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[Cookie25]

Ladies, I'm almost 46, Peri and struggling. Been back and forwards to the GP over the past five years and always come away with no relief and frustrated. My worst symptoms at the moment are exhaustion, insomnia and terrible mood swings but I have lots of the others too. I've had bloods checked for everything, so there's nothing else underlying. GP called today as I'd asked for a follow-up call after my recent bloods. My iron was 14 but after 6 months on iron she says I'm up to 45.
- so why am I utterly exhausted? She basically offered me anti depressants - no thanks - or told me to read up and try something herbal! She said because my FSH isn't raised that HRT wont help. I'm at the end of my tether and would really appreciate your thoughts and advice ladies, thank you 

[Cookie25]

Hi Avalon, thanks for your quick response!
I had to Google ashwaganda! I like the sound of its potential benefits but just want to ensure theres nothing controversial about its use as I like to follow a sober life so do not wish to delve into the realms of hemp etc. Sorry for sounding so uneducated, this is all new to me!
Xxx

[Sia]

Hi,
Keep a diary of your symptoms,often it will show a fluctuation linked to your menstrual cycle if it is linked to your hormones which may support your argument that it's not a depressive illness that needs anti depressants.
I would maybe print out a copy of the NICE guidelines for your GP and read them yourself if you haven't already,there's also a lot of other info out there you could take to your GP to support looking at starting HRT if that's something you want to try.
If you get no help or it's beyond their understanding you could ask for a referral to a menopause clinic.
I started being peri menopausal in my early 40's and didn't do anything about it,at the time there wasn't really all the information available that there has been the last couple of years.
I always had bad PMT but was getting lots of worsening symptoms,fatigue,mood swings,lowering libido and palpitations which I had all kinds of investigations for and nothing was ever found.I now realise it was peri menopause and really wish I'd realised sooner as I wasted so many years.
I had a supportive GP but we just didn't relate it to the peri menopause at the time and didn't until I was in my late 40's.
I only realised and asked my GP specifically about peri menopause when my periods changed,shorter cycle and heavier.
My GP was great and started me on HRT but it soon became obvious I needed to go to a specialist at the menopause clinic as it went beyond his knowledge.I've always had issues with my hormones and now realise and been diagnosed retrospectively with PMDD.
My advice,get as much information as possible ,keep a record of your symptoms and fight your corner if you do feel it's the start of peri menopause,don't wait if you're feeling bad as it's just wasting time.

[Gilla999]

I can relate to this so much - this could literally have come from me (I'm 42). No help from GPs whatsoever and in the end i paid to see a hormone specialist who took tests and also said she couldn't help me. My recommendation would be try to contraceptive and not HRT. I was very against doing this because I'd tried so many types in my 20s that made me feel terrible, but there are some newer versions out now and myself and a few others have recently started them (if you can face it, have a read of the mammoth thread called Doctor prescribed Qlairna - scared and needing encouragement). HRT is designed to top up your own natural low hormones but for many women still in peri your hormones aren't necessarily low, they are fluctuating like mad which causes all the problems. You can also experience problems from your estrogen levels drop from the very high of early peri down to "normal" as it progresses onwards (essentially estrogen withdrawal). Hormone tests don't show this - it can appear that everything is fine. Different from HRT, the contraceptive pill is designed to override your own natural hormones completely, which stops the crazy fluctuations happening. My experience on HRT was that it didn't stop the underlying fluctuations of Peri so didn't help. I've been on a Pill called Zoely and others here are trying Qlairna and so far we have all seen a marked improvement. Nothing is the golden bullet and it takes 3-4 months for your own cycle to be fully suppressed so you have to stick with it, but do you think this is something you could try?

[CLKD]

Ask for referral to a specialist menopause clinic, not a 'gynae' and not a 'specialist' - that could mean anything. 

Keeping a mood/symptom/food diary may be useful.

[Itwillpass]

I’m 46 also exhausted, low mood, achy.....the list goes on! My gp goes by symptoms wouldn’t do bloods because hormone levels fluctuate hourly, but you sound peri to me. I’m on my 3rd try of hrt & it doesn’t seem to suit me so Gilla999s suggestion of the contraceptive pill sounds like a plan to me too, really interesting thread thanks Gilla999 

[CLKD]

Tiredness is common.  I remember Mum having crushing fatigue, she would suddenly sit down and go to sleep. 

Keep well hydrated.  Eat regularly.  Exercise when possible. Be kind to yourself and ask for a referral if your GP isn't knowledgable.

[Cookie25]

Ladies thank you all so much for taking the time to share your experiences and advice with me. It means a lot to not feel alone in this and to know that there is help and support out there. I have asked my gp to refer me to a menopause clinic but at that point I asked her to refer me privately as I have cover through work.I've since spoken to my insurer who advised that I'm not covered for menopause! So goodness knows how long an nhs referral will take, but I'll try. In the meantime I'll keep a fuller track daily. I have been using a cycle app for a few years but haven't been noting all my symptoms so I'll need to make fuller notes. I'll have a look at the recommended threads. Thank you all so much! Xxx

[Gilla999]

There is an exclusion with all private health insurers on anything to do with female hormone health - it is absolutely disgraceful. I was beyond furious when I found that out! How can that be allowed, in this day and age?! I had to pay privately but as I mentioned even then I got nowhere because my hormone tests on the face of it were ok. If your hormone tests also show that your estrogen levels are within an acceptable range then I'd really recommend trying one of the newer contraceptive pills instead of HRT. HRT is to top up your own levels and as these fluctuate in early-mid Peri so much it can often not help just to add more on top.

You are 100% not alone - it really is so bad that many women in their 40s are left to struggle, with no help or education. We're often made to feel like we're imagining it.

Itwillpass - I would say it's definitely worth trying the contraceptive pill as an alternative if HRT doesn't seem to be helping you. It didn't work for me either (because of the reasons I've said) but so far Zoely has made a huge improvement - though it takes time!

Good luck ladies xx

[CrispyChick]

Hi. I'm 44. Been in a state for 3 years. Had every test under the sun.

I had a referral to meno clinic. NHS. Their advice - contraceptive pill. Combined version so you get both estrogen and progesterone.

I'm currently at week 3 of my latest trial. I've found it really difficult to find a pill to suit. Lots of side affects. But I'm plodding on.

As gilla says, have a, look at the thread on qlaira and zoley. I've not gone down that route, as I feel I need higher levels of hormones to ensure suppression. But also because I'm in Scotland and I don't think they prescribe them and I'm fed up fighting.

The NHS meno clinic suggested any combined pill, patch or ring... Just to suppress. That was the only advice I got.

Good luck. Xx

[Unicorn]

Hi all! I'm 47 and thinking of going down that route too.... I've been struggling on and off for about 2 to 3 years, with bouts of anxiety and low mood... not for long periods, but end of last year the palpitations were worst than ever, so was my anxiety 😥 tried Evoral Sequi for 9 weeks and felt initially ok, but still not right then 7 to 9 weeks of the patches, my anxiety, palpitations and low foggy mood was worse.  I've just had an increase in my Sertraline from 50mg to 100 for 9 days now but really started to feel better a couple of days after removing the last patch.... very confusing as I thought it was supposed to help.  I'm going to try Zoely or Qlaira if things get unbearable again as a back up plan.  I know AD's aren't the answer to some, but I have suffered with anxiety more than depression in the past, but the 50mg Sertraline wasn't really helping much.  Good luck to you all xxxxx