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[Bev1]

Hi everyone, im 52 and have recently started with frequent hot flushes, ive got a training course tomorrow...i feel worried about starting with hot flushes while im there..im also having anxiety really bad, keep forgetting things and terrible fatigue, i have actually forgotton how 'normal' feels! i cant be bothered with anything, im usually in bed at 8 cos nothing interests me, cant even be bothered chatting with my partner! Dont want to go down the hrt route but feel like life is passing me by.

[Taz2]

Hi Bev1 - do you have a particular reason for not wanting to use HRT? I only ask because this is the only thing that I found relieved my hot flushes. Mine were eventually every twenty  minutes day and night and the fatigue and depressed feelings were awful. HRT gave me my life back. I hope I can stay on it for as long as possible. I'm 62 now and started HRT at 53.

Taz x

[JulesPat]

Hi Bev1

 

I can totally relate to how you are feeling. I too have been having what I think are hot flushes. Kept waking up at night and throwing covers off.  Dr gave me ADs but I felt dreadful on them only took them for 10 days when I was put on HRT (8 days now). I still get very warm but dont wake up a much as I have been.  Still very tired and anxious when I  wake in the morning which lasts all day. I didn't want the HRT route either but if it makes me feel normal again then it was the right decision. Still waiting for it to kick in.

There are some very knowlegable ladies on here so there will be lots of good advice x

[Mary G]

Bev1, welcome to MM.

I sorry to hear your symptoms are getting you down.  I have never had hot flushes but I did have a dodgy thermostat and endless sweating.  I'm sorry if this is unhelpful but the only thing that made me feel normal again was HRT.  I realise it's not for everyone but do consider it because as long as you take the right type of HRT at the right dose, it really does change your life for the better.

It took me a long time to get back to normal but I am 55, post menopause and now take 2 pumps of Oestrogel everyday, a small bead of testosterone everyday and 100mg Utrogestan (micronised progesterone) vaginally for 7 days every 5 weeks - I am severely progesterone intolerant hence the low dose.  It does mean having periods again but I look at it this way, if I wasn't using HRT I would still be battling with birth control and for me, HRT is definitely the lesser of two evils!

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Bev1 and welcome to MM
Read up all the info on this site to get clued up.  Don't rule out HRT - I'm afraid it is truly the only thing that can help with flushes etc. Once you have read up on everything you may decide to give HRT a go - it's not something you have to commit to - you can try for 3 months and then stop if you don't like it.
Quality of life is very important - list the symptoms you are struggling with and discuss it all with your GP and see what they suggest. If you did want to try a pill form of HRT to start with then Femoston 1/10 is a good one to try as it suits many women very well and most GPs will prescribe this. Many women put up with flushes etc for many years before trying HRT - they often feel so much better within a few weeks they then regret the time they lost whilst struggling with meno symptoms unnecessarily. 
HRT is a personal choice and it doesn't suit everyone.  Do look at your diet and exercise regime - learn some relaxation techniques and maybe adjust your life to reduce stress.  Many women find if they reduce their workload etc. they can cope better with the menopause.  Do keep us posted.
DG x

[Bev1]

Thanks for all the advice ladies, im worried about hrt as my mum grandmother and sister have all had breast cancer and dont want to increase my risks x

[Mary G]

Bev1, because of your family history, it would be a good idea to seek the advice of a menopause specialist.  Many women with your family background do use HRT but there are many different factors to take into account before your risk can be properly assessed.  But don't necessarily rule it out, it should not be a blanket 'no'.

[Dancinggirl]

Bev! - having such close family members who have had Breast cancer will probably mean HRT may not be appropriate but as MaryG says it is worth getting specialist advice on this - the BCs may not have been oestrogen sensitive.

The alternative that can be helpful is an AD or SRRI - here is the link http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/prescribed.php
This page doesn't mention Citolapram which the gynae I saw usually gives his patients when they can't take HRT - this could also help anxiety.  Just be aware that these things can take time to settle and it can be trial and error  - so finding the right SRRI that suits you can take time.  Good luck  DG x

[Taz2]

You can also try a drug called Dixarit (Clonidine) which is used for treating migraine but also for controlling hot flushes http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/brain-and-nervous-system/a6603/dixarit-clonidine/

This has worked well for two of my friends.

Taz x