Perimenopause Moans #3

[CallaLily]

I started to have symptoms in January of this year, I've just turned 52. I knew there would be information on here and
I've read all the very helpful threads, but without being able to ask for any advice. But, I managed to register last Saturday!

The start of my symptoms were warm flushes and then going cold, headaches, disturbed sleep and irritability. I had continued with regular periods until late last year, I started missing them in December, had one in March and nothing since.

I started taking Menopace, a probiotic and magnesium. Added to the multivitamin, vit B, D, glucosamine, cod liver oil and evening primrose that I was already taking. Things improved significantly, until June when the warm flushes and poor sleep - I wake regularly, no sweats, but dehydrated, returned. I've tried Black Cohosh and sage and red clover, but it didn't help. I started on Vitabiotics magnesium, but then Amazon ran out, and I've had Zipvit Mangesium 500mg of Elemental.
I'm wondering if it's the incorrect type of magnesium?

I've upgraded to Menopace Plus, and have recently been taking Kalms Night. Both helped, but not cured the symptoms as before. The sleep is my main problem. I am still irritable, but always have been, without a good 7-8 hours sleep. I'm currently getting approx. 6 hours of very broken sleep.

I did see my GP, I had lots of notes, as you all recommended, but she was great. Ran full bloods to eliminate any other issues and offered HRT. We decided that most symptoms weren't bad enough for HRT, and she said that it wouldn't help with my sleep issue. I can go back to request it if things do deteriorate

Is there anything else I can try for sleep? Would the magnesium spray be better? Or, I'm considering Menopace Max.

Sorry, that turned into a longer post than I anticipated.

 

[SingSong]

Estrogen will help with sleep. Ive been on hrt for 6 months and doing alot better than before it. I'd definitely give it a try.

Magnesium glycinate is the one for sleep and relaxation. I take it before bed.

I hope you find what works for you, it's so difficult doing life while feeling rubbish. X

 

[katz2022]

I started to have symptoms in January of this year, I've just turned 52. I knew there would be information on here and
I've read all the very helpful threads, but without being able to ask for any advice. But, I managed to register last Saturday!

The start of my symptoms were warm flushes and then going cold, headaches, disturbed sleep and irritability. I had continued with regular periods until late last year, I started missing them in December, had one in March and nothing since.

I started taking Menopace, a probiotic and magnesium. Added to the multivitamin, vit B, D, glucosamine, cod liver oil and evening primrose that I was already taking. Things improved significantly, until June when the warm flushes and poor sleep - I wake regularly, no sweats, but dehydrated, returned. I've tried Black Cohosh and sage and red clover, but it didn't help. I started on Vitabiotics magnesium, but then Amazon ran out, and I've had Zipvit Mangesium 500mg of Elemental.
I'm wondering if it's the incorrect type of magnesium?

I've upgraded to Menopace Plus, and have recently been taking Kalms Night. Both helped, but not cured the symptoms as before. The sleep is my main problem. I am still irritable, but always have been, without a good 7-8 hours sleep. I'm currently getting approx. 6 hours of very broken sleep.

I did see my GP, I had lots of notes, as you all recommended, but she was great. Ran full bloods to eliminate any other issues and offered HRT. We decided that most symptoms weren't bad enough for HRT, and she said that it wouldn't help with my sleep issue. I can go back to request it if things do deteriorate

Is there anything else I can try for sleep? Would the magnesium spray be better? Or, I'm considering Menopace Max.

Sorry, that turned into a longer post than I anticipated.

I found HRT did help with my sleep

 

[Bettyboo2475]

Have you found that this upsets your tummy in any way? I’m a bit wary of taking citrate.

I can't use magnesium either orally or topically for some reason. Hrt is the only thing that helps me sleep

 

[Bettyboo2475]

I bought the one that isn’t supposed to upset your stomach (magnesium glycinate?) and still had an upset stomach. Wasn’t brave enough to take them after that! I’ve now decided to buy some from Superdrug - the Vitabotics brand, which is magnesium hydroxide. Fingers crossed

You’re supposed to take two per day so I might start with one and see how it goes.

Me too, try a spray or cream instead.

 

[emanwhe]

I didn’t know this thread existed!

Just been prescribed HRT patches and told to stay on the pill, I’m on MicroLite, and I googled it (I know I know, asking for trouble!) and it said you can’t take both…anyone else on both and still alive?

 

[Swordshead]

I didn’t know this thread existed!

Just been prescribed HRT patches and told to stay on the pill, I’m on MicroLite, and I googled it (I know I know, asking for trouble!) and it said you can’t take both…anyone else on both and still alive?

No wonder we're all in a mess. Ladies there seems to be ZERO consistency, joined up thinking or follow through. Is anyone having success or at least HELPFUL advice, that doesn't involve going around the house of GPs that don't listen

I genuinely think in 10 years time, we're gonna kick ourselves for not looking into this sooner.

 

[veronica71]

I didn’t know this thread existed!

