Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: milly on April 23, 2013, 06:56:13 AM
-
If Menopause is classed as the last period, has anyone found that their symptoms occur or worsen after this stage?
My last period was 3 years ago, I had all sorts of lead up problems, heavy bleeding, flushes mood swings, etc, went on HRT before periods finished, was on it for 5 years, and then taken off.
I'm now finding it hard to cope, the night sweats are ridiculous, insomnia,anxiety, panicky feelings during the day, and hot flushes. I am 56 and am assuming this is normal???
Seriously thinking of HRT again, but is it too late?
-
My symptoms were a lot worse after my periods stopped. I had all the symptoms you've got now plus low mood, nausea and flushes during the day every 20 minutes. It was horrendous. I went to the doctors about 8 times in 2 months. Prior to that I hadn't been to the doctors for 17 years.
Been on Everol Conti for almost 2 years now. Back to my normal self.
So, I'd go back to the doctors.
-
Thank you,
I hate feeling like this, I can't seem to rationalize it,
wondering if something is wrong with my heart cos of the racing beats in the night,
and then the almost hopeless gloomy feeling to the brink of tears during the day,
and then there is the "I don't think I can breathe properly" feeling.
Must be seriously ill.
need to go food shopping but last time I went I felt very odd and had to abandon the trolley and get out!
Do yo recognize any of this!
-
Hello Milly, yes I recognise all that you've said. I am 56 and haven't had a period for two and a half years and the last 6 months have been the most challenging so far. My anxiety is through the roof, I am very irrational and fearful and can't seem to cope with even the thought of doing anything out of the ordinary. At the weekend I lost my appetite and honestly wondered if I was going mad. If I knew that this was the very worst it could get and that shortly I would begin to recover I might be able to hang tough and not take HRT, it's the not knowing that's frightening me.
I am currently taking ADs and Beta Blockers and will be seeing my GP soon to discuss HRT and will post an update on the forum. In the meantime take care and hugs from a fellow sufferer... you are not alone.
K.
-
Hello Milly - I haven't got anything really to add but I am exactly the same as you and I have had all the symptoms in one go with increased morbid thoughts and anxiety and lack of get up and go, but at least you go and see your Dr - I cant (gutless wonder) so a really big hug to you, you're brave.
-
I didn't have the breathing problem but I felt like had a lump in my throat and couldn't swallow. Order your food online until you start feeling better.
Did you feel better when you went on HRT last time?
-
I think the breathing thing may be due to excess gas under my diaphragm, probably cos I am taking in excessive air due to anxiety...god what a circle this is.
Re HRT, yes, for quite a while I felt good, but then the periods were very heavy, and I started to get migraine auras...but presumably this time I would be able to have non bleed variety?
fed up, really am :(
-
Yes you would need a non bleed HRT. There is a list on the green menu on the left. I use patches instead of the tablet form of HRT.
-
Hi milly. I have posted about this before, and agree with everything the other ladies have said. I was mooching along pretty ok'ish during my late 40's, still having regular periods, then into my early 50's these became irregular, eventually stopping when I was 52. When I was 18 months post periods, I was hit with the physical "sledgehammer" that was post menopause, and every symptom known to womankind hit me over the period of one week, I had all 37 symptoms, (or is it more?) plus bonus ones! I have struggled with clinicians, who have only ever really wanted to rule out "what it isn't! I have come off HRT, as I found it didn't help. I have had an MRI recently which showed I had two bulging discs, probably due to hormone effects, and just take amitriptyline now to help with dull pain, which may or not be the cause of my IBS, another well known symptom!
So anyone that tells you that 2 years after your periods stop, you are done and dusted, should throw away the textbook!!!
MINNIE XX
-
I had my last period in 2002 and thought that was it. Apart from the occasional itchy insteps and bra line HUH until last Tuesday (see bladder problems thread) >:(
-
Hi Milly - I was wondering the same thing!
My last period was over a year ago, I'm now having constant flushes, night sweats, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, feelings of impending doom... oh lord listen to me moaning :( I have not tried HRT, although sometimes I have wondered if I should. I have tried various things from the health food shop, all to no avail.
I also have palpitations, and sometimes it feels that my heart will actually either stop or I'll have a heart attack - AND IT'S BLOODY SCARY.
