Lives in Hebden Bridge
Age 54
Works in vintage clothes shop, former youth worker, mum Enjoying a cocktail after work
Outside the vintage clothes shop in Hebden bridge
I’m going to do it in a cuddle, punch, cuddle kind of way, which is where I talk about how I feel now Absolutely marvellous, almost there! The hot sweats have nearly diminished and the anxiety levels have almost gone. I’ve got a new job, and that’s brilliant.
Going back a few years, however, having had no understanding of the menopause, nobody talks about it, and it seems like something to be ashamed of almost. Then, I watched Davina McCall on the TV, and that kind of put everything in perspective for me.
I’ve had a really bad time with anxiety, depression, not sleeping and hot sweats. That was probably one of the worst bits of it. When I’m out and about or in the shop I can suddenly feel it and I’m like, “Oh my God” and then embarrassed because there’s this this sweat pouring off me. Not having any support in the workplace was a bit unusual because they’re women bosses. They were okay with me having time off when I needed it, but then it got to the stage of me owing them money which obviously wasn’t that helpful.
I mentioned DM – she came on the TV several months ago and made me realise how it’s something that can be dealt with. It’s not something you have to suffer or endure. HRTisn’t the nasty evil thing that people portray it to be. It can actually help.
I started off by trying herbal remedies that were recommended on that programme, so I just bit the bullet and went down the HRTroute three months ago. Over the past month or so I’ve just been feeling absolutely marvellous. I’ve got energy, I feel happy most of the time. I still suffer with anxiety a little bit, but nothing like it was before. I don’t need medication any more for all of that. Don’t be scared to take HRT, because it’s been amazing for me and really helpful. I haven’t got any concerns about the health risks, I mean you can eat a tin of tomato soup out of the shop and get health risks can’t you?