elliew
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Post by elliew on May 14, 2021 13:34:56 GMT
Hi, so glad to see some older women posting here! - I'm an itinerant neuroscientist in London, finally realising I need to get help with ADHD as it's getting much, much worse (!) as I'm approaching menopause. And frankly dismayed that even at leading brain research facilities my own esteemed colleagues do not even acknowledge that ADHD is an issue in older women (?!!). So, given the paucity of research out there, I would love to hear from any users on this forum re: issues such as the effects of declining hormones, HRT etc.. on cognitive function and ADHD behaviour patterns and abililty to work. This is not a niche issue -most of us will be expected to work until we're nearly 70! -yet 50% of this workforce undergo brain melting menopausal symptoms which are barely appreciated, let alone those of use with ADHD too... Your thoughts or info much appreciated. Any clues to who might already be compiling data/funding proposals on this even better! Cheers, Ellie
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Post by Peppa on May 16, 2021 12:36:44 GMT
Think I have ADHD and am menopausal. It’s like the wheels are coming off
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hry40
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here are a couple of links to handy ADHD websites- https://stuff.health/s/do2QkjeW and this one for
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Post by hry40 on May 16, 2021 15:45:15 GMT
Hi Peppa, Lost my wheels and went to my doctors diagnosed with depression and anxiety, had she not mentioned the menopause, i wouldn't have googled it and discovered "The menopause mimics ADHD" I was 50 it took me a further 5years to finally be diagnosed, I'm no longer stupid, Im ADHD x
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elliew
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Post by elliew on May 17, 2021 9:43:53 GMT
Ahh..! I'm with you both there ... I've had my bosses screaming at me "where is your executive function..?! ..you're not performing at the expected level !!" - These are medical professionals, who should listen. But because I was vaguely competent the previous 10yrs, they just brush off my explanation (that menopausal hormonal decline is driving up my ADHD again). But reading the advice on this site Re: employers obligation to acknowledge & accommodate ADHD where possible has given me determination to stand up for myself, engage HR if necessary & make them listen.
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Post by chickster on May 17, 2021 16:44:08 GMT
Ive hit the menopause. Am on HRT courtesy of the NHS. Is it helping? Not as far as I can tell. Its just another unknown layer to a pile of shit I dont understand. Back in the day both the pill & the mini pill sent me crazy in different ways. Of course with ADHD trying to observe whats happening & see patterns is just impossible - & Im medicated. So hormones are very tricky indeed. Friends of mine have been to private hormone clinics & theres one (does online appts too) that will get you back into the NHS once they have it all worked out. I think that getting full hormone profiles done & bespoke treatment is the only way forward. elliew As for involving HR etc... never going to end well. Better to pull out all the stops to fix the problem rather than trying to force a company to keep you doing a job that doesnt suit you. Women always want someone in authority to report things to, & to make them stop others behaving like twats. Like we are all stuck in school & think we should be able to go to the teacher who will just sort it. But working life is different - once you start that process it just becomes an echo chamber of what 'should' happen vs what IS happening. Better to find ways around this stuff, or find a way to change your job spec (or even job). Let the NT do the boring paperwork - become too valuable at 'the other stuff'. Dont talk about the ways you are affected by it. I promise you even in a very left wing environment (or even especially so) it never goes well. Id say go to your boss with a solution. Eg someone else to take over part of your job & you take on more of the things you are good at. Say you know your ability to do x boring shit isnt what it used to be because you need new challemges. To grow. You are interested in y & this is how it will benefit them. Or get a new job & stipulate the bits you wont be doing
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Post by chickster on May 17, 2021 16:50:28 GMT
Think I have ADHD and am menopausal. It’s like the wheels are coming off Hi Peppa..do you mind if I ask exactly how the wheels are falling off for you? Its so hard because things happen & change & its not until you hear someone else saying 'this is whats happening' that you can think about what the reasons might be. I dont know if its the menopuse, or covid, or c-ptsd, or depression. Should I see a hormone doctor, or try to be a beacon of health, or submits to SSRIs again (thus ruining my non existent sex life for at least two years)? Ugh. So sick of trying things that dont work. Then finding theres a new & exciting problem to deal with!
