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Menopause and insomnia

Posted , 13 users are following.

tangobunny
tangobunny

Went back to see my Dr last Sept....she is utterly useless....first of all when I suggested going down the HRT route to her a few months before as I was having such problems with joint pain/insomnia/over active bladder....she put me on Evorel conti something I shouldn't have been on as I was still having periods....anyway I had to stop them because of palpitations etc......next she prescribed Premique....again wrong medication as no break for me to have my period......I took them as prescribed and they did nothing for my symptoms other than stopping my periods all together........I should perhaps mention at this point that I don't have hot flushes,night sweats or mood swings as I take a high dose Red Clover tablet every day which works for me......When she gave me the Premique she told me to stop the Red Clover as the HRT would take care of everything......wrong....one week after stopping red clover the flushes night sweats started again........anyway eventually as the whole purpose for me taking HRT was to get back into a normal sleeping pattern....when that didn't work I went back to see her and ask to swap to Utrogestan ......she decided that she would take me off HRT completely as according to her there is no clinical evidence that HRT works for insomnia or joint pain..Wrong there is tons of information out there backing up my theory that my problems are hormone related......I have been without anything since then despite 2 further visits re my insomnia she refuses to do anything about it.......I'm at my wits end now surviving on anything from 9 hours to 16 hours sleep per WEEK.......I'm constantly up and down all night because as I'm awake I'm more aware of my bladder urgency....also my RLS has returned...something I've not had for years but I'm sure its linked in some way......I'm going to try one more time to get her to see that I need help and it is hormone based as OTC meds have done nothing to help....I'm convinced that if I find the right HRT for me then most of my problems will go away........any suggestions please as to what I should ask for

If she refuses to help this time then I'm changing my surgery as I simply cannot go on like this....I almost had a car accident last week due to the fact that I was so exhausted

1 like, 45 replies

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  • susan46852
    susan46852

    Posted

    If she won't help ask for a referral to a meno clinic or specialist. Patches or gel with separate ultrogestan are ideal but they will not work instantly and you may have to try more than 1 dose to find the right one. You may well have to stop taking the red clover too! General advice is that it takes 3 months to see full benefits of hrt good luck!
  • tangobunny
    tangobunny

    Posted

    I took the Premique for 3 months and so no benefits what so ever....I realise it's a game of trial and error which is why I wanted to continue to try other products however she is totally unsympathetic.....I'm not sure we have a meno clinic that I can be referred to but I will ask.....do you know what she told me to do re my insomnia.....count sheep....can you believe it
  • susan46852
    susan46852

    Posted

    Hmmm that's not very useful!! I would have killed her! I'm on patches and they have worked well for bladder urgency and sleeping but still getting some odd flushes so hopefully they will stop in time. It sounds like you're not gonna get anywhere much with your gp - can you change? Give it one last try maybe and then if not ask for a referral.
  • tangobunny
    tangobunny

    Posted

    Unfortunately she owns the practice...she does have locums in on her day off but they are always men so haven't a clue about menopause and always refer me back to her.....I changed to this practice 20 years ago when my girls were little simply because I could get seen straight away when one of them was ill instead of having to wait anything up to 3 weeks for an appointment at the other surgery ....I could change back but it means waiting weeks to be seen

  • susan46852
    susan46852

    Posted

    Well though it's nice to see her quickly, if she won't treat you, it's pretty pointless. I'm on estradot with ultrogestan and so far it's ok. I'm currently on estradot 50 (I'm in peri) but he has prescribed 75 as I may have to build up to that to eliminate all my symptoms. If you were having palps, sounds like meno symptoms so maybe you weren't on high enough dose. I tried gel bit it wasn't working great for me but others love it! If she's already given you hrt, no reason for you not to try another! Give it one last try x
  • tangobunny
    tangobunny

    Posted

    she says it's pointless as in her opinion HRT wont cure insomnia....yes I know that but as I'm 99% certain my insomnia is down to my lack of hormones then I think it will help.....I was in Peri but after she put me on Premique I haven't had one since
  • iris20330
    iris20330

    Posted

    OMG! I don't trust the medical docs. You actually have a meno clinic there? Here, where I live, no such thing at least not that I am aware of.

