Cube Mark One Run

[Old Speckled Hen]

It's OK why would people know. The doctors don't tell them. There are plenty of alternatives. Just ask for one with synthetic oestrogen.

[chickencam]

Thanks for heads up on this, it an animal welfare issue that is very well hidden.

 

I am not looking forward to this phase of my life, I know that my mum suffered with awful migraines during her menopause, she had always had a least one a week, but they became virtually constant. I am already having minor hot flushes and my periods have gone haywire despite a Mirena coil, no headaches as yet though.

[The Dogmother]

Might be worth looking into the headaches if you get them Liz; I never had headaches at all and went to having terrible (what I called) migraines when my menopause started. I was talking to my doctor aunt about them and she had the same thing; turns out they are cluster headaches and only really respond to one sort of painkiller... Sumatryptan. I have a problem with some painkillers so never got around to taking any, but I mentioned it to my osteopath when I was having a cluster headache during one visit; he did some cranial work and I hardly get them at all and what I do get is very mild and manageable.

 

Look up cluster headaches on Wikipaedia.

[ClaireG]

Can i ask what everyones first symptoms were and at what age they started? Have been getting what i think are hot flushes and a few other bits and bobs.

[Olly]

Mine started at about age 48, however it was not long after I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and some things like tiredness, skin changes, etc could be down to that. The hot flushes are the worst - it's as if someone has thrown a switch and my entire upper body would suddenly be radiating heat.

 

Can I just add however that the migraines from which I have suffered all my life are now very few and far between, they actually improved with the menopause. I also found that my hair has become co"Ooops, word censored!"r - having had baby-fine hair all my life, it's made it much easier to deal with. My skin has improved, because I no longer get hormonal break-outs, and it's a blessing not to have monthly cramps and IBS. Everyone's experience is different, but don't think that it's all going to be bad - there are actually some benefits!

[Eggasperated]

Thanks for heads up on this, it an animal welfare issue that is very well hidden.

 

I am not looking forward to this phase of my life, I know that my mum suffered with awful migraines during her menopause, she had always had a least one a week, but they became virtually constant. I am already having minor hot flushes and my periods have gone haywire despite a Mirena coil, no headaches as yet though.

 

I have a Mirena coil, which was to regulate very heavy periods as I entered the menopause - I take Elleste solo HRT in conjunction with this and I have had no menopause symptoms or periods now for about a year (I got the Mirena last February). It has been a real help to me.

[ClaireG]

I had a Mirena fitted about 3 weeks ago. I'm hoping it will help with everything. The nurse did say not only was it one of the most effective contraceptives, it was great for heavy bleeding and the menopause in general to.

[chickencam]

My GP said that my next Mirena will help with symptoms and I can then keep it for life then. Not due to be fitted until next year.

[Chortle Chook]

This has been a really helpful thread. Many thanks everyone

I've been doing my best to 'stick it out' as I knew already about the horses and Prempack but I did not know there were alternatives. Can anyone say how long having hot flushes will last i.e. how many years? I had hot flushes at night a while back and move into my own room. They vanished for a bit but now are back and in the day too. I've got to the point now where I can't be certain whether I'm hot because it is hot, or because I'm just boiling up again and so have taken to looking at the dogs to see if my heat is 'real' or not. If they are stretched out flat then I guess it is; if they are curled up then I know it is a 'flush'. I'll try Femarelle now thanks to this forum

 

The business of the symptoms returning when you come off of HRT is real as I have witnessed my mother at 85 through to 90 coming off her Premarin that she had taken for around 30 years and she now has hot flushes. Really horrid for her, at her age but her heart made it essential.

[Janepie33]

Can i ask what everyones first symptoms were and at what age they started? Have been getting what i think are hot flushes and a few other bits and bobs.

 

Started about 48 / 49. First of all with erratic periods, then clusters of mini hot flushes every 6 months or so. "Not too bad" I thought. "I can handle this" . Then about a month ago the hot flushes started - day and night - with a vengeance.

Actually, no, I can't handle this! My work involves close contact with parents and young children and there is nothing more embarrassing than suddenly becoming bright red, dripping with sweat and hugely uncomfortable right in the middle of singing 'The wheels on the bus'!Parents would look at me strangely and then rush off to get me glasses of water.

 

So off to the GP I went, almost begging for HRT (he suggested it before I had to get on my knees!) having vowed and declared I would never even consider it. Well it has been 5 days now and I am already noticing a difference. Flushes still there but not nearly as intense. My energy levels have increased dramatically and I feel more content - more'myself' rather than a grumpy miserable old woman. It's early days yet, so I will see how the 3 month trial goes. Still annoyed that I had to pay a double prescription price!

[ClaireG]

I'm 43. Will have to have a word with the nurse when i go for my 6 week mirena check. Have just been to pick son up from school, i know it's hot, but the bottom of my hair and back of neck was soaked.

[chickencam]

I am 45 and I have been having a few symptoms for a while now.

[Chortle Chook]

I am 52. About a year ago I started having hot flushes at night but they were bearable and my periods continued. Then they stopped for about 6 months only to return with a vengeance - very heavy bleeds indeed. Now they have gone again but the hot flushes are happening in the day as well as the night. I can still handle them as I work from home and spend quite a bit of time on my own, but I am aware that I am less patient / more grumpy and often a bit down in the dumps when I used to be a very cheery soul. Poor OH - I must try harder to be sweet

[SarahJo]

Hysterctomy - total, last year (July) So surgical menopause at the age of 40

 

No HRT as hyster for Ovarian Cancer reasons, but only have Kalms tabs and multivits. Have always found night flushes are worse when I would have had my period - due to oestrogen being still stored in tissues. These are not so bad I need to change bed linen - but I do sleep with the window open. Daytime seems ok - a few flushes, but nothing drastic. The worst thing for me is the insomnia - and frequent waking in the night. But the balance is that I am still alive - and if thats as bad as it gets, then I will endure till its done.

