Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: LeeJane on February 12, 2015, 04:19:48 PM
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Hello all
Just joined the forum. I am in perimenopause. Taking HRT and Prozac. In process of arranging CBT sessions to hopefully help too.
Had a lot of depression and anxiety, low self esteem, fatigue, endless headaches, fuzzy brain.
Been reading the posts and info. Finding it a great comfort.
Thank you everyone for being here. :)
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:welcomemm:
Browse around and join in.
Honeyb
X
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Hi LeeJane - welcome from me too. It's such good fun this perimenopause thing... not! ;D
Galadriel x
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:welcomemm: browse round, join in!
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Hi and welome :welcomemm: Leejane
It sounds as though you are being really proactive. Do tell us more about yourself. Where are you in your menopause? What HRT are you using?
We're here to support you.
Keep posting Dg x
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Thank you Honeybun, Galadriel, CLKD & Dancinggirl for the kind welcome.
My doctor recommended Menopause Matters as a reliable place for information on the Menopause. I was amazed when I read the extensive list of symptoms and realised so many things that I had been having going on were caused by perimenopause. I am 51. Don't smoke, drink and healthy weight and walk as exercise. Cut caffeine out in the hope that it will help.
I am taking Elleste Duet 2mg a day. Started on 1mg but it didn't help. Also take 40mg Prozac a day. Depression has been a big part of the problems I have been having. Lost all interest in life. No sparkle. Everything become difficult and overwhelming. Also anxiety over nothing.
Seeing my doctor again in a couple hours for a review.
Feel quite dreadful today. Physically and mentally. Tight band headache, aching, fuzzy brain, queasy tummy.
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Hi LeeJane,
Sorry you're struggling today, but it sounds like your GP is switched on so hopefully they can help or at least reassure you.
X
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Hi Lee Jane, I have been struggling too and just thought I'd share what has helped me....I take magnesium citrate, vits b12, b6, D, fish oil and a good multi vit....I am feeling better brain wise on these. Also just started hrt which I am hoping will help with mood swings, anxiety, depression etc...hope this helps xxx
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Hello everyone ,I don't even know if im doing this right.
Ive literally just joined ,the website was recommended to me .
Im looking for some help and advice with night sweats .
Been getting them on and off but recently hit 49yrs old and they decided to come with a vengeance. I don't know what to take to help, so im looking to the lovely ladies of the forum ??
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Hello everyone ,I don't even know if im doing this right.
Ive literally just joined ,the website was recommended to me .
Im looking for some help and advice with night sweats .
Been getting them on and off but recently hit 49yrs old and they decided to come with a vengeance. I don't know what to take to help, so im looking to the lovely ladies of the forum ??
Hi Housewife19.
Welcome!
Maybe worth popping over to the All Things Menopause board and posting a new topic there - you'll get plenty of advice and support here. :)
Have a look at the top tabs too.
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Welcome LeeJane
I hope your appointment goes well. You will get your sparkle back. Glad you have a good GP sounds like you are being listenend too. Have you started writing a journal? I found it helped me to accept I wasn't going crazy & it was all hormones. Bee xx
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Leejane & Housewife19 :welcomemm:
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Hi Leejane
:welcomemm: from me too
Great that your doc recommended this excellent site!
Are you on Elleste Duet conti or the cyclical type that gives a bleed? Did you start the Elleste before the Prozac and is there any pattern to the symptoms in relation to the HRT tablets?
I only ask because some women find that the type of progestogen in Elleste (called norethisterone) can give unpleasant side effects - such as headaches etc so you might find that you feel better on a different preparation such as Femoston which has a progestogen quite similar to our own body's progesterone. Also if you started the Prozac after starting the HRT and it is the side effects (of the hRT) causing the problems perhaps you may not need this (Prozac) as well?
How were your periods before starting HRT and how long have you been on it?
