Judie123 - could you be diabetic? Before my husband was diagnosed with Type 2 about 6 years ago, he was permanently exhausted.
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Menopause
Menopause - NICE guidelines
(36 Posts)I feel my menopause is endless. I started peri-menopausal symptoms at age 45 (hot flushes, muzzy head and bouts of extreme fatigue) but due to family history of breast cancer and having benign breast disease, my consultant advised me never to take HRT. I had to struggle on with no help as I was a single parent at the time and holding down a full-time job. Now at age 63 I still have hot flushes and bouts of low energy, but my GP prescribed low-dose antidepressants five years ago to help with the symptoms. I also take Menopace tablets and have noticed an increase in hot flushes if I stop taking them at any time. The menopause is a particularly difficult time in a woman's life I think, and nobody warns you!
I was on HRT for five years when my GP refused to give me anymore my symptoms quickly returned I consulted a homeopath who successfully treated the hot flushes and made a huge difference to my insomnia
My experience of the menopause is a long one. I have now been having hot flushes severely for 20 yrs, having had a hysterectomy 22 yrs ago, leaving one ovary. I tried HRT for nearly 8 yrs, and practically every other remedy. The female doctor I went to in year 15 just said as a throwaway remark, Oh, bad luck. That is the only 'help' I have had so far from GPs. However, magic has been happening lately, as I tried acupuncture, and this has helped enormously. It's expensive though. Any other advice will be appreciated.
Have you had a thyroid function test recently? My dosage went up gradually to its current level of 100mcg daily, over a period of about 15 years. Sleepiness can also be a symptom of type2 diabetes - or so I have been told.
I went through the menopause with no problems whatsoever. I put this down to my vegetarian diet. I eat lots of fruit, vegetables and pulses and I also walk three or four miles every day. Maybe I was just lucky but if anyone is having a bad time, it may be worth trying.
I asked for HRT as a remedy for tiredness, at age 60 the doctor told me I was too old for that kind of thing. So I gave up work and go to sleep when I feel like it. I take thyroxin 75mg one day and 50mg the next still feel exhausted, any suggestions?
As a long - term user of HRT (15 years) I welcome the reassurance. My GP is wonderful. She appreciates that I have tried to cease taking HRT but that 12 months later my symptoms were just as bad. So I feel confident in continuing, I use Tibolone. However, how do these recommendations fit with findings that HRT increases uterine cancer risk?
I have posted about HRT previously but find it interesting that it is stated so clearly above that oestrogen only HRT is associated with little or no increase in the risk of breast cancer. My (very good) GP still tells me I am at risk and would prefer me to come off it. I am on the lowest dose oestrogen only patch and this keeps me almost sane and hot flush free.
I had such horrendous problems when I was younger that it was a relief to have my ovaries removed and be put on a high dose of oestrogen when I was in my forties. I remember thinking at the time that it was wonderful to feel the same all the time and not have to calendar watch and prepare OH for mood swings! Even when I told him that I was due to be unreasonable the next day and to take no notice he use to stupidly react every time.
Thank you for this. As someone who suffered eight years of misery after being told by my GP to stop (oestrogen only) HRT after three years, I can only say that I wish that this guidance had been available then.
I have urogenital atrophy and found that section very clear and helpful.
I particularly appreciate the clear non-judgemental language of the report. In my experience one of the hardest things to bear was the frequently expressed view that suggested that a positive attitude / brisk walk / alternative health remedy was all that was required.
I hope that the guidance will help to ensure that future generations of women do not have to experience the same difficulties in getting help, support and effective treatment.
Hello,
There have been plenty of discussions on the forums about gransnetters’ experiences of the menopause and the support your encountered from health professionals whilst going through it.
The National Institute for Health and Clincal Excellence (NICE) has now put together draft guidelines about Menopause: diagnosis and management which they would really value your thoughts on.
This is your opportunity to put forward your views and experiences and possibly influence NICE guidelines in this area going forward. If you would like to comment please read through the draft guidelines NICE has provided and if you can, make a note in your comment on the numbered paragraph you are referring to.
If you’d prefer to remain anonymous but still want to contribute please email [email protected] with 'Menopause' in the subject.
Here is more information from NICE:
Professor Mark Baker, Centre for Clinical Practice Director at NICE, said: “Menopause affects millions of women, and its symptoms can severely upset a woman’s day to day life. The effects of menopause are often misunderstood and underestimated – it can result in problems ranging from hot flushes to brittle bones, joint stiffness and cardiovascular disease.
“When women seek medical help for their symptoms, there is considerable variation in what is offered to them. So NICE is pleased to be developing the first guideline for the NHS on diagnosing and managing menopause, to help improve the lives of women affected by it.”
Draft recommendations include which tests can be used to diagnose menopause, and advice on offering holistic, individualised care that takes into account the woman’s symptoms and preferences. The draft guideline also highlights that clinicians should give support and advice to women who are likely to go through menopause as a result of medical or surgical treatment, including women with cancer, at high risk of hormone-dependent cancer or having gynaecological surgery. To help women and clinicians decide on what approaches are right for each individual, drug and non-drug treatment options are covered. This includes draft recommendations based on the benefits and risks of treatment with HRT, with specific information provided for women in various clinical circumstances. For example, it’s often considered that women at risk of hypertension or other cardiovascular conditions should not take HRT, but the draft recommendations propose that they shouldn’t automatically be prevented from taking it.
NICE welcomes comments from stakeholders on the draft recommendations as part of our public consultation.
Draft recommendations include:
• Diagnose the following without laboratory tests in otherwise healthy women aged over 45 years with menopausal symptoms:
o perimenopause (the lead up to menopause) based on vasomotor symptoms (like hot flushes) and irregular periods
o menopause in women who have not had a period for at least 12 months
o menopause based on symptoms in women without a uterus (womb)
• Offer holistic, individualised care that takes into account the woman’s symptoms and preferences. Give information to menopausal women and their family members or carers (as appropriate) that includes:
o an explanation of the stages of menopause
o common symptoms and diagnosis
o lifestyle changes and interventions that could help general health and wellbeing
o the benefits and risks of treatments for menopausal symptoms.
• Consider cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for alleviation of low mood and anxiety in menopausal women
• Ensure that menopausal women and healthcare professionals involved in their care understand that HRT:
o does not increase cardiovascular disease risk when started in women aged under 60 years
o does not affect the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease
• Ensure that menopausal women and healthcare professionals involved in their care understand that HRT does not affect the risk of dying from breast cancer, and explain to women that:
o that HRT with oestrogen alone is associated with little or no increase in the risk of breast cancer, but that HRT with oestrogen and progestogen can be associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer
o any increase in risk of breast cancer is related to treatment duration and reduces after stopping HRT.
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