Just been prescribed HRT patches and told to stay on the pill, I’m on MicroLite, and I googled it (I know I know, asking for trouble!) and it said you can’t take both…anyone else on both and still alive?

I’m on the mini pill and HRT and despite sometimes not feeling like it I am definitely still alive!!!!

 

[MsPelzer]

I'm now getting aggressive and angry I'll go back on meds. The joys of being a woman

 

[Kittylover2019]

I’ve gone back on my patches. I thought they weren’t doing anything after being on them for a couple of years.

WRONG…..they must have been because I’ve felt this last couple of weeks like I need to be sectioned, I’m not being flippant when I say that either. Fragile, paranoid, scared, worried, mood fluctuating through the day, the list goes on and on.

I’ve stuck it back on and fingers crossed for the best

 

[SingSong]

I didn’t know this thread existed!

Just been prescribed HRT patches and told to stay on the pill, I’m on MicroLite, and I googled it (I know I know, asking for trouble!) and it said you can’t take both…anyone else on both and still alive?

Yes, I'm on the mini pill and continuous HRT. I get awful periods, so my gp opted for this method for me.

It's fabulous, no more periods and no more feeling up and down emotionally. I prefer the stability of continuous meditation and do still need contraception

 

[Fanny Muchmore]

I'm on HRT and the minipill

 

[veronica71]

Yes, I'm on the mini pill and continuous HRT. I get awful periods, so my gp opted for this method for me.

It's fabulous, no more periods and no more feeling up and down emotionally. I prefer the stability of continuous meditation and do still need contraception

Same here - the menopause lady asked if I’d like to come off it and go back to having periods and I was like duck no!!!! I was only having half a good week every 3.5 weeks - the mini pill was a lifeline.

 

[emanwhe]

Thanks lovelies! I think the reason for my panic is that MicroLite is a combined pill rather than a mini pill, though it is a 'low-dose' pill.

So I’ll keep going with it, check-up with the GP in three months…but yep, the lack of consistency or joined-up thinking is a pain!

 

[dee_mc]

Thanks lovelies! I think the reason for my panic is that MicroLite is a combined pill rather than a mini pill, though it is a 'low-dose' pill.

So I’ll keep going with it, check-up with the GP in three months…but yep, the lack of consistency or joined-up thinking is a pain!

If you've any concern about it ring your GP and ask, as combining the two is supposed to be a blood clot risk according to Dr Google

 

[emanwhe]

If you've any concern about it ring your GP and ask, as combining the two is supposed to be a blood clot risk according to Dr Google

That definitely is my concern! I’ve four days left on this pack, so I’ll see my GP before starting the next…thank you!

 

[Murphygirl]

Just ordered this to try. Reviews are very good so fingers crossed

 

[taffygirl77]

Just ordered this to try. Reviews are very good so fingers crossed

Thanks for this, looks really good, I'm going to email them tomorrow and see which one would be best for me, as my cycle is becoming weird again.

 

[Crumpet41]

I finally made my way back to the GP as it had reached the point where I had to do something. (I’ve been off HRT since last year, when my previous GP suggested trying lithium instead.) This made me feel so angry I didnt bother going back to see someone else ( which is a really silly decision on my part).

She told me I was too young to be having perimenopause symptoms. For clarity, I’m 3 months off turning 47. My periods have been all over the place for a long time, my sleep is ( and has been) awful for a long time, and I’ve recently started getting hot flushes at night (a new and horrible symptom). On top of that, I’ve developed joint pain and go through spells of intense paranoia. There are other symptoms too, but these seem to be the most prominent and I’d really hoped I could avoid the hot flushes (why I thought this may happen is anyone's guess) . No such luck though

A colleague at work suggested I try a wool duvet , has anyone else used one? . They seem counter intuitive to me ( wool being warm and all that) but apparently they also help regulate temperature. I am reluctant to buy one on the off chance as they are quite expensive. Another tip I have been given is to use cotton bedding.

Anyway going back to my appointment last week, I asked to see the nurse this time around (she can issue prescriptions as she’s registered). I really wish I’d done this sooner, because she was brilliant. She listened to what I had to say , agreed that I am perimenopausal (woo , at last someone believes me!), and said I should be back on HRT.

We had a chat about the different options, I explained that I’ve tried both gel and tablets before but didn’t find them that helpful. In the end, we decided the best plan would be to have a Mirena coil fitted and try the gel again when i had the coil put in.

There’s a bit of a waiting list for the Mirena, so in the meantime she has given me Evorel patches. I’m still on the oestrogen patch at the moment (progesterone starts in about a week). I’m not sure if they’re helping yet though. I had a couple of days of headaches which have now stopped, but I’m also feeling quite bloated. I really hope that passes as well.

The Mirena is due to be fitted in October so i am looking forward to this being done. I have my fingers crossed that the gel and the coil work. I am also pleased that I did go back and try again. The last experience really upset me - to be told i was lying about my symptoms basically. . Horrible woman.

 

[Crumpet41]

Just ordered this to try. Reviews are very good so fingers crossed

Thanks for sharing - going to go and take a look myself