Peri menopause moans

[Kittylover2019]

Is anyone else struggling to get the proper help from their GP due to their age?? I’m 42 and have been told that I can’t have HRT until I’m 45, despite having a LOT of symptoms of perimenopause. I’ve had completely unexplained anxiety for the past year; hot flashes/sweats; sleep problems; itchy skin; my periods haven’t been regular for the past couple of years… and yet the GP said I’m too young for treatment. I accepted anti depressants in the end because I simply couldn’t function with the effects of the anxiety (shakey hands, heart pounding, breathlessness…), but now the anti depressants aren’t helping 100% of the time - it very much depends on the time of the month etc.
Has anyone got any advice on how to deal with an obstructive GP? Changing GP surgeries just doesn’t seem to be an option now as no where is accepting anyone. I’ve made a couple of requests for HRT now… maybe I need to be more persistent?

I went through the almost identical experience as you. My GP are usually pretty good but I was put on telephone triage with a locum. He tried to prescribe anti depressants which can be used for night sweats but not all the other symptoms.

I called the surgery back and explained to the receptionist that I wasn't happy with the outcome and that Nice guidelines state that anti depressants shouldn't be offered as a first line treatment for Peri menopause and could I speak to a Dr who has experience in dealing with the menopause.

I got a call back about 20mins later from one of the senior Drs and he was extremely helpful and understanding I explained to him that I wasn't depressed and all the symptoms I was having were due to Peri menopause. I was 43 at the time. He told me to look into HRT treatments and go and see him the following week for a face to face appointment, I was prescribed the patch.

I would recommend following Dr Louise Newsome on Instagram if you have it. Download the balance app to log your symptoms.

Call your Drs back with the list of symptoms you are experiencing and ask them WHY you can't have HRT until you are 45, what a stupid thing to tell you!

 

[lexiloo]

I have been diagnosed as being perimenopause, my GP had no issue in giving me HRT. However, she wants me to take the pill or coil to protect the womb. Any advice which I should use? I don't particularly want either!

Did she mean the pill as in contraceptive or a HRT tablet? reason I ask is I use gel but also take Utrogestan tablets to protect my womb, I was offered the coil and im sure it works well for plenty people but for me it was a hard no so went down the tablet route, took a bit of tweaking but now seems to be great, Sandrena gel daily and one Utrogestan tablet daily, I was first prescribed it to take two tablets for two weeks but I had awful heavy periods that i'd never had before so was switched to one tablet daily and touch wood it's been amazing, hardly notice a period and all my symptoms have all but vanished so if she meant contraceptive pill and you don't want that i'd ask about Utrogestan.

 

[Randy77]

Did she mean the pill as in contraceptive or a HRT tablet? reason I ask is I use gel but also take Utrogestan tablets to protect my womb, I was offered the coil and im sure it works well for plenty people but for me it was a hard no so went down the tablet route, took a bit of tweaking but now seems to be great, Sandrena gel daily and one Utrogestan tablet daily, I was first prescribed it to take two tablets for two weeks but I had awful heavy periods that i'd never had before so was switched to one tablet daily and touch wood it's been amazing, hardly notice a period and all my symptoms have all but vanished so if she meant contraceptive pill and you don't want that i'd ask about Utrogestan.

Thank you so much, yes the contraceptive pill. I think I may go down the route of Uteogestan tablet.

 

[lexiloo]

Thank you so much, yes the contraceptive pill. I think I may go down the route of Uteogestan tablet.

It's been a game changer for me once the dose was right. It's trial and error to start with as I went from pretty light periods just irregular to very heavy ones when I was taking it for two weeks out of four but when I switched to daily it all calmed down, my advice is don't be afraid to tell them what you want, research, ask here and read reviews then decide what you'd like to try and go from there, I called the doctors earlier than my review was due and said I need a change as this isn't working, no one knows you like you do

 

[Woolmercardington]

Any ever experience strange hunger pangs were your stomach just feels empty?

Also, morning nausea?

 

[MissGlitzyRitzy]

I have been diagnosed as being perimenopause, my GP had no issue in giving me HRT. However, she wants me to take the pill or coil to protect the womb. Any advice which I should use? I don't particularly want either!

I said no to both. Even no to HRT as I was on it before and stopped. Breast cancer is in the family history and I feel for my history to leave it and try other options.

I follow Dr Berg on You Tube and take his advice on diet an supplements and Naturalnews has natural medicine advice and Chinese Herbal medicines and acupuncture.

I will try battle it naturally as I have had a history of blood clots, respiratory issues and breast cancer and HRT is not suitable for me. But for others a blessing.

Its hell the hip and feet pains WTH who tells you that!) but I think with acupuncture and diet changes and tackling from within I may see improvement and along the way tweak it. Its how it works for you as we get differing signs and symptoms and severity.

Its so energy depleting but Im having regular bloods etc so the GPS FOR ONCE have been so helpful.

Im 40 and I started Perimenopause in my early 30s (via immense stressful events). I think Menopause is close.
Im looking forward to no periods at all though as mine are when I have them less frequent dangerously heavy.
I can be on my period for 3 weeks and flood any sanitary wear.

