Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Menopause Matters magazine ISSUE 76 out now. (Summer issue, June 2024)

media

Author Topic: Feeling like im not me anymore :(  (Read 2121 times)

Bambam

  • First Flush
  • *
  • Posts: 2
Feeling like im not me anymore :(
« on: February 17, 2023, 09:10:37 AM »

Two years ago, i had the contraceptive implant removed, i was 52 then.. Following this, i feel like its been a slow downward spiral , jumping from one health issue to the next..... I am anxious, in particular i seem to have health anxiety , i am so so tired ALL the time, i ache from head to toe most of the time, i feel unsociable, and my poor (new)husband doesnt know what hes doen wrong....... he says he feels like he cant do anything right for me.... and that is probably how it seems for him.
For a few weeks now, i have been having issues with my tummy, i already have Silent Reflux, but now i have terrible gas pain, constipation, and tummy tightenings... all this makes me anxious.... i have read on here that a lot of people seem to be suffering the same as i am..... if i go on HRT , wont i just have to go through it all again when i come off it, i dont want to have to start all over again..... im struggling to know what to do... i just want to be me again :( :(
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 75315
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: Feeling like im not me anymore :(
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2023, 09:17:33 AM »

 :bighug: :welcomemm:

Do bring off 'advice for husbands', read and hand over ;-).  Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress.

As oestrogen levels drop off the body may become dry: inside and out; nostrils, scalp, deep in the ears, skin, vagina ..... as well as muscles may become lax = aches and pains.

The gut can be affected by hormones.  10 mins B4 a bleed began I would have to dash to the loo even if a period wasn't due.  Sometimes we need to over haul our diet as some foods can affect us where previously they weren't troublesome. 

HReplacementT helps ease any unwanted symptoms.  The way to find out whether you have entered menopause completely is, if you choose the HRT route, to stop after a few years.  Or not.  Some GPs still want ladies off by the age of 60 but that is no longer necessary if a regime is helpful.

Ask away!
Logged

jaypo

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2771
Re: Feeling like im not me anymore :(
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2023, 09:20:39 AM »

Hi and welcome to the forum,so sorry about all your issues but you are definitely not alone on here. Health anxiety is very common,I suffer with it too,also stomach issues,as oestrogen lowers it can cause a whole lot of issues,including gut problems. I'm not on HRT myself but I know nowadays,if you do go on it,you can be on it for life. Do look up Dr Newson on YouTube,she's a meno specialist and will maybe be able to he,p you decide x
Logged

Zoe

  • Guest
Re: Feeling like im not me anymore :(
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2023, 10:22:12 AM »

Hi Bambam, yes, I hate that feeling of not being me. HRT has helped a lot.

It sounds like your body is missing the hormones from the implant and has also progressed into deeper menopause. As jaypo has said, I would have a good look at the Newson Health resources and the resources on here. It sounds like your body is needing some hormonal support.

Some people do find it difficult to come off HRT but that is usually because they do it quite abruptly. The question really needs to be about how it can improve life in the short term (5 years) and then you can review it. If you come off it really slowly the side effects are, it seems, far fewer. This is because your hormones are not fluctuating wildly like they are now; they will just be low so you reduce very gradually so your body and brain can adjust. Right now you are on a roller coaster in the dark.

Many of us intend to stay on HRT for life (even a low dose) because of the wider benefits it brings. As long as the benefits outweigh our own particular risks, that is fine.

Ask all your questions on here but also see Newson Health resources. They are very clear and evidence-based.
« Last Edit: February 17, 2023, 10:27:22 AM by Zoe »
Logged

Zoe

  • Guest
Re: Feeling like im not me anymore :(
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2023, 10:23:47 AM »

Louise Newson has a good podcast on Spotify. Very informative.
« Last Edit: February 17, 2023, 10:28:24 AM by Zoe »
Logged

Flossieteacake

  • Guest
Re: Feeling like im not me anymore :(
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2023, 01:18:26 PM »

Hello BamBam and welcome to the forum. I really am sorry to hear how low you are feeling. I am not sure if you know this but HRT can be taken for life. I have no intention of ever stopping it. If you wanted to try HRT then you would not have to worry about coming off it.

Is it not possible for you to carry on with the implant? It sounds like it was making you feel better so I suspect the progesterone may have been doing your mood some good. I may be totally wrong there but other members will know more.
Logged

Ayesha

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1028
Re: Feeling like im not me anymore :(
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2023, 04:35:53 PM »

The aging process can be hard and we are not prepared for all that can go wrong as we start on a journey of new experiences.
I never used to take a paracetamol but now I accept anything on offer to make my life bearable, I was going to say easier but that word is not strong enough!

Unless you try HRT you won't know if its right for you, it's all experimenting for you from now on. I was on HRT for 5 years to get me over the worst of the symptoms now I take topical HRT for Vaginal Atrophy.

Your symptoms are so common, please know that there is lots of advice here if needed.

 
Logged

Bambam

  • First Flush
  • *
  • Posts: 2
Re: Feeling like im not me anymore :(
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2023, 08:22:59 PM »

Thankyou, you are all so kind. its good to know i am not alone...... ive always been EXTREMELY fortunate with our ladies issues, never had heavy periods, no pms, not period pain, nothing, ten years on the implant, have it out, (it was 18 months out of date) and BAM!!!
im might go and see my doctor , it seems thats the best thing to do ..... ive seem a gynaecologist , as i has some spotting, she diagnosed Vaginal Atrophy, so ive been on the inserted tablets of eostrogen for a few weeks now , hopefully it will help :)
Logged

Flossieteacake

  • Guest
Re: Feeling like im not me anymore :(
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2023, 08:31:49 PM »

Thankyou, you are all so kind. its good to know i am not alone...... ive always been EXTREMELY fortunate with our ladies issues, never had heavy periods, no pms, not period pain, nothing, ten years on the implant, have it out, (it was 18 months out of date) and BAM!!!
im might go and see my doctor , it seems thats the best thing to do ..... ive seem a gynaecologist , as i has some spotting, she diagnosed Vaginal Atrophy, so ive been on the inserted tablets of eostrogen for a few weeks now , hopefully it will help :)

You may like to get some vaginal moisturiser too. Yes and Sylk are popular ones. I would use the vaginal tablets daily too and ignore the advice to use it twice a week after the loading dose.
Logged