Peri menopause moans

[sistersofpercy]

I picked up Melatonin in the US a few years ago when I struggled to sleep and have taken it ever since. Must say I rarely struggle now. I take one 5mg tablet about half an hour before and i'm straight out.
No idea why it's prescription only in the UK, but I've been buying mine from Piping Rock in the USA for several years now.

 

[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!

 

[LittleMissOnions]

Can't shift the weight from my middle.. I've always had small waist and flattish tummy but big bum . I'm a 12/14 but it's getting impossible to zip up my trousers but my middle age spread is taking over . Even doing Pilates isn't helping.

& my face shape has changed. I look like a potato.

I’m exactly the same, can’t shift my tummy, then again just back from a very wet dog walk and so consoled myself with half a dozen Lindt chocolates, really don’t know where I’m going wrong

 

[KeepingUpWithThe....]

Ahhh the perfect thread for me right now. I shall go back to the beginning and read it all but I do really think I am suffering with Peri (I'm 41, 42 in August) and I have SO many symptoms - now my periods are acting up as well.

 

[Randy77]

Anyone else really struggling to lose weight? My stomach is just so round. I eat 80% healthy, go for walks, 3-4 miles 3 times a week. But I still can't shift anything.

 

[Lalalalaaaaaa85]

I’m hearing more and more about using these, do you mind me asking if you take them every day of the month or just at certain times? I’m in chemical menopause but the add back HRT is still unsettled so willing to try anything and everything

I take them daily. I think when I first looked into it it said about taking it in the lead up to your period but it all got too confusing trying to remember where I was in my cycle. It took about 2 months for me to see the difference but it has truly changed my life! I used to get borderline suicidal, stressed, aggressive and overwhelmed for at least 2 weeks of every month and now I breeze through my cycle

 

[DellaC]

That's great news. As has been previously said, lots of people avoid going to A&E because they don't see their problem as urgent, but honestly, if you're in that much pain and bleeding so much, then yes, that's urgent, IMO. Especially when GP's aren't listening or it's taking an ungodly amount of time to get an appointment. And, as you've discovered, it's got the ball rolling far more efficiently.

Absolutely. I wish I hadn't waited so long, I probably should have gone a month or so ago. But better late than never!

All the staff were fantastic, from the moment I booked in to the moment I left.

I'm sure the hysteroscopy won't be at all pleasant and I absolutely will NOT be watching it on screen but I'm grateful to be having it.


I feel really let down by my GP's, I think they really did just fob me off. It's shocking because both of the practitioners were women, one in her 30s and one in her 50's...you'd think between them they could've realised that it's not perimenopause 🫤 Anyway I shall let that go now I've got a plan so I'm moving forward.

 

[LadyLockdown]

Is anyone else just in a constant state of apathy? Like really physically and mentally lethargic? Just can't be arsed with anything?

I've had quite a bit of annual leave to use up this past month and I've literally not done anything remotely enjoyable or productive. I've just been lurking around the house like a disappointed ghost or dossing on the couch with a face like a slapped arse. Then going back to bed in the middle of the afternoon to have a break from the boredom, and also because I'm ridiculously knackered from doing sod all.

View attachment 2843009

This made me laugh so much that I cried. Thanks
I can also relate.

 

[Drea1984]

I know what is meant about looking older. In last 3 years I’ve had a lot of stress but feel I look old and hard faced. I’m 50. Periods are erratic but am very anaemic due to issues with food struggle to take the iron also. Sleep is good. No hot flushes. Irritable but then I have a lot on? I just want it over really. I’m exhausted

 

[StatusWoe]

So glad to have found this thread! Hi @griftalo.

Had no idea leg pains could be perimenopause related. I've been having leg aches all week and it's making the insomnia even worse. Currently have a prescription for Vitamin D so will start taking it and report back.

 

[Baby Giraffe]

I’m also a big advocate for walking outside and in nature when possible, the day light and nature noises/ sights annd smells are so soothing.

Getting outside is massively important and can really help reset our body clock if we’re in natural light, makes so much difference over time and it’s time away from screen too which is important

 

[ThisIsMyGuiltyPleasure]

It’s so annoying isn’t it . My longest gap so far has been 123 days. Currently on 77 days (I’m 56).

It is, that's the longest I've managed to go and I really had high hopes...but it wasn't to be.
---

I’ve been sleeping better and less painfully the last three nights, and I’ve been drinking loads of pineapple juice in the evening on those days. I looked it up and pineapple has been linked with lowering inflammation and boosting seratonin production in your gut and helping with melatonin. I’m also way less bloated now, I look like I lost 10lb off my stomach.