However, we should be able to do this - we've been through puberty, and most of us through pregnancy - so I am trying to do it 'cold turkey' ;D partly as I'm told that HRT only delays the inevitable and you'll still have to go through all these symptoms at some point - I'd rather do it now I think rather than adding to whatever else I get when I'm older.
I hope you feel better knowing that you're not alone, sorry I don't seem to be much help other than sending a hug and telling you it's not just you.
Love + a hug, Spadger x
-
Spadger - couldn't have put it better myself, I have heard that's what HRT does - delay the inevitable and I too don't want that and from now on shall say I am 56 3/4 years YOUNG! (Helps for a bit).
Big Hug to you as well :hug:
-
GrumpyandIknowit - you are not 'old'; we are beautiful, experienced, worldly wise, wonderful women, multi talented and...WE CAN DO THIS.
love Spadger x
(p.s. hugs & a round of applause to us all)
-
;D
When I was 18 months post periods, I was hit with the physical "sledgehammer" that was post menopause, and every symptom known to womankind hit me over the period of one week, I had all 37 symptoms, (or is it more?) plus bonus ones!
Oh I'm sorry but this made me laugh out loud...a miracle today let me tell you.
I feel so much better knowing you have all suffered as well... terrible thing to say I know!
I have decided to stop reading newspapers and mags cos I immediately make a bee line for the medical sections and then relate to every horrific ailment going.. even read today about a woman who felt weak, that's all, and she was riddled with cancer, and of course I feel weak.
phoned the surgery, next available app is 10th May, so good job I have you doctors on here to consult!! ::)
-
Oh shoot :o -- I've had a terrible perimenopause (9 long years with this) and no period for nearly 6 months. The only thing that's kept me going is the thought that when I reach menopause, everything will settle down and I'll be on my way. If this is how it is then I'm definitely going the HRT route because I couldn't stand this for anymore number of years. :sigh: Is their a time limit for HRT?
-
Hi Milley
I too feel just like you. I'm 54 and been using HRT for about 2 years which has been an up and down experience.
3 months ago I was starting to feel better, dizzies improved, more energy, joint pain improved moods became stable. Then about 4 weeks ago I was hit with the same hammer!! oh my god, all symptoms returned, I can hardly walk due to my joints. I can only think of doom and gloom.
I am of the opinion that my own hormones have stopped working and it may be that the HRT has stopped working. I am sooo fed up with life at the moment. My husband and I are off to Cuba next week (booked when I felt well) all I can think about is what if I get sick all that way from home?
Hope things improve for all of us ::)
W
-
Logically, as we are going through menopause our body is reducing in hormones. They do not build back up on their own, so our bodies are adapting to living with lower hormones. So in my logical mind, nothing is 'finished', it is just that we start to live with a different level of hormones and have probably become more used to the aches and pains.
The change in hormones affects each person differently, although of course there is a core of symptoms which most women experience to a greater or lesser degree.
However, there are many other factors which affect some of the symptoms we experience. Adrenal fatique, low functioning thyroid are just two of them.
Some people attribute everything to 'the menopause' and others don't recognise that the menopause / changed hormones might be causing some of them.
I am 56. I started to change shortly after my 50th birthday and I think my periods stopped at 52, maybe 53. I suffered from extreme hot flushes which was a nightmare for me at work since I was often in meetings and training people. I could not sleep and had night sweats. Then the pains in my back and hips and thighs started. I developed fibromyalgia. Had MRI and blood tests and other tests to confirm that diagnosis. Offered amitryptilene and injections into my spine to kill the pain.
I decided to try treating the situation with chiropractic adjustments and HRT. I tried 2 x conti HRTs for about a year in total but they did not suit me - I started bleeding and did not really feel good.
I had a hysteroscopy followed by D&C and removal of a small benign polyp - and had the mirena coil fitted. That was the start of the improvement in me. I was oestrogen dominant.
(I know there is much debate about artificial progestogens - that is a separate issue for me).
I have a superb chiropractor who identified my adrenals were very low. I took Adrenomax for 3 months. If you don't know already, progesterone and adrenals are closely linked. If one is low it takes from the other.