    I am curious about the red clover and might try that for hot flashes. I also am curious about the heart palpitations that seem to have gotten more frequent. I never knew it was part of menopause. Does anyone know of anything for this besides little to no caffeine?

    Sounds like we are all in the same boat, just in different locations!

    Look forward to reading more posts and things that might help.

  • laurie70017
    laurie70017

    Posted

    I went to a dif Dr yesterday and she was very patient with me and explained things to me and answered all my questions and concerns...she is doing blood work to see how hormones are and checking a couple other things too..she also thinks alot of it is anxiety but did not rule out peri menopause..they see that im only 40 and then its the same old thing,well you are only 40 so you could be going thru peri but....but what i say my mom and sister both started in their early 40`s...but at least shes doin blood work and not ruling out peri all together...find out blood results Monday so we will see...just frustrating!!!!! mad
  • jayneejay
    jayneejay

    Posted

    Tango Bunny, ref. Premique I havent heard of this so have been reading about it, ( I wont take HRT as a gamily history of breast cancer ) also the natural progesterone cream made my breasts too tender and I got cysts and was frightened, since stopping they nave gone.. anyway I have read the Premique is for post meno ladies at least one year past is this right ? just read it on menopause matters uk ...
  • jayneejay
    jayneejay

    Posted

    If your doc wont/cant help with the insomnia which i have suffered for years, try melatonin 10mg, you can get it from trusted Biovea on line, I get alot of remedies from them and also natural Estroven for menopuase, it doesnt solve my sleeplessness but it helpls hot flushes etc, I have been peri for 8 years I am 49, my first two years were the worst for hot flushes and night sweats, since Estroven natural remedy i have no flushes, I take Maca aswell, now thought I do suffer abit of anxiety...
  • tangobunny
    tangobunny

    Posted

    I have already tried Melatonin as it's a hypnotic I found it made my Restless leg syndrome a lot worse and didn't really help with the insomnia........Have also tried Maca but stopped taking it when I started the Red clover as I found that 10 times better.....I rarely have a hot flush now.....I suspect I might still be peri menopausal even though I haven't had a period since July....when I started the Premique.....up until that point I was having regular periods.....I've never been offered a test for my hormone levels so don't have a clue.....I'm 54 and have had symptoms for almost 3 years now....yes you are right the Premique is for post meno ladies I was wrongly prescribed
  • jayneejay
    jayneejay

    Posted

    bless you tango bunny, i am interested in this red clover i will see if biovea have it ... you can buy menopause tests you wee on them, i first used those back in 2006, thats how I knew about peri then the doc my bloods and confirmed.. Boots do menopause tests and amazon uk ...

  • tangobunny
    tangobunny

    Posted

    I had the Red clover capsules to start with 480mg.....it did take about a month before the red clover kicked in and the sweats stopped completely....then about a year later they started to creep back....a lot less intense than they were before the medication but stilloccasionally there so I stepped up the dosage....at the moment I'm on the Biomade make which are 1000mg tablets

  • tangobunny
    tangobunny

    Posted

    Just checked and there is no meno clinic anywhere around me...... there is what they call a Well woman clinic but that's mainly for contraception,STD's,and smear tests.....I will ring them on Mon though to see if they deal with problems like mine
  • kate2014
    kate2014

    Posted

    For those at their Wits End with menopause related insomnia.

    I've been there for the last year - seen lots of doctors, menopause clinics, read self help articles, tried every combination and dose of HRT, natural supplements, sleeping pills, antihistamines etc.....

    Long story short, my husband identified an excellent Natural therapist with a Herbal Medicine specialty and interest in women's health. She said with the upset in hormone levels in menopause, many women experience a rise in cortisol (even though they are not aware of this) which creates a constant state of alertness and consequent disruption to sleep. She made me a herbal preparation to take along with minor dietary changes - a focus on plenty of meat and vegies, little sugar and caffeine.She said I should notice a change in 2 weeks.

