MeandO's money-shuffling

debtfreewannabe321

Oh gosh @MeandO we do have a lot of similarities 🫣 my aunty and my cousin both had strokes and I've been advised not to have the pill or HRT. However after ten years struggling with symptoms I was at the end of my rope and so the Dr and I came to an agreement I would take the risk, I started getting migraines almost instantly, so I cut down the HRT to taking it every two days, still had headaches so took it every three days and it cleared the hot flushes. My body seems to have acclimatised to it now and the hot flushes have returned 😩 so I've started taking it every two days again. I keep note of any symptoms (she gave me a big list of what to look for ) and I will stop taking it if this happens again (headaches were on there). She's also suggested a menopause clinic which I think I'm going to ask to be referred to as she admitted they will know more than her. She was ever so helpful though and kind so I'm glad I asked to speak to a woman Dr as she was going through it herself and had lots of empathy. Can you ask to be referred to a clinic if you have one locally? Lots of alternatives as sashybo says (I don't know what they all are though). 

MeandO

Thank you so much Sashybo and DFW321. @Sashybo I didn’t even realise there was a menopause charity or specialists before your post, so thank you so much for your advice. I didn’t even consider other options, but your post prompted me to look into alternatives, so thank you.

I’m really sorry to hear you are high risk too DFW321. It’s scary isn’t it.  

As it turns out, there is a meno specialist at a private hospital near me, so I made enquiries and was able to book an online appointment with her for yesterday as she had a cancellation. I nearly pulled out when I saw the cost - £239 - but then I thought to myself that if it was DS, OH or any of my family that needed a private consultation to make them feel better I wouldn’t hesitate, so why not do it for myself. I took the money out of the ISA so that’s back down to £500 ish now. 

I’m not really sure if it was worth the fee tbh, she was 15 minutes late joining the meeting and the consultation only lasted 20 minutes when I’d paid for an hour, but I have come out of it with more knowledge, some answers specific to my case and a prescription for a different type of anti-d to try first as this one also helps peri symptoms and she recommended to try this first before the HRT. I will pick it up tomorrow or Monday, I really hope it helps.

I’ve booked a grocery delivery for Tuesday and picked up some shopping we needed in the interim today including laundry pods and a huge pack of loo rolls from HB, so it wasn’t the cheapest shop today. I may cancel the delivery as I feel the prices have increased somewhat and I think I could get better value at Ald!, I just don’t really want to give up part of my weekend to do the shopping! I’m still within budget for the month and hope to be under budget for the month, even if it’s by just a few £’s. 

Tea tonight was chicken fajitas, only purchase for that was a bit of sour cream. I’ve baked snacks for DS for the week (although he is rapidly working his way through them already!) and done what seems like twenty loads of washing today, none of which dried on the line so the TD is still on. 

I have an eye test tomorrow so hopefully it won’t be too much worse than last time, but I can tell my eyesight has deteriorated quite severely, so we’ll see. 

I have slept poorly for the past few nights so am hoping for a better night’s sleep tonight. If I could coax DS into going to bed early that would be helpful, but no chance there…

sashybo

I’m so glad my post helped and that you saw the menopause specialist. Sorry it wasn’t as helpful as it could have been but I’m happy you realised that you deserve to feel well and also have more information.

I hope the prescription helps but don’t be afraid to push for HRT if you feel you need it. I believe it can be prescribed at 45 or over based on symptoms alone rather than needing a blood test.

One of the surprising things I’ve learned is that menopause doesn’t just end and you come off HRT and that’s it. You’re permanently depleted of those hormones so if you need HRT to feel well you can stay on it. 

The lack of training GPs get in menopause is shocking, a lot of them just aren’t up to date with their information. I believe I’m in the early stages of perimenopause so am reading up on everything so I’m prepared for a GP visit when the time comes that I need HRT.

badmemory

I was on HRT after a hysterectomy until I was 67 when they made me come off.  During that time I felt the fittest I had felt since I was 13.  What they tend not to warn you about is that when you come off you go through a very very mild version of the menopause.  Once that was over the arthritis started.  So once you get it stay on it.  My sister in her mid 70s still has patches but she is very very fit.  I should add that the pill was good but HRT was better.