Hope you got on well at the doctors but do think about trying a different HRT too. Do let us know! :)
Hurdity x
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Hello Housewife19 :welcomemm: Yes do start another topic of your own! We can help you! :)
Hurdity x
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Thank you honorsomum, tropicalVon69, bev567901 & Dyan
I appreciate your welcomes. Good idea to start a Journal, thanks. I take a good quality multi vit and multi mineral each day along with the hrt and Prozac.
The doctors I see are hit and miss, some are good and some are ghastly. I would prefer to see the same one all the time but this isn't possible. The one I saw today I could have cheerfully punched!
Upshot is I will stay on current dose of anti-d as I have had it at new dose for four days and it takes 10 days to two weeks to kick in fully. If I feel no better then, I have to go back and it will be increased!
I normally don't eat sugar but I did have some last weekend which I suspect may be why my anxiety and depression was ramped up.
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Hi Leejane
:welcomemm: from me too
Great that your doc recommended this excellent site!
Are you on Elleste Duet conti or the cyclical type that gives a bleed? Did you start the Elleste before the Prozac and is there any pattern to the symptoms in relation to the HRT tablets?
I only ask because some women find that the type of progestogen in Elleste (called norethisterone) can give unpleasant side effects - such as headaches etc so you might find that you feel better on a different preparation such as Femoston which has a progestogen quite similar to our own body's progesterone. Also if you started the Prozac after starting the HRT and it is the side effects (of the hRT) causing the problems perhaps you may not need this (Prozac) as well?
How were your periods before starting HRT and how long have you been on it?
Hope you got on well at the doctors but do think about trying a different HRT too. Do let us know! :)
Hurdity x
Hi Hurdity
I am on the Elleste Duet that gives a bleed. I was still having periods but had gone from very regular to all over the place so the idea was to regulate it for me.
I have been on Prozac for many years. Been on HRT for 4 or 5 months? Am not sure. Brain fuzz!
The HRT def got rid of the perimenopausal headaches I was having. I think possibly the one I have today is due to the higher dose of Prozac settling into my body.
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Hi LeeJane
If things don't improve, you might like to try a different HRT preparation before increasing the Prozac further, in case some of your symptoms are related to that particular type - eg Femoston like I suggested, or even a patch HRT, which delivers oestrogen directly into the system, rather than having to go through the liver - and might help lift your mood?
It's difficult trying to work it all out isn't it? Menopause certainly can bring on anxiety type symptoms where there wern't any before, and can make existing problems worse. True depression is a different matter although the mood swings of menopause, and the drop in oestrogen levels can make it that more difficult to cope with what life throws at you generally!
Hope you feel better soon :)
Hurdity x
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Hi LeeJane
If things don't improve, you might like to try a different HRT preparation before increasing the Prozac further, in case some of your symptoms are related to that particular type - eg Femoston like I suggested, or even a patch HRT, which delivers oestrogen directly into the system, rather than having to go through the liver - and might help lift your mood?
It's difficult trying to work it all out isn't it? Menopause certainly can bring on anxiety type symptoms where there wern't any before, and can make existing problems worse. True depression is a different matter although the mood swings of menopause, and the drop in oestrogen levels can make it that more difficult to cope with what life throws at you generally!
Hope you feel better soon :)
Hurdity x
Hello Hurdity
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and helpful reply. I will bear it in mind.
I am feeling a lot brighter today. I will have to see how it goes.
It is a day to day thing, if not hour to hour. Isn't it? ::)
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Hi you will find plenty advice and comfort on this brilliant site I have struggled with perimenipause symptoms its so hard found this site brilliant for advice and feeling your not alone or going mad
Good luck hope you too find comfort xx
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Hi you will find plenty advice and comfort on this brilliant site I have struggled with perimenipause symptoms its so hard found this site brilliant for advice and feeling your not alone or going mad
Good luck hope you too find comfort xx
Thank you for your welcome, Janine. I have been reading around and soaking it all up like a sponge. Such a comfort to know the weird things happening are all part of peri. I can be calm about it.
My increased meds have gradually kicked in. Day 8 of increased Prozac. 20mg to 40mg, alongside the HRT and multi-vits and minerals. Feeling a great deal better. In mood and in energy.