Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Juneo on January 18, 2018, 12:54:51 PM
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Hi I am 53 I had a hysterectomy at the age of 32, both ovaries left in had one removed 15 years ago. I have had a lot of trouble with water infections the last two years but I've been clear for three months now thankfully. I have been to my gp and asked for a hormone test but was told your 53 no need your going through menopause have a look on this website and make a decision if I wanted to try hrt. So here I am I was diagnosed with under active thyroid when I turned 59 not the best birthday present I feel exhausted I've just had it checked again and its OK I could all asleep standing up to be honest, my skin is dry in places my nipples hurt I have headaches was diagnosed with fybromyalgia 8 years ago to. I did see a dermatologist as the top of my head has a burning sensation really uncomfortable not hot as in a flush. My moods are all over I am on antidepressants at the minute I am just looking for some helpful advise and am I going through menopause. My daughter is so angry with the doctor she feels a hormone test would be beneficial to me any advice would be great fully received
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Hi and welcome Juneo
Do start you own thread so more people can respond to you.
I assume you were diagnosed with thyroid problems at 49? Not 59 as stated in your post? Surely they must have checked you hormones as well at that stage - if not, why not???!!!! All very strange!!!
Anyway, blood tests for hormone levels are not always that reliable and at 53 it is right to assume that you are in menopause, so HRT would be the right way forward. You have many health issues going on and HRT may well help with many things you are struggling with. As you have had a hysterectomy, you only need oestrogen - which is great.
I would suggest you try Oestrogel or oestrogen patches as using HRT transdermally is more effective and safer.
You may find the oestrogen will help with mood and you could try coming of the ADs - you should have been given oestrogen before being given ADs really!!!!
Pop back to your GP and ask for oestrogen as Oestrogel or patch - if you go for patches ask for Estrodot and at least a 50mcg dose. I suspect after a few weeks you may start to feel better and you could then start coming slowly off the ADs.
Do look at lifestyle choices as well - so eat small amounts often and eat a low fat, low sugar diet, take supplements if need be ( e.g. Vitamins D and B12 and iron) and start increasing physical activity when you can - start with short brisk walks. It will be a range of strategies that will start to get your life back on track. DG x
UPDATE BY ADMIN
This topic has been moved from another board.
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As oestrogen levels drop the muscles may become lax = aches and pains which can be eased by over-the-counter pain relief.
As oestrogen levels drop the body becomes dry: inside and out >:( ::) - skin; deep in the ears; eyes; my insteps itch every night when I take off my socks, no problems in the day ::) and do read the threads on vaginal atrophy here. For me it was like razor blades up there :o with repeated urine infection-type symptoms; fortunately my GP recognised what the was happening and prescribed appropriate treatments.
Some ladies find that keeping a mood/symptom/food diary useful.
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Hi Juneo
:welcomemm:
As Dancinggirl said - you should never have been given anti-depressants for menopausal symptoms. and doctors need to be alert to symptoms in women such as yourself who do not have periods to tell what is happening to your cycle. I agree also re the transdermal HRT.
Re underactive thryoid - this and menopause may well be the cause of the fibromyalgia diagnosis since underactive thyroid is one of the known causes, and low oestrogen/testosterone too (although often not recognised by some doctors who refuse to treat women appropriately ie with hormones as a result of fibro). I presume you are taking medication? Re blood tests - more important to have your thyroid tested regularly especially as you are going through the menopause and also your medication may well need adjusting once you start HRT as there is some interaction between thyroid hormone metabolism and oestrogen. Also how you feel and how your weight is? If you are exhausted and with dry skin - this could be due to insufficient thyroid meds as well as low oestrogen (and even testosterone).
Hurdity x
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Hi thank you for the replies great information sorry I should have checked yes I was 49 when I was first diagnosed with an under active thyroid. I'm not sure how to start a new thread new to this and to be honest my concentration levels are really bad. Its lovely to be given such posative information thankyou
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Hi again Juneo - not sure where you first posted but you don't need to start a new thread now because Emma (moderator/administrator) has moved it for you so all OK and in the right place! :)
Do ask if the is anything else we can help you with.
