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Post by Robyn on Aug 23, 2012 1:47:00 GMT
Well, I think you need to find another doctor when/if that happens. You shouldn't be denied something that is making your life better. Why on earth should anyone have to "endure natural menopause". Is anyone made to "endure" any other kind of medical issue? Are men told they have to "endure" erectile problems? Hopefully by the time you reach 50, doctors will have a much more open attitude towards HRT - or hopefully there will be even something better available. From memory you're in your late 30s aren't you? That means we've got another 10 years for medical science to make some advances, and I'm sure it will. You'll be okay.  |
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Post by Countrycottage on Aug 23, 2012 5:54:45 GMT
what rubbish lainey...i have no ovaries so will never be on the same par as a natural meno lady...as long as the benefits outweight the risks for me, I will always take it...you cant be forced to come off it just because of a doctors opinion...yes i may reduce in time but that will be my decision, no body elses x
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susan
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I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member - Groucho Marx
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Post by susan on Aug 23, 2012 8:24:36 GMT
It sounds so unfair lainey. Especially that they keep mentioning it at this stage when you have another 14 years on it, they are causing you un-necessary anxiety at this early stage, when you already have a lot to cope with.
14 years is such a long time, its highly probably that all the guidelines will change a few times in the interveneing years, so realistically they cant actually say what NHS Protocol would be on this.
Also if at the end of that time you aren't getting the help you need from where you go now, you will still have the option of looking elsewhere for help.
xxxx
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Post by Robyn on Aug 23, 2012 8:31:24 GMT
Yes I agree with Susan. It is very unfair to constantly be pointing it out to you now. It's only adding to your anxiety. Who knows what will happen in the next 14 years. Maybe menopause will be eradicated totally by then. Every woman will get an injection and BINGO - no more problems.
Next time they start waffling about what might happen when you're 50 just tell them that you'll worry about that when the time comes.
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Aug 23, 2012 9:32:25 GMT
It is nasty emotional brainwashing. I told the last gynaecologist that rather then forgo my hormones I would be prepared to steal them if necessary. There will never be equality for women until we have freedom to say no to menopause - and for now refuse to be without our hormones.I was flung off MM for trying to start a petition for reserch and improved treatments for menopause
Here is a quote
Back in the eighties a political cartoon existed showing the body of a woman with arrows pointing to her brain, breasts, face labelling them as HERS.
The pelvic area had a large box which was marked NOT HERS ‘property of politicians, feminists, husbands, religious leaders and governments”
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susan
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I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member - Groucho Marx
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Post by susan on Aug 23, 2012 9:54:54 GMT
I don't know if it's OK to post this as I know AD's do help a lot of people and I don't want to offend, but what I consider the 'overuse' of them to treat menopausal anxiety is all part of what you have written above Jacks. It makes me want to scream. They now appear to be first line NHS treatment for menopausal women and 'they' (ie the five groups you detail) will allow women to be on them for 20 or 30 years, no questions asked. However, we all know what happens if you try and get HRT for more than whatever the current designated time is. i.e. three years, five years, off at age 50, off at age 60 etc The cynical moi says it is because they keep many docile, drugged up and slightly removed from the world at large. Quite and unlikely to make trouble or speak out for themselves  I have very mixed emotions about posting this as I have had relatives and friend on them for years and don't wish to offend, and women have to do what they have to do - now I sound like some lily livered liberal. xxxx |
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susan
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I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member - Groucho Marx
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Post by susan on Aug 23, 2012 10:15:31 GMT
I think the point that gets missed time & time again (maybe deliberately ? by GP's) is that there is a form of depression/anxiety that is caused by lack of oestrogen.
So replacing it will eventually get rid of that depression/anxiety without the need for ever going near an anti-depressants.
xxxx
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Post by Gelis on Aug 23, 2012 10:21:39 GMT
I think the point that gets missed time & time again (maybe deliberately ? by GP's) is that there is a form of depression/anxiety that is caused by lack of oestrogen. So replacing it will eventually get rid of that depression/anxiety without the need for ever going near an anti-depressants. xxxx This was my argument right from the start. I knew that my depression/mood swings were hormonal, as they were very similar to what I'd suffered as a teenager and every month premenstrually until I got my GP to give me progesterone to even out my cycle. I was fortunate that the GP I saw was prepared to listen. Others don't. I'm another one who has a horrible feeling that "they" would like us all to be doped up malleable creatures. Gxx |
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susan
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I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member - Groucho Marx
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Post by susan on Aug 23, 2012 11:24:34 GMT
Phew! I am relieved you agree as I really don't want to offend anyone. While I am on one  Another thing I have issues with is the prescribing a low dose AD such as amitriptyline 10 mg to combat hot flushes. I can even speak from experience on this as I have been on it so long for my Fibromyalgia, since prior to flushes starting. I had hot flushes from hell, the amitriptyline didn't touch them and I was on it throughout. The only possible caveat I can think of is that if you newly put on to it when they start maybe it then be more effective than it was for me ? But I am not 100% convinced of that argument. xxxx |
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susan
Member
I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member - Groucho Marx
Posts: 749
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Post by susan on Aug 23, 2012 13:04:52 GMT
Thank you sweetpea for the kind offer.  What I will do is go on the mail on line and have a search and a read of it when I have an hour to spare. They archive all their articles so it should be possible to find it. I have tried modifying my diet someways but with little success I'm afraid over the 12 years I have had it. I have found certain lifestyle changes to do with pacing and excercise helpful. It is one of those conditions you have to learn to 'manage' rather than it managing you if that makes sense. But I am always happy to read something new. xxxx |
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Aug 23, 2012 13:54:20 GMT
Anti depressants are cheaper then hormones - I rest my case and they quieten women down. My husband used to take them for SAD he loathed them because he then suffered from zombism and erectile dysfunction. I read up on it and he now takes 5HTP, melatonin and DHEA and feels much better.
Jacks
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Aug 23, 2012 13:59:22 GMT
Susan, I couldn't agree more and for a year after my operation while i was fighting for hrt i was offered on a number of occassions Ad's. I refused them and told gp's i was menopausal not depressed. I suffered post natal depression after my son was born as he was in icu and i felt that triggered it but i took ad's then as i did need them so i am not against them either. My friend is on 200mg of amitriptaline (don't know correct spelling) and it is for menopause but i often wonder how they can justify this when really what she needs is a good dose of hrt. Ladies, I am going to tell them to stop speaking about something that's 14years away as that's a long time away and they are stressing me out about it. When i am 50 i will have used hrt for 17 years surely they cannot just stop it after that length of time. If they do i am copying jacks and stealing them xx Lainey If they say it at your next appointment here is wshat you should try. Look the doctor in the eye and say "are you having issues with memory loss as you have already said this and I have made my position clear. We will now end this idle speculation" Jacks |
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Post by Robyn on Aug 24, 2012 6:52:47 GMT
I was on ADs briefly (probably a couple of months). My GP tried them as an aid to the sleeping tablets I was on to help with my insomnia. I think they helped a little at first, but the effect wore off after a little while. I stopped taking them anyway, because I hated the dry mouth feeling I had while I was on them.
Depression and anxiety are definitely symptoms of menopause, but they are symptoms that shouldn't be treated with something that will on mask the problem. The only way of fixing the problem is with hormones.
ADs definitely have their place, but they should only be used when the actual medical condition is depression, not when the medical condition is really menopause.
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