Menopause

Hi Julie101, sorry to hear about your breast cancer and the menopause stinks, I went through the menopause before cancer and again with chemo.  I did not take HRT the first time as I did not like how it is produced and am still happy with that decision, it is the most unkind thing for women to go through, I cannot advise you on any alternate remedies as I did not take any, you do not say how old you are, the chemo menopause was not as bad as the real thing, one day at a time, hope this helps.  Love Ann

Hi Ann, thanks for replying. I'm 47, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 38. Some days the menopause makes me feel so awful and so alone x

Dear Julie 101, you are NOT alone, the trouble is it doesn't get talked about very much, my husband talks to all his male friends about it but he is unusual in that.  I found growing out of all my clohtes so upsetting, the hot sweats were really hard, also loosing confidence and not being able to string a sentence together, ie talking double dutch when I was sober!!!!!!!. worse than chemo brain.  There is plenty of reading online, and try talking to older women who will probably be delighted to be able to offer you some support.  Love Ann

To prove you are not alone just walk down any street and look at the 50+ age group women, you will recognise the signs.

I'm sure most of those women can take hrt, my point is that I can't take hrt and I m looking for anyone with any information that can point me in the right direction of what I can do to ease the symptoms as I haven't been able to get any help from my GP. Thanks for your replys Ann. 

Sorry Julie101 if I didn't answer your question but NONE of my friends took HRT.  Good luck Ann

Hi Julie101, sorry to hear you’re suffering. My first natural menopause at 47 was awful and I did take HRT for a few years, which completely turned things around. But…here I am aged 53 having had chemo and surgery for breast cancer, and waiting to start medication which will throw me back into menopause. 

Discussing menopause is much more open now - dare I say the latest subject to be bandied about in the press and social media. Now you can’t turn a page or swipe a screen without something about it. But there’s not a lot of focus on women who can’t or don’t want to take HRT. Despite there being much that we can do personally and that GPs can offer.

This website is worth interrogating - don’t be put off by the homepage which basically talks about championing HRT. There are resources and advice for breast cancer patients. 

https://www.themenopausecharity.org

Another high profile doctor/author is Dr Annice Mukhetjee, an endocrine specialist who had breast cancer. She has a book out which has good reviews so I might invest at some point.

Much of what we can do is self help with focus on eating well and exercising right  but there are also things that GPs can offer assuming they’re well informed and have had the additional training. Nothing against GPs, they’re amazing and have to know about so much but if we want help they need to know the latest thinking on how to support us.

I hope you find something that works for you…and if you find something don’t forget to share!

Best wishes xx

Hi

I am on Tamoxifen and chemo initially put me into the menopause , I tried the following 

• acupuncture , your local cancer charity may offer this specific type for menopause symptoms (mine did) I don’t think it helped me , but other ladies it definitely did 
• magnet in knickers , of no help
• evening primrose oil capsules (okayed by oncologist) no help
• anti-depressants , certain ones can alleviate the symptoms , I was on setraline , okayed by oncologist and these seemed to work , I stopped them when I stopped tamoxifen for an operation , restarted the tamoxifen but not the sertraline and have been okay since

Im not saying I am without any symptoms , but I am no longer constantly dripping in sweat , waking up all night etc..

If you haven’t tried the anti-depressants ,I would give them a try , I put off taking them but wished I had listened to my oncologist and started them sooner- just to clarify I wasn’t depressed , which is why I put off taking them for so long ..,

It is truly rubbish that you have had Tom put up with this for so many years, 

Best wishes

Jo x

That’s all very good to know, thanks Jo x

Hi Julie101

In total sympathy with you, if you have social media please follow menapause doctor on both Instagram and FB, the Balance app is great also. 

The menapause doctor (Dr Louise Newton) is the same one that featured on the Davina McCall TV programme on the menapause, she is fighting so hard for us ladies and the fight women have gaining access to HRT

Hope this help (she has also released a brillant book)