Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: anna1966 on July 28, 2016, 11:10:48 AM
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Morning
I've only just joined this website after seeing your magazine in Southampton Docks after a cruise to celebrate my 50th and I NEED SOME HELP!
I'm not sure which stage of menopause i'm in because i haven't had a period since i was 35 as I had a Hysterectomy -they left my ovaries. i wasn't given an option of HRT or anything but i understand now i possibly should have been but had assumed because of my ovaries were still there etc it wasn't needed. To be honest i couldn't tell the difference apart from no monthly's :)
Last September/October it was a pretty stressful time in my life and almost overnight i started getting the hot flushes and hot sweats at night, i thought i'd faint from the heat and then 10 minutes later i was cold and shivering, my heart was races at times. Do we have an invisible switch somewhere, it certainly felt like it.
After seeing my doctor i was told ' you're in the middle of menopause' - i was then told to google HRT or prozac as possibilities to help me thorough (both of which had frightening side effects and could basically make my symptoms worse).
I looked at possible herbal alternatives and came across Sage leaf which worked wonderfully the hot flushes, i ended up reducing the dose because i ending up getting a muzzy time headache that i had for days and that seemed to do the trick, it worked for 6 months and almost overnight (it's that switch again) stopped working with the hot flushes returning with a vengeance :( :(
so i tried black kohosh, I've been taking this now for 3 weeks and it isn't helping. i feel like i'm at the end of my tether, i feel ready to cry at the drop of a hat, i can't think straight most days, i'm not sleeping properly, i'm struggling to lose weight and have for almost 2 years now - only losing about 3 lbs in that time and have tried both Weightwatchers and Slimming World. My sexual libido is non existent much to my partner's annoyance (and bless him he is trying to be understanding - although he has been told this week he is going through the male menopause!!)
sorry i have rambled on but i don't know where to turn next
:'( :'( :'(
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You really, really need oestrogen at once. Read up the info on this site and get back to your GP a.s.a.p. and ask for oestrogen as either pill, patch or Oestrogel. This will sort you out and get your life back on track.
Oestrogen will protect your heart and bones for the long term - prevent vaginal atrophy and help with libido.
HRT could help you loose some weight as well as you'll get your energy back so you can do more exercise. Dg x
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Hi and welcome :)
I agree with DG the only way to get your life back is to replace oestrogen (my opinion) you could start with a low dose patch 25mcg or 1 pump of oestrogel...... nothing to lose.
Good luck
Wx
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thank you both for your replies :)
i'll make an appointment to see my doctor although i imagine it will be weeks before i can get one - they won't class this as urgent!!
i'll go armed with a list of all my symptoms, some of which i have only found out from this site.
i'll let you know how it goes
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Hi anna - I agree whole heartedly with DG and warwick.
Taz x :welcomemm:
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Totally agree with the others, a girl needs oestrogen in her life xx
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Agree with all the others, you need oestrogen like yesterday! I would recommend Oestrogel, brilliant, user friendly product that works well.
You should have been offered HRT sooner and given appropriate advice by medics.
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:welcomemm:
Some ladies find that 'alternatives' help ease symptoms but then hormones kick in and the benefits become less.
Make a list of symptoms, go to your GP or Prescribing Nurse and ask for what has been suggested above!
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Not managed to make my appointment at the doctors yet ...........my partner wanted me to try an alternative method, chinese herbs, well i got a week supply and boiled them up as instructed and took them for 3 days before i started to feel rough - i've had a dodgy stomach for nearly a week now and i stopped them 5 days ago (think it has upset the lining of my stomach). My partner is feeling really bad as he recommended her!
so i'm phoning the doctors this morning to get back on track!!
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My daughter is a vet and has done a lot of research on Chinese medicine 😉 You need HRT.
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anna1966
I tried chinese herbals - it's really not a good idea (it's also very expensive) - you don't know what's in it and there are sometimes really toxic things that can damage the liver etc. Even SAGE is not entirely safe as it can be hallucinogenic in some forms!!!. When I told my GP I was using chinese medicine for meno symptoms she was really concerned about this as it is not tried and tested and will certainly not protect the heart and bones. Upset stomach is common with any remedies and no remedies will give you what you need. Oestrogen in the only thing that will benefit you and you need this as soon as possible. You may well have been oestrogen deficient for some time so I'd push for an appointment a.s.a.p. - print off stuff from this site and have all your symptoms and questions written up so you don't forget anything.
I'd definitely go for patches (Estradot 50) or Oestrogel as this is the most effective way of getting your oestrogen without upsetting the stomach.
I'm sure you will be amazed how much better you feel after 4-8 weeks of oestrogen. DG x
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thank you both for your replies :)
i'll make an appointment to see my doctor although i imagine it will be weeks before i can get one - they won't class this as urgent!!
i'll go armed with a list of all my symptoms, some of which i have only found out from this site.
i'll let you know how it goes
What do you mean weeks to see a Doctor? Wth is happening?
I can see a gp the same day just for a sore throat!
Just ring up make an appointment if they ask what for say its personal
Flaming nora
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Not managed to make my appointment at the doctors yet ...........my partner wanted me to try an alternative method, chinese herbs, well i got a week supply and boiled them up as instructed and took them for 3 days before i started to feel rough - i've had a dodgy stomach for nearly a week now and i stopped them 5 days ago (think it has upset the lining of my stomach). My partner is feeling really bad as he recommended her!
so i'm phoning the doctors this morning to get back on track!!
:welcomemm: from me too!
Your partner :o - heavens above! Whose body is it?!!! If you started getting flushes last September then it is a good time to start HRT - and you only need oestrogen. You weren't given HRT at the time of your hysterectomy because you kept your ovaries so would still have been producing your own. It's only when ovaries are removed at the same time that oestrogen needs to be given straight away (and testosterone).
I would ask for an appt asap - you shouldn't have to wait weeks as it is not routine. When they ask say -" it is not urgent to be seen today but I need to be seen this week - it's not a routine appointment, it's a new problem that I haven't consulted about before"
Good luck - ask for medium dose patch ( eg Estradot 50 mcg) or gel and you will be well away :)
Hurdity x
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I know it's my body and quite honestly I was prepared to try anything at that point apart from HRT but having been on this site I can see it will be beneficial and hopefully I can lead a 'normal' life again if that's possible.
Finally managed to get an appointment with the doctor. It's been a nightmare, ended up having to have a telephone consultation first with the doctor before they'd allow me to have an appointment and all because it was the school holidays.
I will also be sent for blood tests as she wants to check my thyroid function too. See doc on 14th so hopefully a week or two after that things should start moving
Anna
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Go prepared with print outs from this site. Questions etc written out so you don't forget things. Good luck Dg x
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Went to doctors on Wednesday, sent for blood tests for thyroid and also my blood count. Was armed with a list of symptoms and feel the doctor was almost gobsmacked that I'd done so much research and tried alternative methods as well.
Get results end of next week but in the meantime I've been put on Evorel 25 patch for 3 months to see how things go and want the blood results come back. i don't think the doctor dared refuse my request after I gave her so much info.
Anna
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Bravo anna19666 :clapping: 25 mg patch is a very low dose but is a good start - you may well need a higher dose - see how it goes. It could take 2-4 weeks to feel benefits on this low dose. Keep us posted. DG x