Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: angelindskiexx on May 11, 2013, 03:44:29 PM
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Hi ladies,
I'm having a surge in symptoms again. Last week I jad tummy problems, feeling nauseous, horrible taste in my mouth, bloating, flatulance - IBS stuff. I've also had for the last week twitching in my feet and legs and the odd twitch in my eye. So uncomfortable. Still dealing with the twitching, but the IBS has improved since changing my diet. I feel overwhelmed and slightly depressed. I have a tendency to become depressed when I feel overwhelmed.
Today I went out with my family (husband, daughter and her boyfriend) to do some shopping, bumped into my sisters and chatted with them for an hour, which was lovely. I didn't feel too bad at that point-- Then when it was time to come home I felt a bit agitated. My daughter went to stay with her boyfriend for the weekend, and as I was saying goodbye I felt this awful emptiness - I didn't want her to go - it was like I was experiencing separation anxiety -- I started to cry in the car on the way back - and suddenly felt anxious at the same time - I had this horrible head pressure (forehead and bridge of my nose which I've been having on and off for several weeks) and then had a nose bleed which lasted about 10 minutes -- I feel like I am in a huge mess. I am sick of worrying about everything (took 0.75mg Lorazepam this morning before I went out, usually it's a small does 0.5mg) didn't seem to work as well as it should today. I am a bundle of a mess and can't do this anymore. I admire all of you for facing up to menopause so gracefully. I started this journey at 42 and now I'm 52. I can't do this anymore. :'( I'm going to see my GP and discuss options for HRT.
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:hug: ..... make a list over the weekend of how you feel. Diet. Exercise regime. If you can't see the GP get an appt. with the Practice Nurse?
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clkd
I've already made an appointment to see my GP - I see her next week. She's very supportive and helpful. Strangely enough, the last time I went to see her (a month ago) I was fine! I just can't keep going like this.
Thank you for the hugs and thank you for always supporting me. x
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Good for you and good luck for next week.
I can recognise a lot of your symptoms. The fact that they come and go at will. The sudden loneliness coming from nowhere. I find I am best when I am with people but I also need time alone to recharge my batteries.
I find being overwhelmed if I have a lot to achieve extremely hard.
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Thanks, Millie.
I've been going through this long enough. I had a very heavy period 6 months ago - it was so heavy that I went to the casualty dept., of my local hospital. Never had to do that before. It's been over 6 months since I had a period - I felt fine the first 3 or 4 months but a few weeks ago everything went crazy. It is affecting my quality of life - I had to give up my teaching practice when I started perimenopause - I have lost a lot of years to this -
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Hi angelindskiexx
I can totally relate to the crying thing during peri-menopause - as it happened to me. Now my hormones are boringly stable (post-meno and on HRT) I hardly ever cry!
I hope your appt with doc goes well next week. Make sure you read up about the different types before you go - they are all on the menu on the left (under HRT preparations http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/treatment.php and then there's a drop down menu). For example do you want a simple pill to take daily or would you prefer patches or gel? You may well be offered one of the cheapest! Also you will be offered a cyclical one which will give you a bleed as you are under 54 and haven't been without a period for at least a year.
How did you feel during your natural periods - did you get very bad pms for the whole of the second half of the month or just before your period only as many women?
I am sure you won't regret your decision - most women feel a whole heap better once settled on the right HRT and you should find you won't need the other medication if you didn't feel bad before being peri- menopausal.
Hurdity x
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I've been like this for the past two years and started HRT patches 10 days ago. The difference in me and how I feel is amazing...... I honestly feel like a new woman, relaxed, cheerful and so much more energy. My noise anxiety has calmed right down and my joint swelling has gone. I'm 45, so could have put up with this for years yet. So far, I'm glad I didn't.
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sending hugs. Hope your Dr can sort you out asap :hug:
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Hope you get on OK at the doctors - I am sure you will feel so much better once you have been and have discussed your options. Stay positive and patient .... you will get there.
Meggie
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Hello Angelindskie. Sorry to hear that you are suffering. So much of your post resonates with me, the anxiety, constant worrying and feeling easily overwhelmed, it's all so familiar.
Like you I have tried to carry on as best I can but have now decided that I will try HRT. I took my first tablet yesterday and I will report back if I have any news.
