Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Lisa J T on August 21, 2021, 01:33:09 AM
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Hi ya,
I feel like I only ever come on here to moan but im in need of some advice.
So had a hysterectomy in January 2020 at the age of 36 which bought on menopause. Was not really told what to expect.
I have had so many symptoms ranging from dry vagina to hot sweats to anxeity.
I am on HRT patches but I still have so many server symptoms.
Today was a real real low for me... I have had a few mini breakdowns since the op where I feel like I am going to have a panic attack but managed to control it or I've had really bad anxeity and just cried and shut myself off from the world. The last couple of weeks I could feel my mood slipping so I started to distance myself from people and just focus on a day at a time thinking this will stop me having a full melt down. Well today I finished work at 7am and went and picked my daughter up and we went and had breakfast then I dropped her at summer school and I felt OK for the first time in weeks.... but by 3pm I was walking home from the shops and I had my very first full panic attack... I was such a mess and I was so scared as the thoughts going through my head was I just didn't want to do this no more... I picked up my phone to call the samatatians but hung up after 2 calls... I have them spent the rest of the evening crying and feeling ashamed that I even thought like that when I have 2 beautiful children depending on me
I am actually so so scared of my own brain. When I've spoken to the dr in the past they just say its to be expected worh what my body is going through and allow I have had suicide thoughts before I have never got to the point of how I was today!!
Am I meant to feel like this on Hrt??? Does it mean its not working?
Thank you
Lisa
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Hi. So sorry to hear you’re feeling so low. It sounds like you’re HRT is not at the right dosage. Can you tell us which HRT you are using ? Do you have any other symptoms ? xxx
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You definitely need to go back to the Dr and a different one at that,what you're experiencing is NOT what is to be expected. I've suffered with panic attacks and they are the pits,there are a lot of self help things online which you could look at until you speak to your GP
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Sounds like you are not on enough Estrogen yet. I have had panic attacks over the last 2 years that would pass quickly and last month endured a 3 week long episode of constant panic, scared of everything, I have put them down to wild fluctuating Estrogen. My menopause doctor said fluctuations can affect you more than low Estrogen. Can you increase the dose to see if it helps?
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Hello,
Thank you for your replies...
I am on 75mg on the patches... im wondering of its to high or to low... but this has happened when I was on the 50mg and even happened when I disnt use the patches for a while... so I just dont know
My symptoms include vagina dryness, anxeity, hot sweats, night sweats, panic attacks and weight gain. I have also been suffering with really bad heart burn while feeling low but not sure thats related.... I just feel like a completely different person...
I feel like I need some guidance through this and all I get is that its normal!!!
Because of my age im going through this without my friends and as understanding as they are i feel I need someone one who has been through it to tell me im not going crazy!!
When the dr calls im not letting them off the phone until they help me
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Given the rest of your symptoms I'm another one who thinks you need to increase oestrogen. You should ask your doctor for topical oestrogen for your VA too. Anxiety was one of my worst symptoms, I didn't have panic attacks like you've had but it's completely gone with hrt. You can ask for a referral to a menopause clinic if your gp is unable to treat you properly.
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Hi again Lisa, I agree with Sheila,ask for a referral to a menopause clinic,all your symptoms are very familiar to the women on this site,we've all suffered with at least one of them,so no,you're definitely NOT going crazy
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Hi Lisa,
You’ve just described exactly how I felt about 3 weeks ago, the distancing, being terrified of your own brain, thinking etc. You’re not mad, you’re carrying far more than you need to. I hope you get to a GP fast and get the right dosage.
You’ll be ok.
Sending hugs. Let us know how the apt goes.
Victoria.x
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Hi Victoria,
Sorry to hear that you went through this as well.
Did you speak to your dr? What was the outcome.
Thank you
Xx
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Hi Lisa,
It was hell, I finally got a telephone appointment with my GP who prescribed 2 pumps of Oestrogel daily and 200mg of Utrogestan. I wasn’t told how to take the Utrogestan and the sticker on the box said daily which I think is an error as I’m peri. Everything I’ve read says take the Utrogestan on days 15 to 26 so that’s what I’ve decided to do.
Today is day 15 and I’m nervous about taking the Utrogestan because I feel so blinking FANTASTIC that I’m scared anything could change that! I don’t ever want to feel the despair I had 15 days ago. The Oestrogel has got rid of the anxiety (I didn’t know it was called this and referred to it as intense fear), doom and gloom depression, night sweats, hot flashes, back ache, need to wee twice in the night.