MeandO

Thank you for your advice and experiences Sashybo & badmemory, lots to think about and consider. For now, I’m trying the anti-d and will give it until the New Year as that’s only 6 weeks or so away, but if it doesn’t help or if I get any unmanageable side effects I’ll be back to the GP asking to try the patches. 

I never thought about the ongoing after effects post menopause, Sashybo. As for arthritis, I have that now, so am dreading it getting worse.  

I think I need to aspire to be like your sister, badmemory!  

I cancelled the grocery delivery, opting instead for a top up shop which has already turned into two shops as I forgot bread the first time round and somehow ended up spending £19 before I left on some YS items for the freezer, an advent calendar for DS, some other bits that weren’t on the list… so online shopping is definitely saving me money! I’m not going shopping now until at least the end of the weekend. We don’t need anything and DS is with his Dad all this coming weekend as they are going to an event so I will just make do with what we have and use bits up. Payday is a week away and I really don’t want to go over the grocery budget. 

I sent one item back for a refund a few days ago - something for DS for Christmas but the sizing was out.  That will be £30 back to the CC. I have bought a few more things for Christmas for him (using TCB for a few £’s back), but have immediately transferred the money to the card to pay it off. Tomorrow I need to go through all the Christmas presents I’ve bought so far as I’ve lost track. I wouldn’t mind trying to get it all finished this weekend too. It’ll be a bit of an ask, but will be out of the way then. I have the funds to cover everything in the Christmas pot - probably the first year I have successfully done this without over spending…so far. 

My car insurance is up for renewal next month so I shopped around and saved myself £45 by switching, plus should receive another £25 in cash back. That was also paid for on the CC but immediately transferred from the car/house pot which made me grateful to my past self for saving into it monthly. It made me think of the days when I didn’t do this and had to find the money to pay for these things ad hoc or put it on the CC with no idea as to how I’d pay it off. I’m so glad I’m so much more financial savvy these days. I wish I could go back to my former self and have a word, I could have saved myself from wasting so much money! Still, at least I’ve got some good money saving habits now. 

Tea tonight was a lasagne from the freezer, previously batch cooked. Tomorrow will be chicken-based for DS, I might keep it simple with a jacket potato for myself, or poached eggs.  

My new cupboard is arriving tomorrow, but I may return it as am having second thoughts about whether it’s worth or or whether to leave the room partially as is for now. It’s free returns, so I’ll see how I feel about it when it turns up. The sofa is apparently arriving next week, but I have my doubts as to whether that order will be fulfilled or cancelled like the last one as there’s been radio silence on updates.

I had my hair done today so am feeling a bit better about myself. The money was covered with the savings I put monthly in that pot, although I do have around £40 surplus in it so I’ll either leave it in there to build a buffer or send it to another savings pot if needed elsewhere. 

Today I receive a cheque in the post from my previous energy company for the £150 warm home payment. I was really surprised as I thought this was credited to my energy account, but I guess the timings of me changing suppliers may have scuppered that. I’m so grateful to receive it though, it will be a big help. 

The car is covered as it’s supposed to be freezing here again tonight and I hate the job of de-icing in the mornings, especially when we’re in a hurry. The heating is most definitely on now too. 

Keep warm everyone, it’s nearly hump day. 

Much love x

dawnybabes

I’d second asking again, I’ve patches as the risk of clots is minimal.  I also take soya isoflavines (off the big river site) which makes a big difference. (I was 46 but had ovarian cancer so had the lot out so suddenly hit a wall with the menopause !) 

RedLipstick

Hope things are well on your end @MeandO, you've been quiet. Sending positive vibes your way xx

RedLipstick

Happy Christmas and all the best in 2026, hope the new year is easier xx

Mrs_Money_Penny

You haven’t been here for ages. Hope everything is ok. Happy Christmas I’m sure you would of gone to your parents so have a lovely time xx

Chrystal

Thinking of you and sending gentle (((hugs))) XXXX