Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: MissD67 on June 26, 2017, 01:10:50 PM
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Just want to introduce myself and say hello.
I'm Catherine, 50 years old, and I've been peri-menopausal since the middle of 2013.
I've felt, over the last few years, that I'm actually going mad and I feel like a different person to the strong, (sort of) intelligent woman I was previously -- I feel almost unrecognisable to myself. I've faced many, typical hurdles associated with the menopause: hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, urinary infections and the worst of all - crippling anxiety. I've also suffered some bizarre symptoms like a frozen shoulder and my nose feels like a block of ice while the rest of me is burning hot.
A few days ago, I was given my first HRT patch to try. Fingers crossed that it will work, although I'm not hopeful because since I've used it I've had the worst night sweats every single night and my anxiety is sky high. :-( I look forward to getting to know you all and comparing horror stories, and also hope for a menopause free future where I become a nice (older) lady, instead of the sweaty dragon lady I can be at the moment. :-\
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Join The Club - sounds 'within normal limits' from where I'm sitting ::) - browse round, make notes.
Sometimes HRT can take 3-4 months to give real benefit as your own hormones are still fluctuating.
Even if anxiety is hormone led if it becomes crippling your GP can prescribe medication [although I will get shouted down about this ;-) ] - I use beta-blockas and an emergency drug when anxiety floors me. Once anxiety is under control you will feel more able to make day-2-day decisions. A lack of confidence also arrives with The Change >:(
:welcomemm:
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Hi CLKD, thanks for the reply. I've been on Citalopram since my brother died suddenly in December 2014. Now I find it really difficult to come off it. As soon as I do my anxiety levels shoot through the roof. I'm also taking a beta blocker for an hereditary heart condition, although I'm never quite sure if the palpitations are through that or my lady troubles. I use mindfulness quite a lot and try to do yoga, but the frozen shoulder and stiff joints don't help with that. You've got laugh, haven't you? Dropping to bits. ::)
I'll take a browse around the forum and read up on a bit of info. It's good to see I'm not alone.:-)
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Hi MissD67, welcome to the forum! I'm another 1967er and my symptoms kicked in about the same time as you. I also have had shoulder pain and strangely have the cold nose - it was even freezing when I was in Tenerife! I'm very lucky and haven't had the anxiety though - been stuck with horrendous heavy periods instead. I'm hoping I'm through the worst of it now and keep telling myself it won't all last forever - been my mantra for a while now!
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Hi nearly 50. It's rubbish isn't it? >:( We will get through it though. I'm pleased I've found this forum. :)
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Hi bubba- not got much to say apart from the fact that it all sounds fairly typical. Hope the patches bring some relief and that you feel better soon. It can totally floor you but you'll get through it. Keep posting and :welcomemm:
X
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Thanks for the welcome, Michelemabelle. Great song btw! :)
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So don't try to stop the medication :-\. If you are hungry, do you not eat ........ so if other parts need support then keep taking the pills ;-).
My feet feel cold though I am told by the man laying next to me that they feel 'normal' to him ::). I also itch all over sometimes >:( :D ....... he bought me a back scratcher which is really useful!
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Hi MissD67
:welcomemm: from me too. What have your periods been doing in the past year or so and what patch have you been given to try? At this time of life, anxiety and low mood are often due to low oestrogen - when they can be experienced for the first time or worsen. HRT is the most appropriate treatment if you are able to take it so hopefully you will get some relief soon. If you do then perhaps you could have another go at reducing the ADs as you have tried before and you might find that you feel much better this time :)
Hurdity x
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So don't try to stop the medication :-\. If you are hungry, do you not eat ........ so if other parts need support then keep taking the pills ;-).
My feet feel cold though I am told by the man laying next to me that they feel 'normal' to him ::). I also itch all over sometimes >:( :D ....... he bought me a back scratcher which is really useful!
:) I'm sticking with the pills atm, and I eat far too much. ;) ;D
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Hi MissD67
:welcomemm: from me too. What have your periods been doing in the past year or so and what patch have you been given to try? At this time of life, anxiety and low mood are often due to low oestrogen - when they can be experienced for the first time or worsen. HRT is the most appropriate treatment if you are able to take it so hopefully you will get some relief soon. If you do then perhaps you could have another go at reducing the ADs as you have tried before and you might find that you feel much better this time :)
Hurdity x
Hi Hurdity, thank you for the welcome.
