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[Fgreg24]

Hi Everyone.
I have had a very interesting journey over the last three weeks or so and wanted to tell you my story. This is mainly due to the fact I was introduced to this site by my wonderful GP and have found it a wonderful source of help and information.
I was not at all aware that the menopause could be so horrible for so many women. My mother went through it pretty much trouble free and I always thought I would too.
I have been having horrible symptoms for about the last eighteen months but over the last three weeks I have been feeling even worse. So very poorly.
Unable to cope, severely depressed, anxiety has been at an all time high.  Along with that I have been in a burning hell with flushes and night sweats, libido has disappeared no sex for months, vaginal dryness and pain. Along with many more symptoms
I finally couldn't put up with it any more and went to my GP who explained everything and suggested I went home and looked at this site, I read up as much as I could and then returned for a discussion on where to go forward.
I returned today after much reading and after another long discussion it was decided I would go on HRT. I have just taken my first zumenon 1mg tablet and so another journey starts.
I'm so glad to have been introduced to this site it has helped me so much over the last three weeks and I'm sure will continue to help all through my menopause. I only wish I had known about it before and that more women were made aware of it and were made aware of what could happen.
Menopause can be such a scary lonely place to be for many women. My mother was fortunate and doesn't agree with HRT, she thinks menopause is a natural process and should be gone through naturally. Easy said. So for other women like me who find it so difficult and are unable to talk things over this site is a must.
I'm looking forward to feeling better, and getting my life and relationship back. I understand it can take a while and there may be a few bumps in the road but it can't be any worse than it has been of late.
Thank you everyone for your help.

[dazned]

 


Great to have you with us,and even better to hear you seem to have a good ,clued up GP !

[Annie0710]

Welcome !

Xx

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM Fgreg24
We're here to help.  Where do thou live? Haven't heard of Zumenon!!!???  Do tell us what's in this and whether it's a sequential or continuous HRT?
Also, do tell us whether you still have periods or when they stopped? Your age?
HRt can take 2-4 weeks to kick in a do it's magic and up to 3 months to settle so expect some side effects at first.  Flushes should be the first thing to reduce - a decent nights sleep shouldn't be far away
Low mood and anxiety takes a bit longer to subside - making sure you have a good diet, get some good exercise e.g. brisk walking each day and practise some relaxation techniques (e.g. Yoga, Mindfulness) will all help to get life back on track.  HRT alone won't do everything.
Keep us posted.  DG x

[CLKD]

Yep, The Change is natural but as in the title, it can bring HUGE upheaval for some women.  A dose of 'flu is natural but it doesn't mean that the patient doesn't suffer.  Arsenic is natural ........   

Browse round.  Make notes. ASK!  Hang onto the GP  .  Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful.  As is eating regular, gentle exercises and small daily treats (mine's a deep bubble bath at 9.00 p.m.). 

If you are able, do tolerate the treatment for at least 3-4 months as it can take a while for the body to adjust.  We have a 'funny' room too ;-)

[Hurdity]

Hi Fgreg24

  from me too!

I am glad you have a sympathetic GP - but I am just puzzled about one thing about Zumenon (Dancinggirl - this is an oestrogen only tablet listed under HRT preps) - as this would normally be given to women who have either had a hysterectomy or already using a Mirena coil for contraception - so will provide endometrial protection for HRT too. I presume you fall into one of these categories - or have decided on a separate progestogen as well?

I hope this works for you anyway

Hurdity x

[Kathleen]

Hello Fgreg24 and welcome to the forum.


I've learned that a challenging menopause is one of those things that has to be experienced to be truly understood. The support of other women on this site has been invaluable to me and I'm sure you will find great comfort here.

Take care.

K.

[Fgreg24]

Hi Everyone and thank you for the welcome.
I'm 51 and I've had a partial hysterectomy. I still have my ovaries so therefore only need an oestrogen  HRT and Zumenon is on the list on this site.
The Dr also put me on statins as my cholesterol is far to high at 8 but I haven't started these yet. Thought I would start one drug at a time.
Today I'm feeling rubbish to be honest the flushes are continuing and so are the palpitations. I'm exhausted and tearful. I can't wait for the pills to start taking effect. I know it will take time.
I am wondering if I should ask for an antidepressant as I have had mental health issues previously and I'm not sure if HRT alone will sort me out. Anyone had any experience with this.
I don't have to go and see my GP for three months which usually would be fine but I am worried about my depression and I certainly don't want to go as low as I was before. I'm struggling to go out, socialise and I have no energy for anything.
My husband bless him took me out for a meal Saturday night to get me out and spend some time together. It was lovely but I've suffered ever since.
I do also have Fibromyalgia which has meant I've had to give up work. I've had this for many years and got it pretty much under control but lately with the menopause being so bad it seems to if made my fibromyalgia symptoms worse. Not sure if anyone else has suffered this. It's horrible and a double wammie. So much to cope with in one go.
I sound so sorry for myself, I'm not I know there are so many worse off than me I'm just struggling a bit of late.
Anyway great to be a member. Will keep reading.  Xxxx

