Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: jedigirl on January 03, 2015, 08:43:50 AM
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Just as things seemed to be getting easier once again the anxiety,headaches, nausea, shakes etc are all back. I'm sure the end of my period , five days ago, is something to do with it. As often as i tell myself "it's only hormones, it'll be okay,you've been here before" I still feel overwhelmed and lost in the whole battle of trying to stay positive. Does anyone else feel knocked sideways at times and normal(ish) the rest of the time? I feel exhausted with the emotional upheaval of it all. :-\
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I understand exactly how you are feeling and I sympathize. I started feeling bad on day 5 of my period this month and am still struggling. It must be the fluctuations in hormones, but I can't convince myself of that and am finding it very hard to cope. I am in the middle of a hormone saliva test, am testing my estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels throughout the month. I don't know how accurate it will be but had to do something to try and a prove a connection between the way I am feeling and my hormones.
Hang in there, apparently it does get better. Although we might have to wait 10 years :)
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Thanks toffeecushion, it's miserable isn't it! I can't believe how hard it is to get on top of it all. I had an FSH last May (after lots of problems) which was very high and a load of other tests that came back normal. Everything pointed to hormones, then started having sweats in the night, anxiety , palpitations,was hit with it all! At 44 I thought I had a while before I would need to handle this. I think looking back that the HRT is helping and I have a fab womens health counsellor. I just wish it wasn't such a rollercoaster ride, I'm a state today.Thanks for your reply and hope the tests give you the answers you are looking for. It's a scary time but we'll get through it, hugs x
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hi same here had a rare good day on thursday i thought to myself i feel normal no dizzy feeling no headache and feeling happy etc but next day back to feeling horrible i tell myself its hormones but how can hormones make you feel so bad just not fair vanessa spain xx
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I totally agree ladies...........I feel ok sometimes and other times my heart is pounding, anxious and overwhelmed.....hope our ride evens out soon xxx
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Thank you so much for replies, its good to hear your stories. Am hoping for my good days soon too, they seem a distant memory :)
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Interesting thread!
just been shopping and as usual had to come home as I started feeling dizzy/lightheaded, also I have found I am sweating really bad day and night rather than hot flushes??? the sweat is drenching me. Is this yet another stage??
If it lasts for 10 years......grrr
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I'm nodding hard. I know that anxiety makes me feel ill, but I forget how that feeling is until the next attack.
I think a chat with your prescribing practitioner is in order, no one should have to feel so ill on such a regular basis ……... :bighug:
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I don't know what else they could do clkd, I'm already on hrt and sertreline. They seem at a loss with me most times anyway :-(
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Sertreline helps? if not there are other medications but Trial and Error can be tiring!
Do you take the Sertreline medication on an 'as necessary' basis or at regular times?
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I hate how you can change from feeling on top of the world to a 'shadow of your former self' in a matter of hours. I'm like a little snail who crawls into her shell at these times! I used to be able to predict when it would strike (before I came on and after ovulation) but even that is erratic. End of my period and few days after seems to be as bad these days (funny how a number of us are noticing this). I know I shouldn't let it, but the thought of 'what if I feel ill?' seems to dominate all my planning. I feel so sorry for my partner who has to put up with so much of both our lives being dominated by my crazy health (and head!) x
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Glad I am not alone thinking like this. I am usually planning a holiday at this time of year but am worried about how I will feel so might not bother. I also worry (as if I needed something else to worry about) that my husband will have enough of me being ill all the time and leave me, it must be difficult for them. I wish I had someone else I could talk to, I tried talking to my mum but she thinks it can't be menopause because I'm not 52 yet and that is when menopause happens lol.
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So TALK to your partners, do not try to guess how they are feeling on how *you* feel ::) - I have worried that DH will up and away so we have 'the talk' …….. also actions help how I feel as he does all the cooking, reassures me when necessary etc..
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We do talk and he is very good, he believes it is all hormone related but everyone has their breaking point. I must be unbearable at times. I think anxiety makes you paranoid as well, it definitely strips your self confidence.
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toffeecushion that's exactly how i feel, like i'm putting off planning things in case I feel unwell that day. Last years holiday felt like torture to me, I didn't feel part of it at all, just ill and disconnected. I'm already dreading this summer with the heat, holidays and the kids wanting to do stuff. They still say it was one of their best holidays which amazes me! Glad to hear similar stories.
clkd i really cant tell if sertreline is working, i thought so but not feeling too good the past few days. I take it every day. x
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Jedigirl - perhaps speak to a pharmacist to see if a hike in dosage might be required? Sometimes our anxiety can over-rule the medication >:(
Yep, anxiety certainly made me query everything and everyone :-X
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I too get that reaction from my mum who smugly reminds me she "sailed through it" in her 50s (my memories of her at that time are slightly different lol) and though she hasn't said it, I know she thinks I should "pull myself together".