Hurdity x
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Hi Juneo just for future ref.to start a new thread go to home page click on whichever subject you feel you'd like to post under,that page will then come up and at the top right of it there's a row of blue boxes where you just click on “new topic†and write away till your hearts content lol good luck and keep posting.xx
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Thankyou both for your advice I appreciate it, regarding the advice on the gel and patches I'm a little nervous of this I have to half cousin's on my mothers side who are sister boh were on hrt and both had breast cancer two different types of cancer but sadly one lost her fight at age 52 to years ago and her sister is in remission. With everything that's been said about hrt I'm nervous about it to be honest any advice would be much appreciated thankyou
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Juneo. - It has to be close relatives e.g. mother sister for their to be increase risk of BC.
AS you have had a hysterectomy, using oestrogen should reduce your risk of Breast cancer!!!!!
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Oestrogen will also protect you heart and bones and help prevent urogenital atrophy - it may also reduce your risk of bowel cancer. So, for you, there are lots of health benefits and very, very few risks. You probably should have been given oestrogen earlier - your doctors have been a bit negligent over this really.
You will hopefully feel so much better when on some oestrogen - my neighbour was just like you and, once I'd given her a ‘bit of a talk' about all this, she popped to the GP, got the Oestrogel and hasn't looked back. DG x
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Dancinggirl thankyou for clarifying this for me :)I will be going to see my gp next week thankyou for your help and advice. Its nice to be able to talk about things it does get me down so tired all the time.
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Hi Juneo
It's worth writing down all your symptoms and questions when seeing the doctor and print off any info from this site you might need, this helps you to focus during the appointment - you could simply hand it to the doctor for them to keep on file for reference.
Keep us posted - we are here to support you. DG x
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Thankyou I should have mentioned when I did see the dermatologist she said the painful burning sensation on the top of my head was because of in her opinion I was going through the change this was a year ago she also told me to use Audovatr 0.02&% w/w ointment 2 times a week vaginally and to used epaderm ointment internally to help with the discomfort with sex not that it helps but I've just carried on doing it I suppose I've just given up to be honest. So many things going on I didn't realise until I've put it on here :'(
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Urogenital atrophy needs local oestrogen prescribed by your GP (Vagifem is the most popular) and vaginal moisturisers e.g. SYLK or the YES products are the best and you can buy these online.
I don't recognise the products your dermatologist prescribed - what is in these?
So when you see you GP, I'd ask for the Vagifem.
To make sex possible and more comfortable, I find Durex ‘Perfect Glide' the best lubrication.
DGx
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H I'm sensitive to Durex lubricants the audavate is a steroid ointment the other is a moisturizer for sensitive skin. I will look at the silk and yes products thankyou
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Thankyou Hurdity just re read what you have put my daughter was saying the same to me regarding estrogen , testosterone etc, my under active thyroid she was quite angry when I last visited my go and that my gp refused to check my hormone levels my daughter has seen me struggle with this for a few years now and its got worse , I was convinced my blood tests would come back with my thyroid playing up but I've been told it was OK I've never felt as tired as what I do now everything is an effort, sometimes I can't bring myself t make conversation with any one I have the worst crawling sensation gong up and down my arms on a night time, the burning sensation vaginally is hurendous,when I do eventually sleep I do for aprox 9 hours then I feel like I've never slept, I'm a size 14 and struggle to keep my weight down I'm craving sweet things all the time, I have terrible mood swings. I'm not having the flushes as much at the minute, my hair is dry and limp my skin is dry my memory is terrible, palpations in my chest, I am going to go back to see my gp thankyou
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I wouldn't use steroid creams too much - they can make the skin more fragile - I think they are short term use only. The Vagifem with vaginal moisturisers would be better. The YES products may have something better for using during sex. DG x
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I've just read it and yes it does thin the skin why she put me on steroids especially with my symptoms of dryness now has made me question her reasoning she told me to carry on long term and its Been a year already with no benefit I'm looking into the vagiferm and yes products I'm wondering if the burning sensation I get on the top of my head is down to menopause have you heard of this before?
