Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Lavender1983 on August 01, 2023, 09:31:00 AM
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Another telephone consult with a different GP this am.
Basically told me again it would be very unusual to go through perimenopause at 40.
Gave all my symptoms again, now being sent for an ultrasound because of heavy bleeding.This is the first Dr to suggest this in over 18 months.
Other symptoms....irregular cycles,headaches,night sweats,dry skin etc she just ummed and ahhed.
Told me if my ultrasound ok then i wont hear from them for any follow up!!!
Im so upset and frustrated.
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What an annoying GP! I wish they would stop saying people are too young. I started peri at 38 and was also told I was too young.
Is it possible to ask if they have a meno nurse at the practice? I really feel for you as this is very frustrating for you.
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This is the 2nd GP at the practice ive spoken to.But no meno nurse there.
She was the one specialising in womems health.I actually said if its not peri then what is wrong with me?Thats when she said about an ultrasound.
Its like they think im imagining it,I have had quite bad night sweats this week amd im tired so her lack of support really got to me!
Were the Drs reluctant to believe you?I think my symptoms started at 38 too but really increased this last 6 months.
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The first GP I spoke to burst out laughing and told me I have another 13 years to go. This GP also said I do not have VA symptoms despite me having all the symptoms. I then spoke to another GP and said ' I am in peri and wish to try HRT'. She agreed to it after me mentioning this forum. A different GP said this is very concerning and then referred me to a menopause clinic. It is like they think it is impossible for anybody under 45 to be in peri. I did have a hard time to get HRT.
I agree with you because it is like they think we are imagining it. Your GP sounded so dismissive.
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Blimey, sounds like a similar experience.
I had used the balance app to track my symptoms and she had never heard of it and tbh wasnt that interested.
How long did it take you to get the HRT?
I have got a private apt booked at a meno clinic,it has been booked for over a month but this telephone consult was offered so I went ahead.I did say that i had a private apt too and she didnt sound too impressed.
Just feels like an uphill struggle
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Blimey, sounds like a similar experience.
I had used the balance app to track my symptoms and she had never heard of it and tbh wasnt that interested.
How long did it take you to get the HRT?
I have got a private apt booked at a meno clinic,it has been booked for over a month but this telephone consult was offered so I went ahead.I did say that i had a private apt too and she didnt sound too impressed.
Just feels like an uphill struggle
I got HRT with the next Dr I spoke to. I really do not know what I would do without it because I had terrible symptoms. It really angers me you have to go through so much and you have still not been given any HRT.
I hope you have some more luck with the private appointment. No idea why the Dr did not seem pleased you had to go private because she could have listened to you and then you would not need to!
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I know, I mean she was polite to me but it was like nothing i said registered.
I even said im worried about going through peri early and if I need to protect my body, joints etc with supplments.But there was no answer, I think prob she wanted me off the phone as it was a 10 min talk and i think a consult is 5!!
What were your worse symptoms before HRT?I just feel like mine are really impacting my daily life now.sorry for all the questions!!
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I know, I mean she was polite to me but it was like nothing i said registered.
I even said im worried about going through peri early and if I need to protect my body, joints etc with supplments.But there was no answer, I think prob she wanted me off the phone as it was a 10 min talk and i think a consult is 5!!
What were your worse symptoms before HRT?I just feel like mine are really impacting my daily life now.sorry for all the questions!!
I am guessing she does not understand anything about peri but how sad she did not say she will find out. Perhaps you could talk to the practice manager? Maybe if you explained the situation there could be a way they could intervene.
My worst symptoms were extreme itching all over my body, such bad bone pain I thought I had arthritis, depression, brain fog, vaginal atrophy. I would say they were the hardest for me to deal with.
I completely understand how this is impacting your life and you were right to ask if something could protect your bones. Oestrogen can help protect our bones and it sounds like the GP did not know that.
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I think to be honest I might look to change practices.There are alot of unhappy patients at the moment.
I have heavier bleeding amd irregular cycles but other main problems for me are the aching and joint pain,also itching skin.
It seems to be deep in my hips that I get pain, I feel like an elderly lady.Also general aches and almost feeling like i have flu sometimes.Its the only way i can describe it.
Then itchy skin is awful and skin just more sensitive than normal.I use epaderm and e45 cream and shower gel.The optician said even the back of my eyes is dried out.
Okay i didnt realise that,so low oestrogen could potentially put bone health at risk.
I take ferrous sulphate and b12 as im anaemic too but Im looking for a supplement.
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I think to be honest I might look to change practices.There are alot of unhappy patients at the moment.
I have heavier bleeding amd irregular cycles but other main problems for me are the aching and joint pain,also itching skin.
It seems to be deep in my hips that I get pain, I feel like an elderly lady.Also general aches and almost feeling like i have flu sometimes.Its the only way i can describe it.
Then itchy skin is awful and skin just more sensitive than normal.I use epaderm and e45 cream and shower gel.The optician said even the back of my eyes is dried out.
Okay i didnt realise that,so low oestrogen could potentially put bone health at risk.
I take ferrous sulphate and b12 as im anaemic too but Im looking for a supplement.
I think changing to another practice is a good idea. I really hope you can find one with GP's who understand menopause.
That itching is such a nightmare and for me was a sign of low oestrogen along with the aching and joint pain. I am so sorry you are so sore and I understand what you mean by feeling like you are elderly.
Just to let you know, you may find Seabuckthorn capsules helpful for the dry eyes. I take these daily as they also help with vaginal dryness.
From what I understand HRT can help to protect our bones. For this reason alone some women take HRT.