Though I feel sad that all this has happened to me before I was able to have children, looking at it the other way, it must be so hard for you guys to have to worry about them as well as everything else. I'd hoped this year to go for a promotion at work, but I had so many days where I literally 'counted the minutes til home time' last year, that I am now too afraid to take on any additional stress. This wouldn't have crossed my mind in my 20s or 30s. Have any of you found it affects work too? How have you dealt with it?
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Sorry to hear about the troubles of all of you peri-menopausal women out there!
If you haven't already done so, then do read the back magazine article on this site written by Dr Currie called "The Perils of the Peri-menopause" which explains what is happening to your body at this turbulent time. http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/article-perils-of-the-perimenopause.php
Re saliva testing of hormones - from what I've read in the past I recall that this definitley does not give an accurate reading of hormones levels, and I think is more variable even than blood tests. However I think I am right in remembering that it may well mirror the menstrual cycle in a women who is still fertile, in that there are usually the relevant peaks and troughs in the main sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Sorry I can't find the (reliable) reference where I read this!
jedigirl - if you can, try to resist putting off planning things in case you feel unwell - since if your periods are irregular - as in peri-menopause, then you could end up planning nothing or worrying all the time. Do you have something you can take, do, or say to yourself to help you through these days when they occur? As you say your kids did not notice how their mum was feeling and enjoyed themselves anyway! To me that would be worth the trouble I took to plan! Can't remember what HRT you are on?
Hurdity x
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I understand that the saliva test isn't 100% reliable but I had to do something positive. My gp doesn't think I am perimenopausal, I'm 48 so can't be far off. I have had 2 FSH tests done over the past year, the first one was 2 and the second was 10. It is rising but not enough to convince them to do something. I am hoping that the test will show fluctuations or an imbalance so I can show my gp.
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Have you ever asked for a Day 5 estrogen blood test? That was what the endocrinologist told my GP to do. Up to then he had refused to do this (as my FSH levels were not high) but once I got the results back, my GP back tracked a bit and admitted they were significantly low (albeit temporarily - I suspect they hit they other end of the scale too, especially when the nausea kicks in!). Really useful article Hurdity, Thank you x
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Doctors should really go on symptoms rather than blood tests to diagnose peri-menopause. Pity you have to take it into your own hands.....
There is info here on this site about testing and diagnosis:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/diagnose.php
Hurdity x
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Thanks Hurdity, I do try not to put things off unless I know it would be too traumatic! I'm on Femoston 2/10 and Sertreline but really don't like being on hrt, i worry about the health risks but felt so awful last summer I had to do something.As I was 44 was recommended it for protecting my bones and heart. I'm confused now though whether the dose of Femoston is too high or do i just need longer on it to settle down? I started on 1/10 after being on Femseven patches ( which were fine but made me so itchy and fell off alot) but felt like the 1/10 wasn't enough as i had no period and felt awful. I've had slight period on 2/10 but still feel awful after my period. Why then I wonder? Silverlady said she thinks birth control better for perimenopause but that was never offered. Sorry so many questions I can't think straight. Hugs to all xxx
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I am really interested in Qlaira which my GP claims will override my own fluctuating hormones and is aimed at ladies in peri menopause. Pixiegirl's positive experience (see New Members) was helpful. This pill has more natural, HRT style estrogen but synthetic progesterone. As it's a four-phase pill, I am still worried it will cause high/low fluctuations - in which case I am better off staying on my current HRT. Does anyone know anything about the progesterone in Qlaira? How does it compare to the ones beginning with an N and L (names of which I can't remember-sorry!) ?
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,24521.0.html
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Do you not use birth control at all then or another method? I mentioned about Qlaira on another thread. I hadn't come across it before, and sounds promising to me for those who can tolerate (synthetic) progestogens. I can't 4explain why you feel bad after your perid though! Usually women feel better then because they've got rid of the progesterone, the period and the pain is over and oestrogen is on the rise. Most women then feel at their best until some time after ovulation. When do you feel at your best on this regime and when did you feel at your best before peri started and your periods were regular?
Maybe wait a while and see if it settles - it is tricky during peri because of your own hormones fluctuating and interacting with the HRT.
