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[Linda51]

Hi there, over the past two years I have found this website a real comfort when I started to experience some perimenopausal symptoms. I have had palpitations, nausea, mood changes, irritability etc. feeling cold, not hot!, I've only just become a member as the symptoms have become more consistent. I'd welcome any advice. I'm still having periods although they are no longer regular, they can be every three weeks with spotting inbetween. My main problem is that I have found it really difficult to go out to restaurants, the cinema, stay anywhere overnight. It makes me feel ill. I feel my hormones are fluctuating but because I have Crohn's disease, it really is affecting my bowel. I can experience nausea and diarrhoea and anxiety. I've never been an anxious person but this feeling of dizziness and claustrophobia is stopping me participating in life with my family. I've thought from some of the reading I've done that my symptoms may be the result of my progesterone levels dropping, but I don't know. I've had the FSH test but it's always 'normal' I'm now being being refered to the menopause clinic but I think it would be most helpful to hear from other women that may have experienced similar symptoms and have advice on what has helped them. Thank you for reading this and for all the posts I've read in the past as I found it reassuring when I felt I was going mad

[jedigirl]

Hi Linda51,
Your symptoms sound very similar to mine, especially the nausea, dizziness and feeling cold. Yesterday i felt like i was coming down with something with chills but felt that way so many times. The nausea i find very tricky and so far only hrt has helped for me though am having a wobble with that too as feeling sick again. I guess my hormones are fluctuating wildly again. At least on the HRT i have more good than bad days now.
I too am finding it difficult to maintain a normal life. Am off to Wales for my brothers 50th next week and I have no idea how I will manage it if i feel like this.
This is a great site with loads of helpful advice
Welcome to MM 

[Kathleen]

Hello Linda51 and welcome to the forum.

Everything you have described sounds similar to me as well! My periods were always heavy and regular and it wasn't until they stopped at age 53 that my symptoms really kicked in. I struggled on for over two years until I decided I'd had enough and asked for HRT and although I am much improved I still struggle. I am 58 now and haven't had a period for almost five years.
I regret waiting so long to seek advice and I think you are doing the right thing by going to the menopause clinic, in fact I'd be interested to hear what they advise! Plus of course many ladies on this site are very knowledgeable so you can always direct any specific questions here and someone will be able to help you.

Another thing we have in common is inflammatory bowel disease as I have Ulcerative Colitis. My last Colonoscopy six months ago showed everything was normal so you may be interested to know the treatment plan I'm following as it may help you:      - Mezavant XL 1200mg mesalazine tablets, two daily ( these are the Rolls Royce of their kind according to my consultant)
                   - Lots of high dose fish oil capsules and Olive oil

                   - VSL#3 Probiotic. This is available online and is expensive but it is used to treat Pouchitis and is very good.

I hope I have helped you in some way. Take care and keep posting.

K.     
     

[dogdoc]

Ditto. Same symptoms. My feet are freezing right now lol.
I too still get periods and have 'normal' FSH. My estrogen is way too low despite the normal FSH though. I started hormones two months ago. Doing better... Not 100% but def better.

Ps. That feeling if literally listings ones mind is terrifying. I've been there.
Tara

[Linda51]

Thank you all for your responses, I find it really reassuring, I've been told I won't be allowed to use HRT as my mother had breast cancer. Has anyone, used any of the herbal medicines and found them helpful? It'll be a few weeks before I get an appointment at the MC, I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for your advice,I really do appreciate it 

[peegeetip]

so sorry about your mum

But just because your mum or your aunt or whatever had bc, it is no reason to stop you going on it

 

[Hurdity]

Hi Linda51

 

So sorry to hear about your mum - as peegeetip says it doesn't necessarily rule out HRT for you but perhaps you would be able to be tested to see if you have the gene, and also if you know what type of breast cancer it was?

Your symptoms are most likely due to the extreme fluctuations in both oestrogen and progesterone ( amongst others) that occurs at this time, as well as oestrogen eventually falling to a lower level and leading to low mood and anxiety - although high progesterone can cause low mood (and tiredness) too!

I posted recently about ways to deal with some symptoms for those who can't take HRT - I will see if I can find it - might be worth thinking about some of these in the meantime. Good to get referred to a menopause clinic so that you can get the specialised advice and treatment you need.

Found the post so will copy the relevant bits:

There are various drugs listed here on this site which can help with flushes and sweats for those who cannot take HRT:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/prescribed.php Maybe some of these have been suggested. You may not like the idea of taking this sort of thing, but if the flushes and sweats are interfering with your ability to cope with life ....then it might be worth a try to start a low dose of one of these - The drugs should help with flushes in the day as well as the night sweats.

Other than that I presume you are following all the other self-help measures - there was a study about therapies that can help women to cope with flushes and sweats following breast cancer here:
http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20121013
Summary of the study here:
http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/early/2012/10/03/JCO.2012.41.8525?papetoc

I'm sure you've read this but will post anyway:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/menopause/Pages/Menopauseselfhelp.aspx

Limiting caffeine and alcohol as well as losing weight (if necessary) also are supposed to help alleviate menopausal symptoms.

This is the thread:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,27474.msg428398.html#msg428398

The most promising herbal supplements are those containing phyto-oestrgoens but these are not advised for those who have had breast cancer or at risk ( if definitely advised against by specialists) because they have a weak oestrogenic action. Other herbal remedies have either insufficient evidence that they work, or insufficient long term safety info - and especially in relation to breast cancer risk.

There is some info on this website:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/remedies.php
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/phytoestrogens.php
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/otherpreps.php
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/othertechs.php


There is more info on NHS website too:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/othertechs.php

Hope this helps 

Hurdity x

[Linda51]

Thanks again everybody, I have to say my Mum is fine now you've all been great and so very helpful. I am so pleased I am now on this forum it's brilliant.