Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: christinedownsouth on February 02, 2020, 11:35:57 AM
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Hello, I was just wondering if anyone had experienced this? My menopause symptoms since September have not been quite what I was expecting. It started with High BP and fast heart rate now under control by Bisoporol medication. Then I started experiencing extreme tingling on both sides of the body and then before Xmas nasty headaches and the general feeling of being in a fog (obviously brain fog). But whats really freaking me out is that my speech is quite slurry particularly towards the end of the day at work when I'm on the phone a lot. Its hard to explain, it just feels like more of an effort to form a coherent sentence instead of it being natural. Not many people have really picked up on it, obviously my husband has but I really don't like it. My GP has said that its linked to the brain fog and didn't sound concerned but mentioned that it would obviously need to be looked into if being on HRT doesn't help.
I have now been put onto HRT in tablet form and am just going into the third week so early days. Already the tingling/electric shock sensations and also the headaches are improving but my speech is still concerning me. Would be curious to know if anyone else has experienced this?
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Hi Christine :)
Yes I have, but only as part of a horrible silent migraine about 3+ years ago. I was never a headache sufferer till I entered perimenopause but boy am I getting payback now!
I really worried at the time but I hadn't really skipped a period at this point so never really associated it with hormones.
Can I ask are you desk-bound as a job, you say you spend a lot of time on the phone - do you have a headset for this? The reason I ask is that I had an improvement in some of my symptoms when I saw an osteopath. Neck strain can cause lots of issues with headaches as the nerves and muscles affect the head. Cradling phone between ear and neck was my thing, trying to ruddy multi-task haha. Invested in a headset so I can talk and type.
Obviously this experience has been mainly about headaches, but brain fog really hit me and I worried it was something serious. The HRT has helped that, I would have a name on the tip of my tongue and run out of steam as I was getting to it!! It does sound like your GP is at least open to considering it is brain-fog related but he/she is right, if the symptoms persist once the HRT has settled in then keep asking for help.
Xx Mogg
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Hia,
I sometimes feel I can't find the words, and that my brain is lagging, a brain fog symptom, but I think what you describe is different?
On another topic, having read what you say about the fast heart rate and high blood pressure, plus tingling, would you not feel more comfortable taking hrt in a patch form or gel rather than a pill? I'm kinda surprised you GP prescribed pills when you presented with these symptoms.
Maybe something to research. See link under here.
https://www.nhs.uk/news/medication/hrt-patches-and-gels-may-be-safer-tablets-older-women/
https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/oestrogen-patches-gels
See what others say.
TD
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Thank you both, sorry I havn't worked out how to respond individually on here :)
Yes I am desk bound but with I do have a headset. I am fine at the start of my shift but it becomes laboured towards the end particularly if its busy. I find that if I am out and about off work and not thinking about it, its ok.
As for the HRT type my GP was reluctant to prescribe it to me at all until my blood pressure had calmed, its now at normal levels. I think it got to the point of desperation and I just took what was offered. My work colleague has nightmares getting hold of the patches and nearly had to switch to tablets (there is a definite shortage in my area). I've got to go back for a review in a couple of months so I might look at switching to patches at that point.
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You can reply over all ;-)
Low blood sugar can cause brain fog too. When I'm very tired I often feel like I can't be bothered to form proper sentences. How often do you get a break from your desk, a walk round for 10 mins. is important. Every 2 hours. It's a legal requirement ;)
Making sure that the over-all work station is correct - there should be someone who can advise and get the right chair height, the correct desk height etc.. Again, it helps to be listened to and brings up the problems of not sitting correctly to those who run the business.
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Hi Christine,
I also have problems with speaking, It's a bit difficult to describe, it feels like the muscles around my mouth are not functioning as they normally do, lax may be a good description. And I'm very aware of my mouth when I say something. Pronouncing a word or sentence seems to be more of an effort and it makes me tired. I still have a cycle and on some days it's worse then others. Brain fog too.
I"m sure in my case it's hormonal. It could take a while before you feel all the benefits of HRT.
