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[SunshineCEN]

:)Glad to now be part of the forum.  Been reading comments on the site for over a year and decided to join.

I am two years post menopause and found that my symptoms became worst when periods ceased.  There was a time last year when I thought I really was dying because of the varying symptoms and when I spoke to my friends of the same age who were going through the menopause it seemed that I was the only one experiencing such extreme (to me) symptoms. It made me feel alone and tearful.  GP did give reassurances and interestingly, HE was more sympathetic than the female GP who simply inferred that it is all normal and I should just put up with it as it will pass - she recommended red clover and black cohosh and that was it!  The male GP recommended that I find forums on the web relating to the menopause saying I would be surprised to find that there are other women whose experiences would be similar to mine - voila! MM.

My worst symptoms are the surges that I experience in my head before, during and after a hot flush.  In addition to developing tinnitus - which came out of no where, it feels at times that I can hear the blood rushing around in my head as well as the adrenaline surges which can be quite alarming.  Had MRI and all was clear.  I get a tightening sensation over my scalp as well as tingling and what feels like electric shocks also over the scalp. All my symptoms seems to be linked to the 'hypothalamus'.

To cope with it all I have been going to the gym and this does help a lot to release more endorphins and I also take high potency multi-vitamins. Have good days and bad but doing my best to take the rough with the smooth in the hope that things will get better in time.

Wishing you all a good day today!!

[andius]

Welcome and thanks for sharing your experiences! It's a little scary to have all these weird things suddenly come on at menopause and no one else seems to have them.

I think it really is a confusing time and many women are relunctant to discuss it.  Thank goodness for this forum!  I don't know what I would have done without being able to read personal experiences like on this forum to help me realize I wasn't alone in my symptoms.

[Dancinggirl]

Hello and welcome SunshineCEN
We certainly empathise with you.  I believe it is estimated that round 25% of women have severe Meno symptoms - if that makes you feel better.
I tried all the herbal remedies - spent a fortune - to absolutely no effect. I think they only work for those with very mild problems.
Have you considered HRT?  It's not right for everyone but it sounds as though you have not even been given the option! Read through some of the resent research & dip into some of the threads on this site and it may give you food for thought about your options.
 Keep with us.
DG x

[Hurdity]

Hello sunshineCEN and  from me too.
I would echo dancinggirl's post and consider HRT if you are able to. Whether or not you do so, then at least local oestrogen will help prevent vaginal atrophy and bladder symptoms which in some cases only begins to become apparent in later post-menopause.

You haven't said how old you are? Under 51/52 (the natural avergae age of menopause) then you should definitely take HRT to protect your bones and other health benefits.

Hurdity x

[meno lesley]

Hi and welcome. Can relate to what you is happening to you and like you knew no one else going through the same. My symptoms started suddenly after a few years without periods. I had all the weird head things you talk about and thought I was dying. Have you considered hrt at all, it has helped me?

This is a brilliant forum and helped me enormously.

Lesley x

[SunshineCEN]

Thank you ladies for the warm welcome and suggestions.  I wholeheartedly agree that it is sad that there are many women who do not want to talk about the 'change', which is very sad .  I am thankful for all the women on this site who have made the choice to share their experiences because it can really be a lonely experience when there is no one to speak to or when it seems you are the only one having strange symptoms.  Sharing brings comfort to a troubled mind. 

In answer to the question of age, I am 53 years young . 

Regarding the consideration of HRT - Last year when I spoke to the female GP of the Practice she said HRT would only be recommended in life-threatening circumstances and packed me off to 'just get on with it'.  I too spent a lot of money on herbal alternatives but sadly, they did not work for me.  Even went to the Marilyn Glenville Clinic but found that they just plugged me with a lot of supplements (which were not cheap) - worked for a while but they then began to create their own imbalances.  Decided to just stick with one good quality high potency multi-vitamin.
 
I have made a conscious effort to try to live a stress free life and take good care of me ensuring that I give time to doing things that are relaxing and calming.  I have found diaphragmatic breathing helps to calm my body system. 

I came to the realisation the other day that the strange things that were happening internally almost made me feel afraid of ME - sounds strange I know but for me the menopause causes a heightened awareness of every internal sensation, whether it be pain, tingling, noises, etc.  It is as though I am not only seeing but literally feeling my body change as a result of menopause.  Hard as it is, I am embracing the change even it though it has been difficult.  I hold on to the belief that things will settle in time and I will come out the other side.  I am not there yet either but it is reassuring to know that I am not alone and there are many of us on this marathon journey of change.

Be good to you, exercise when and if you can - (helps me) and do not suffer in silence - speak out - join the forum!  Again, I hope you are all having a good day today

[Hurdity]

Hu sunshineCEN

How sad to hear of yet another woman not being prescribed HRT for the menopausal symptoms which are due to oestrogen deficiency.

I would go back to your doc (I am incensed - how dare she say this!!!!!!) - if you are suffering, and ask for HRT. I have said elsewhere today that the benefits exceed the risks at your age. Just look at this site - the menu to the left, starting with the one in green "Hormone Replacement Therapy". Look at the risks and benefits.

It is great to have a positive outlook on life and to try to live stress free, and healthily - and that is a fantastic start! With some replacement oestrogen you will find a new "ME" and wonder why you had to wait so long.

You are too young to have to get on with it - you have years of fun times ahead of you. I am 60 and still taking it - started at around your age - and haven't looked back.

