The Menopause & ME
The Menopause & ME By Sarah Woolnough selkiewoolnough@yahoo.co.uk November 2006 |
| I have suffered with M.E. since 1996 but was still able to work part time until 2003 when neurological symptoms began in earnest and I began suffering from brain fog, consequently making so many mistakes that I was unable to carry on working. Noticing that symptoms seem to occur in phases in my case, for instance several months of painful neck, back and knees, months of migraine etc., with ‘new’ phases beginning from time to time – I tend to put any new developments down to M.E., which in hindsight is probably a mistake, as it is always a good idea to have any new symptoms checked out by a Doctor. I therefore decided that what I now know to be perimenopause was merely yet another exacerbation of M.E. symptoms. So - wow…where to begin?????? Many of the symptoms of M.E. overlap with perimenopausal symptoms (perimenopause being the ‘run up’ to the menopause. The menopause basically being the cessation of periods for a year) and the ‘peri’ phase can last from a year to ten years I am told – or should I say ‘signs’?? Intolerance of temperature fluctuations, migraine, skin rashes, cystitis, bladder incontinence, mood swings, painful periods, sleep disturbances, hair thinning, etc., I found it extremely difficult to differentiate the symptoms and it was only due to exceptionally heavy bleeding lasting for 14 days at a time that I trotted along to my Doctor. It has been explained to me that M.E. exacerbates the menopausal symptoms and the menopausal symptoms exacerbate the M.E. symptoms and wow oh wow is it a rollercoaster!!!! My previously quiet nature, which became somewhat volatile with M.E. mood swings, has now changed – in fact, I’ve been told (chuckle..) that I have changed from a Dormouse into a Rattlesnake – tread on my tail at your own peril!!! To be honest, I rather enjoy the freedom of voicing any displeasure at the top of my voice (even if it gives me a headache) and part of me enjoys seeing the surprise on people’s faces at seeing a Dormouse ROAR. I have noticed throughout my M.E. that I tend to have short periods of depression, maybe this is the perfectly understandable depression of having to live life with a life shattering illness, or maybe it’s purely a lack of certain chemicals, but since being perimenopausal, the phases of depression have been somewhat longer and a slightly different nature somehow. I also occasionally wallow in ‘empty nest syndrome’ – the children have flown the nest, M.E. forced me to give up work, I am no longer capable of my old hobbies – I have the time to do things now but am not physically able, and as for the financial situation…..it’s dire to say the least…….oops here I go…..wallow….wallow……. The forgetfulness of M.E. has turned into ‘mindwipe’: instead of ‘did I put the cat out?’ to: “Cat ..what cat????” (It’s ok – puss has a cat flap) I turned up for an appointment the other day to find out that I was late……….five days late!! Hot flushes are hilarious ….. I wake up…have a hot flush…. Then cool down and decide it must be cold outside, so dress in jeans and a jumper…only to find other people wearing shorts and summer skirts. Sometimes the skin on my neck looks dry and hangs in folds (yep – just like a turkey) then the following morning it’s rehydrated itself and back to normal. Periods are completely unpredictable (and don’t we M.E. ‘ites’ know the meaning of ‘unpredictable’ hey?) sometimes they last for two weeks (and need Tranexamic Acid (on prescription) to calm them) then….nothing for three months….. the only indication of their imminent arrival is a huge build of up emotional pressure…..the last period heralded by the crunch of a breakfast bowl hitting the pantry door!!! (Gee…. I’m sure I ought to be ashamed….) My long suffering Dr. prescribed Utovlan …. It worked….. but I just felt like I wanted to sit in a corner, clutching a tissue listening to sad music…. So hello Tranexamic Acid – which seems to work pretty well. The other option is to have a Mirena Coil fitted – it releases a progesterone like substance directly to where it’s needed rather than affecting the whole body. GP’s can normally fit it – but due to some scar tissue I would need a general anaesthetic and have it fitted in hospital…. Can’t say I’m terribly keen on that – you know how we M.E. ‘ites’ don’t get on terribly well with body traumas and of course, there would be the recovery time needed. I have found that I need to guard my ‘good days’ with a vengeance and therefore if there is a choice between risking losing my good days then I opt out :0) I’m going to try the herbal approach – and see if I can wait it out until full-blown menopause arrives. My body shape has altered, I put on two stones due to M.E. and lack of exercise, and I have turned into a ‘pear shape’… but am told another stone will follow after the menopause (drat…. And I’ve been storing my old work suits ready for the M.E. cure and my weight to return to ‘normal’) During the course of a month I have found that my dress sizes alters to three different sizes (yep – all around the waist and hips) this, I’ve been told, is due to hormone action on bowels… so the advice is to definitely have breakfast, keep sipping plain water, have three meals per day and keep the bowels active. I just try to smile sweetly when approached by acquaintances whose eyes linger over my swollen tummy and then launch into, “Late baby hey?”..hissss. I’ve only mentioned my main symptoms but there are myriads of the little gremlins, all mostly treatable, all mostly transient, and, at least there is an end in sight….a total cessation of periods!!! Two books I have found particularly useful regarding menopause and perimenopause are: “Holistic Menopause” by Judy Hall and Robert Jacobs MRCS LRCP and “The Change before the Change” by Dr. Laura E Corio and Linda G Khan – for the peri menopause and menopause in general. Dr. Anne MacIntyre’s book, “M.E. – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Practical Guide”, includes some information on the menopause and M.E. The NHS Direct has a short article on the menopause and related subjects, with some useful links to other sites. In a nutshell, although peri menopause and the menopause itself are ‘natural’ events in a woman’s life – both events certainly seem to exacerbate and be exacerbated by M.E. Louise has asked me to keep her up to date with my progress so watch this space! I’m happy to talk to anyone about this article; you will find my e-mail address at the top of the page. I have written another article called M.E. In Families which you might like to read. 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