I haven't had a period since February. When I did have them they either lasted up to two weeks and were very heavy, or a couple of days and were very light. I know it isn't that long since my last one, but I'm hopeful that is it. I'm probably being delusional though. ;)
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I've been given Evorel Sequi patches to try. I've read that they release both oestrogen and progesterone, something I'm curious about as I'm currently taking Cerrelle (Desogestrel) mini pill which I was given a couple of years ago to help combat the symptoms of peri-menopause. The menopausal specialist at my hospital appointment said she couldn't for the life of her understand why I was put on a progesterone only pill as it won't do anything to help. I was sterilised years ago so don't need contraception.
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Off the AD's are owk one why come off them I don't understand the bias against them..I came off mine around 5 years ago due to pressure from people who of course had never suffered proper soul destroying depression ..then around a year later I had a major breakdown and started on them again..this is about the 4th in my life I came off them and every time I've never felt better off them at all and have had life changing episodes when off them. I will be on them for life as far as I'm concerned so stuff the judges who think it's wrong...if I was diabetic I'd take insulin etc so if I've got an imbalance in my brain wiring then I take something to rewire it..
I'm not saying menopause can't cause sudden anxiety and depression in a ladies life around the menopause age but that's not my case I've had this most of my life but everyone's different. If they work for you stay on them they are not the enemy.
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I was told when very ill that I need to take a low-dose anti-depressant for Life. I kicked against it initially as I wanted to know what was causing the depression ...... but at least I can get out of bed usually ;) and some things aren't for-ever.
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Of course, you are both correct. I just don't want to take any tablets, if I can help it. :-) I'm sticking with the ADs until I'm through this. I just can't handle any stress at the moment.The slightest thing can send me spiralling into an anxiety attack. not good.
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Browse round to see what others take then bear it in mind? Discuss with your GP/Practice Nurse B4 you require anti-anxiety medication so that you know what is available? remembering how long it takes to get an appt. in your area.
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Hi again MissD67
Are you still taking the mini-pill? As you say this is not appropriate for women who are peri-menopausal when oestrogen levels are falling. If you haven't had a period since February then low oestrogen can lead to low mood, anxiety, night sweats, hot flushes and palpitations - so some of your symptoms could be due to this.
I would definitely keep on with the patches if you can - they may well take a while to settle - but you shouldn't be taking the mini pill at the same time as this may make your symptoms worse in all probability!
If you are taking the anti-depressants for the reasons you say, rather than hormonal/menopausal reasons then it is important to continue with these - although the peri-menopause and hormone fluctuations will make you less able to cope with life events and stresses - so HRT should help you cope, and also helps many women with joint pain/stiffness, so I understand (I've been on it for 10 years so I can't imagine what I would feel like without it now!).
If we can help any further do please ask :)
Hurdity x
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Thank you. :) I'll make an appointment to check about the mini pill as I'm still taking it alongside the HRT. I think the anxiety is definitely down to the menopause. I also have all of those symptoms and my night sweats, at the minute, are just awful.
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Hi Catherine, this sounds familiar cos I'm a sweaty dragon lady too!! Just how I would describe it. I'm 45 and peri, just been to my GP today for my first HRT, am trying Femoston 1/10 tabs. Still have irregular periods, usually light, getting further apart. I'm on citalopram which I started in March as my moods and anxiety were driving me mad and making me into a grumpy bitch (sorry for the language, it's just a description). I feel calmer now and more rational, so able to make decisions more easily and be less horrible to my family. Finding this forum has been great because people understand and sympathise with you and I've learned so much from them, and from the info available.
As I understand it, you need to keep using contraception after your last period but can't remember how long for, I think it depends on your age as well. I don't know what's the best sort though, I have an IUD at present. Dreading when I have to have that removed!! Not a lot of use actually as the low libido means it's not having to work very hard. (TMI sorry.)
I hope the patches settle things down for you soon, and get some relief from the sweats. Good luck 🙂