By the way - you said you would go through it - but that is just hoping the period of very unpleasant symptoms reduce over time. For some women they remain for many years, and in any case oestrogen deficiency last for ever and the symptoms and health conditions associated with this may not become apparent until a couple of years for further down the line.

Go for it Sunshine 

If you decide to pursue this further - we can help you decide what to try....

Hurdity x

[KatieLiz]

I have to agree with Hurdity 100% - don't deny yourself!  I've been taking HRT for 2 years and I'm 53.

[SunshineCEN]

Thank you ladies for the comments and suggestion regarding HRT.  I had not considered HRT because I was never given the option (as well as the fact that it would only be given in life-threatening circumstances) and to be honest, I really have lost confidence in my GP Practice.  I have looked at the possibility of moving to another surgery but when I looked at the ratings/reviews on NHS Choices for alternatives in my locality they do not make good reading.  Good support seems scarce!!

With that said, I hope someone is able to answer this question - how does one go about attending a Well Woman/Meno Clinic?  Are they only private or there NHS ones? I feel that approach may be more beneficial to me -  speaking to experts who will give time to listen and give valuable feedback as well as advice is what I really need at the moment. I have seen posts where women refer to seeing a gynaecologist with positive outcomes.  Any advice would be appreciated. 

[Taz2]

Hi Sunshine - at the top of the page there is a "find a specialist" link. This should show you the meno clinics in your area - most of them are NHS. You have to be referred by your GP. Have you thought about spending £15 and emailing Dr Currie? The link is on the home page of this website

I attended a menopause clinic for a couple of years but as I was pretty standard as far as meno goes didn't really find them much more useful than this site and my GP. They were not keen at all for me to continue HRT beyond 60 (this coming February) whereas my GP has agreed I can have it as long as I take full responsibility for any risks. The meno clinic transferred my care back to my GP on the understanding that I can contact them with any further problems.

Taz 

[SunshineCEN]

Thanks Taz - Dr Currie - that is worth a consideration.  So to attend a Meno Clinic the GP has to refer me - would that be based on GP justification or can I simply request to be referred?
Thanks in advance

[Taz2]

It took me over a year to get referred and then it was only because I visited when a locum was on duty. However, my GP was right in her belief that the menopause clinic wouldn't tell me anything different to what she had said but it was good to have someone else's opinion.

Taz

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Sunshine
My GP in North London simply told me to ring up my local Meno CLinic and make an appointment - no referral! 
Like everyone else I am outraged that you have not been given the option of HRT. 
Did anyone see 'Trust me I'm a doctor' this week - they had two specialists giving their opinion about HRT - Dr Studd was very in favour, while the other one(can't remember his name) was still convinced of the dangers!!!! 
It is now urgent that there are some proper balanced guidelines issued to all GPs & information leaflets for patients in every surgery so we prevent women suffering in silence.  The overuse of antidepressants and antibiotics for symptoms probably related to meno is seriously alarming. I get so annoyed with the sanctimonious approach in favour of the 'Natural Way' - those who don't get symptoms badly often sound quite smug and patronising.
My thread about episodes of severe burning of the urethra (The Burning Club) has really shown how many women are not getting help with this - most of us find it really distressing at times and it affects many aspects of our lives.
Sorry for the rant
Find some local help or email Dr. Currie.  Good luck  DG x

[Taz2]

Dancinggirl - we have also been discussing Trust me I'm a Doctor here http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,22994.msg348824.html#msg348824  The other person was Doctor Klim from Oxford University.

To be fair SSRI's have been licensed for use to counteract hot flushes if they are the only symptom. It is not a case of trying to treat depression instead of meno symptoms but more a different approach and is especially useful for women who can't take HRT for various reasons. The dose for menopause is less than for depression.

Taz

[SunshineCEN]

Hi Sunshine
My GP in North London simply told me to ring up my local Meno CLinic and make an appointment - no referral! 
Like everyone else I am outraged that you have not been given the option of HRT. 
Did anyone see 'Trust me I'm a doctor' this week - they had two specialists giving their opinion about HRT - Dr Studd was very in favour, while the other one(can't remember his name) was still convinced of the dangers!!!! 
It is now urgent that there are some proper balanced guidelines issued to all GPs & information leaflets for patients in every surgery so we prevent women suffering in silence.  The overuse of antidepressants and antibiotics for symptoms probably related to meno is seriously alarming. I get so annoyed with the sanctimonious approach in favour of the 'Natural Way' - those who don't get symptoms badly often sound quite smug and patronising.
My thread about episodes of severe burning of the urethra (The Burning Club) has really shown how many women are not getting help with this - most of us find it really distressing at times and it affects many aspects of our lives.
Sorry for the rant
Find some local help or email Dr. Currie.  Good luck  DG x

Thanks Dancinggirl,

I am going to make appointment to see GP to ask to be referred but I will also do a search to see if there are any meno clinics locally that does not require GP referral. Of all my friends who are in the menopause I am the only one with severe symptoms.  On reading many of the experiences posted on the site and looking back on when I had my last period I conclude that my symptoms got worst after the first year of cessation. There was I thinking things would get better - silly me

I agree with you that GPs need to be better educated because many are failing their patients. I too watched Trust me I'm a Doctor and was puzzled and disappointed at the two extreme and conflicting views from so-called experts. Left me confused!  Interesting that there weren't any contributions from women who are or were on HRT - after all they are the true experts!!!