Hi - I posted once on here about three years ago, but since I went through the menopause with very few problems (sorry to those who’ve suffered) I haven’t really checked in since.
It’s now about four years since my last period and I’m 56. As I said, very few problems, a few fairly minor hot flushes one tiny “show” which the doctor cleared and I’d pretty much forgotten the whole thing.
But in about the last month I’ve noticed my face flushing, usually when it’s warm, but sometimes for no apparent reason. Just my face, cheeks, across the nose and a bit on the chin. My cheeks go red, hot, tight/dry feeling and sore. The pores look enlarged and it looks a bit puffy. I seem to get a funny feeling in my head at the same time, sort of pressure and a bit of a headache. Yesterday afternoon’s bout hasn’t really gone away, it’s left my cheeks a bit red, but feeling warm, tight, dry and sore.
When I sleep the side on the pillow also tends to go red, so I get up with a rather blotchy red face.
I do suffer from anxiety, and am taking medication for acid reflux (started tablets after flushing started). It’s not easy to see the doctor at the moment; their website is covered in red font telling you to stay away unless it’s unavoidable. I have had three telephone appointments about the reflux and am awaiting a referral appointment - again initially by phone at the end of the month. I don’t feel I can bother the doctor with something else, they are probably already fed up of my hypochondria.
Of course I’ve googled and come up with all sorts from carcinoid syndrome (hopefully not as it’s very rare - about 120 in the U.K. in a year), to thyroid problems or rosacea. I’ve also taken an antihistamine this morning in case it’s an allergy.
What I wanted to ask - as menopause keeps coming up in searches - is it possible I could go through the menopause, have minimal symptoms, then suddenly start hot flushes (just of the face) with a vengeance 4 years later? Or should I rule that one out?
Edited to add - no HRT or any other meds except the reflux tablet, supplemented by the occasional Gaviscon, the first of which I started after the flushing.