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Post by londonwillow on Jun 12, 2021 11:35:12 GMT
Hi ladies and others,
I am 42 and believe I am perimenopausal. My age means docs aren’t too fussed about it. I am in a sticky situation with various aspects of my life but my recent adhd diagnosis may well be the lifeline I have been searching for. Not sure how I feel about meds though. I’m desperate for another baby but agreed to take year off and concentrate on studies while I have some help to do so. Recently got a new job but signed off so can’t start just yet (not sure if I could even manage as meds make me fee different each day) and was sacked from my last job as I had a three week spell where I was functioning in a robotic way but have so little memory of what happened. Despite having long term diagnosis of MH issues and OH stating I meet criteria of EA2010 the workplace refused to accept. I am waiting for tribunal hearing in October and I cannot get a single medical professional to confirm my issues are enough to state that I am covered by the act (disabled at all material times). So it will now be left for a judge to decide on the basis of my medical notes. Im hoping my psychiatrist will be able to clarify this for my lawyer but im exhausted and I also feel I want to see this through so others have a base line to work from if they are treated same. I feel like these acts are not really fit for purpose of you have to jump through so many hoops and when MH rested, it makes it doubly hard as I don’t always have the capacity to deal with this all. Anyway. Im sure hormones are also playing a big part. My mother had her hysterectomy at 45 after years of problems. My sister has been going through it the last few years and I am seeing subtle changes that are enough for me to accept this is what is happening. I hope we all find the help and support we need. Here’s to finding a supportive practitioner.
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Post by jewels on Jun 14, 2021 15:52:53 GMT
oh my gosh reading the upper stories so good to not feel alone. im 51 year o;d women whos menapausal and just been diagnosed with ADHD combined. it kinda seemed to confuse me a bit more as what does the combined mean in this diagnoses? well i know it means both ADD/ADHD but where do i start to research to help myself? oh well I always knew i learnt in a different way and was different, could vocalise how i deeply felt, i feel so much more comfortable expressing myself throught the arts, but now im so happy as long last know im not stupid i can now say ahhhh its my ADHD with a smile.
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Post by dizzydumpling on Jul 2, 2021 1:12:05 GMT
Yes - so much worse with menopause!
My menstrual cycle always affected my ADD at certain times of the month, but I've just turned 50, had 2 periods in the last year, and my ADD is at an all-time low; so bad that I literally can't think how to put a sentence together in an email at times & started to worry about early-onset dementia, but then googled the effect of menopause on ADHD and discovered this is a thing!
I feel like my meds are working less well & wearing off quicker. They also seem to be causing more insomnia which they didn't before, and I've started compulsively biting/chewing the inside of my mouth like a speed-freak from mid afternoon when they start to wear off and right through the the rest of the evening which is new & VERY annoying (not to mention quite painful!)
I feel like my brain chemicals must definitely have altered in some way & would love to find out more in case anything can be done with food/supplements/lifestyle changes etc. to make it better. I'll try and remember to log in & read this whole thread properly when it's not 2am on a work night. I'm pleased to see this being discussed as it's good to remember we're not alone in these things sometimes!
Oh yes, and when I mentioned this to my then new (male) ADHD specialist last year, he said he'd never heard of ADHD getting worse in middle age and that to the contrary, many people "grow out if it" as they get older!
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Post by Ariel on Aug 26, 2021 0:15:32 GMT
Hi this is my first post. I've come here because I've been through early menopause and a hard battle for HRT now won by changing GP. I'm four months in to HRT and saw the practice mental health nurse today and ten minutes in she brought up the possibility of an adhd diagnosis as a possible explaination of my ongoing neurological symptoms and struggles. It was a total curveball!! I had considered it. But I have considered almost *everything* from thyroid to long covid to try explain this nagging feeling that there is something else, underlying that was making life *too hard* If it would rise to the top of the list, I anticipated another fight that I wasn't yet strong enough for. To have a health professional bring it up after 10 minutes of talking to me was quite a wow moment. It felt like someone putting a key in a door and unlocking something. Not much else to say but hey and Hi! And I guess I might be dropping by again for more info in the future.
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Post by Ariel on Sept 24, 2021 20:57:03 GMT
Had my screening appointment today and referred straight to Psychiatry UK for diagnosis. Feeling quite emotional but mostly good, visibility, relief. Hi this is my first post. I've come here because I've been through early menopause and a hard battle for HRT now won by changing GP. I'm four months in to HRT and saw the practice mental health nurse today and ten minutes in she brought up the possibility of an adhd diagnosis as a possible explaination of my ongoing neurological symptoms and struggles. It was a total curveball!! I had considered it. But I have considered almost *everything* from thyroid to long covid to try explain this nagging feeling that there is something else, underlying that was making life *too hard* If it would rise to the top of the list, I anticipated another fight that I wasn't yet strong enough for. To have a health professional bring it up after 10 minutes of talking to me was quite a wow moment. It felt like someone putting a key in a door and unlocking something. Not much else to say but hey and Hi! And I guess I might be dropping by again for more info in the future.
