Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: wynwrights on September 09, 2024, 05:33:40 PM

Title: Feel like I'm dying -- can this really be menopause?
Post by: wynwrights on September 09, 2024, 05:33:40 PM
Hi all,

I'm literally at my wits' end with how I'm feeling: can this really just be perimenopause? I'm now 49, approaching 50. Periods have got to be really irregular over the last 18 months or so; I started HRT in late July, using the Mirena for the progesterone piece. But the symptoms now seem, if anything, to be getting worse and not better. I'm as anxious as all get out; have a pronounced sense of dread every day until the evening; have low mood; get the shakes and a horrible jittery feeling with some frequency; have episodes of brain fog; and feel really tired. I *think* I'm also starting to get hot flashes, and I do get night sweats, although not every night. I'm also very prone to nausea (again, often in the mornings) and there's a lot of trips to the loo happening. Surely this can't all be the menopausal transition -- or can it? The menopause Dr I see warned me that symptoms were likely to intensify the closer I got to menopause, but I didn't envisage anything like THIS!

Thanks for listening to me rant. I'm literally beside myself: I just want to feel like me again!
Title: Re: Feel like I'm dying -- can this really be menopause?
Post by: jaypo on September 09, 2024, 06:21:14 PM
Hello,I'm afraid it CAN all be peri menopause,I've literally had all of your symptoms. It may be that your hrt needs tweaked or even changed,it can be trial and error.
Like you, had no idea what was wrong with me but this forum is a real education,so do ask literally anything,or put one of your symptoms in the search and you'll find any one of the symptoms you've mentioned x
Title: Re: Feel like I'm dying -- can this really be menopause?
Post by: CrispyChick on September 09, 2024, 06:33:53 PM
I'm sorry. But yes. I've been suffering for 7 years. But I'm now 48 and things are changing. Soy symptoms are changing. But I'm still in hell.

For me HRT makes me worse because it's just adding more estrogen to my already spinning and fluctuating estrogen.

It's been a living hell. I'm sorry you are suffering. I have had every one of your symptoms. Only jow are the more noticeable symptoms arriving - such as night sweats. But unfortunately for me, the changing symptoms are bringing horrific mood swings.

Yes. It really can be this bad. For some of us. As awful as it is, sometimes it helps to know that, otherwise u can believe there is truly something wrong with you. Xx
Title: Re: Feel like I'm dying -- can this really be menopause?
Post by: sheila99 on September 09, 2024, 06:59:00 PM
You might want to consider increasing oestrogen. It isn't unusual to need more as you produce less of your own.
Title: Re: Feel like I'm dying -- can this really be menopause?
Post by: bombsh3ll on September 10, 2024, 09:15:53 AM
I agree about reviewing your estrogen treatment.

Many women wonder why they aren't feeling better on HRT and it often turns out they are on such a low dose they may as well not be taking anything.

With the IUS you don't have to worry about endometrial protection if increasing your dose. 

Also depending on how you are taking it pill/patch/gel you may not be absorbing it very well.

Don't forget about testosterone too - it can be really important for the tiredness low mood and cognitive symptoms (although to get it on the NHS you'd need to present with "low libido".)