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[Wellies]

Hi, I’ve heard about Menopause Matters in the past but not really needed it until now!
Lots of questions but it was a conversation with my doc that has prompted me to ask you all for your advice -
I’m suffering with so many symptoms but not the flushes & doctor refuses to consider HRT as she says it’s just for the hot flushes 😢 The most recent thing is sudden onset of fear of heights which is really impacting my life - she says it’s anxiety & wants to prescribe antidepressants
So, is she correct? Is HRT only suitable if you have the hot flushes?
Also, does taking HRT just delay the symptoms?

[CLKD]

Change your GP? who is so far behind she should wonder why she's a GP!    So many GPs really do believe that a woman might be 'too young' or that we have to suffer hot flushes to even be considered for peri-menopause. 

   How old are you?  Last monthly period etc.? 

Hormone replacement Therapy is replacing the oestrogen which the body usually makes.  Although menopause is natural, symptoms can become overwhelming!  MayB keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress.  So HRT doesn't really delay The Change, it can help one to feel well.  Some will stop periods so we don't know exactly how far through The Change we might be, but many of us think 'quality of Life' is important so it doesn't matter, if HRT suits, if we continue for ever ;-)

She is totally wrong in wanting to prescribe Antidepressants.  NICE recommend discussion about HRT rather than ADs unless the woman is really ill with depression and anxiety: some do require these first so that they can make informed choices.

Is there a GP in the Practice with an interest in Womens' Health or a Nurse Practitioner that you could talk with.  U can ask for a referral to a menopause clinic: not a gynaecologist as they often don't know more than a GP!

Browse round ;-)

[Wellies]

Hi, many thanks for your reply - believe it or not, this doctor is the surgery’s  ‘menopause expert’!
Having read up on it I’ve had the perimenopause symptoms for couple of years. I have always struggled with mental health but low mood & emotions have gone crazy in this time.  I haven’t had a bleed since December so may well be in Menopause now (I’m 48).
Wouldn’t have considered HRT but I’m learning that lots of what I’m struggling with is due to low oestrogen so i thought it makes sense to consider that option - I may ask to speak to another doctor as you advise

[CLKD]

Hi!  peri-menopause is the lead up to cessation of monthly periods.  12 months without a bleed may well mean that we are in menopause proper, however - hormones have a habit of having a party at the very time we would like to be rid of!

What support have you had for your mental health?  I began anti-depressant medication in the 1980s so my mood was stable by the time I hit peri!  PHEW!

Low oestrogen may cause the body to be come dry: inside and out as well as causing muscles to be come lax, = aches and pains  The Change: does what it says on the tin!

[Wellies]

CLKD - used to be on antidepressants long term but not sure they did much - I’ve always had problems regulating my emotions & low self esteem which can usually manage ok but then traumatic event happened few years ago which seemed to coincide with the start of peri menopause 🤦‍♀️!  The massive increase in weight gain and enormous boobs I’m finding especially difficult (again it’s added to already present social anxiety/self hate) I could go on but I’m sure these pages are full of similar stories 😉 - I’m hoping if I have a good read then there’ll be some useful info

[CLKD]

The thing it so try to keep moods stable.  OK until Life gets in the way? 

MayB decide which symptom you would like to ease first. 

Low self esteem - old habits really do die hard!  What support do you have these days?  We have each earned our place on the Earth ;-).  Try not to worry about what others 'may' be thinking! because we all have a 'telephone' voice, don't we?  I'm very posh until you get to know me ;-).

[sheila99]

Oh dear, your menopause 'expert' is as ignorant as mine. Similar experience, many symptoms but not flushes so not meno related and hrt not appropriate - even though I was 56 and 57 when I saw her. Anxiety and insomnia were the worst symptoms. The easiest option is to develop hot flushes and irregular periods. If you want to argue (bad temper was one of my symptoms  ) get as educated as you can, list all the meno symptoms you have, get familiar with the NICE guidelines and suggest she educates herself so she can treat you appropriately. You can ask for a referral to a menopause clinic if she won't play ball though there may be a long wait. Or try a different gp or complain to the practice manager.

[Angel65]

The first Dr I spoke to prescribed antidepressants which made me very unwell and I stopped them within two weeks.    I then connected the dots of all my symptoms myself and realised that I was in peri menopause and probably had been for years.   I paid to see a specialist who has got me started on hrt.   It’s not plain sailing as it makes me nauseous (especially the progesterone bit) but I am seeing improvements even after a month.  My worst symptom is anxiety which I’ve never really had before.  I’ve been given propranolol to stop the symptoms of on panic attacks which I will use until the hrt starts to work on the psychological symptoms.   My specialist and the second GP I spoke to said that antidepressants were completely inappropriate for use in my case and the NICE guidelines state the same for most women.  Hope things work out for you, don’t leave it too long!

[sheila99]

Angel65 my anxiety took 3 months to go so hopefully yours will go too. As it came with meno there's every chance it will.

[Angel65]

sheila99, thank you, that gives me so much encouragement!  If I wasn’t so anxious I’d probably be handling the hrt better if that makes sense!

[CLKD]

Angel65 how long have you been on HRT?  It can take a few months for the body to feel better, some find the progesterone part difficult.  R U using a patch?  U could put the product name into the search box to see what pops up.  Make notes ;-)

Do U take the Propranolol every day, I was prescribed initially 80mg daily for 3 months to ease easy morning anxiety surges.  It was dropped to 40mg for 3 years then to 20mg.  Really helped stabilise me.  I stopped it completely 15 months ago.

Let us know how you get on both?

[Angel65]

CLKD, I was given Evorel 50 patches and Utrogestan 200 for days 15-28 a month ago.   Anxiety rocketed so badly and I was given propranolol 40mg x 3 daily and advised to quarter the patches for a week.   I’m just back up to Evorel 25 and feeling nauseous but at least the anxiety is under control.   Somminex is helping me sleep.   When I get to day 15 I am to use the Utrogestan vaginally.   

It’s early days I know, but I don’t often find people who stumble quite so much as me in my searches!
Before all of this I was a fairly chilled healthy 55 yr old.  It’s knocked me for six all this.

[CLKD]

Hi Angel65 - it's The Change - does what it says on the tin  .  Sometimes symptoms can be overwhelming  [got called for tea  ]

Some find that keeping a mood/symptom/food diary of use.