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Perimenopausal Help

Survivor1973
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I’m a stage 3 breast cancer survivor who is now 8 years cancer free. For the past two years I have been experiencing horrendous symptoms but was diagnosed as perimenopausal in February this year after fighting for 2 full years to get a doctor to take me seriously.  I have hot sweats that feel like I’m being boiled in oil (like when you put something in the deep fat fryer), every bone in my body aches all day every day, my muscles are constantly tight, my right knee feels like it wants to explode, I’ve gained 4 stone weight. My feet and hands burn. I finally got a referral to a menopause specialist only to ring the waiting line to find I won’t be seen for another 18 months if I’m lucky. I feel like I’m loosing my mind! I feel like I’ve lost my identity. I went from running marathons to barely able to walk. I need help! Where and what can I do to get the help I need? I didn’t survive cancer for this to defeat me. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

  • Hi Survivor1973,

     

    Thank you for getting in touch with us and welcome to our online community.  I hope you find it a helpful and supportive place.  My name is Adrienne and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses at Macmillan.

    I’m so sorry to hear how much you’ve been struggling with these symptoms and for how long. 

    It’s always important for your GP to rule out any other possible causes of your symptoms.  If this has been done and your doctor has diagnosed you as being peri-menopausal then it’s equally important that they treat the symptoms you are experiencing. 

    You haven’t mentioned whether your cancer was an oestrogen receptive cancer and are on hormone therapy for this.  If this is the case and your GP is worried about prescribing hormone replacement therapy for your menopausal symptoms, there are other things they could try.  Some antidepressant drugs have been shown to help reduce hot flushes.  There are also drugs which are used to treat nerve pain which have shown to reduce menopausal symptoms.  These may help with the burning you are experiencing on your hands and feet too, if this is due to peripheral neuropathy from your treatment.

    Breast Cancer Now have a great booklet on Menopausal Symptoms and Breast Cancer which explains more about non-hormonal treatments as well as having tips you can try at home.

    There are practical things you can try for the hot flushes, that may help.  Using cooling pads, wearing natural fibres like cotton and using a fan.  It may also be helpful to keep a diary of when you have flushes, so you can notice what triggers them, such as tea, spicy food, or alcohol.

    Complimentary therapies can also be helpful with some of the symptoms you have described.

    Menopause Matters UK has some fantastic information on treatments, alternative therapies and techniques to help you cope with the symptoms you’ve been experiencing.

    The most important thing is that your GP tries to help and support you with the symptoms you describe, whilst you are waiting to see a specialist.  Sometimes it helps to go in armed with information that you can then discuss with your GP and come up with a treatment plan. 

    I really do hope this was helpful.  Please know that you can always give us a call to talk things through further.

     

    Take care and best wishes,

     

    Adrienne

     

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

    Ref:  AM/SMG

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