getting there!

Before I was allowed HRT, I was on lots of medication for menopause, still am.

First I'd bad joint pains age 46 and was prescribed gabapentin as it helps both pain and menopause and is allowed in peri.

Then they added sertraline age 48 for sudden & unexplained bad anxiety, I asked to switch to fluoxetine which works better for me, I'm still taking it, occasionally I wonder if I still need it, defo did back then (I'm 54 now).

Bisopralol was prescribed for my scary palpitations.

My joint pains got worse again so at age 51 they prescribed morphine patches, they are for the rest of my life. I still wasn't allowed to try HRT, I was still having periods.

Age 51 my periods finally stopped and I got hot flashes starting. For that I was prescribed clonidine, which helps menopause and also doubles up as a BP med as my BP was high (145/95) but below the threshold for a standalone treatment (150/100).
Then my BP crossed the 150/100 consistently enough to get a standalone med, so I've Ramipril as well now.

I'm prescribed cyclizine for nausea as well which has been a major menopause nuisance.

I take multi vitamins as advised by my GP and allevia for the itching which is a side effect from so many meds.

I've made this list to show there are a lot of medications used for menopause if your GP is awkward about HRT in peri like mine was.

The first HRT offered is usually Evorel 50 patches, itchy and ineffective, but cheap for the NHS.

The ridiculous thing is that the reluctance to give out HRT is probably financial, then when a woman keeps coming back they get given a whole collection of medication that must be more expensive for the NHS, but they only seem to care about certain meds being expensive. It makes no sense.

I'm still on all of the above meds plus tibolone now that I'm post meno for sure.

Tibolone works so well that I probably don't need all the rest of them now, but getting to this point was such hard work that I don't want to give any of them up and have it all fall apart again.

I guess this is a warning, your GP might tell you that HRT cannot possibly be given off label to a peri woman and try to put you on the above meds instead. You're better off with HRT imo.

Your post is difficult to comprehend, you are only 54 and on morphine patches for life, that's not good. You need to become proactive and get your meds sorted.

[CLKD]

merrygoround - if U read back you haven't been clear as to your different diagnosis.

What members have been through isn't anything else to do with others and is shared with the medical prescribers and the patient.  However, when asking for advice on a Forum it's helpful to list all known diagnosis rather than adding them in 'down the line'.

i.e. I have been diagnosed with depression = 'name of product'
I have been diagnosed with 'X' = name of product

A GP is unlikely to name a medication i.e. 'morphine patches' if there isn't an active opiate ingredient.  R U able to share the name of the product and manufacturer as well as letting us know [if U want to share] how often you are overseen by a Consultant for that particular condition?

Many of us are a bit muddled with 'menopause brain' and are not medics but are able to give examples of perimenopause and types of treatments that have been suggested.

[Ayesha]

Your post is difficult to comprehend, you are only 54 and on morphine patches for life, that's not good. You need to become proactive and get your meds sorted.

Oh dear, I'm sorry my post is difficult to comprehend. I didn't realise.
May I ask in what way is it difficult to comprehend?
The GP calls them morphine patches but there's no actual morphine in them, it's a different opiate that won't get anyone high and makes me sweat too much!

Just concern on my part you being so young and having to use a morphine patch for life, but as you say there is no actual morphine in them.

[CLKD]

NHS search: What drug is similar to morphine?

Oxycodone. This opioid is a man made (synthetic) form of morphine.

It's helpful particularly if morphine hasn't helped or has given you unpleasant side effects.

Oxycodone is still a strong opioid and works in a similar way to morphine.

[CB73]

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone who has responded, I know I'm not alone in this and feel sure now after more research that my anxiety flare up is due to menopause.
Like you said HELEN57, this time it feels different, the physical anxiety is so much stronger. It's just unfortunate for me that I have so much OCD baggage that comes with it!
I've spoken to the Dr today and been given some Diazepam just to help with the most severe side effects, which seem to be present as soon as I wake up! Mornings are the worst!
I also have an appointment for 4 weeks time to discuss Hrt, hopefully by then I should know if an increase in my ADs is helping.

[CLKD]

Good Luck CB73.

Let us know how you get on.  My anxiety is always worse in the morning so I've learned never to say 'yes' to anything of an evening or by morning, I'm a wreck. 

[CB73]

Good Luck CB73.

Let us know how you get on.  My anxiety is always worse in the morning so I've learned never to say 'yes' to anything of an evening or by morning, I'm a wreck.

Thanks so much CLKD, this forum has been a godsend!