Hi Everyone
I am so glad I have found this community. I am 53 years old and apart from hot flushes and terrible brain fog, i seemed to have an "easy" menopause.....until now. Iam on haemodialysis and about 8 weeks ago, I had UTI symptoms. Recieved antibiotics but no infection was detected.I discreetly mentioned it to one of the dialysis nurses, who then announced in a loud voice, so at least 20 other patients could hear...how am I suppose to know why the antibiotics haven't worked. I was mortified. I then confided in an other nurse, who just looked at me, as if I had grown 2 heads. I felt so embarrassed that I suffered in silence for the next few weeks. I googled everything..convinced I had cystitis etc..then I eventually spoke to a GP. She said it was my age and probably Vaginal Atrophy. I have to admit I wasn't convinced. I then started googling and then realised she was right. I started taking Gina as I couldn't get a Dr's appointment. On Tuesday I was eventually prescribed Estriol. What I want to know, is how do people cope with this condition??? I am absolutely demented. It is taking over my life. I am urinating about 20 times a day. It is like acid. I go to the toilet and then I'm back about 5 mins later. I then have urethra pain, that I can only describe as thousands of tiny needles stabbing me. I am not sleeping. I am constantly stressed at work, worrying about having an "attack"...then I have to contend with dialysis. I have to sit for 4 hours attached to a machine. I am allowed on toilet break and usually have to argue with a nurse, who wants me to use a commode. I feel.as if I'm the only woman I know, that is suffering from this. I now look at everyone and think, do they have this, if they do..how are they managing. I have spoken to a couple of friends but they have never had any issues. My husband has been great but I feel so frustrated that nobody knows the pain and discomfort this is causing me. It is literally taking over my life. Compared to this, kidney failure is a walk in the park. In the past when i heard the term..vaginal dryness, I just thought add a bit of lube and you would be fine. I never realised how traumatising this condition is. It disgusts me when I read about other women's experiences and how they are dismissed by the medical professionals. Sorry for my long rant but after another sleepless night, I am losing the will to live. Wishing everyone a good pain free day 🙂