When my adrenals improved, so did my health although I was sometimes a bit low in energy. She identified I needed vitamin B12 rather than a broad spectrum vitamin B which I was taking.
I also read much about magnesium and so use trans-dermal magnesium which helps tremendously with many health issues including migraines and fibromyalgia.
As I progressed and each bit of my health was improving she re-evaluated where I was. I said I thought I needed oestrogen at that point. She identified it was still progesterone and to take chasteberry plus - unfortunately that had been recently taken off the market so I took the ingredients separately in tincture form. Black Cohosh and Chasteberry and Ashwaganda.
Again, after a time, I no longer needed the Black cohosh but was still responding to chasteberry and ashwaganda. She also identified that I was now responding to a phyto oestrogen support (Menohop) (oestrogen dominance does not necessarily mean you don't need it, you just need to balance oestrogen and progesterone first).
So, now I take
Vitamin B12 spray
Vitamin D3 spray (sometimes 1000 and sometimes 3000 spray levels)
Soup spoonful of high grade Omega 3 fish oil (anti inflammatory and balance of Omega 6 from our diet)
Ashwaganda capsules (love those).
Spray and bath in magnesium oil on and off as required (muscle pain and ongoing top up of my system)
Menohop - hop based phyto oestrogen by Nutri
Probiotics on and off.
Occasional Shiatsu massage and others to keep my body relaxed and in tune.
I have just ordered Gotu Kola. I have heard about it several times, was recommended to it and felt compelled to read about it. Worth doing some internet research on it ladies if you suffer from anxiety etc. Both Gotu Kola and Ashwaganda are ayurvedic herbs and can be taken together - in fact there are some preparations which are combined.
This is a long post, I know. If HRT worked for me, I would be using it without question.
In my own experience, one size does not fit all and there are many more factors to take into account.
The fibromyalgia I had is gone and I can manage the symtoms. I noticed some anxiety in the last six months, so that is why I am looking to adjust slightly what I am taking.
There is a site called WomentoWomen. Very good for information.
It is American although I do know you can get their supplements here if you contact them.
I should say I have not bought anything from them.
However, if you go onto the site, you can read some interesting information and they have a free Profile test you can take. The result is e-mailed to you and in it they talk about much of what I discovered on my own journey. It reinforced what I was doing. it may be of interest to you to guide you.
Alternatively, you could consult a good qualified Herbalist who will do your complete health profile and
So, the post meno journey continues for me but I do approach it a bit differently and with good results for me.
Hope the information is of some help.
Fx
-
Hi Firewalker50
Interested to see Gotu Kola and Ashwaganda mentioned in your post as I have read about them as well - I don't want to take HRT as its just delaying the inevitable, so can you tell me where you got/will be getting your supplies from? I have found loads for sale on the tinternet, and call it Menofog I cant decide which is the best option!
Thanks X
-
Hi grumpayndIknow it.
I use Fushi which are good quality products. Their capsules generally contain 333mg of the product (I know that from contacting them). I don't have any worries about fillers or poor quality product, although their website is not the best in the world for information. They Recommend you start with two a day and increase to 4 if you wish. I would probably stick to 2 a day. I think (but do not know for sure) you have to try different time of day to see what suits you best to take them - ie morning of evening).
There are tinctures, capsules and oils with Gotu Kola in them. if you go onto the website and put Gotu Kola into the search engine it will take you to the options. Both are around £10 for 30 caps.
I know there are others on the market and some may be better or more powerful (or less). I have used Ashwaganda in tincture and now capsules from Fushi and I have just ordered the Gotu Kola from there.
I do look elsewhere for the information / articles / recommendations about it and then generally order from Fushi - until someone else recommends somewhere bette.
Hope that helps.
Fx
-
FW I have known about Gotu Kola for years but I never take it for more then six weeks at a time as it can effect blood sugar levels.
It is a highly acclaimed herb http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-gotu-kola.html
I get mine from Amazon
-
Thanks for that Silverlady. I too find that site helpful for herbs. Gotu Kola has been brought to my attention several times from different sources over the past year or so, and so I reckon I am meant to take it ;)
I will keep an eye on my blood sugars.
Would you mind telling me the make/product and strength you get from Amazon. Always good to know a good quality alternative.
