Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Helendee on April 21, 2017, 01:02:54 PM
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Today I reached a point where I needed some advice and suggestions on how to cope with my accelerated menopause symptoms- these have I created greatly following 4 months of caring for my mum following a shock breast cancer diagnosis and mastectomy thankfully there was a positive outcome for her following surgery but here am I having put on 2 stone and suffering from awful joint pain in my knees shoulders and fingers decided I did not need to do this alone so got an appointment with my GP who I do not know as thankfully seldom go . After a sleepless night and a morning looking after my 2 yr old grandson I found myself listing my 3 year experience from Peri menopausal to full blown menopause with some tears only to leave her office 10 mins later with my weight confirmed and advice to go to the health store for something called black cosh !!!! I was told HRT was not a cure and would not help my various problems but that I could get some blood tests to check my thyroid and go back in 3 weeks time and I could get patches if I wanted - I left feeling like a stupid emotional wreck which I am not so wonder if someone can suggest a private clinic in the South Lanarkshire area where I could go for some advice and support - sorry for the rant but it has left me feeling so deflated and tired 😴
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What were the patches suggested?
If she was telling you to look at lifestyle changes, get bloods done to check for other things, but still saying you could try hrt patches, that is probably good?
But 10 minute appointments are not enough for you to say everything you need, for everything to be unpicked and then to give you all the information you need.
Look at all the tabs above and read as much as you can and hopefully some of it will come clear. There is also a search for private clinics.
:foryou:
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Hi Helendee,
First of all please don't feel you are alone in this. You have been through so much with your Mum. Mine has vascular dementia, and I think this has pushed me to the edge at times through the perimenopause. I like to think of two scenarios- the first imagine how you would feel if you were on a tropical beach, all your worries were long behind you, no financial concerns, no appointments and no one to worry over. Then imagine one by one things pile in to spoil your view of the horizon, illness, weight gain, anxiety, pain, crowding your serenity with obstacles.
What I try to do is to look at all those obstacles- use images if you like. I have a big Le Creuset tea pot for the biggest, then cruets and sauces for the others. Make a note what each one is- it can be fun actually. Then see how they block your vision - take a photo if you want- I do. Then take each item out one by one so you can see the horizon again, deal with issues individually, and when they all become overwhelming escape sometimes from them all to a lovely place by a river or the sea and recharge your batteries.
I have been doing this a lot lately as I have a lot going on. It really helps because each thing you deal with removes a care from your life or at least reduces it. You have made the right steps and you are not alone. Some of the ladies on here have become my rocks, we will be yours.xx
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Good afternoon Helene, what a time you are having, and I'm sorry you left your GP unhappy. However, you have taken the first steps and definitely go back in three weeks, get your bloods checked and discuss what patches she is recommending.
If you look round the boards , you will pick up lots of info to help you, and I wouldnt be rushing into a private consultation just yet, until you get to see the GP again . Take your time and have a good search and read of the various topics here.
This is an amazingly supportive forum and I am sure you will soon start to feel a bit more positive . Best wishes.
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I care for my mum too and spent many days in utter despair, I got short shrift from my doc and ended up going to Prof Studd in London, the travel is a hassle but I feel so so much better
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Hi
It is a good idea to re evaluate lifestyle at this point,eating healthy,taking regular exercise etc. It's also good that she is checking bloods,thyroid for example can mimic many of the same menopause symptoms. She has said that you could have patches so perhaps save your money and get the hrt from your gp. As for type well it's all trial and error unfortunately,you just have start somewhere ::)
Sorry you've had a bad time regards you're mum but great she's had a positive outcome.
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Hi ladies thank you for your very helpful and positive comments all showing great wisdom and experience and perhaps you are right not to completely discount what the doctor said today I guess I just went on a bad day but this evening I feel much better and will take this in hand and find my way through it as I am sure there must be an end to it !!!! Have a great weekend and thanks again xx
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FFS - Helen Dee. You've got enough to be going on with without an ignorant GP! But sadly, it's not unusual.
