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[Cass63]

Hello ladies,
I just joined this forum and hope someone can help me. I started this journey in 2009, total hysterectomy in 2011, never taken oral HRT, only use estrogen cream, have had every symptom there is listed and twice as many that are not listed. My symptoms have never gone completely away, but over the last couple of years they seem to become more manageable, or I had just grown used to them, not sure which. But fast forward the last year has been by far my worst year yet. Every symptom had returned on steroids! The anxiety is at a level I have never experienced. I have always battled it, but could manage it, now it manages me. My doctor tells me that at 60 I am too old for this to be menopause related. Just wondering if any post menopause ladies have experienced this. I am post 11+ years. All labs, CT scans MRI have shown normal, thank the LORD for that. Just can’t figure out what happened to me this last year, it hit out of the blue and I just can’t handle anything anymore. I feel like I am crumbling. I know aging has it place in all of this and I wonder if that’s some of, just looking for some input. Thanks ladies for listening. GOD Bless🙏🏻

[jaypo]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Firstly,your Dr is not correct,menopause symptoms come and go,I'm 60 too,never been on hrt bar vagifem for VA symptoms and my health anxiety can go through the roof,or even the thought of a holiday makes me worry,I'm still having flushes too,have you considered hrt to help?

[sheila99]

 
Your doc is talking through his backside. For some women meno symptoms subside, for others they're lifelong. And 60 is not too old for hrt though there is a 'window of opportunity' for the health benefits which has passed. Are you in the UK? The NICE guidelines used to say stop at 60 but now there is no age limit because transdermal is so much safer than the old horse urine oral type. There are women on here who have started in their 70s. I'm 63 and have no intention of stopping, every time I try to reduce my symptoms (anxiety and insomnia) return. You may want to look at the Advice for Husbands pinned posr which derails other symptoms you may not have associated with meno. If there's a specialist gp or nurse at your practice I would see them, if not then you need a specialist menopause consultant. Don't go to a gynae, they're usually clueless about meno. It's important to start off with a low dose though and increase gradually if you need to as you've been without oestrogen for so long. 60 is not old, don't let them write you off.

[Booblet]

Hi,
I too am in exactly the same boat as you.
I'm 64 and suffering horrendous Anxiety and Depression post menopause.
NiCE state that each patient with menopause problems (no age stated) should be addressed as individual - not "one fits everybody attitude".
I totally understand were your coming from  - Anxiety through the roof - I am typing this to you in tears - been a very weepy day.
Have you had Covid or other viruses? Apparently it cam cause make our hormones go hay wire.
I think you should get hormones checked especially Estrogen and Testosterone. And don't take this rubbish from your GP.
I know its very, very hard to control Anxiety levels but take one hr/one day at a time - live in the moment.  You will get better  X

[CLKD]

 

it makes my blood boil that GPs are still not keeping up2date with how peri and menopause might affect women.   I agree with sheila, those would be my exact words!

I suggest that U ring the surgery and ask for a referral to a dedicate menopause clnininc, not a Gynae as some don't know any more than GPs seem to.  There are waiting lists in both private and NHS Clinics.  U may find that your local Hospitals web-site will give information so you could ring directly to find out the waiting list.

If U meet resistance from the surgery explain that you understand that there are waiting lists which you want to get onto on an incase basis.  [the appt can be cancelled should you no longer require 1].

Anxiety and depression can be treated apart from menopause symptoms.  We should not blame hormones every time.  Perhaps getting the mental health issues eased, HRT can be considered more logically.  Anxiety and depression also have their own dedicated medications.  I think because I was already taking treatment my peri wasn't as awful as it might have been. 

[CLKD]

Also: do make a list of what you eat and drink for the next 3 days. If the body requires energy anxiety levels may rise.  Grazing helped me a lot as does eating every 3 hours and having 'safe foods' for emergencies.  Like if stuck in traffic or if I get suddenly hot .......

Keeping away from processed foods in the last 3-4 years has been great for me, I didn't realise how much until New Year's Eve [long story short].

Let us know how you get on.

[Cass63]

I was offered HRT after my hysterectomy, but was told I could only take it 3 to maybe 5 years at the longest, then would have to come off. When I ask if I would go into full blown menopause upon stopping and was told most definitely, I said then what’s the point, so I opted not to take HRT. I am now told my window of opportunity has passed because of my age and how long it’s been since my hysterectomy, 12 years. I live in the USA. I just couldn’t have ever imagined to still be feeling like I do all these years later. I had accepted all the changes that came with this phase in life and was trying just to live life as best as can be expected with all of the changes it brings, but the last year really has blindsided me. It’s like I am back to square one. It truly seems to be a  lifelong journey for some women  I appreciate all of the replies and feel better knowing what I am experiencing is still part of the process, regardless of what doctors say and by the way, the doctor that told me I was to old to still have menopause symptoms was a woman, a younger woman who had not even begun this journey yet  Thanks ladies

[jaypo]

The Drs here in the U.K. are no better,no training in menopause and the information they DO have is outdated. Women can be on hrt for life,no need to stop after 5/10 years

[sheila99]

The 'window of opportunity' is when it does most good to protect your heart and bones, it doesn't mean it won't help you now. In the UK it's recommended to take it at least until 'normal' meno age for this protection. 12 years ago the advice here was to stop at 60 too, it's the newer type of hrt that's made it safer. IMO you need a more knowledgeable doctor. And there are many gps in the UK who are equally clueless.

[CLKD]

Morning Cass63 - it's 11.00 a.m. here.  That GP's time will arrive  .

Keeping a mood/food/symptom might be of use.  R U covered by health insurance, if so have a browse round for 'menopause clinic' for starters.  Make notes.  Ask away.  We don't bite ;-)

[Cass63]

Hi,
I too am in exactly the same boat as you.
I'm 64 and suffering horrendous Anxiety and Depression post menopause.
NiCE state that each patient with menopause problems (no age stated) should be addressed as individual - not "one fits everybody attitude".
I totally understand were your coming from  - Anxiety through the roof - I am typing this to you in tears - been a very weepy day.
Have you had Covid or other viruses? Apparently it cam cause make our hormones go hay wire.
I think you should get hormones checked especially Estrogen and Testosterone. And don't take this rubbish from your GP.
I know its very, very hard to control Anxiety levels but take one hr/one day at a time - live in the moment.  You will get better  X

Haven’t had COVID or any virus, overall my health is good, just can’t get a handle on this anxiety and my nerves. My hormones show I am low in everything which I expected. I too cry most everyday, some days are worse than others, just cry and really have no reason, just feel so sad, doom and gloom. I honestly think there has been a dip in what hormones I have left. This came on overnight and has been persistent for over a year now. It’s the same way I felt when this whole journey started for me in 2009. Sorry to hear you are weepy too  It’s really hard to explain it to someone if you have never experienced it. Prayers that we all will feel more ourselves soon 🙏🏻

[sheila99]

I rely on hrt for that, it seems to be far more effective than the Almighty. And let's face it, whoever designed women to go through menopause should be hung, drawn and quartered. You're far from alone, we're all on here because we've suffered.