I got relief immediately, it has been improving since day 1. I’ve always had insomnia and still have but I know how to cope with that.
It’s very early days for me, I’m hoping it continues to work, if it doesn’t I’ll experiment with HRT until I find the right path as I’m not going back to how bad it got for anything.
I’m hoping you get same results. X
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Most pointless call with my dr... apparently what I'm experiencing is server menopause symptoms and they are putting me on one of the highest dose of HRT to see how I get on!! Wont test my levels and yet again said its all to be expected in menopause and because of my age it is going to be harder on my mind and body so basically I just have to suck it up and get on with it!!!
Feeling left let down and alone
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Lisa,that just isn't good enough in my humble opinion,can you asked to be referred to a meno clinic? Google and see if there is one near to you
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I have been looking but can't seem to find one... they have said to self refer to a wellbeing clinic for my mental health... trying to explain to them that I never suffered with this before my op and I feel I just need my estrogen levels sorted just got shrugged off!!
I am now going to ne on 100mg and my body now needs to get used to it all over again
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36 is young. U should have been counselled prior to such major surgery regarding HRT requirements to protect heart and bones.
Some hospitals have dedicated menopause clinics - not a Gynae as they often don't know much about hormones! It amazes me that women still aren't being given appropriate pre-op advice :bang: Highest dose of what exactly?
I think that you need to ask your GP to refer you to a menopause clinic ASAP. You should be referred on the NHS but waiting lists may be long. Dr Louise Newsom's web-site is a good starting point!
Let us know how you get on.
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When I was told I was going to have the op they said counselling will be given but then the lost all my paper work for the funding so when it was all found I was rushed through for the op so I think it just got forgotten.
I cant even be bothered to call my dr back as I'm so upset but I know I need more help.
I'm going try the wellbeing number tomorrow I just feel like a fraud as I dont believe that my mental state is real and that its just because of my estrogen levels....
My life is fine so I feel really bad for feeling this low
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Lisa don’t feel bad lovely. It’s a big op and you are bound to feel bereft in a way as this was a big change. I found after my hysterectomy the lack of support was overwhelming, my circumstances totally different plus I’m much older.
Please don’t feel bad asking for help. I wish I’d asked for help but I didn’t and ended up having a mental breakdown , I’m now on Prozac but not HRT for many reasons,
Please keep posting, make the phone calls, get any help you can.
Have you thought about emailing Dr Currie for help ? I’ve heard she’s very good ?
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This forum is my main help... ive got so much from this site... I find its better than the dr!!!
I feel menopause is not talked about so whenwe go through it forced or naturally its a big shock to us.
Before my op I thought menopause was just hot sweats lol
I feel like I wouldn't of had a breakdown if I got the right support and put on the correct dose
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Sadly there are far too many of us (and doctors too) who only knew about hot flushes. At least we've started talking about it now so hopefully our children will be better informed when their time comes. I do agree about this forum, far more expertise here than at my doctor's surgery. Fingers crossed you'll be OK soon.
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My own Dr even said the women on here know a lot more than he does,says it all really >:(
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Hi Lisa, so sorry & in fact shocked to hear you've been effectively left to cope on your own after hysterectomy. You don't need me to tell you surgical menopause is a massive shock to the system & I agree with the other ladies that a referral to a menopause clinic is your best bet for more expert help. As you can't find one in your area I agree with Jaypo - can you try to see a different GP? If you ask a practice nurse or receptionist who they recommend for menopause care they may come up with someone more helpful. Failing that, can you maybe change to another surgery? I realise the last thing you need now is more hassle but you so need the right sort of support. The suggestion of emailing Dr Currie for advice is also a great one. if you haven't seen the surmeno site you may also find that helpful:-
https://surmeno.blogspot.com
If your doctor hasn't suggested this you will probably benefit from testosterone with your HRT as you will have lost a large proportion when your ovaries were removed (I'm assuming they were taken along with your uterus). Replacing T could have important effects on your wellbeing.
Keep posting so you feel less alone with the situation. Everyone here will want to help. :hug:
Wx
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I spoke to the nurse practitioner today and shes the one who told me when I first started having problems with my womb she told me it was my age and refused to help me!!!