[Menomale]

Hi Fgreg24,

You sound very wise and on the right path. I can't give you any advice on antidepressants or fibro, though, but there are a lot of threads about them. Hope you feel better soon! Hugs
XXX

[Dancinggirl]

Fgreg24 -  If you have been very low on oestrogen before starting HRT then it may take some time to feel the benefits. 1mg each day is quite a low dose so may take longer to work.   Transdermal oestrogen could be better (patch or Oestrogel) but you can switch to this later if the pills don't work that well. You may also need a higher dose but I bet you'll feel the difference in the next 2-4 weeks.
HRt may actually help your cholesterol and if you change your diet and try to do some gentle exercise (e.g. walking) you may be able to bring this down without the statins.  I feel statins are dished out far to readily - a person needs to have a chance to change their diet etc. - as lifestyle changes should be tried first - statins are known for giving side effects for some people.  If you are carrying a bit too much weight then cutting portion sizes, reducing fat in foods and cutting out sugar can work wonders. Once the HRT does it's magic you may feel more like doing some exercise.
I'd see if lifestyle changes together with HRT will help things before starting the statins.
There are MM embers who have fibro and I believe HRT can really help with this. I have found that taking Vitamin D and magnesium has really helped my palpations.  It's easy to be low in these vital nutrients so do take a supplement to help. Don't rush into ADs yet - give the HRT a chance - once your flushes and night sweats are under control you'll feel so much better.
You are doing the right things - and I'm sure you feel better in 2-3 weeks.  Dg x

[CLKD]

However - 2-3 weeks of depression can take 2-3 months to get over!  If you have had depression previously: and you recognise the symptoms: then there is no reason not to ask for ADs - the one I take also eases anxiety. 

It can take a while to find an HRT to suit os for someone with a history of depression, mental health should be taken into account.   Some ladies find that the two treatments work well together.

Gentle exercise is important.  As is 'me' time .......

It is important to be aware that thyroid function can alter at this time of Life  . 

[Hurdity]

Hi again Fgreg24

You've only been taking them for 3 days - as Dancinggirl suggests - you should feel a difference within a few weeks. As 1 mg is quite a low dose and some women do not absorb oestrogen so well from tablet HRT - you might find after a couple of months - if you are still getting flushes then maybe think about an increase, but I also agree with Dancinggirl's suggestion that transdermal oestrogen might be the way to go. I've been on Estradot patches for nearly 10 years and find them brilliant!

I really would not rush to get ADs - at least until your flushes have completely disappeared and see how you feel then. Wihout wishing to pry, did anything trigger your mental health issues in the past - were they hormonal or due to life circumstances, and how did you cope - ie behavioural methods or drugs? There are lots of ways of trying to cope without resorting to medication if you are able to - I am not familiar with them - but mindfulness is mentioned, as well as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, as well as the site nomorepanic - which has a lot of suggestions.

Yes to suggestions re exercise, fresh air and a good diet - and also getting your thyroid checked as CLKD suggests (make sure you get a print-out of your results). If you feel fatigued, get cold easily, have problems with your weight then thyroid could be a problem?

You also mention vaginal dryness - are you also getting treatment for this? Do have a look at the treatments on this website - and ask for Vagifem or estriol cream as soon as possible. The important thing is not to let it go too far because then it takes some time to treat and can be difficult.
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/vaginalsymptoms.php
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/local.php
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/article-vaginal-atrophy.php

Hope this helps - and hopefully your fibromyalgia will also fade somewhat after treatment....

Let us know how you are

Hurdity x

[Fgreg24]

Hi Everyone.
Well after a few weeks on HRT I'm feeling so much better. My mood is lifting flushes have reduced greatly and with using vagifem I have actually given my husband a valentines gift.
I am still not myself totally but I am feeling much better thank goodness.
The only problem I do have now which is driving me insane is constant itching. My skin is sore and I can make myself bleed from scratching.
I had this happen last year and I'm sure it is hormone related. No pills or cream work for it. It is worse at night and however hard I try nothing seems to help. So going to Drs yet again to get that sorted.
Thank you for your help advice and support.
Xxxx

[Hurdity]

Glad you are feeling much better generally Fgreg24 - but sorry to hear about the itching. Hopefully that won't be to difficult to treat?

Hurdity x