I’d like to know when all this will end! I’m in my 60s, but still have crippling menopausal symptoms. I sweat at least three times per hour, have soaking night sweats, aching joints, depressed, no libido, can’t sleep, and constantly fatigued! I’ve had a total hysterectomy and was on HRT but then taken off 8 years ago. To top it all off, my doctor has been very unhelpful.Is there anyone out there like me? I really need to know I’m not alone. And if you have any suggestions for what may help (apart from antidepressants and thyroxine) I would love to hear it 🙂– Dee, UK
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Ella5 years ago
Well Dee the US Study of Women Across the Nation - SWAN shows that you are part of a significant number of women who have long term symptoms. There is no realistic solution apart from HRT. Your GP is less knowledgeable than ideal. Continuing to take HRT is sensible and safe - for example see the North American Menopause Society guidelines or the NICE guidelines from the UK You will find that if you consult a Menopause clinic you will get help. See the British Menopause Society website for a list of clinics. If your GP will nor refer you talk to another GP in the practice or ring a clinic and ask how to get an accepted referral. If you can afford a private consultation then that would be easy in London without a referral first and the specialist would then recommend your treatment
Michelle5 years ago
Aww bless you Dee. It’s so very tough all of this isn’t it with a multitude of symptoms to say the least. I’m so sorry you’re suffering so much. I truly hope there are some people who can help you who have been going through this as long as you have. I’m the same as you but I’m 53 but it’s been going on a number of years I’m just trying to get through it without HRT but we will see. I expect you will have had bloods done to check your thyroid etc. It certainly doesn’t help if your GP is unhelpful. Is there any chance you could change GPs. I changed mine just over 12 months ago as my previous surgery was a total nightmare to get an appointment which went on for a very long time. Eventually, after lots of debates decided to go for it and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Totally different outlook on everything at my current practice. They’re so helpful and understand with everything. Hope maybe you can sort something out and get some help. Take good care big hugs xx
Shaz5 years ago
So like you, am 60 & 3/4 ? I was peri menopausal from 48 and menopausal from about 50. Having tried to keep to natural remedies I tried sage, it didn’t work for me, I then tried soya, not knowing I was allergic to it, I ended up in hospital seriously ill. I still get hot flushes during the day but night is worse, with 6+ night sweats each night. I now have a small electric fan I reach up to and switch on for a few minutes till the sweat and heat subsided. I have been on HRT for 3yrs, and am having to come of it. So I’m finding the symptoms are getting worse again. As you have asked when oh when does it stop?
Katherine5 years ago
Hi Dee I completely sympathize and understand what you are going through, I Also suffered with all the same issues it took me several years to figure it out , but for me it was the diet !!! It was is not easy , it takes time be patient,,keeping a good food journal and logging symptoms was pivotal , I began to see patterns, as I reviewed pasts logs,, The key take away for me was ...no dairy , no refined sugar, ( removing those two items alone reversed seventeen years of sinusitis)no processed foods and oils ,,, fried foods,, Olive and coconut oil are OK,, the healthy fats. My never ending joint pain was due to a wheat sensitivity,,, taking food sensitivity test changed my life,, but took me two years to slowly remove these foods, I hope this helps , listen to your body after certain consumption of foods, it does take time to see results as inflammatory foods may take months to clear up out of your body, before you start to feel better,, please hang in there ?
Darla5 years ago
I agree
Sazz5 years ago
Hi Dee, so sorry to hear you are suffering so much. A supplement called Pregnenolone works wonders for me. They make it from Wild Yam. You can buy it on Amazon. Stopped hot flushes, acheing joints and a fuzzy head/memory loss. Some prefer it to hormone therapy in the comments. Hugs!
Natasha5 years ago
Dee, I am 49, and have been perimenopausal since the month before I turned 41. It sucks. My family dr and gynochologist both aren’t familiar with HRT, though I am the squeaky wheel that brings them article. There is no way you are alone in this. Please know that I am hoping that you get a positive resolution!
