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[alibeau]

Hi,

I am looking for some advice please....

Quick summary:

I am 45, two major bouts of hot flushes over the past year, both lasting five completely miserable weeks.  Irregular periods.  My mum is 80 and has osteoporosis, also had breast cancel in her early 60's.  She was on HRT for a few years post hysterectomy in her mid 40's.

My question is this, I feel a bit foolish still attending my appointment next week as my symptoms have passed.

However I am scared of the flushes returning and would like to have a plan in place for when that time comes.  I am also worried about my bones in the long term.

If I do attend the appointment what should I be asking the GP for?  What can I expect to get from the appointment?

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Ali x

[Dotty]

Ask for hrt to protect your bones and stop any menopausal symptoms.

[dahliagirl]

Don't worry about the symptoms going - they will come back    Write them down so you remember.

[Mary G]

I would definitely stick with the appointment because you are the right age to start taking HRT.  If you get the dose right, you can avoid a lot of symptoms by introducing oestrogen into your system now and it would also mean you can avoid osteoporosis.  Don't be fooled by symptoms going away for a while, this can happen due to hormone fluctuations but it is only temporary.

If you get any problems because of your mother's history of BC, you could see a menopause specialist. 

[alibeau]

Thank you all.

You all gave the answer I was hoping for, just hoping the GP I see is of some use!

I saw a young female GP last time (same scenario - my symptoms had passed by the time I saw her) and she just looked at me rather blankly for the whole appointment!

Seeing a older male Dr this time...... Fingers crossed.

Thanks again, I really value your advice.

Ali x

[paisley]

I Would too keep the appointment. The thing with meno is symptoms come & go & come back again.

[alibeau]

Hello!

So I saw a lovely GP this morning - I'm happy with what he had to say. He was very pleasant and understanding.

He has arranged blood tests for me, talked about low dose anti depressants (SSRI?) but I think most importantly has given me the name of a GP at our practice that is the 'menopause guru'! Apparently she knows the ins and outs of all available HRT treatments etc

The GP today mentioned that HRT may not be for me due to my Mum's breast cancer but given everything I have read on here, I suspect the 'guru' may advise otherwise...

As my flushes have subsided at the moment I am happy that I am now getting some help, I suspect when my next bout of hot flushes arrive I will have to brave my way through them whilst I wait to see the 'Guru' but at least I am on the right track now and feel that help is on hand for the future.

Thanks everyone, this is a great forum and I really appreciate the info and advice.

Ali x

[CLKD]

Did he discuss his reason for offering anti-depressants?

Browse round here.  Make notes!  Look for our threads on vaginal atrophy which will require HRT applied inside.  Some ladies find that 'sylc' helps the outer areas to keep the whole vaginal area soft and supple.

Maybe make a double appt when you decide 2 see the 'guru', always better to discuss prior to requirements, gives you breathing space!

[alibeau]

Did he discuss his reason for offering anti-depressants?

He said that although not clinically proven he has found that in some women (he estimated about half of the ladies he has treated) a low dose anti depressant can help with hot flushes...... Obviously this doesn't ease my concerns about my bone health hence he's organised blood tests and take it from there....

I'll wait and see what the blood tests show and then can always make an appointment to see the 'guru' in advance of my next bout of hot flushes..

Thanks 

Ali x

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on!

A DEXA scan of the pelvis and hips would give a clear view of how good your bone density is.  Good quality weight bearing exercise can help too.

Some ladies find that ADs do help ease flushes.

[Hurdity]

Hi alibeau

Your doc is completely out of order in offering you ADs for flushes as a menoausal symptom (unless you are definitely medically ill-advised to take HRT)! This is totally contrary to current Guidelines on menopause produced by NICE in 2015. Yes there is some evidence that some ADs reduce hot flushes in some women - but it is only women who are medically contra-indicated for HRT that should be offered these for menopausal flushes and sweats! He needs to get up to date and stop giving these out as a matter of course. I do understand the concern about breast cancer but as far as I understand it is breast cancer in a close relative prior to menopause that is more of a concern. There is a link here about this but I haven't read it recently:
https://patient.info/doctor/familial-breast-cancer

Re the symptoms coming and going - this is exactly what happened to me and is also common - as oestrogen levels rise and fall and maybe ovulation happens and periods restart - the symptoms disappear. Mine did this a few times - I tried taking herbal supps like Black Cohosh and I thought they were working when in fact it was my own hormones doing it! Once my periods stopped for a good few months the flushes and sweats stayed for good so that's when i started HRT - well the periods might have come back but as I was nearly 54 I decided I would get on with it - the HRT that is!

At least you can educate yourself as much as you can while you ponder it all and be ready to ask for what you need when the time comes to see the menopause guru (great that there is one in your practice as there is in mine too .

Hurdity x