Is there clinics run by the NHS? I can only find private ones....
Thanks for everyone's support it really does help... I really struggle with what I'm being dramatic about and what I'm not.
I think I will give the new patches 2 months and if no improvement I will call Dr and ask for a face to face appointment.
It just blows my mind that there is not more support or awareness out there for us!!!
The op its self was ok and I feel they were good with the after care about that but no one at all told me what was going to happen to me in the long time.. was just like you will have menopause and have to be on HRT for 15 years!!!
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I haven't used this search facility myself but have a look at the link below. You can specify NHS clinics & it should tell you which is your nearest.
https://thebms.org.uk/find-a-menopause-specialist/
You are not being dramatic - it's a huge thing to go through & there should be better support. Try to remember none of this is your fault Lisa.
Wx
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Thank you so much inwill check it out xx
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Hi Lisa,
I think I’d write to the surgery explaining that you are a single parent with two dependent young children and need to work to provide for them.
I’d say that counselling for hysterectomy was discussed pre-op but didn’t appear leaving you without the after care you relied upon.
I’d say thank you for the well-being centre info and that you’re communicating with them and that you urgently need referring to a Menopause Clinic as they specialise in the symptoms you are having which are a direct result of the hysterectomy.
Pad it out with more facts and be a lot firmer than my words above.
I’d record delivery the letter too.
Can you have the hysterectomy counselling now? If so can you get them to advise your GP to refer you to a Meno Clinic or maybe they can refer you directly?
Please keep fighting for help.
I hope the new meds help and quickly.
V.x
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Thats actually a really good idea... I will get on to that straight away!!!
I keep thinking what if the dose i am on is too strong and thats why I feel like this... I just dont see why they are refusing to look in to and just keep upping my dose... surely doing a blood test will help discover what dose would be best for me.
I do think I give up to easily but the woman I spoke to yesterday is always just so rude to me.....
I will contact the well being centre but I refuse to believe I feel like this from menopause its self I think if they just investigated my levels then I would have a bit of hope....
I'm very aware that no matter what I am going to have some form of symptoms but I feel this is too much and I am getting so bored of them telling me its my age when I know women who go through it naturally and at the average age struggle the same or sometimes even more
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Blood tests are reliably unreliable. However, you seem to have been left in the dark.
I would ask for a referral back to the Surgeon too. At least I would be writing a letter to him/her, copy to the Health Secretary who ever is in post on the day that the letter is written.
The issue of lack of consultation prior to major surgery should be raised until it is taken on board that ladies need lots of info B4 going into hospital. An HRT regime should be in place B4 that Consent Form is signed. Is a cancer patient given 1 type of treatment and told to 'get on with it' >:(
:hug: U continue being dramatic, we hear you !
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Why am I not feeling any better??? I normally have this for a couple of weeks but gradually start feeling better but I seem to be getting worse....
I'm going to start my new dose on the patches tomorrow.. will I start feeling the effects straight away or will I get side effects first??
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Even though you have had your womb removed and don't necessarily 'require' a progesterone element, i would ask to try some utrogestan PV alongside for a little while, as for me it is VERY calming, and once i was settled, it has helped the hormonal anxiety I was experiencing, and balances the oestrogen xx
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I will give my new dose a try and then when talk to my dr I will ask .... but I have a feeling without a womb theybwont give me it...
I need a dr that is nit going to keep just saying its my age and actually take me seriously
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Hey Guys,
Hope you are all well.
Just an update really... I am getting on fine woth my new patch dose and the side effects have calmed down... Also I contacted the Well being team and they were so much more helpful than my drs and have referred ne for councilling with a menopause specialist... apparently I should of been given councilling before my op!!!
Thanks for all your support as always xx
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Great news Lisa,really hope you're on the up now xx
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Definitely feeling more positive .. just a long process isn't it and always a worry that it can happen again.. but its made me feel like there is help out there xx
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Well done Lisa for pushing to see someone more helpful. So pleased your HRT is feeling like a better fit. Thanks for the update & don't forget there will always be someone here to listen & help if you need it. :)
Wx
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Well done Lisa, that is great news! You sound a lot stronger, you’ve made my day! Thanks for the update and don’t worry about it coming back, IF it does you’ll deal with it then.
Victoria.xx
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Thanks guys, dont know what I would do with our this group xx