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[debbyx]

Hi All

I am falling apart at the seams these last few days.   I just can not cope with the amount of symptoms I am getting .

I am confused as one GP told me my symptoms are not menopause  because I am 62 but surely you can still have symptoms can’t you. At 62 ?

Another GP told me it was anxiety.

Is Anxiety a symptom of Menopause. ?

I feel I am going mad  I analyse every sympton ,

I have random aches and pains  feel about 90 in the mornings. not sleeping. Keep forgetting what I am going to say , I cry all the  time .  I can not concentrate and now I seem to have a UTI   

I panic about every thing. 


I don’t want to call the Surgery again as they make me feel I am wasting their time.

I just want to feel normal again. 

Are there any of you that are in your 60s and still having menopause symptoms. 

I think if I can except they are connected to Menopause I might be able to cope better.
I just feel I am going mad.

[CLKD]

Yep.  peri-menopause are the years leading up to the final period = menopause.  When symptoms may continue because hormones are still active, but not enough to cause a bleed.

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress and discuss with a Nurse Practitioner or GP.

In the meantime ring your Surgery and ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause Clinic, not a gynaecologist.  Ask for vaginal atrophy treatment as symptoms of urine infection may be due to dryness in the vaginal area.  U don't need an exam for this.  If they insist on a urine sample make sure that it is sent to a Lab to 'grow' - if no bug seen then it's likely to be the start of atrophy.

As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry : Inside and out; skin, deep in the ear, nostrils, vagina ........ as well as muscles may become lax = aches and pains.

Anxiety can be a symptom of menopause but not necessarily. 

U R not going mad. U R not being supported by your GPs though.  Too many fail to listen to women and work outside the box: age + symptoms = perimenopause.

Do ring this afternoon and let us know how you get on.

[sheila99]

Every one of those can be oestrogen deficiency symptoms and you can take hrt to alleviate them if you choose to. I would ask if the surgery has a doctor or nurse with an interest in menopause and see them. If they are unable or unwilling to treat you you can ask for a referral to an NHS menopause clinic. Until very recently menopause was an optional topic so there are many gps who are completely clueless about it. Can you ask them to test for a uti? VA gives you very similar symptoms and it does need treating as it will get worst without it.
  From the age point of view - I'm 63 and every time I try to reduce hrt all my symptoms return. At 61 you could have another 40 odd years to live so it's well worth making sure you feel well. For some people the symptoms go, for others unfortunately they're lifelong.

[Ayesha]

What appalling treatment by your surgery, time to get assertive. I was still having menopause symptoms over 70 years old, it happens to a lot of women and you are only 62.

The practice nurses in my experience are the best people to speak to in surgeries, they are so up to date with all things menopause, or seek out a menopause clinic but you need to know you were treated badly and you don't have to put up with it.   

[bombsh3ll]

It may be helpful before your next appointment to fill in and print off a specific symptom questionnaire relating to menopause and tick all those that apply, as on their own these seemingly disparate symptoms don't scream menopause, particularly to a clinician unfamiliar with, or disinterested in, the care of post reproductive age women.

There are a number of these available online, Louise Newson has one on her website for example.

If you have already decided you want to try hormone therapy, which is entirely reasonable, it may be in your interest to have a few hot flushes and night sweats too, because sometimes we just have to meet people where they are at.

You will be menopausal for the rest of your life, and the only way to know if symptoms are menopause related is get on appropriate treatment and see if they go away.

My guess is that most of them probably will.

[Cass63]

Hello Debby,
I honestly could have written your post😢
I have every symptom and more that you are experiencing. There are days the crying is uncontrollable, no rhyme or reason, just tears. I too feel like I am losing it most days, very rarely do I have a day that I feel just a little human. I have been told I am experiencing anxiety also and I have read that during post menopause anxiety can become worse. I have never been on oral HRT just topical estradiol and now told that I am too old for oral HRT. I am 61 years old. My 50’s were hard, but manageable, but fast forward 1 1/2 years ago all symptoms I have ever experienced during menopause have gotten much worse, but like you was told I was too old for it to still be menopause related. I understand what you are going through and so very sorry someone else is experiencing this. Take care 🤗

[CLKD]

Casse63 - who told you that you are 'too old'?   

Group 

[sheila99]

Cass63 there is no age limit for transdermal hrt and you don't have to feel like this when there is treatment available. If your gp won't help then complain, ask for a referral to an NHS menopause clinic, change gp or go private. Don't waste your life just because your gp is too ignorant to know how to treat you.

[Cass63]

I live in the States in a very small rural town with very few doctors. Our healthcare system has went to the wayside over the last few years. I have always been told that once you pass the 10 year mark of post menopause you can no longer take oral HRT or if you are over the age of 60 the risks outweigh the benefits. I have an appointment to see my gynecologist in October and plan to discuss some things with her concerning oral HRT at my age. Hopefully she may be more knowledgeable than the others I have seen in the past.

[sheila99]

Transdermal is safer than oral so I would suggest you ask for that. If you look at the Treatments tab from the menu it will tell you what is available in the UK. Perhaps you could then find a US equivalent.

[Cass63]

Thank you ladies for your replies 

[orrla]

I am 69 and just had my HRT dose increased from 50 to 100, and feeling much better already,  because like you had terrible symptoms. My sleeping was in two-hour blocks, sweats at night, trembling and jittery in mornings, no energy, no interest in anything,  feeling 90! ..all after a decrease of dose by Meno clinic, in 2018, because I was 'old' ..  My spine collapsed since, had 3 UTIs, bad VA..  How's that making any sense???

This June, I went private!

If you can, do too!