Thanks again
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Dermatological issues can happen for all sorts of reasons. The meno can cause skin issues. I would definitely try local oestogen and vaginal moisturisers. Also do avoid all acidic drinks and caffeine but drink enough of water. DG x
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Hi yes I have acid reflux so I don't have anything acidic I also only drink decaff, I will defiantly go and speak to my gp now I understand more thanks to your and the other ladies advice, wish I had known about this earlier its awfl waking up each morning and just managing to get through the day. My daughter has said to me so many times mam you shouldn't be taking antidepressants mam your symptoms are menopause its to easy to give you pills rather than check your hormones etc.
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So I've come down with another water infection and feel terrible, I went to my gp and straight on nitrofurontin after speaking to a different gp I was then sent to the nurse for a blood test to get my hormone levels checked. I am back next Tuesday for the results and the gp said to discuss the management of my symptoms hopefully progress.
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Have they sent a urine sample to the lab to check for infection? They probably just did a dip stick test which doesn't always show whether infection is present or not. If you keep having antibiotic treatment when there isn't actual infection, this will set up a cycle of imbalance with your gut and vagina flora which really does not help things.
You need local Oestrogen at the very least. Good luck - keep us posted. DG x
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Hi my gp dipped it in front of me and you could see the light pink went dark straight away and he said i had blood in my urine. He wants another sample putting in in ten days. X
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Blood doesn't mean there is infection!!!! The sample needs to go to the lab - blood in the urine is very common when meno hits and they should know this. I'd phone tomorrow to check the sample was sent to the lab and if not take a sample in again tomorrow to properly tested.
I always have blood in my urine with every test but no infection!!!! I wouldn't have ABs unless there was infection. DG x
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I understand what your saying, so it could be VA and the lack of estrogen I will ring my doctors this morning thankyou for the advice. I wonder if its down to cost because I've only ever known two of my urine samples in the last two years be sent off to be tested. X
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Juneo - please ask for the results of your thyroid test - you said you were diagnosed with it and I presume you are taking medication? Your exhaustion, dry skin, weight gain, firbomyalgia syndrome all point to thyroid problems - as well potentially of low oestrogen and testosterone, aside from the VA issue. If you are taking thyroid medication the menopause may well affect your levels so may need adjustment. Also you should be tested for TSH, T3 T4 at least and maybe anti-bodies depending on the results. Don't suffer!
Hurdity x
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Hi I saw my gp today and he told me I'm post menopausal he's suggested I go on elleste solo MX transdermal patches he told my under active thyroid result was OK and because the Tsh was normal there was no need to do the t3, t4. I have had bloods taken to check my b12 levels and iron as I told him I'm exhausted all the time and also I am on pantoprazole and ranitadine and I've read this can interfere with iron levels he then told me my white cells were low on my previous blood test whatever that means? Any advice please x
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So today my gp has given me vagifem 10mg hopefully now this will help :) I had blood tests taken earlier this week to check for b12 and iron deficiency a link on this site brought this up and as I've been so tired and have several of the same symptoms I mentioned this to my gp I've received a call to go and repeat this again in the morning I'm a little concerned :( as to what this means I feel like I've never been away. X
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juneo
There can be many reasons for asking to repeat blood tests - maybe the sample was contaminated or was possibly inconclusive. You need to get into the habit of asking questions e.g “why do you need to have the blood test again? †- they should really have given you a reason, not just left you in the air. Gone are the days when we blindly did as a doctors says, I'm afraid we do have to question everthing as this can keep you fully informed and can stop unnesassary anxiety.
When you tongave the blood test, ask the receptionist to look up the results of the previous test or request a phone call from the GP so he/she can explain what is going on.
