Good morning. Just a quick introduction -
I'm 59, had my last period about 5 - 6 years ago. I've had an easy ride apart from the terrible insomnia and depression/mood swings, and the aches, the brain fog and the general loss of confidence. But no hot flushes - hurrah.
I've seen numerous GPs in different practices and not one has agreed to my trying HRT. I was told that as I didn't suffer from hot flushes, it would not be suitable.
I have been given ADs (sertraline), and my latest GP offered amitriptyline. I hated the sertraline - I took it for about a year and felt numb and dead. One GP just wanted to increase the dose. But i weaned myself off and can now feel emotion again.. not always a good thing as even roadkill can get me sobbing hysterically
I keep myself relatively sane ish by running a bit, and walking and riding a lot.
Over the past few months I've suffered from minor UTIs. I have been on about 4 different antibiotics and had adverse reactions to 3 of them. I haven't been able to run or ride. So I've been pretty miserable. I have seen 5 GPs. Only one of them mentioned vaginal atrophy (on around my 5th visit) - and he prescribed Vagifem, which I've used for about 4 weeks now. It has made a difference but I still get pain when riding and I get the odd mild uti symptom if I get at all dehydrated.
I have asked about trying HRT but was told by one GP that 'it would look odd' as I'm 59.
In desperation I saw a private GP. She is certain that HRT will help - my appointment was probably the best 100 quid I've spent in some time.
I'm booked in for an abdominal ultrasound this week through my GP. Then I'll either try a helpful GP at my NHS practice to see if they will prescribe HRT, or just go straight back to the private GP. (Any advice on this would be gratefully appreciated)
I'm not the person I was 10 years ago. I want to find myself again. I hope I can.