Take care and wishing you well.
K.
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:hug: Hope your nice GP can help you! Let us know how it goes.
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:thankyou: Liz for your helpful post
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Just wondering how you got on at your Dr's appointment?
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Hi Angelindskie,
Sorry to hear you're having a rough time. I can totally empathise with that "I can't do this anymore" feeling. I was at the end of my tether last year with awful Peri symptoms and I came on here and found lots of support and advice from women who were facing the same problems. I too made the decision to go to my GP and started HRT last year - I haven't looked back!!! There was a lady on here when I joined who described her time pre-HRT as her "peri meltdown"....In time, I knew exactly what she meant!!! I thought I could struggle through it all, but the ladies on here said "Go to the GP. Go get your life back" ...so I did...and I have :) Hope all goes well. Take Care :foryou:
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Hello ladies
Thank you so much for all your replies to my post. I appreciate it so much. I've been feeling very 'up' and 'down. I had high hopes of trying HRT but my doctor won't prescribe it until I've gone without a period for 12 months. My FSH is still okay - meaning i am not close to menopause - I am feeling very disappointed- she oferred me antidepressants but i don't want those. This last week i hae been spotting - probably why i've been feeling so crappy :-\ Not sure where to go from here - Anyone have any ideas?
Jess
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Take the AD they really really help
I know nothing about HRT I couldnt take it
The best thing I ever did was take ADS I took a very old one Prothidene
Takes about 1.3 weeks depending and one morning you just feel OK
Can you take the MINI PILL that can help
Dont bother with dead exy meno stuff that promioses the world
Hunny if it did theyd be richer than Bill gates
Have a read abouot meno and ADS you could always try them and if you dont like them stop
Your GP sounds nice but if your still having periods In not shocked she didnt give you HRT but I know nought of HRT x
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Yes I have an idea......change your doctor to one who knows what they are talking about and who is more sympathetic.
Not to give you HRT until you have been period free for twelve months is ridiculous. What is her reasoning behind this.
If it was a logical statement then there would be no need for a sequi HRT.
Sorry this kind of thing makes me so angry. My GP is no expert but she gave me HRT without any problem at all when I was 48 and had not had a period for 8 months based purely on my symptoms.
Honeyb
X
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Hi angelindskie
I agree with honeybun - the 12 months thing is rubbish. You won't be offered continuous combined HRT until you have not had a period for 12 months but cyclical HRT is appropriate.
Do find another doctor asap - can you ask to see another one in your practice?
You are right to resist taking the ADs if you don't want them. How dare the doc try to fob you off with these drugs when it is a hormone you need? If your periods are irregular and you are having symptoms and you are in the right age bracket then HRT is sensible. Blood tests are an unreliable indictaor of menopause.
Here is a statement from Menopause Matters (from their Facebook page) posted on 13th May:
https://www.facebook.com/menopausedoesmatter?ref=ts&fref=ts
As it's Monday, it's time for some more common menopausal myths to be busted.
1. Antidepressants are not recommended for first-line treatment of menopausal symptoms such as flushes and low moods, yet are often offered by some GPs. Some antidepressants can be used if HRT is unable to be taken for medical reasons, but only after full discussion and after ruling out the use of HRT.
Good luck!
Hurdity x
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Yes I have an idea......change your doctor to one who knows what they are talking about and who is more sympathetic.
Not to give you HRT until you have been period free for twelve months is ridiculous. What is her reasoning behind this.
If it was a logical statement then there would be no need for a sequi HRT.
Sorry this kind of thing makes me so angry. My GP is no expert but she gave me HRT without any problem at all when I was 48 and had not had a period for 8 months based purely on my symptoms.
Honeyb
X
Hi Honey,
First of all I have fibroids which causes very heavy periods. She said she would need to give me cyclical HRT and that would bring on a period unless I could have the Mirena IUD which I refused because I'd tried the Mirena a few years ago but the progestin made me really irritable and depressed. She also said that if she prescribed HRT I would need progesterone because I still have my uterus and then she went on to say that if I've had symptoms of depression and irritability with the Mirena I would have the same symptoms with any progestin that she prescribed. That is her reasoning I guess.