Black cohosh can help with symptoms such as flushes. I'm not sure what, if any, your other symptoms are apart from the joint pain and the stress/ anxiety that you must be feeling right now. So if you can clarify what these accelerated symptoms are, you might get more suggestions as to whether or not HRT is the way to go. I'm not a million miles away from you so can give you dome guidance about south Lanarkshire or private consultants in Glasgow. message me if this might help.
It's good that your GP is checking your thyroid- it's not so good that there seems to be a complete lack of empathy, understanding and knowledge about HRT within GP practice. As I see it, you've got a few options so hang on in there... You'll get a massive amount of support on here.
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Thanks Michellemabelle if you know of good private support in the are I would love to know about it I appreciate your comments and laughed out loud at your FFS !!!
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HELEN- my friend went to a menopause clinic. I think it might have been at Hairmyres hospital in EK.
Also, you can self refer to the Sandyford Menopause clinic in Glasgow but waiting times are 12 weeks.
I've gone to see Dr Perera at the Nuffield in Glasgow. He runs the menopause clinic at stobhill and is a consultant at the royal in Glasgow. I thought he was very good and the initial consultation was £ 150. He said I could get referred on the NHS and I'd get an appointment within 12 weeks but waiting times for follow up appointments were 9-10 months. Given that I had already wasted +16 months with my GP, I'm glad I went and I'm going to keep seeing him privately if I can.
He explained all the HRT options and wrote a note for my GP for bio identical hormones on the NHS. I've been taking them a month and although better than the previous regimes, I'm still struggling with the progesterone so I e mailed him on Thursday and he responded last night about options for taking reduced dose ( not prescribed basis so it needs to be done with medical supervision). If you do start HRT you need to give it time to work and you need to realise that it may take several tweaks. I feel happier going to someone who at least understands what I'm going through and knows what he's doing although ultimately you know your own body better than anyone so maybe keeping a mood and symptom diary would be useful. Let us know how you get on x
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Helendee, I'm sorry to hear about your mum but it sounds like she is making a very good recovery.
I would definitely consult a private menopause specialist at the first possible opportunity, it will be worth every penny - I am another Professor Studd patient. I would not waste any more time trying to get the right HRT regime from your GP, you have a lot on and you don't need the stress of waiting around for an appointment at a menopause clinic, they have long waiting lists. Most private specialists will write to your doctor with their recommended prescription meaning you can get it on the NHS.
Black Coshosh will not replace your lost oestrogen or protect you from the long term damage caused by oestrogen deficiency. The only way to get symptom relief is replace the lost oestrogen.
I would definitely go the bio identical route and I found the best HRT regime by far is Oestrogel/Utrogestan/testosterone. The reason this regime works for me is because it is flexible and it is very easy to adjust the dose of each product and to be honest, it is the only HRT regime that has worked in my case.
I hope that helps and good luck.
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:welcomemm:
Your GP is half-way right in that she has arranged thyroid function tests. She obviously doesn't know much about, nor have time enough, to discuss the merits of HRT .
Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful. Aches and pains can be caused by a drop in oestrogen because muscles may become lax. This can be eased by over the counter pain relief which you can discuss with a Pharmacist.
It may be worth while you contact Prof Studd's office to find out costs and how you can self-refer. However, your GP doesn't have to prescribe NHS medication if a patient has seen a private consultant though many will do so as it has saved them time and energy discussing HRT with the sufferer.
Ask what blood tests will be required prior to the visit? Make a list to take with you ;-). Stop feeling stupid, you have been through a lot whilst supporting your Mum's diagnosis and treatment !
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Thank you for the advice who and where is Prof Studd? I agree about the mood diary as there are good days and bad days . I will take some
action this week I had been thinking of changing my GP so that will still
Be my plan but given the certainty that every woman on the planet will go through menopause with some form of symptoms it should be a key skill of any GP have a good week ladies x
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Hi HelenDee- prof Studd is in London!
Before you do change GP just make sure that they know more about it or are willing to learn. Not always the case. In my practice I've seen two locums ( mixed ) 3 GPs ( pretty bad and uninterested) and 1 who seems more clued up but was on maternity leave. Apart from the last one, they all just wanted to hand out AD's. And they were all female. X