    After nearly 3 weeks, I am not out of the woods yet but my sleep has definitely improved so much. I have been able to cut back drastically on sleeping medications and am getting 7 - 8 hours of good quality sleep.

    I am very confident that I am on the right track to getting my life back after 15 horrible months. When the convential treatments don't work, give this a go - it doesn't cause problems like the doctor drugs.

    • mollym
      mollym kate2014

      Posted

      I came across this forum and may be too late to get a response...

      was very interested to read your input Kate as feel I may be heading in similar direction. I feel absolutely shattered and ready for sleep but wired at the same time! The last 4 months have been quite simply a nightmare with me averaging 1 to 2 hours sleep a night, have had to take prescription sleeping tablets for some respite, which am taking only out of sheer desperation every two days or so. I've only been on HRT for month, but have not seen any improvement yet (doc has said I need to give it 3 months). Have cut out all caffeine and started excercising more.

      I have a couple of questions... Are you on HRT while taking herbalist preparation? also if based in London (or surrounding area) would love her contact details. Hope you're continuing to sleep! Thank you.

    • kate2014
      kate2014 mollym

      Posted

      Hi Molly,  Missed your message sorry for delayed response.   I am in Australia and have tried every kind of HRT available here - with no success re. sleep so I stopped HRT as hot flushes weren't a major issue for me.   Herbs have proven not enough alone but are helping in conjunction with other 'med's I am currently taking.  

      Now taking 1mg prescription Melatonin, 7.5 mg Mirtazapine tablet - both 15 mins before bed.  Mirtazapine is a antidepressant which in low dose (usually 15 mg)  has sedative properties (I am not depressed).   INon-addictive like traditional sleeping pills.   This recipe is working for now but with fingers crossed.  Don't give up finding something that works for you.   Lack of sleep is awful and takes a toll on your total wellbeing.

    • kate2014
      kate2014 mollym

      Posted

      Hi Molly - just to clarify that I have herbal medicine NOT homeopathy.

      The ingredients in my herbs are Lemon Balm, Valerian, St Johns Wort, Bocopa, Baikal Skullcap.   I think the first 3 are the main ingredients.

      Also I take prescription melatonin, from a doctor, which is different from the preparations you  buy over the counter in health food shops or chemists.

    • mollym
      mollym kate2014

      Posted

      Thanks Kate, that's helpful info, I suppose I need to just be a bit more patient with the HRT as have only been on it a month! It sounds like your doc has been quite sympathetic and helpful. I hope your combination of herbal+meds finally puts your insomnia to rest! I'm keen to try herbs as well as my HRT, but maybe should wait a bit more time to see if HRT works. My doc certainly won't prescribe any more meds for 3 months. Not sure I could combine the Melatonin with HRT in any case? I can't believe how extreme this insomnia is - I feel like my body's got such a battle on its hands!
    • mollym
      mollym jayneejay

      Posted

      Thanks Jay, I must say I haven't come across this level of insomnia with anyone (inc my doctor for that matter), apart from the people on this site. Will keep trying to resolve, hope yours settles down soon, I can't imagine putting up with it for 9 years! Molly
    • jayneejay
      jayneejay mollym

      Posted

      Hi Mollym

      i know 9 years of existing on hardly any sleep, but i think you get use to it, i seem to function fine and it never affects my mood,  i must add I have never been a great sleeper anyway, i am a light sleeper, easily woken which maybe doesnt help, but i have learned to live with it as cant do alot else, i have the emergency med for if it really affects me, and melatonin i tend to use sometimes too ... good luck with yours, 😢Jay x

    • kate2014
      kate2014 mollym

      Posted

      Hi Molly,  Stick with your HRT to see if it helps your sleep.  I believe that you can use herbs, melatonin and other sleep meds in conjunction with HRT.   HRT is just hormone replacement and the other meds, being quite different, won't clash.   However, check with your doctor.       Keep in touch and let me know how you go.   Insomnia is frustrating and awful and there's not a lot of understanding or sympathy out there.
    • mollym
      mollym kate2014

      Posted

      Thanks Kate, your message has given me hope! WIll let you know if and when it resolves itself. Regards, Molly
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