I am 47 and gave not had a period for over 3 years ! Good to see other women younger than me

Hello debbie. There's been so much pressure on GP's lately to look for signs of early dementia in patients that it's clouding their judgement when it comes to other diagnosis like menopausal symptoms. However you're now prescribed HRT so hopefully you'll notice a difference to your sleep pattern very soon. You aren't actually that young even at 44 when you said you last had a period. Doctors thought your age group were early starters of the menopause but it's now thought that with all the recent publicity younger women are seeking help. Even 10-15 years ago women didn't talk about it as much as now.

Hi Debbie.....your symptoms are so recognisable to all of us on this forum, I had those symptoms and thought it was just the menopause but I also had my bloods checked (much easier here in Spain) and the results came back with a massive Vitamin B12 deficiency, google the symptoms and some of them mirror those of the menopause. since my diagnosis in December I had 6 loading injenctions and now take two sublingual B12 tablets a day and also . The difference to my wellbeing, memory and moods is extraordinary, I have been taking HRT for 12 years and two weeks ago decided to just stop (following a chat with my GP) as my prescription was changed due to Premique low dose no longer being available,  I have had no ill effects and feel so well, i think because of the B12. If your body doesnt need it, it expells it so you can't overdose on it but it's worth a try, sounds as though you have a very unsmpathetic doctor and one that wouldn't consider the B12 blood test. I wish you well soon, Sandra

sandra has made a very good point and I also meant to mention (and forgot) that an under active thyroid is quite common in middle aged women and often has the same symptoms as the menopause so it may be that the practice nurse in your surgery would do a full blood count and thyroid function test. I'm not sure about the B12 vitamin deficiency blood test as that is usually done on the request of a hospital consultant mainly because of the cost. Have you read the most up to date NICE Guidelines regarding HRT? GP's have been told they are not to diagnose the menopause by blood test anymore but only from the symptoms described by the patient.

You not too young as I was 47 when I started the menopause I would change doctors I wouldn't let them speak to me like that

Thanks 'Matron', I downloaded a book called 'Could it be B12, A history of misdiagnosis' it's an extraordinary read, B12 deficiency appears to be the pre-cursor to dementia and alzheimers but if caught early enough with medication it can be reversed. As you mention Matron, Hypothyroidism also causes these debilitating symptoms, we shouldn't have to suffer in silence with sanctimonious GP's offering caustic comments or handing out anti-depressants when a simple blood test offers a preventative solution rather than years of palliative care. 

Whoops......I just fell off my soapbox! 

Hi Debbie - I have also just started Femoston Conti so hoping you post your progress for us to follow. Found hrt to be a godsend for me and hope you will quickly find the same. Are you in Australia as I don't hear of many others using this med? Sleeping better but still suffering strong heart palp and weird lump in my throat? Have a great diet And healthy lifestyle so sure this helps Matron's advice is always welcomed so I would be guided by her words - all the best x

Hi Ladies, More or less all symptoms listed in your posts at some time I have experienced, now 64......and it could never be anything simple, my head always told me it was a life threatening condition. I did suffer with Oestrogen Dominance in my 30's and needed Progesterone but had to fight my GP then as he just put me on antidepressants. No one should feel daunted at the prospect of going to a Doctor but we have all been conditioned to feel like timewasters. I am now a firm advocate of B12 (sublingual are probably most effective) given the results I have experienced since December, I wish I had tried it years ago. The jury is still out for me with HRT and if I think I need it I will go back on it but fingers crossed, two weeks in and I am still feeling okay. Good luck with GP visits, take a deep breath before going in and remember, we pay for them!