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[Audreyhaffenden]

Just wanted or say and introduce myself .
My name is Audrey I'm almost 53 and I live in Rye in UK.
I've been having hot flushes and nights sweats for a both two months this now. They're horrible, the night sweats interrupt my sleep and the hot flushes me feel flustetered and panicky.  I'm very forgetful, the other day I couldn't remember how to get a place in the car I had been going to for years.  Then another day I just couldn't fathom out how to turn the indicator of on my car. I've been driving for 30 years and had my present car for ages.  It was beginning to scare me, so I spoke to my doctor who did blood tests and my FSH is 84. So I'm told in into the menopause, but because I have a sister who had breast cancer at the age of 29 I can't have HRT.  I've been given clonedine which I'm told should help with the flushes and sweats but it's the memory part hats really concerning me. I don't feel like myself at all, I don't feel in control and am so worried I'm going to make a mistake at work so I'm over compensating and checking everything and getting very anxious about it all.  I'm sure it won't last forever but it feels so horrible at the moment. Oh and I'm still having regular periods around 21-28 days 😥
Anyway Hmong to chat to some like minded women who are going through it all too xx

[Dyan]

Hi Audreyhaffenden- I know exactly what you mean.
I'm having a meno blip at the moment and totally understand the brain fog.

[CLKD]

The views on relatives who have had cancer as opposition to HRT have changed in recent months.  Also, Quality of Life is the important, after all, that bus might be along B4 the HRT causes cancer  .     browse round.  Make notes! 

It depends too on what type of breast disease a relative suffered with, was it the cause of death and was it oestrogen dominant.  Even though I had the latter I would insist on HRT if required, the leaflet in my treatment for vaginal atrophy states not to be taken if the patient has had breast disease - but it's a local application and unlikely to migrate.

We have threads on all types of stuff, including 'doing stupid things' ……… and a funny room ;-).

[Hurdity]

Hi Audreyhaffenden

 

HRT is supposed to be prescribed as the first line of treatment for menopausal symptoms before anti-depressants such as Clonidine, if there are no medical reasons why you should not take HRT.

As the others have said you are not necessarily precluded form having HRT just because your sister had breast cancer. You would need to ask to be referred to a breast cancer specialist to discuss what your risk of developing this is, as a consequence, I would have thought?

 Dr Currie has written about it breast cancer and HRT here:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/blogpost-breast-cancer-%20and-hrt.php

The risks of HRT are listed here ( some of this may overlap with the above!)
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/risks.php

Did you start the Clonidine?

Hurdity x

[Audreyhaffenden]

Thanks for all your replies.
Yes I started the clonedine yesterday but I don't think it's an AD it's a vasodilator and it's meant to help with the hot flushes and night sweats , so I will see how I go with them. Also started taking Oil of Evening Primrose, b12 and zinc on my doctors advice. So I will see if any of them take effect.

[Hurdity]

Hi again Audreyhaffenden

Here is what it says on this site about Clonidine - its primary function is not control of hot flushes as you will see although it can help with them.

CLONIDINE/DIXARIT This is a prescription drug which can be used for migraine or high blood pressure and can also help a small proportion of women who suffer from hot flushes, although the NICE guideline on diagnosis and management of the menopause recommended that Clonidine should not be offered routinely for control of menopausal symptoms. The dose ranges from 2 to 3 25mcg tabs two times per day according to response. It is usually well tolerated but possible side effects include difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation and sedation.

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/prescribed.php

Personally I would only want to agree to this medication instead of HRT if it was definitely the case that you should not take HRT due to your sister's breast cancer.

The supplements won't do anything for your menopause symptoms - although if you are deficient in these then it is important to make sure your levels are adequate. It is normally best to get anything you need from your diet though! Evening Primrose can help with breast pain - although it was withdrawn from NHS due to inconsistent evidence.

Whatever you take or decide to do in the future - I hope you feel better soon - and do let us know!

Hurdity x

[Audreyhaffenden]

Thank you Hurdity xxx

[Taz2]

Hi Audreyhaffenden 

A close friend of mine is on Dixarit (Clonodine) for her hot flushes and it has banished them completely. She is over the moon about it all and feels back to her usual self so I hope that it works quickly for you.

Taz x 

[Audreyhaffenden]

Well thank you for your reply Taz that's very encouraging. I've bee. On them almost a week now and today I've not had many hot flushes, I'm beginning to wonder if they could be working a bit already. Night sweats were awful last night but even if the meds just eliminate the hot flushes in the day I will be a lot happier. Will let you know 😀😀

[clare663]

Hi Audreyhaffenden, my sister also had breast cancer at 50 (found on her first ever mamogram) and it was found to be estrogen dominant so she had her ovaries removed aswell, but my doctor was happy to put me on Evorel conti patches as long as I self checked every month.

[kpatton56]

....after all, that bus might be along B4 the HRT causes cancer 

Love it!!! 😀

[CLKD]

When I was young it was 'before the Bomb goes off'