Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Bevey]

Hi Everyone,

I struggled immensely in perimenopause (physically and emotionally), but I made it through! When I was in late perimenopause and up to about 18 months after menopause, I was generally well: positive, energized, engaged in life, and so on. Then, symptoms started to creep in: anxiety, EXTREME sensitivity to noise, sleep issues, irritability, anger, hopelessness, and depression. I finally decided to try HRT but - after two weeks - I was deeply depressed (I believe that I am progesterone intolerant). I stuck it out another week, but then I just couldn't continue. I went off of it about 10 days ago, and for the first couple of days, I felt GREAT! Then, the same symptoms came back, and the last week has been an IMMENSE struggle. My peri started at age 47 and I just turned 57, so this has been a LONG road!

I'm wondering if my story sounds familiar to any of you lovely ladies out there?!

Any thoughts / suggestions / support would be GREATLY appreciated!!

[Bevey]

I wanted to also mention that this has taken a SERIOUS toll on my relationship with my partner. We have been together for almost ten years, but I find it hard to be around him right now: I just feel so emotionally vulnerable, and - sometimes - it seems more difficult to cope with him around. I also have a lot of emotional flatness, even though I know - intellectually - that I care deeply for him. Can anyone else relate?

[Lucoley]

Hi Bevey

Yes all of it!  I too struggled during peri but got through it.  I am now 12 months post meno and started struggling this year with anxiety, could not tolerate anything at all basically, least of all if I had any plans, reallly low mood, mood swings, you name it.  Started HRT in July, felt amazing at first but 8 weeks later bam, anxiety returned and has slowly got worse.   Waiting on an appt at an NHS meno clinic as they believe I am progesterone intolerant.  I haven't come off it but have lowered my dose of oestrogen to what I started on while I wait.  One symptoms that gave it away was despite the initial clear up of symptoms I had rampant insomnia pretty much straight after starting it.

So at present I've had to take sick leave off work, really limit plans as I just cannot cope doing anything at all, everything is extremely over stimulating.  I believe I need the oestrogen but of course can't take that without the progesterone so I am waiting to see what the specialist says.  You aren't on your own!  I hear you x

[Bevey]

Thanks for replying, Lucoley! I really appreciate it! I'm so sorry to hear that you, too, are struggling, but it helps to make me feel less alone in all of this. I am curious what the menopause specialist will suggest. Once you have the appointment, if you don't mind sharing the recommendation, I would really be interested to hear what the next steps are for you. Sending big hugs and strength your way  💗

[bombsh3ll]

How did you used to feel in the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle?

With progesterone intolerance there is often a history of PMDD or feeling wretched in the latter portion of natural menstrual cycles.

To parse out whether it is the exogenous progesterone that is upsetting you now, the logical place to start would be to try the estrogen alone for a few weeks, say up to 6 weeks.

Obviously you cannot do this long term if you have a uterus, however endometrial cancer develops after years of unopposed estrogen, not a few weeks, and this will help you identify the problem.

If it is the progesterone then there are TONS of alternative solutions so you will almost certainly be able to find something that suits you.

[Lucoley]

Hi bombh3ll

I did suffer really badly with pms and the contraceptive pill, although that's a distant memory! I think Im going to have to stop the progesterone immediately. I have woken up today crawling with anxiety and can barely leave the couch. I have lowered my oestrogen 2 days ago which probably hasn't helped so will put that back up. This is torture!

[sheila99]

The NHS are a bit paranoid about using sequi hrt In meno but it will give you more time off progesterone. I used a 6 week cycle. If you ask for a separate progesterone you can trial how you feel off it. Youight find you feel better on a different type of progesterone.

[Lucoley]

Hi Sheila

Yeah Im going to give it a go with no progesterone from today.

We shall see.