Hi June
So sorry to hear about your shocking treatment and ignorance from your docs about the potential hormonal reasons for your issue and anxiety.
This is all wrong. It sounds like you have been given anti-depressants etc for hormonal reasons, notwithstanding your family issues. Hormonal changes of menopause make us less likely to be able to withstand the stresses of life and potentially the issues you are dealing with. Also probably because, as you had a hysterectomy, there was no way of knowing what was happening to your cycle, so docs would not put two and two together - cyclical changes and symptoms, combined with age are the most reliable way to determine if a woman is approaching or going through menopause .
So I think it's all linked - the anxiety, overheating, VA issues. Many women need systemic HRT AND local oestrogen in order to control VA symptoms. Yes do write to Dr Currie but I urge you to consider HRT and before you reach the magic age of 60 which some docs may have a barrier to prescribing for the first time, though it's not out of the question.
Transdermal HRT is usually recommended for older women, but you will still need the local oestrogen - though maybe at not quite such high doses, once you have some other oestrogen in your body?
As for the psychiatrist - words fail me! That there is no joined up thinking - that the docs haven't recognised that your symptoms may well be because of menopause. If you have had not hot flushes previously as an indication also that you were having menopausal symptoms, it may well be that these were controlled by the escitalopram (sp?) as ADs do work for some women in controlling hot flushes/sweats, and now they are becoming apparent as you have weaned off them. This is not to minimise any psychological or depressive symptoms you have and by all means go to the appointment if you are referred, but as you yourself thought there may be hormonal reasons for all you are experiencing, I would suggest pushing for better treatment.
Unfortunately menopause clinics are few and far between and waiting lists long so a consultation with Dr Currie is a great idea. I would also find someone in your GP practice who is the menopause specialist and ask to see them because if your GP says you have gone through menopause and therefore nothing to do with that - well he clearly has no idea!
Re thyroid function - it is important to have this under control as well as sorting out your menopausal hormonal issues and I would suggest you start another post if you need advice on this, mentioning thyroid in some way because another member Wrensong is very knowledgeable on this and combining thyroid function treatment with menopause.
Please do let us know what happens and ask if we can help further eg if you need advice on HRT products or anything at all!
Hurdity x