Have been referred to a urologist about the blood in your urine? Although this is common when meno starts, it should still be investigated just in case. The urologist May be able to offer advice for future management as well - when I had the investigations he told me to use the local Oestrogen. DG x
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Hi DG I asked today why the repeat and apparently the blood sample had congealed so needed to do a repeat and I took another urine sample in this was fine I did see a urologist last year and had my uretha stretched as the urologist advised me to have it done. I'm going shopping tommorow for the vitamins etc you've recommended I already take adcal as I have a problem with low calcium. I am going to see my gasterenterologist in march so I will discuss about the PPI that I am taking as I've looked into what you've said and hopefully this can be addressed. I'm thankful for all the information you and the other ladies have given me I am now on my patches and vagifem and hopefully I can start to feel some improvement soon my gp gave me a 40mg of silk to x
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I so feel for you Juneo....I too have an under active thyroid (40), Iv went through a very difficult menopause starting at 44 and Im now 52. Having both is a real challenge!! I am often anaemic and have terrible anxiety due to complex ptsd.
Iv had to stop the job I loved as every day I dealt with something to do with these illnesses and still do. Im on levothyroxine, Tibolone and nortriptyline (never wanted to be on meds) but I need them to take some of the symptoms away or I would have went into a deep depression.
Dry skin/eyes/ears and vaginal dryness is a daily struggle. Fatigue, joint pain, insomnia and many more ailments.
Im 52 but feel alot older, I struggle to get much understanding from family and friends as they sailed through menopause and dont have thyroid probs. I recently had to reduce my thyroid meds but now have to gradually increase again (no idea whats going on there).
Dont beat yourself up, take good care of yourself. Dont hold back from requesting blood tests or help from your Doc...this is your body and your life!
I also take high strength vitamin c, omega 3 and Iron tabs. On the days Im very tired and sore I put my feet up, grab a coffee and give myself a cuddle. 💕
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Hi Renee the similarities are uncanny, I to take levothyroxine,mirtazapine, I try to explain to my husband how I feel but I don't think he understands, the sheer exhaustion is worse than when I was first diagnosed with my under active thyroid everything is an effort so I know exactly how you feel dry skin, dry eyes, vaginal dryness, flushes not as bad as they were and palpations are awful I have the crawling sensation going up and down my arms when I'm trying to sleep and then forgetfulness and joint pain. Surely it has to get better? One thing I've learnt on here is I am not alone and that's a good feeling and your right when you say to give yourself a cuddle or make time for ourselves I am defiantly going to try and look after myself better and be more forthright when I see my gp x
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Juneo...Im so glad your going to look after YOU. All our experiences are so different, I do think your on the back foot if you already have an immune disorder then hit menopause, it was never going to go well was it. I dont hesitate anymore when I feel I need a blood test or advice from my doctor. 9 times out of 10 either my anaemia has been back or thyroid out of sync....we know our own bodies do we!
Its been more difficult as Iv gotten older to keep positive but I try my best. Only last week my doctor told me she thinks I have arthritis in my joints now! I came out of the app crying but within a few hours, picked myself up and thought.....nope, Iv got to keep going with this. 😊
Juneo its the acceptance part your struggling with.....just accept that your body isnt well and it needs you to be its spokesperson. Shout out if you need help and take good care of YOU. 💕
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Juneo - you are on the right road - it's going to take time. Put yourself first and things will get better. DG x
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Thankyou Renee and dancing girl such lovely words and Renee I was diagnosed with arthritis in my foot in August so these things just keep coming to test us I think. I am going to be more assertive from now on when I go to see my gp I am going to look after myself and have a bit of me time which is something I haven't done for a long time xx
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Good for you!! Yes were struggling a bit but your not beaten yet...you go girl.
Never give up 💕
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I won't thankyou and the same to you x
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So I got my blood results for the b12 and folate test and they were OK which is good but doesn't explain why I feel so tired I am on 10mg of citropalm and 15 mg of mirtazapine I've been on these for a couple of months but I have been overly tired since summer last year, my tsh levels for my under active thyroid was normal so I'm assuming this is down to me being post menopausal any advice would be great please I don't have any energy x