Menopause Matters

Raksha

Is anyone else experiencing a cycle of anxiety/depression every 28 days or so? I've also got joint pain, back pain, confusion, loss of memory, dry skin and I'm just approaching my 51st b'day. I'm currently receiving JSA after being made redundant before Christmas, but get into such a state someweeks that I'm not sure I'm 'fit for work'... Every time I mention 'could it be the menopause' to my Dr, he brushes my concerns to one side

Bronnie

Raksha wrote: »

Every time I mention 'could it be the menopause' to my Dr, he brushes my concerns to one side

Mentioned this before, but is it a group practice? Is there a GP that has a special interest in Meno there (check the practice booklet or website). If possible I would definitely consider seeing a more empathetic GP at this stage of life.

choille

My moods are all over the place & as I work from home that is not too bad. I couldn't get myself together most days to be up & out early as I seem to be in a constant light headed fog & can't find things, can't remember what I've just returned home for etc. It's like a bad joke has been played on me some mornings.
I also eel I could explode at some people - mind you we are having to deal with some bad stuff at the moment but It does seem harder & harder at the moment.
I've just got some homeopathic remedy that I googled & I'll try that for a while & see how I go.

joyfull

Hi Raksha,
I'm many years into just about all of your symptoms. Like Choille I manage to eke out a living from home. In the last few years I have become incapable of 'holding down a job' in the conventional sense, in that I'm so physically uncomfortable and tired and mentally muddled it simply could not happen. I also get the 'glazed over' look from my dr should I ever mention my many meno related probs.
Could you rethink the work thing altogether & consider a way or earning from home or in a way you can choose your hours? At least you won't be under pressure to 'perform' when you clearly don't feel up to it.

Rowan9

joyfull wrote: »

Hiya Menos,

wmf - I wonder if these type of books are the 'green'type you're looking for. It's an interesting site with loads of alternative stuff on women's health. http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/default.asp

Totally and utterly the one I was looking for :dance:!!! Many thanks for this - I'm sitting here smiling .
Sorry you are having a carp time joyfull. So exhausting isn't it? I'm glad you are finding the deep thinking good and balancing. I'm following some on CD at the moment as my mind was just wandering too much. It is good for finding a place of calm.
Welcome to those new friends who are joining us here - you will get lots of support and always a listening ear.
Job wise - isn't it just difficult finding that balance? I used to teach fulltime - not sure how I feel about going back to fulltime but I do know that I'm beginning to want to put a toe back in the water.
GP stuff - my last practice had a female GP who saw any 'women's issues' appointments and she was wonderful. In my new practice we can go to any GP and I have seen a female one about something else so am hoping she will be fine for meno stuff too if that comes up.
Ok rain hasn't let up despite me willing it to. Dogs need walked so I am off to see the snowdrops again in the park.
Happy days all.
W

shykins

hi everyone , sorry to hear about those with troubles but i guess we are in this for the long run and tho they may go away for a bit they seem to come back again

i must be alone in that i havent even bothered to talk to my dr about it, whether he says its the meno or not i have to live thru it so cant be bothered and i dont want HRT (hope that isnt famous last words!!)

anyway keep well all

x

Rowan9

Hi shykins - I asked my doc a few 'is this normal' questions and also said that I liked alternative things if poss and if needed. She was really helpful and printed off some details for me. I lost them in our move a year back.
Well, I've been for a good long ramble today! Took the younger dog and also DH and DD(26 as in aged 26 not my 26th DD ) and also a picnic. It was great to get out and have a good walk about. Most of it was riverside but what the map/ book didn't say was the sheer drop from the sliipy path down to the river! The path got worse, with fallen trees and more mud so we turned back but all had a good time and had quite an appetite for the picnic. On the way back (in car) we stopped and walked along part of a disused railway line which has been turned into a walk so that was nice.I'm planning more walks as I'd like this to be my new hobby. Used to do it before but then things got more hectic work-wise etc and I couldn't be bothered at weekends. So - it's free (MSE:p) , it's good exercise and it's fun planning where to go next. on another MSE note, I got 2 books on local walks from the library, both are small enough to take in the rucksack - which is the whole point of them when I think about it!
So...set off and had a good time. Have a real heavy period at the mo but decided not to let that stop me but went prepared and took painkillers before I went!
Finally (yes, this is another l o n g post)...ordered my meno book (thanks again joyfull) and have had an email saying its on its way - hoooorah!!
Just one last very final thought - I'd be really keen on a meno meet if anyone fancies it! I think logistics would get in the way as I think we're pretty spread out - what do you think/
W

NickyBat

Well, 16 days into taking my "wonder drug" HRT that doesnt make you bleed................yes you've guessed it .....im bleeding, i am so not happy, really feel i can't start going through all of this again.
Rant over!

Rowan9

aaww NickyBat - sorry that you are having trouble with it. Maybe it takes a while to get to the 'not bleeding' bit? This keep on keeping on is hard!
W

Raksha

Update: - been to the Drs tonight, saw a female Dr who I suspect is a locum She was actually interested - her first words were 'when did you last have a smear test? (answer - don't remember - apparently I should have had one last spring, which is when my first depression symptoms started to kick off, so it got forgotten) she asked relevant questions about my anti depressants and agreed it's not a good time to stop, at least until we have the menopause thing sorted out and ruled in or out. she asked me when I'd had my last period, so I had to explain I had a mirena coil fitted 13 years ago, and hadn't really had one since. So nurse now has to do a smear test AND try and remove the coil (and if necessary I may need to go down the full gyaen route ) Plus a urine test and internal exam to make sure there's no blood in my urine or prolapse causing my incontinence, but in the mean time some tablets which hopefully will sort that out too.
She said I am young for Meno (average age in the UK is 52 apparently, but I'm 51 in April and we're all different)