Ella5 years ago
I sympathise with you Dee! My mum is 80 but still has all the symptoms you’ve described. Knowing what she was going through I thought that I must concur that with exercise and diet. I’m nearly 60 now and can confirm that it worked for me. Also positive approach helps, i e not giving in to desperation when heat wave hits you. Instead, I’m looking at the episode like it’s an ordinary sweat during the work out / exercise in the gym. Also I’ve researched and found the right foods for menopause (oestrogen consisting), i e cabbage etc. There are so many excellent natural foods as fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, oils, butter, cheese and fish that can feed you and heal your body. Herbal teas like nettle, camomile and mint are God sent. Avoid fizzy drinks and alcohol and eat meet in moderation. Plus exercise is very important! At least Pilates and yoga if you don’t like aerobics. All this combined with optimism will help you. Remember: attitude is everything. I would have though checked in hospital adrenal glands and thyroid as the disfunction of those glands could cause excessive sweating. You will get better. Good luck!
Santins5 years ago
Yes I feel the same way can’t sleep joint pain tired all the time and hot flashes
Jolange5 years ago
I feel almost in the same place as you but I’m confused as to is it menopause or depression?? I’ve been told for years that I have depression so I’ve worked on that and taken antidepressants of all shapes and sizes, I can’t recall the number of CBT sessions I’ve had. I was told by one Dr that if you are not dealing with your bodies problem it will keep giving you new symptoms until you get it sorted, this was after another round of tests for yet more unexplained symptoms. Maybe try talking to Dr about some help in this area and see what change it makes? I also think diet and exercise are important, yes I am overweight and don’t do much exercise but eating regular meals and getting in the fresh air make a difference. Good luck ?
Darla5 years ago
Thank for that. My name is Darla. I just made 50. I’m in The beginning stage of menopause. Like Dee my night sweats and hot flashes are horrible. I sleep with a fan and a giant thing of ice water. Today, I came to the app because I thought I would be approaching a year without a cycle. When I awoke, what was there, my cycle OMG! I should have known because my flashes have stopped for the past week. I notice that sugars, alcohol/wine and gluten food cause a world wide of issues for me. Tomato sauce is bad for my joints well. Caffeine can make things bad for your flashes also. Eating no bread, sugar, pasta and dairy will make a grater difference. I like to get into the pool to exercise. I will kool you off while becoming a healthier you.
Sunny5 years ago
Hi Dee, I had the same question, when will it end? Well wevwill never know apparenty as everyone is different. You say that you were taken off hrt 8 years ago, why? Now there is a different way of thinking and you can stay on it as long as you need it. I watched a very interesting documentary by Mariella Frostrup (bbc) it may be available somewhere online, she was totally thrown by the menopause as much as all of us. Her Harley street Dr. tells her on this documentery to just stay on it as long as she feels she needs it. So find another doctor, I have changed a few, it is very easy in the UK. I looked up surgeries online and read the doctors’ special interests. You can even call up surgeries and ask if they have a doctor who is interested in the menopause. Usually they will tell you. I feel at this stage of my life that I prefer to have a quality to my life while I am at a stage to enjoy it. Don’t suffer! Don’t put up with it, demand help and seek more information. Hrt has helped me a lot, it hasn’t solved all my problems and you may have to try some different types, but the worst of my symptoms are somewhat controlled. I know that some women think that positive thinking helps but you can only think positively when you feel positive and well, it is a very difficult thing to conjure up from nowhere. Our hormones affect our thoughts too. Today I discovered another platform to look into called Wellbeingofwomen.org.uk On there is an article about Menopause and a woman called Sarah who has a website called positive menopause, check it out, there will at least be support for you. Don’t give up Dee, demand and be noisy, talk about it and insist on getting the right help. It’s your life and your health and you have to fight for it. We all count! All the best, feeling for you greatly x