Perimenopausal and losing my mind……

And so, I am in the maze that is the perimenopause and I wanted to share the ups and downs (ok, mostly downs at the moment) and encourage anyone else going through this to know you are not alone and to feel comfortable sharing your stories too

Here’s the latest on my situation…….

I was at my GP practice today but my usual doctor was off (unlucky for me) so I had to see a male doctor instead. I have a very uncomfortable yeast infection, ‘down below’  so I had to take the earliest appointment I could because I want to scratch myself silly and I know I can’t. It is horrid!!!

I sat down and the doctor started to scroll through my notes and he commented that I’d been there ‘alot’ this year. As I sat there, he read all my ailments back to me. I felt so embarrassed, he made me feel like I was wasting everyone’s time. I told him I was sorry I was there so often but I have long Covid and was very sick with that and also, am perimenopausal and having issues with that. The insomnia and joint pain is so bad, some nights I’m only getting 2, 3 or 4 hours sleep.

He said I should focus my thoughts and not let anxiety keep me awake!! It’s not anxiety keeping me awake, its most likely a lack of Oestrogen!! I felt so awful, like I was a total time waster that I timidly agreed with him and left without the medication I actually needed from the appointment.

When I got home, I cried my eyes out. Why is it so hard for some doctors (not my usual one, she is absolutely wonderful) to understand how flipping terrible and horrible peri-menopause and menopause is?

I got into my car last week and couldn’t remember how to drive, I sat there like a loon waiting for my brain fog to clear so I could eventually drive off 5 mins later. Last night I woke at 1am, 3am, 4am, 6am and then, was awake fully from 6.30am with joint pain, especially in my hips. It is a horrible experience and I am really struggling.

That doctor today made me feel ashamed and like I didn’t deserve to take up a doctors appointment with my post-Covid and menopausal symptoms. I feel really mad now and I want to go back in time and make him listen to me and not fob me off so easily. For fecks sake, the perimenopause is awful enough already without doctors making women feel like nuisances for asking for help. I could cry now just thinking about it. I feel so alone sometimes. I know I’m not alone, I know other women are going through this but the lack of empathy, understanding and actual proper medical care sometimes is cruel, astonishing and disheartening.

Has anyone any advice for the joint pain? It’s keeping me awake so much, I am exhausted!

Post Author: mams.ie

1 thought on “Perimenopausal and losing my mind……

    Sabbi

    (July 24, 2022 - 8:10 pm)

    Hey gals, I need advice. I started HRT last month and I started to bleed Friday. At first it was light, like the start of a normal period but today, it has been abnormally heavy. I’m wearing 2 night-time sanitary pads and still, it’s leaked through and I’ve had to shower twice and change my underwear & pj’s twice.

    Can HRT affect the level of bleeding? Is this ‘normal? I’m actually feeling wrecked now, I feel like this heavy bleeding is draining me. Should I ring doc for advice or is this a normal reaction to HRT? I’m taking Femoston HRT tablets.

    Any advice appreciated, thanks

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