Alicess
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Hi Alicess ... Thank you, yes what you are describing is exactly what I am experiencing, just doing what should be natural sometimes feels forced and a bit more of an effort. Some words come out disjointed and almost like I have a bit of a lisp. I think it must be hormonal too as this is occurring at the same time as all my other symptoms. I guess it is better to relax and think of it as more of an irritation as worrying and feeling anxious will only make it worse. Hopefully the HRT will kick in. Thank you for sharing, I hope it improves for you too :)
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I've had this. Feel you can't string a coherent sentence together. I'm on a HRT and still have it. Some days and better than others but I don't work any longer, so it's not so critical. To be honest, I've given up on trying to rationalise some of the things that have been happening over the past few years...
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MicheleMaBelle Lol, me too, so much weirdness has suddenly hit me the last few months. Thanks for sharing :)
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I just had this happen to me at work - taking a phone number down I said the number, wrote it down, and then sat and looked at it and it just looked "alien".
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:drunklaf:
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Glad I'm not the only one. On those worse days I also have more saliva, feels like I'm spitting at the person I'm talking to. I've read too much salvia is also a symptom of pregnancy. ...Immaculate conception in my case then...
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hi
it could also stem from a side effect of the hrt unless u had it before hrt was started ?
i've been on the gel and had this but i also think it too related to aniexty caused by hormones or in my case the hrt because i've stopped hrt and don't have it now x
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Thanks Sammie Jane... no it started around the time of my other symptoms, I've only just started taking HRT. Will just have to see how it goes, there are good days and bad days
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Thank you so much for this thread. My head has been tingling and headaches getting worse the last few months - tension headaches which I never used to have. My speech/saliva and all sorts has been dreadful - I’m so glad it seems to be a hormonal thing. I’m 43 in Feb but apparently grandparent and aunt had early menopause. The brain fog etc. is terrible and with the stress of this awful year I just feel I’m going mad.
Think I’ll make a call to the docs to describe symptoms - I’m not on any contraception and cycles are becoming a bit shorter than they were and some big clots.
It’s nice to feel that I’m not alone. 😃
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Hello ladies.
I don't eat any animal products so I need to take B12 as a supplement.
I have tried a few but I've found the the best one is the tablet that dissolves under your tongue. I understand that the most easily absorbed form of B12 is Methylcobalamin and I buy mine from Holland and Barratt.
Hope this is helpful.
Take care ladies.
K.
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I'm a bit surprised there isn't much information about Vit B12 deficiency in the UK. Serum B12 bloodtest doesn't reveal a deficiency, you need other bloodtests and if you do have a lack of B12 oral supplementation doesn't help. You need injections or second best; sublingual tablets.
Oral supplementation will also give a false normal of high level, you could still be deficiënt.
The link is from a Dutch site but articles are in English.
https://stichtingb12tekort.nl/our-english-articles/
It would be best to take both methylcobalamine and adenosylcolalamine together sublingual and folic acid.
Alicess
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Hi Christinedownsouth,
I was interested to read this as I have slurred speech very badly too especially in the evenings when I’m tired. However there can be another reason for this....
It’s often related to Psychomotor retardation. Which is basically a slowing down of the body. It’s almost like feeling drunk. Would you say?
This IS a symptom of menopause.
BUT it’s also a very frequent sign of LOW THYROID FUNCTION
I am hypothyroid and the crossover between menopause and low thyroid symptoms are so similar that they can easily be confused and sadly overlooked.
At the time of menopause the Thyroid is supposed to pick up the slack but very often, at this time it decides to under function.Many women are diagnosed with low thyroid function around the time of menopause.
I would suggest you ask your GP for a thyroid function test. That would include TSH and Free T4.
Don’t accept a TSH level above 1. In ‘range’ is not good enough.
You should also be looking for a FT4 result in the upper third of the reference range. If it’s any lower then that too is not good enough.
I would be happy to offer guidance on your results.
If this slurring is happening especially in the evenings when you are tired I would suggest that it’s more likely to be your thyroid.
If the thyroid function test comes back fine then I would suggest increasing your HRT dose.
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I hope no one mind's me resurrecting this thread, but while I haven't had slurred speech, everything decribed here is what I've had for the past week since mixing my patches up.
I'm resurrecting it in case anyone else gets these symptoms, I was so worried about them but this is reassuring.
OP, if you're reading, how's it going? (and others)
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anyone? :-\