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Author Topic: I'm not 40 yet and worried about going to the GP  (Read 2216 times)

itchyoptimist

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I'm not 40 yet and worried about going to the GP
« on: February 08, 2018, 09:40:05 PM »

Hi everyone, I'm brand new here though I've been lurking for a while.
I feel quite sure I'm in perimenopause. My periods have been screwy for some months now - for a while they were one week on, one week off, and now they're going the other way and getting further apart. I'm having some hot flushes - probably only a couple a day, and they're not unmanageable, but they're definitely there. And I am ITCHING so badly, all over my body, almost all the time. I'm also feeling very irritable and tearful a lot of the time.
My mum was done and dusted by her very early forties, and I don't know about her mum's timings (had a youngish hysterectomy) but I know she (my gran) suffered a good deal with osteoperosis.

Everything I've read says that I should go and talk to my gp and look into HRT, because this is quite young to be in peri, but I feel overwhelmingly silly asking, when it seems that quite a vague collection of things could be explained individually by other causes. I'm worried about bone health, and the itching is making me miserable, as is the being miserable. 
Please can some of you with experience and wisdom help me to get a grip, or give me an idea of how long to watch and wait for, or of anything I could do in the mean time? I'm not too fussed about the bleeding and the flushes, it's the other stuff.

Thank you!
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Dancinggirl

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Re: I'm not 40 yet and worried about going to the GP
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2018, 09:58:42 PM »

Hi and welcome to MM

It is very important that you see your GP to seek advice. They should diagnose from symptoms but blood tests done over a few weeks may be helpful. They may want to simply monitor things for a few months but if meno symptoms  do get truly troublesome, at least you can then go back and ask for HRT and things are already on record. What you are describing sounds very like what I experienced from my mid 30s - I was lucky to have a GP who insisted I use HRT at 37 - l dread to think what I'd be like now if my GP hadn't insisted I take HRT.
Premature meno is more common than many think. You are right, there could be other reasons for the symptoms you are getting but these issues should still be investigated to give you peace of mind but also get appropriate treatment where necessary.
Write down all your symptoms and questions and Print out info from this site as well, so you can discuss things properly with the doctor. Ask the receptionist which GP in the practise is good with menopause.
If you are becoming oestrogen  deficient, then it will be important you have HRT until at least 50 to protect your heart and bones.
Keep us posted. DG x
« Last Edit: February 09, 2018, 08:35:30 AM by Dancinggirl »
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Annie0710

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Re: I'm not 40 yet and worried about going to the GP
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2018, 07:11:35 AM »

I was on hrt at 32.  My ovaries failed after hysterectomy and I started having symptoms.  I hadn't even thought menopause to be honest but bloods revealed low oestrogen so doc put me on hrt, and 19 years later I'm still on it x
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Dorothy

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Re: I'm not 40 yet and worried about going to the GP
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2018, 02:43:49 PM »

Go to your GP asap - depending on how clued up they are on early meno, it may take you a while to get diagnosis and treatment options, so you want to start that process NOW while it's still not too bad.  I started getting symptoms at 35, but didn't get proper treatment till I was 40, by which time I could barely walk due to the pain from VA.  If you start talking to your GP now, you don't have to take stuff you don't want to (although it's wise to consider HRT if you are going through an early meno) but at least you know your options so if your symptoms get worse, you can get treatment quickly.
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Hurdity

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Re: I'm not 40 yet and worried about going to the GP
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2018, 08:26:30 PM »

Hi itchyoptimist

I can't add anything the the excellent advice you've already been given but just to say  :welcomemm:

Hurdity x
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CLKD

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Re: I'm not 40 yet and worried about going to the GP
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2018, 03:49:07 PM »

Have a look-see at the Daisy web-site too! though 1 has to pay for advice I believe  :-\

Do speak with your local Pharmacist, Practice Nurse or GP.  You are young to be without oestrogen support.  HRT is putting into your body what you probably require to protect bones and heart.  Brisk walking and a good diet with dairy can protect bones. 

Browse round.  Make notes. 
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CLKD

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Re: I'm not 40 yet and worried about going to the GP
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2018, 03:52:24 PM »

You don't have to make immediate decisions.  Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful to chart 'stuff'.  Taking a list to the appt. can help.  See what is suggested by the Surgery then come home and read more on here.  Some GPs really are NOT clued up about menopause so looking for advice sooner rather than later is important.

As oestrogen levels drop off the body may become dry: deep in the ears, eyes, nostrils, vagina  :o ; do read the threads on Vaginal Atrophy on here, it is important to get treatment - VA can mimic repeated urine infaction-type symptoms i.e. an increase in needing to pee, pain or discomfort, dry vagina, painful intercourse.  This is separate to over-all HRT and is Life long after diagnosis.  Various treatments usually ease symptoms, without the bladder may become irritated and in rare cases, the skin can fuse .........

Also as oestrogen levels drop off muscls=es may become lax = aches and pains  ::).  The Change has arrived .......... bugga ........
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itchyoptimist

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Re: I'm not 40 yet and worried about going to the GP
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2018, 08:17:44 PM »

Thank you so much to all of you who've taken the time to reply. It's encouraging for me to hear that this is something I should take seriously and start talking to my GP about. I looked up the info on the GPs in my practice and the one I used to see, whose special interest was women's health, has retired, so none of them have any even slightly relevant specialisms - may be some trial and error to get hold of the right one to at least start the ball rolling with.
In the mean time I am vaguely eating sardines and cheese.
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Dorothy

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Re: I'm not 40 yet and worried about going to the GP
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2018, 12:59:30 PM »

In the mean time I am vaguely eating sardines and cheese.

 ;D ;D ;D

This reminded me so much of myself when I was trying to get a diagnosis, only mine was salmon and yoghurt!
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CLKD

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Re: I'm not 40 yet and worried about going to the GP
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2018, 10:46:23 AM »

Oh YUK  ;D

Maybe your Practice Nurse might be the starting point?
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