Not long after writing this thread I had spotting (very light period for 3 days) It was hardy noticeable but I'm guessing that's why I had the surge in symptoms.
I've been feeling a lot better but I do wonder if not being on HRT is having a negative effect on my health. I am having problems with dry eye and I ache all over today -- If I could I'd go on HRT tomorrow since I'm getting tired of my body being out of synch.
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Take the AD they really really help
I know nothing about HRT I couldnt take it
The best thing I ever did was take ADS I took a very old one Prothidene
Takes about 1.3 weeks depending and one morning you just feel OK
Can you take the MINI PILL that can help
Dont bother with dead exy meno stuff that promioses the world
Hunny if it did theyd be richer than Bill gates
Have a read abouot meno and ADS you could always try them and if you dont like them stop
Your GP sounds nice but if your still having periods In not shocked she didnt give you HRT but I know nought of HRT x
Thanks, Suzi,
I will look into ADs if I get any worse. I might just get a second opinion from another doctor.
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Hi angelindskie
I agree with honeybun - the 12 months thing is rubbish. You won't be offered continuous combined HRT until you have not had a period for 12 months but cyclical HRT is appropriate.
Do find another doctor asap - can you ask to see another one in your practice?
You are right to resist taking the ADs if you don't want them. How dare the doc try to fob you off with these drugs when it is a hormone you need? If your periods are irregular and you are having symptoms and you are in the right age bracket then HRT is sensible. Blood tests are an unreliable indictaor of menopause.
Here is a statement from Menopause Matters (from their Facebook page) posted on 13th May:
https://www.facebook.com/menopausedoesmatter?ref=ts&fref=ts
As it's Monday, it's time for some more common menopausal myths to be busted.
1. Antidepressants are not recommended for first-line treatment of menopausal symptoms such as flushes and low moods, yet are often offered by some GPs. Some antidepressants can be used if HRT is unable to be taken for medical reasons, but only after full discussion and after ruling out the use of HRT.
Good luck!
Hurdity x
Hello Hurdity,
I've just explained in my other post what I think is behind my doctors decision not to prescribe HRT. But I think I should get a second opinion? What do you think?
I don't really want to try ADs....
Thanks for your post xx
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Hi angelindskie
I have no experience of fibroids but I understand what you are saying - basically she can't prescribe continuous combined HRT until you have been period free for 12 months, and prescribing cyclical HRT will aggravate your previously heavy periods due to fibroids.
The only way continuous progesterone is prescribed at any time is through the Mirena which as you say gave you pms symptoms.
She is wrong in saying that any progestin would give you the same symptoms unless you are progesterone intolerant. There are women on here who react to some progestins but not others - although with the Mirena less is absorbed into the system.
Micronised progesterone ( marketed as utrogestan) which is bio-identical, may not give you the same symptoms but is a far less powerful progestogen than some of the synthetic ones so may not be as effective at preventing growth of your fibroids - especially on a cyclical basis.
Here is what it says on this site about fibroids and HRT -a lthough I expect you've already read up on it:
Fibroids are benign smooth muscle tumours of the uterine (womb) wall and are dependant on estrogen. They tend to shrink after the menopause but shrinkage may not occur, or they may even increase in size with HRT use. Increase is thought to occur in 25% of HRT users and mainly occurs in the first six months of therapy. There is some evidence that transdermal (patch or gel) but not tablet HRT nor tibolone may promote fibroid growth. [ref 24] Fibroid size can be monitored by regular examinations and sometimes by ultrasound scans. There is some evidence that the use of the progestogen releasing intra-uterine system, Mirena may cause fibroids to reduce in size. Mirena is often used in the perimenopause by women who have heavy periods and/or require contraception and can provide the progestogen part of their HRT.
My view would be - if your overall health and quality of life is being affected by menopausal symptoms, and lack of oestrogen, I would be tempted to treat the problem which is preventing you replacing the oestrogen through HRT ie the fibroids which could flare up with added oestrogen.
Have you looked into treating these surgically rather than with a progestogen? If you don't then they will always be there ready to be stimulated by oestrogen, but you won't be able to take continuous combined HRT until 12 months without a period - and even then you may have some bleeding once you re-start the oestrogen.
I know surgical means are more drastic but may help you in the longer term?
I would definitely get a second opinion
Hurdity x