Hurdity x
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Apologies Hurdity - had not seen your points re Qlaira on the other thread!
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Thanks Hurdity, think I have answers from you on two threads! My hubby has had snip so no contraception needed. I felt good last month from second phase of estradiol right through progesterone part. It was only switching back to phase one that i started to feel yuck again and it happened almost like a wave washing over me. I don't know if I have a fast metabolism ( I have a brill womens health counsellor who thinks i do) but often it happens this way with me, fine one minute then crash. I do wonder if i have too much oestrogen when i go back onto this phase, if my own cycle is still putting some into my body? Thanks again, you're a star
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Briony, thanks for your posts, I can certainly identify with the turmoil you are going through.
CLKD thanks again, i dont really want to up the Sertreline as most of the time it seems enough. I'm toughing it out till i see my fab counsellor on Friday. She can usually talk me through my worries as she is so knowledgeable about womens health. I'm hoping the physical side will ease as the month goes on though if every month is going to fall into this pattern will have a chat with the gp. x
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However - why tough it out if the option is there: if you ask about upping the dosage when you require it :-\ ……. if you find that a higher dose helps ……. the month probably will fall into that particular pattern if a person is prone to sensitivity!
I have never been able to 'tough it out' :'( …...
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Hi jedigirl and Briony - I only just posted about them as had not been on the forum for a couple of days and had a session trying to catch up....
re feeling good or not jedigirl - if you feel bad for a few days after going back onto the oestrogen only part then this is not because of the oestrogen - the oestrogen on HRT stays at the same level throughout the month. The first few days of the oestrogen only bit and usually just before, (or overlapping the start of) the bleed, is still in the pre-menstrual phase and generally causes some of the symptoms of pms women get just before the period because technically it is still in the progesterone phase. Following cessation of the progestogen, the hormone decreases more or less to just above zero ( as it does in the menstrual cycle) and the withdrawal symptoms cause unpleasant side effects on most women which then subside after a few days. Maybe they last longer sometimes on your case or maybe your own hormones getting in the way?
Your hormonal anxiety should ease with the right level of oestrogen but you may well continue to get some troughs as you continue through peri-menopause. This should ease the nearer to menopause you get and your hormone levels stablise and you can tweak the HRT dose to minimise any anxiety. personally I would not want to take ADs for hormonally induced anxiety if I could cope with life and ride through it....
There is often confusion with HRT with women thinking it's the oestrogen causing the bad side effects when actually this is not the case - if you look at the graph of the menstrual cycle you will see what I mean. I still can't explain why you still feel bad after your period has stopped except through interplay with your own cycle too.
Sorry that's completely garbled!
Hurdity x
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Clear as mud Hurdity …………… <wave> HORMONES >:(
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I can relate to all of these posts. My most challenging symptom is anxiety. I feel shaky and fearful on my bad days. It is horrid. I seem to have lost confidence this year. I am 51 in 10 days and the symptoms seem to have kicked in big time since July - although I was loosing it at work before that. I have had bereavement as well. Not an easy year. I worry my husband will get fed up too. I am seeing a therapist to try and deal with the anxiety and am reading about CBT in order to challenge the thoughts I have. I am going to see Dr Annie Evans next week…so I am doing all I can. I just find it hard to accept that I feel so anxious a lot of the time and its hormonal.Thanks for your honesty.
Sally G
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Hurdity, I understand what yr saying thanks. I do tend to have some sort of a period early in the progesterone phase yet it seems to be when i come off it i feel worse so I do think the fluctuations of my own cycle not helping.
Sallyg hugs to you, its not easy is it? X
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Hello ladies.
I can relate to so much so what has been said and I also find the anxiety the worst part. Like many ladies I am not sure if the quivery/jittery sensations are the result of anxious feelings or the cause of them, all I know is that they are horrible and I wish they would go.
Sending hugs to fellow sufferers everywhere.
K.
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Thanks Kathleen, weirdly today I dont feel quite so anxious but feel very nauseous and have a rash under the skin on my cheeks. This all indicates hormones to me but no idea what to do, if anything, about it. Am already on HRT , so don't know if it doesn't suit me or whether it needs longer to work. So confusing
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I'm really wondering whether I should cut a quarter off my Femoston tablet this evening to see if I feel any better. Has anyone tried this? Am on 2/10 so that would make it 1.5 mg of estradiol. I hate this nausea, am struggling to eat today and back at work tomorrow. Aaargh!