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:bang: :bang: :bang: :beat: I would be reporting this Surgery to Dr Currie who runs MM . Naming and shaming until GPs realise that no one is 'too young'. Girls may have 1/2 periods then none after, rarely a girl will never menstruate. That's 'too young'?
I would send an e-mail to the GP concerned with a copy to the Practice Manager asking for him/her to clarify where he/she has read Peer Reviewed Research that leads him/her to believe that women can 'be too young'? Might focus the mind a bit.
In the meantime, ring the surgery and ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic. Not a gynae as they often don't know any more than may GPs seem to!
Itching is usually due to oestrogen levels dropping: inside and out: scalp, deep in the ears, nostrils, eyes, vagina, anus, skin ..........
Let us know how y ou get on.
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Oh thank you, i will look at that for the dry eyes.
I never knew this type of aching was possible! I ont know if you found this but I sit down for a while and getting up is painful.Plus getting up in the night 100 times for a wee,another symptom.I have to kind of roll out of bed.
Thanks for reassuring me that I am not the only one that has felt this way.I will update how I get on Monday.
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Oh you're not alone. Welcome to Our Club - we talk about everything here, even menopause ;-).
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Oh thank you, i will look at that for the dry eyes.
I never knew this type of aching was possible! I ont know if you found this but I sit down for a while and getting up is painful.Plus getting up in the night 100 times for a wee,another symptom.I have to kind of roll out of bed.
Thanks for reassuring me that I am not the only one that has felt this way.I will update how I get on Monday.
Getting up for the loo a lot and feeling sore when sitting could be vaginal atrophy. This is helped by localised oestrogen. I am so sorry you have this too as it is a nightmare.
I also did not know this kind of itching was possible. Inside the ears, eyes, nose! Everywhere.
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:bang: :bang: :bang: :beat: I would be reporting this Surgery to Dr Currie who runs MM . Naming and shaming until GPs realise that no one is 'too young'. Girls may have 1/2 periods then none after, rarely a girl will never menstruate. That's 'too young'?
I would send an e-mail to the GP concerned with a copy to the Practice Manager asking for him/her to clarify where he/she has read Peer Reviewed Research that leads him/her to believe that women can 'be too young'? Might focus the mind a bit.
In the meantime, ring the surgery and ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic. Not a gynae as they often don't know any more than may GPs seem to!
Itching is usually due to oestrogen levels dropping: inside and out: scalp, deep in the ears, nostrils, eyes, vagina, anus, skin ..........
Let us know how y ou get on.
Yes I will let you know what happens.
Oh god itchy scalp,I have that too.
And yes both Drs have said too young and it would be very unusual.
I want to complain but also feel drained by it all and it falls on deaf ears.I should do though as it may help others in my position,that can be my motivation.
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Oh thank you, i will look at that for the dry eyes.
I never knew this type of aching was possible! I ont know if you found this but I sit down for a while and getting up is painful.Plus getting up in the night 100 times for a wee,another symptom.I have to kind of roll out of bed.
Thanks for reassuring me that I am not the only one that has felt this way.I will update how I get on Monday.
Getting up for the loo a lot and feeling sore when sitting could be vaginal atrophy. This is helped by localised oestrogen. I am so sorry you have this too as it is a nightmare.
I also did not know this kind of itching was possible. Inside the ears, eyes, nose! Everywhere.
I didnt know this,itching deep in ears too,almost makes me feel tearful thinking wow its not just me.
Yeah i need a wee way more often but no UTI and up in night more than I ever used to.I also get vaginal itchy feeling,I have to be careful to wear anything that irritates and recently bought feminine wash stuff.It feels like its coming from all angles with the symptoms.
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Get thee some vaginal atrophy treatment ;-). The idea is to insert every night for 2-3 weeks then as necessary: some manage with a couple of times a week, others require nightly application.
Compose a letter now, when you feel stronger send it. It bothers me that many ladies in ethnic communities would go away and suffer in silence if they are met with such ignorance: especially if English ins't their first language.
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Oh yes im sure many women go off and suffer.The only reason I had a bit of information was my own research etc
I think i will write everything down for my monday apt.Wish me luck😊
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Rather than the wash, you may find using an emollient more gentle. I was advised to apply an emollient before a shower, wash it off in the shower and then reapply some to act as a barrier.
I am glad you feel less alone now. 🙂
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Despite having a long list of symptoms that I had been collecting over a number of years, I was told by a female GP at 52 that I categorically was not peri menopausal because I was not having hot flushes and I was still having periods. I could have cried. The following year I spoke to her and I added hot flushes to my list. She prescribed HRT. It makes me so cross that all these other symptoms are not considered and we are left to suffer in silence thinking we have something serious and undefined wrong with us.
I really hope you get the appropriate treatment soon.
Same as Flossieteacake I have been taking Sea Buckthorn tablets for my dry eyes for some time. Not sure if it is a co-incidence but so far I have not had VA. Fingers crossed that one doesn't get on my list.
Good luck x
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I really feel for you, you end up feeling silly when you are dismissed and yes, like there is something else wrong.
Worrying that Drs still say this when you are in their 'accepted' age bracket for peri/meno.
I just never considered all this stuff in my 30s, my children are getting older and more independent, I hit 40 and then this has floored me and my confidence!
Thanks for the luck x
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None of us thought that far ahead and most of us thought it was the end of periods and a few hot flushes ::). Perimenopause is I think 'new' to the community in general, which kind of creeps up! and is not recognised in the medical profession. My Dentist knows more about menopause than many GPs seem to !