 

Everyone is so different - I am just glad not to have any "what ifs" now, no more putting my life on hold every month and dealing with menopause drug free, so it will not come later on after being held off

 

I used to "sell" HRT as a pharmaceutical rep - funny being on the other side and consultants veiws have changed drastically

 

Best advice is to do some research and ask open and honest questions to your GP/Gynae - all the other info on here is really good too

[Goosey Lucy]

Ladies, thank you very much for sharing all your experiences. I'm about to turn 44 and beginning to wonder if I'm beginning to enter this stage of my life. Reading everyone else's stories has helped me to pin down what at the moment are nuisance but sporadic and erratic symptoms. I don't have any female relatives I can talk to for family history information so what you have all shared, good and bad, has been very helpful. Thank you.

[Chickendoodle]

I am 53 and have not had a period for 18 months now. For at least 5 years prior to this my periods became very erratic, sometimes heavier, sometimes lighter - 2 months bewteen them or just a few days. Really annoying as difficult to plan anything

 

Also felt like I had permanent pmt - very weepy and sensitive.

 

I did have hot flushes - took sage tables and Boots own menopause tablets and they reduced to almost nothing. I would also recommend that you exercise (if you don't already), cut down on alcohol and hot drinks, wear only natural fibres in layers and get single duvets!!! I got wool ones - see other threads on this - as the natural fibres allow any heat build up to disperse rather than get trapped under the duvet like a greenhouse effect. Would never go back to a double duvet.

 

I think they have pretty much gone now and actually I feel great, better than I have done for years. Don't take any supplements at all now.

[Chortle Chook]

So how long does the Menopause last? Will I have it from here on in or will it be a case of 5 years down the line I'm a happy bunny like I was pre-adolecense?

[The Dogmother]

It varies from one person to another I'm afraid, there's no common time frame.... sorry.

[KimmyCustard]

I had a full hysterectomy at 38 due to Endometriosis and went straight into the menopause. I'm on Climaval, 2mg a day and its great. I had the hot flushes, red and dripping at any given moment plus mood swings, sadness, weepy - poor OH! I couldn't function without it, best decision I made was to take it rather than go the 'natural' path.....

[SarahJo]

How long does it last Like Clare says - no answer as depends on individual.

 

I think non-surgical meno lasts longer as you will have pre-meno stage before the full swing, then an after bit, if that makes sense. With surgical meno - when ovaries are removed, there is a sudden halt in oestrogen production, so hormone regulatation is instantly removed - hence meno symptoms. Any tissue stored oestrogen then gives symptoms but for only as long as the stores last - if that makes sense. Apparently larger ladies store more than slimmer ones - I am nearly 1 year post- op and still have flushes (not severe) and hope it won't last much longer, although not intolerable and without HRT

[Janepie33]

Glad to report that HRT is working well. Hot flushes nearly gone - just the odd feeling slightly warm every 2 or 3 days.Energy and mood loads better - people at work even commenting on how well I look and seem.

 

Friend at work decided to go down the http://www.boots.com/en/Ladycare-menopause-relief-magnet_122270/ route and had me in hysterics today when she told me that she got stuck to the M&S counter when she was buying something!

[patsylabrador]

I'm 53 and have opted to take nothing on the advice of a doctor I trusted. Not suffering greatly, still going strong but because I'm taking almost no medication I can monitor changes, even slight ones. I feel in charge of things and have Norithesterone to make things convenient when necessary.

[chickencam]

A friend of mine wears a magnet too and has had us hysterics a few times when she has got paperclips stuck to it in the office. She is very open about it and sometimes does it to confuse people.

[Groovychook]

I know this is an old thread, but have been searching the forum to see if anyone has used Menosan?

 

I've been having hot flushes, headaches, shoulder pain and tiredness for the past month. I put it down to a bug but suddenly twigged when my period didn't arrive that I may be starting with the menopause

Went to the docs yesterday and she confirmed my suspicions and suggested that I try a sage tincture.

I've been to get some today and have just had my first dose... hope it works, the flushes are driving me around the bend. I'm feeling like this about 20-30 times a day!

 

Just wondered if anyone else has experience of using it and how effective it is?

[Janepie33]

Haven't tried Menosan, but I know how you feel about the hot flushes. I really couldn't cope, so resorted to HRT, which is the very last thing I thought I'd do as I HATE taking medication!

The HRT stopped the hot flushes within about 5 days. I changed to a different brand after discovering the horrible truth about the Prempak (thanks Dani), but unfortunately the 2nd brand gave me horrendous PMS type symptoms and dreadful wind! I stopped them on the doctor's advice. She said to wait until my next period and then take HRT number 3. Haven't had a pill for a week and was dreading the return of the hot flushes, but so far I've had none. Odd!

Have 6 months supply at the ready for when I need it.

 

Good luck with the Menosan, but I would highly recommend HRT (you might have to try a few to get the brand that suits you). I have read recently that the latest long term research now shows that rather than causing heart problems, clots etc, HRT actually protects you from certain diseases. But then I suppose you can prove or disprove anything if you have the right figures and graphs!