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Glad you are feeling less anxious today. I am feeling a bit better too. I am on day 8 of my cycle and wonder if that has anything to do with it.
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Keeping a food/mood/medication diary is important!
If nausea over-took I could never continue with the medication :-\
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Clkd will try that thanks.
Toffeecushion I'm on day 6 of my cycle, feel more nauseous but less anxious, good grief! About to try and eat Sunday lunch with the in laws! Will have to manage something or they worry. Wish me luck!! X
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Oh how I struggled with food over the years :sigh: instead of saying 'tuck in, enjoy, I'll eat later when I'm hungry' ……… ::)
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I wish I could say that CLKD but they're elderly and have seen me become too thin since all this kicked off so they worry and then I feel so guilty. Was nice to see them and my mum too and managed a small amount though i had a horrible wave of pain in my stomach while we were there. I honestly don't know if its the anxiety causing the tummy problems or the other way round.
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Well done for sticking it out. I know what you mean though, I don't know if the anxiety is because of how I feel or I have anxiety because of my hormones.
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I know how you feel, glad im not alone, been feeling down all day with pains across stomach that comes in waves, not sure if its anxiety or hormones, or a bit of both...its good to know so many feel the same and we are not alone!
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robotwars, tummy pains were my first big indicator of peri, though looking back there were other not so obvious ones. I had weeks of tummy pains, always starting when my period ended. I always thought hormones were the culprit and the doctors agreed once they'd done loads of other tests. It's still horrible when it comes on and not easy to keep positive. It helps me now knowing that it does pass and I'll have a few good weeks again. Soldiering on!!
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What does being elderly have to do with your problems? that was then, this is now. You are *allowed* to be firm, it took me years to tell others that I am not eating with you - their problem if they don't like it! Sometimes I couldn't even be in the same room as them at meal times. I got so that I took my own grub when visiting his relatives because they didn't eat when promised and my medication was time dependant …… and I have to eat before I get hungry or I get pains, shakes, nausea ……. then can't eat for days :'(
If they didn't like it tuff - I told them to treat me like a diabetic ;) who has to eat regularly.
You could have wind spasms because your gut is empty. Been there ……… <sigh> ….. perhaps eating before the visitors arrive, a small plate of biscuits and a cuppa ;)
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If you had gut problems before starting HRT then transdermal is definitely to be preferred! Also if you are also having digestive problems this can affect the absorption of the oestrogen into your bloodstream.
Here is what it says on this site about route of HRT ( ie transdermal or tablet)
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/route.php
If you are having a period at the beginning of the progesterone phase then it does sound like your own cycle kicking in which might explain some of your odd symptoms! Not sure what to suggest about that.....
Hurdity x
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It's not that they wouldn't like it CLKD it's that I hate them to worry about me! They would be fine about it then go home and worry. I don't want anyone worrying about me , last year they did enough of it for a lifetime. They care that's all.
I know what you mean about not being able to be in the same room though, it's like morning sickness in that way, the smells of food make me retch sometimes. Thankfully the nausea subsided for the day so filling up on fruit and snacks now.
Yes probably is wind spasms, that thought occured to me as had very little to eat today and that was all fruit and veg so probably very windy!!
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You are worrying too much for other people ::) - how do you know they go home and worry :-\ and really, that is their choice - they may well discuss how you are together and then get on with their plans! It may be your interpretation on how you think others 'see' your eating habits …….. be true to yourself!
I get wind spasms around the belly button ………… background like now or sudden griping spasms :-\
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Hurdity, I started HRT on Femseven patches for three months and they were ok but got really itchy underneath and i couldn't keep them on. They would stick at first then come away at the edges after a bath so that they pulled against whatever i was wearing. I tried everything for the itchiness, hydrocortisone after removal (had a backside like a giraffe!) leaving the alcohol to dry, pressing them on but they were too troublesome. Also doctor wasn't sure what was being absorbed when they kept peeling away at edges. Tbh my stomach wasn't alot different on the patches anyway but I do wish they'd worked for me.
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You are worrying too much for other people ::) - how do you know they go home and worry :-\ and really, that is their choice - they may well discuss how you are together and then get on with their plans! It may be your interpretation on how you think others 'see' your eating habits …….. be true to yourself!
CLKD you do make me smile, i bet you don't mince your words, I like that! I know they worry from past experience of them ringing my hubby to sneakily check up on me afetrwards but yes it is their choice and I'm glad they care enough. I do worry too much about other people I know!
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Ha! Don't think I've quite got the hang of quoting yet CLKD!