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Post by londonwillow on Oct 8, 2021 17:14:52 GMT
Good luck to you, Ariel. It’s really can be overwhelming but having some sort of answer will help in some ways as you will be able to define it. Sometimes, the not knowing is the hardest thing!
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Post by SallyL on Jan 15, 2022 14:10:24 GMT
Hi This is really interesting- I’m 46 and started HRT last year. Mainly for the mental health symptoms - overwhelm/stress/brain fog. I’ve realised though that a lot is down to total disorder in the house, disorganised, keep losing things, no concentration. I have zero ability to concentrate in zoom meetings at work and can only work to deadlines - otherwise I just can’t be bothered!!! Found school reports and they are scary - over and over again they state lazy, disorganised, no concentration, too chatty…. I’ve been ok-ish between school and pandemic hitting/peri menopause time! Have managed to have s good career but home life always disorganised shambles! I’m going to ask for a referral next week but worried they’ll just put it down to busy life. I just think that I fit a lot of the criteria… but also worried I won’t be listened to. 😊
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Post by Janine on Feb 5, 2022 15:38:32 GMT
Hi, i have never posted to a group chat before but at least I know I am not alone. I am going through the menopause without any particular symptoms related to that but my adhd symptoms have gone through the roof. My focus is non existent and i simply survive. I have stuck in a job in a school where I am.not happy but the thoughtbof finding another job and applying is beyond me so I am woefully under employed in intellectually but over challenged becsusebits the wrong environment. I have 3 teenage boys and a husband who doesnt get adhd hence I am.only surviving. However i need to break out of this rut I am in but have no idea where to start so any advice would be welcome!!
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kat
Member's not posted much yet
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Post by kat on Feb 12, 2022 2:32:30 GMT
Hi This is really interesting- I’m 46 and started HRT last year. Mainly for the mental health symptoms - overwhelm/stress/brain fog. I’ve realised though that a lot is down to total disorder in the house, disorganised, keep losing things, no concentration. I have zero ability to concentrate in zoom meetings at work and can only work to deadlines - otherwise I just can’t be bothered!!! Found school reports and they are scary - over and over again they state lazy, disorganised, no concentration, too chatty…. I’ve been ok-ish between school and pandemic hitting/peri menopause time! Have managed to have s good career but home life always disorganised shambles! I’m going to ask for a referral next week but worried they’ll just put it down to busy life. I just think that I fit a lot of the criteria… but also worried I won’t be listened to. 😊 Hi Sally you could go through one of the self-tests and print out your results to take with you to your primary care physician. Here’s a link to the one on ADDitude mag, based on the official diagnosis criteria. www.additudemag.com/adhd-symptoms-test-adults/?src=test
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Post by Rossall on Feb 13, 2022 12:45:02 GMT
Hi This is really interesting- I’m 46 and started HRT last year. Mainly for the mental health symptoms - overwhelm/stress/brain fog. I’ve realised though that a lot is down to total disorder in the house, disorganised, keep losing things, no concentration. I have zero ability to concentrate in zoom meetings at work and can only work to deadlines - otherwise I just can’t be bothered!!! Found school reports and they are scary - over and over again they state lazy, disorganised, no concentration, too chatty…. I’ve been ok-ish between school and pandemic hitting/peri menopause time! Have managed to have s good career but home life always disorganised shambles! I’m going to ask for a referral next week but worried they’ll just put it down to busy life. I just think that I fit a lot of the criteria… but also worried I won’t be listened to. 😊 Hi Sally you could go through one of the self-tests and print out your results to take with you to your primary care physician. Here’s a link to the one on ADDitude mag, based on the official diagnosis criteria. www.additudemag.com/adhd-symptoms-test-adults/?src=testPost not showing for me so I've reposted it.
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Post by Jac on Oct 31, 2022 16:29:34 GMT
I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression all my life, but during the past few years it has got worse. And I am now coming to realise that I have ADHDI; scored 67 on the ASRS-v1.1 checklist. Once I started to research all of the symptoms for ADHD, it was like a light bulb going off in my head. I am 54 in a week or so and have already been through the menopause, so I thought things would get easier, but they haven't! I now need to go and talk to my doctor, but trying to get an appointment is impossible at the moment. I'm glad I'm not the only one on here x
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