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[donnarob]

Hi There.

I am nearly 66 years old and have never been on HRT due to health issues.  However, although I think I am going mad, I definitely suffer from cyclical symptoms at the start, middle and end of the month.  I can get very bloated, swollen breasts, urine leakage and dry cracked feet.  I woke up this morning drenched in sweat and had an upset stomach.

Anyone out there relate to these symptoms as it´s almost like having a phantom period

My GP is lovely but she´s only 46 and doesn´t really know much about the menopause. It´s a real shame that GP´s aren´t more clued up.

Thank you.

Donna x

[CLKD]

I haven't needed HRT but have required treatment for vaginal atrophy. 

Which health issues have stopped U using replacements?  What have your periods been up to in recent years. Peri can creep up with various uncomfortable symptoms .

What has your GP/Nurse Practitioner suggested with regards the urine leakage?  Has vaginal atrophy been discussed?  Many medics are totally unaware of this.

10 mins B4 my bleed began I would have to dash to the loo even when a period wasn't due.  Every month for years. 

I don't think that the age of GPs makes much difference, they either know or don't.

Which symptom would you l ike to ease first?

[donnarob]

Hi CLKD

With me, everything seemed to go pear shaped when I turned 60.  My periods stopped when I was 52 and peri menopause turned me into a bit of a wreck with horrible mood swings.

I had a stroke in December 2020 and thankfully, had no adverse effects although they discovered I had Afib and I was put on Eliquis a blood thinner.  It turned out that I also had gallstones and suffered Cholecystitis (inflammation of the bile duct) in January 2021 and was hospitalised for 5 days.  I was really ill and they prepped me for an operation to remove the gallbladder. Unfortunately after an MRI scan, they discovered that the gallbladder had adhered to the duodenum and the operation was deemed too risky.  Roll on through the year and I had three cardioversions.  Inbetween time in August of 21, I had a Takotsubo due to far too much stress and was hospitalised again for 5 days. It´s called Broken Heart Syndrome and I recovered from that.   I got a call from a hospital in Shien Norway to come in for a gallbladder operation, I had keyhole surgery but they halted the operation as it was deemed far too risky.  Imagine my disappointment waking up in pain and still having my gallbladder.  I was then referred to a top consultant in Olso who told me he could do the operaton but it involved many risks.   After following a low fat diet for a year with no major flare ups, I eventually got the operation in May of 2023.  It was a partial removal of the gallbladder but touch wood, I seem fine now.  A few years ago I did suffere from atrophy but discovered a great organic vaginal moisturiser called Yes.  I. haven´t suffered since I apply the moisturiser every 3 days. 

Just to add to my woes, I was just getting over the operaton in 2023 but had an accident at home which resulted in me fracturing my lower vertibrae.  It did heal okay but after a Dexa scan, they found that I had Osteopenia and am now on prescription strength vitamin D.

Sorry about the long winded post but I thought it best to clear the air so to speak.

Donna

So many women of my age swear my HRT but because of all my medical history I think it best not to go on it.

I try and drink a lot of water to combat the bloating which makes me feel

[sheila99]

Hi Donna, the ovaries do continue to do 'something' after meno and before they die completely so cyclical symptoms in meno are possible. I would have though you'd be getting towards the end of it though. Bladder leakage is likely to be VA that should be cured with topical oestrogen. The amount absorbed into the blood is so tiny it's considered safe even for those with oestrogen receptive cancer. You might also consider low dose transdermal hrt as transdermal doesn't increase the risk of stroke. I don't know about your other health issues (I suspect it's OK) but if you want hrt it might be worth seeing a specialist who's able to advise you better than your gp

[CLKD]

That explanation is so helpful 

I think that U R our first Member from Sweden ......... we have a holiday thread where you tell us. more about your country ;-)

Do U have support at home?  Adhesions can cause problems during surgical intervention, it seems that your low fat diet is working well.  At peri-menopause: those years B4 the final period = menopause: often we become sensitive to food stuffs, alcohol - I've had to alter my diet considerably due to an intolerance of croissants, scones, anything tiwh hidden sugar i.e. chocolate  to stop that awful clearing of throat cough.  The bloating has improved mostly though DH and I still don't know what the trigger might be.

Whoops!  Did U land on your coccyx?  At least you have a scan result so can take steps to improve bone health, which must include chewing ;-) as the jaw needs activity as do our long bones, in order to stop teeth falling out 

Let us know how you get on.  Keeping a mood/food/symptom diary may be of use too.

[Sophya]

You're definitely not alone. I'm not on HRT either, and I still get those weird monthly patterns too - mood swings, bloating, and crazy night sweats out of nowhere. It really does feel like some kind of ghost period.

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.


I have been taking a break from HRT and I have now been without Utrogestan and Sandrena gel for seven weeks.

So far I feel okay physically although I am very tired. Unfortunately my main problem of mood swings has continued.

I would love to be on an even keel emotionally and I hope that will be possible without HRT.
I am very post meno so there shouldn't be any fluctuations to deal with.

Needless to say I am keeping everything crossed!

Wishing you all well ladies and take care.

K.

[Spangles]

Hi,
I haven’t been on HRT for seven years now.
I’d been on it for 6 years.
I came off it very gradually, over a period of 6 months, no withdrawal or sudden onset of symptoms.
However, as time has gone on I have lots of sweats, poor sleep, aches and pains, you name it.
I have osteoarthritis, the anxiety has never got any better.
I still get the cyclical highs and lows with my mood.
People ask, well why did I stop taking it?
I stopped taking it because I wanted to see how I would be without it, and I just didn’t want to be dependent on it.
For the most time I’m ok, but when I’m not, I’m really not. That’s mentally and physically.
I take an AD for depression and anxiety, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke and I don’t take any other drugs.
My only downfall is that I’m a carb addict, and really should look at a healthier diet, but we all need something don’t we.
💕

[Dandelion]

Hi There.