Fx
-
I get Swanson Superior Herbs Standardized - 100 capsules 100mgs
-
FW a book I really recommend is "Radical Rejuvenation" by Roxy Dillon It was one of my bibles in the middle nineties, I think you will find it very interesting and she devotes a section to anti aging herbs.
In fact I am going to see if this book has been updated.
Once again you can get it on Amazon.
-
Angel: I feel like you :-\ ............ I thought that once my periods were finished and because I didn't have particularly 'meno' symptoms ::) and now ....... so do I look forwards to hot flushes etc. :o ..............
I found during my menstrual years that the bloating was related to my bowel getting lazy, bloating seemed/s to cause asthma-type symptoms when I feel wheezy and short of breath .
-
I have not heard of that book but had a quick look at the site and the reviews. From the brief information I have gleaned it is very much the approach of my chiropractor (she is total health and a bit of a purist).
Anyway, thank you for the recommendation.
Fx
-
Oh great. It gets worse then? ::)
-
Maybe ;)
-
And mebbes not :o
-
I like the mebbes not lol ;D
-
Hopefully mebees not ::) ...........
-
Hi,
An update..been to GP today, managed to get in earlier than 10th May thankfully.
GP was lovely, listened to how I felt, listened to my heart, pulse, BP etc, and agreed it was most likely hormones.
So then we discussed the best options,and offered me a mirena coil, but we have settled on Evorel Conti 50mg patch.
He has booked me in again in a months time, but to go back if I have any issues with it.
He also said it sadden him that hrt has had bad press, because he feels a lot of women suffer unnecessarily.
I'm relieved, but a little cautious at the same time.
-
What a lovely GP :medal:
What you cautious about?
-
Isn't he just!
I think it's reading some of the problems other women here have had with Conti, but then again this is probably all to do with the anxiety, which this very patch will hopefully sort out!
-
I think we often worry about new meds., I certainly can provaracate for England when prescribed something different ::)
-
Hi there
Have had a quick read of some of this thread and just to say firstly re the symptoms coming after menopause - yes we are all different and for some women the symptoms only start around the last period whereas for others they start while still having regular periods.
Also the hormone levels (of oestrogen) continue to fall for at least two years after the last period and this is why symptoms can appear or worsen at this point. Some women want to start HRT and some need to increase their oestrogen dose.
Some of the more troublesome symptoms - bladder, vaginal problems etc only arise well after the menopause for some women and oestrogen deficiency is for life! You may well get through the hot flush/night sweat stage - when your hormones stop fluctuating but if you read the very good information in the menu on the left you will discover more about what happens to your body long term.
ADs are not the answer if you have never been anxious before and have no particular reason to feel this way, and have no medical reason that will prevent you from taking oestrogen.
As for the time limit and age to start, Dr Currie herself somewhere on this site states the current thinking based on a re-evaluation last year of some of the seminal research, ie that there is a window of opportunity for women to start HRT within 10 years of the menopause or before the age of 60 where the benefits in most cases outweigh the risks.
The recommendation only to take HRT for a specific time is based on this research using conjugated equine oestrogens (the Premique, Premarin kind) and synthetic progestogens. There is more recent research ( but no large studies) suggesting that bio-identical oestrogen (ie oestradiol - all the other sorts available) given transdermally ( ie patch or gel) are likely to be safer long term, as well as bio-identical progesterone (Utrogestan).
So you are not delaying the inevitable by taking HRT - you will be doing your body a favour. Many women choose to go down this route even if there is a slight risk ( no greater than drinking too much alcohol, or being obese) for the sake of quality of life in their 40's or 50's. You will also help protect your bones against osteoporosis.
I have been using HRT for 6 years and intend to continue provided there are no medical problems. I have chosen to continue with a cycle because I don't like having continuous proresterone even though I am nearly 60.
Milly - what HRT did you use before? The best thing to do is to try the patches and see how you get on. If they make you feel more anxious and it doesn't go away then you can try a different type.
For most women it's not that HRT itself doesn't suit them - it is just that particular kind, or method of delivery etc and you maybe need to try one or two before settling on one.
Most important - no need to suffer!
This is a bit disordered but a bit tired as just back from hols.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Hurdity x