Im asking for some ongoing information about menopause symptoms. If anyone has suffered or is suffering the same maybe I can get some advice please? I am fine for a while but last week had another migraine but not as bad. Have not had a period for about six months now. The last time was eight months. After my migraine I had bleeding for about a day just a show of it and then it stopped . I thought it was going to develop into another menstruation but it has not this time. I have felt terrible again all this week with head pain and a headache yesterday that's still here today although not a migraine. I have put on about a stone in weight and my lower stomach seems to be bloating out and just hanging over my genital area a bit and sort of feels jellyish. Its not making me feel good and I wanted to know is this just the weight gain or do all women's stomachs go like this at this age. Im 49 and have been told I'm going through peri or menopause. Its horrible. One minuite I will be fine and then just keep crying. Also I have never had children but find myself agonising and getting very emotional when seeing babies or families, wondering if I have made a huge mistake by not having children. I have been really depressed over this. Has anyone who is childless ever felt like this in the menopause? Is it important to take vitamins or supplements also? as I cannot go on HRT. Can someone help please?

I'm 48 and have Bern going through the same thing for about 4 years now, except I have had children.

I cannot take HRT or anything over-the-counter as I had estrogen receptive breast cancer 15 years ago.

I did some research about 3 years ago and found an antidepressant calls Pristique was being tested for use in menopausal symptoms for women who cannot take HRT. My doctor approved it and it works marvelously! It has since been approved for use to relieve symptoms of menopause.

I'm 48 and have Bern going through the same thing for about 4 years now, except I have had children.

I cannot take HRT or anything over-the-counter as I had estrogen receptive breast cancer 15 years ago.

I did some reasearch about 3 years ago and found an antidepressant calls Pristique was being tested for use in menopausal symptoms for women who cannot take HRT. My doctor approved it and it works marvelously! It has since been approved for use to relieve symptoms of menopause.

That's interesting. When I went to my doctor when I was having very bad Migraines which she said were probably due to the peri menopause, she gave me Amitriptyline to take at night saying it would relieve the migraines and make the other symptoms feel better. I was worried as when I researched it people were saying it made them feel awful in the morning. Although I had my migraines starting when I woke I did not see the point in taking something that was going to make me feel groggy and just as bad? I could not see the sense in it so I have not started taking them. The migraines have got slightly better but other symptoms keep popping up to make me feel awful. What would you say about the Amitriptyline? I am wary of anti depressants as I have been on them before but I know they are getting better ones now.

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant and is typically used for eating problems, sleeping problems and depression. I'm not sure why you were given this for menopause and/or headaches. I would be cautious and seek a second opinion as there are more current meds on the market with fewer side effects. The Pristique I take has given me NO side effects. I took Amitriptyline about 22 years ago and the side effects were horrendous.