I am nearly 66 years old and have never been on HRT due to health issues.  However, although I think I am going mad, I definitely suffer from cyclical symptoms at the start, middle and end of the month.  I can get very bloated, swollen breasts, urine leakage and dry cracked feet.  I woke up this morning drenched in sweat and had an upset stomach.

Anyone out there relate to these symptoms as it´s almost like having a phantom period

My GP is lovely but she´s only 46 and doesn´t really know much about the menopause. It´s a real shame that GP´s aren´t more clued up.

Thank you.

Donna x

Oh! it's horrible you have been suffering like this so long and been told you can't have HRT.
Only in the rarest of circumstances can the modern HRT not be prescribed.
There are no risks with progesterone and oestradiol and a bit of testosterone.
It's like medicine needs to catch up with science with menopause and it's so heartbreaking to see all the casualties suffering and lives being wrecked. 

[CLKD]

Spangles: "dependent upon it"  .  HRT is replacing what the body was making, once oestrogen in particular drops off we may notice symptoms: laxity of muscles which can cause aches and pains as well as the body may become dry: inside and out = vaginal atrophy.

Also HRT gives some protection to bone and heart health. 
Oestoarthritis is common for most humans because we evolved to walk upright.  It's normal wear and tear on the joints which can impact on muscles. 

'carb addict' - how is your diet overall?  I was advised to spread my daily diet into eating every 3 hours to ease any anxiety surges = panic attacks.  Even in the night, having biscuits by the bed.  Slow release foods: oats, bananas, dried fruits and nuts.  and of course, chocolate ;-). Often we need to review our diets as we age adjusting to what our bodies require.

[Dandelion]

Hi CLKD

With me, everything seemed to go pear shaped when I turned 60.  My periods stopped when I was 52 and peri menopause turned me into a bit of a wreck with horrible mood swings.

I had a stroke in December 2020 and thankfully, had no adverse effects although they discovered I had Afib and I was put on Eliquis a blood thinner.  It turned out that I also had gallstones and suffered Cholecystitis (inflammation of the bile duct) in January 2021 and was hospitalised for 5 days.  I was really ill and they prepped me for an operation to remove the gallbladder. Unfortunately after an MRI scan, they discovered that the gallbladder had adhered to the duodenum and the operation was deemed too risky.  Roll on through the year and I had three cardioversions.  Inbetween time in August of 21, I had a Takotsubo due to far too much stress and was hospitalised again for 5 days. It´s called Broken Heart Syndrome and I recovered from that.   I got a call from a hospital in Shien Norway to come in for a gallbladder operation, I had keyhole surgery but they halted the operation as it was deemed far too risky.  Imagine my disappointment waking up in pain and still having my gallbladder.  I was then referred to a top consultant in Olso who told me he could do the operaton but it involved many risks.   After following a low fat diet for a year with no major flare ups, I eventually got the operation in May of 2023.  It was a partial removal of the gallbladder but touch wood, I seem fine now.  A few years ago I did suffere from atrophy but discovered a great organic vaginal moisturiser called Yes.  I. haven´t suffered since I apply the moisturiser every 3 days. 

Just to add to my woes, I was just getting over the operaton in 2023 but had an accident at home which resulted in me fracturing my lower vertibrae.  It did heal okay but after a Dexa scan, they found that I had Osteopenia and am now on prescription strength vitamin D.

Sorry about the long winded post but I thought it best to clear the air so to speak.

Donna

So many women of my age swear my HRT but because of all my medical history I think it best not to go on it.

I try and drink a lot of water to combat the bloating which makes me feel

This is heartbreaking to read.
HRT could have prevented all of that.
Please reconsider, it's only getting our own hormones back.

[DottyD68]

Hi Dandelion,
I'm interested to understand how HRT could have prevented gallstones and gallbladder issues. Please can you explain.
Thanks

[KittyKats]

I think gall bladder disease can be made worse by HRT. A lot of studies have concluded this and that's probably why she couldn't take it. I think HRT can help to stop the development of some arrythmias. My cardiologist said oestrogen reduces the risk but the progesterone part is not so good.

[KittyKats]

Donna I'm sorry you have had such a rough ride but glad you are feeling a bit better. Could you do some gentle resistance training with bands to help strengthen your bones? Also a bit of sunlight helps my Vitamin D levels go up. I think if you feel worried to start HRT after a stroke then you should trust your instinct and not take it. I do believe it is possible to be relatively healthy without it but we have to be very careful with diet and exercise.

[Mary G]

Hi Dandelion,
I'm interested to understand how HRT could have prevented gallstones and gallbladder issues. Please can you explain.
Thanks

I'm sure dandelion will be along to speak for herself but I think she is referring to donna's rather extensive list of menopause symptoms that could have been avoided had she used HRT for example osteopenia and cardiovascular issues.

HRT can cause gallstones but obviously not in this particular case.   The hormone fluctuations of the menopause affect bile production and the gallbladder with or without HRT so it's not straightforward but either way, it's best to have the gallbladder removed if it's playing up.  I doubt donna resisted HRT because of the gallstones because it happened quite recently (2021?) and she's had been struggling with symptoms for considerably longer than that.