Im having more blood tests and its coming for us all soon so best we know the signs and symptoms ladies.

 

[Randy77]

Is there such a thing as a decent peri/menopause app?

 

[Baby Giraffe]

Is there such a thing as a decent peri/menopause app?

Depends what you want it for. I record my symptoms on the Balance app which I find very useful

 

[Cupcakemum]

The thing I hate most is that you go along tracking your 1000 different symptoms and then all of a sudden they start disappear and you start doubting yourself
Then they start creeping back, but in dribs and drabs, so for a while you don't realise - then BAM they're all back and you're spiralling again.

My body is literally gaslighting me!
Roll on my GP telephone consult soon, I just hope they help because I don't have the energy to fight

 

[Notworthy]

Haven't read this yet From body odour to a burning tongue: ALL of the strangest symptoms of the menopause | Daily Mail Online

 

[Kim Mild]

I've recently started experiencing dry eyes and vaginal dryness. I'm keeping track to see if it's always at the same time of my cycle.

 

[Purrrrrrr]

My strangest symptom was suddenly becoming scared of the dark. I'm someone who never turns lights on if I get up in the night. I go walking at 3/ 4 am or late at night. I love the dark but suddenly had to sleep with the lights on. I remember posting about it on Digital spy, I started a thread asking if anyone had suddenly become scared of the dark. I got asked my age etc and a few people said they also got it during peri-menopause and menopause

 

[lexiloo]

My strangest symptom was suddenly becoming scared of the dark. I'm someone who never turns lights on if I get up in the night. I go walking at 3/ 4 am or late at night. I love the dark but suddenly had to sleep with the lights on. I remember posting about it on Digital spy, I started a thread asking if anyone had suddenly become scared of the dark. I got asked my age etc and a few people said they also got it during peri-menopause and menopause

That's fascinating, it's amazing what can change, my likes and dislikes for food changed too, things i'd enjoyed eating for years suddenly tasted different and I no longer liked it, not just one or two things either, a whole list. I went from not being very picky at all to super picky what I ate.

 

[Purrrrrrr]

That's fascinating, it's amazing what can change, my likes and dislikes for food changed too, things i'd enjoyed eating for years suddenly tasted different and I no longer liked it, not just one or two things either, a whole list. I went from not being very picky at all to super picky what I ate.

I can't remember much else but the scared of the dark stuck with me, it was just so bizarre. It went as suddenly as it came around 6 or 7 mths later.

I have just found this https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/men...rful-during-menopause-and-how-to-overcome-it/

it says about suddenly being scared about things especially loved ones dying. I remember being very fearful of my children/grandchildren dying,l but I put that down to my sister dying and other family members passing in a short time of each other. The dark thing I just went with it and got a nightlight in the bedroom and hall but the constant thinking about family dying actually drove me to the point of ending it so I would not have to face it. I never contacted the two as they were at different times (one peri one menopause )
That has actually pissed me off because its not that it isn't known. why are these things not in every Dr surgery or other places where people can see them and see its not unusual at this time.

 

[Bettyboo2475]

Need some help. My gp has asked me to consider if I need to be on antidepressants after 5 years so I’ve been weaning myself off them. However I’ve been absolutely floored by my peri menopausal symptoms. Intense mood swings, headache, aching joints, hot flushes, the lot. I’m getting very dizzy but have out that down to withdrawal from the antidepressants

Can I still take antidepressants and HRT. ??

 

[ILoveUnicorns]

Has anyone found that period cramps started getting worse in the early stages of peri? Recently mine have got more painful, I’ve been off the contraceptive pill a good few years now, I’m 40 in Dec, I don’t think I have any other symptoms yet, still very regular, average cycle is 25 days, just wondering as it’s not my norm.

 

[Notworthy]

Need some help. My gp has asked me to consider if I need to be on antidepressants after 5 years so I’ve been weaning myself off them. However I’ve been absolutely floored by my peri menopausal symptoms. Intense mood swings, headache, aching joints, hot flushes, the lot. I’m getting very dizzy but have out that down to withdrawal from the antidepressants

Can I still take antidepressants and HRT. ??

How quickly are you reducing your Anti depressants. It might be that you're going too quickly

 

[Bettyboo2475]

How quickly are you reducing your Anti depressants. It might be that you're going too quickly

I did every other day for a week and now I’m taking every two days for a week and then every 3 days. Do you think I need to do for longer then a week at a time.

 

[Randy77]

Need some help. My gp has asked me to consider if I need to be on antidepressants after 5 years so I’ve been weaning myself off them. However I’ve been absolutely floored by my peri menopausal symptoms. Intense mood swings, headache, aching joints, hot flushes, the lot. I’m getting very dizzy but have out that down to withdrawal from the antidepressants

Can I still take antidepressants and HRT. ??

Best to ask your GP

 

[Notworthy]

Stopping or coming off antidepressants - NHS (www.nhs.uk). My friend has just come off Sertraline, pretty sure she took a couple of months. Might be wise to speak to your GP