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[LW6982]

Hello

This is my first post so apologies if it's a long one.

I'm 47 and perimenopausal, periods all over the place, hot flushes and night sweats which although do have an impact its my mental health that's extremely bad at the minute. Which is having a significant impact on my relationship.

There are a few historical things that have been going on involving my previous work place over the last 18 months but I feel in a better place about these. However my anxiety and constant worry is out of control, to the point I'm feeling extremely low. I am on 150mg of Sertraline but it's still not great. I feel like I'm on a constant roller coaster emotionally and my head is full of cotton wool. I have discussed HRT with my GP but my BP has been a bit all over the place (very much linked to the anxiety) so she won't prescribe it yet, I was meant to go back about it yesterday but it was cancelled due to the GP being off sick.

This extreme anxiety is leading to intrusive thoughts and some self-harm. I was attending talking therapy but this ended suddenly 4 weeks ago due to the therapist being off sick, so no idea when it will start up again.

All of this is having a huge impact on my husband and I'm acutely aware that I'm hard to live with at the moment but I don't know what else to do. I don't want this to ruin my marriage but I feel like it will if I can't get control of this. I'm absolutely shattered because of poor sleep and this is impacting my work. I never thought this would be so hard, my mum and sister say they didn't have any of these issues.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[sheila99]

I'm sorry you feel so bad, I was similar so i know how bad it can be. The only thing that cured mine was hrt. Is your blood pressure being treated? As that would make hrt ok. If gp is just doing nothing personally I'd go private if it's possible. Life is too short to feel like this.

[CLKD]

I agree with sheila99.


Have U discussed how you feel with your husband?  During this time many make assumptions about relationships that aren't true.  Sitting down and talking about has he noticed anything different in the last 3-4 months?  What does he think might be the reason?  Some men won't ask in case they are seen as being 'wrong'.

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress.  It can be something to discuss with the GP.  Is there a Nurse Practitioner at your Practice to see, they often have more time than GPs might have.  Ask if there is a member who is au fait with peri menopause.  Also get a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic: there are waiting lists in both the NHS and private sectors, U can always cancel when the appt arrives if U no longer require it.

   browse round. Make notes.  Ask away. 

Is the Sertrealine helping at all?

[bombsh3ll]

Sorry you're suffering like this.

If you believe even part of what's going on with you is related to perimenopause, then I would make getting on appropriate treatment your number one priority, even if it means scraping together the money to see a private specialist.

Raised blood pressure should of course be evaluated and treated, but this is absolutely not a contraindication to hormone therapy, and should not delay the provision of appropriate menopause care.

In fact sorting out the hormonal chaos often improves high blood pressure.

This is sometimes used to delay making treatment decisions around hormone therapy when either the GP is under confident about prescribing it or has personal beliefs about whether women should or should not take estrogen that aren't based on evidence.

You have too much at stake to let this slide.