Wow that's amazing! I love pineapple juice but hardly ever buy it, I clearly need to start drinking it more!

 

[SaLou]

Is really low mood part of peri too? I'm so emotional and have like little panics about things that haven't even happened. Like my elderly parents dying, my little boy being poorly etc. Like irrational thoughts I suppose?

I wondered that too. I've been experiencing this a LOT recently. Really intensely. Always been a worrier but never quite like this.
I feel for you, it's horrible.

 

[Winthropp Tuesday]

Is really low mood part of peri too? I'm so emotional and have like little panics about things that haven't even happened. Like my elderly parents dying, my little boy being poorly etc. Like irrational thoughts I suppose?

As others have said, I'm sure it is part of peri - I have found over the last couple of years that irrational thoughts, worries, and anxiety have taken me over a little bit. Low mood has come with this too.

Small things that I would 'just' have previously found stressful are now causing ridiculous amounts of panic. Particularly in the run-up to my period.

The run-up to Xmas, Xmas Day, and afterwards has been PMS week for me, and it's felt unbearable. Period arrived last night and although I still feel bad and very depressed/anxious, I know why I felt so terrible this week, now.

 

[Notworthy]

A word of warning re menopause, if you're under 50 then it's 2 years period free before you're considered beyond child bearing age, after 50 it's 1 year. Personally I still have a mirena at 55 because there is absolutely no way I'm prepared to risk a pregnancy and that mirena (or the next one) is going to the grave with me.

 

[Falkor]

I'm just trying to stick to food I know is good for me and avoid the stuff that isn't. I've lapsed on that over Christmas and have noticed that symptoms have been a bit more frequent, but that might be a coincidence. I've not drunk alcohol for about 20 years and have never drunk tea or coffee, so those weren't there to cut out. I do have a terrible Robinson's Apple and Blackcurrant squash habit, but am trying to switch over to water as often as possible! The two main things I've cut right down on are sugar and cheese, which are the two great loves of my life, but I do feel better off them.

(Has a moment's silence for Wookey Hole cave-aged cheddar...)

 

[petitspois]

I've got some quite pronounced symptoms in some ways (joint pain, weight around my middle and a general feeling of 'oh shit') but no hot flushes or brain fog (yet!). I'm trying to educate myself and feel it's almost impossible to make an informed judgment about HRT now. The pendulum seems to have gone from being very anti HRT to being wholly supportive. I see lots of 'menopause doctors' (and they are qualified doctors) telling us about the preventative benefits of HRT in terms of dropping the risk of cardiovascular disease on top of the impact it has on menopause symptoms that it almost seems like a no brainer to take it but then you see doctors like Liz O'Riordan say that isn't quite true. So what is it?

People saying things like 'you have to make the right decision for you' don't help. It's so hard to find facts.

 

[Becauseyouasked]

So glad to have found this thread! Hi @griftalo.

Had no idea leg pains could be perimenopause related. I've been having leg aches all week and it's making the insomnia even worse. Currently have a prescription for Vitamin D so will start taking it and report back.

I started taking a mushroom tonic to aid in sleep and my gosh it has worked so well. I’m using magnesium spray as well. I was taking everything under the sun to combat the restless legs and insomnia it caused. I actually might increase my Vit 12 as I’m vegetarian. I was surprised how vitamin deficient I was as I am very conscious of eating foods that help produce this until I started taking the magnesium spray and my legs tingled all the time I put it on.

 

[CrystalViolet]

Can anyone recommend a decent supplement they have had success with? I have been overwhelmed when searching; the peri-menopause market now seems to be very crowded. I feel we have just become a marketing opportunity

I have had success with symptom-relief from weight training, improves sleep and mood plus benefit of gaining muscle mass. Next steps are trying to get my diet into order. I work in higher education and I am finding my compassion fatigue is significant, I just DON'T CARE about your problems

 

[Quarrantinemadness]

Morning! Today is day 3 of HRT and I can’t believe it, the past 2 mornings I’ve woken up fresh as a daisy, well rested, and feeling happy! I can’t remember the last time I didn’t wake up feeling like I’d been hit by a bus and needed to sleep for a week wtf long may this continue, I might be able to live a normal life and set foot out of the house on a weekend instead of spending it sleeping!!
For ref I’m early 40’s, just started oestrogel and will take utrogestan days 14 -28