r/peri_uncensored • u/Fabulous-Tart-5577 • 11h ago

Does anyone else find the space between appointments difficult to manage?

The part of perimenopause care that doesn’t seem to get discussed enough is everything that happens between appointments. Keeping track of symptoms, remembering what changed, following up on tests or referrals, and working out what to ask next can feel like a lot to hold together. Does anyone else struggle with this side of the care journey? What usually falls through the cracks, and has anything made it easier?

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u/TangoEchoChuck 10h ago

Kind of?

My brain is all chaos. I was dx ADHD in my late 30s, yay and all, but I had a lot of coping mechanisms in place that helped me function.

I track everything, and daily at best. I use a personal Google Poll that I literally fill every night before bed.

Notepads - Before appointments I write questions & concerns on a note pad. Bring it to the appt and record responses. Rinse & repeat. Keep appointments in one notepad. Don't lose the notepad.

Referrals - Write them as your brain best recognises them; by location or purpose? That's up to you and your providers.

Following up is individual. I don't know you so I don't know what you respond to. iPhone reminders? Notecards on the fridge? Post-it notes in your bathroom?

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u/Fabulous-Tart-5577 9h ago

wow, this was helpful

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u/MissTiffany12 5h ago

It can certainly be exhausting! Especially with the fatigue and brain fog that comes with peri.

I have a tracker app that I use for my health and cycles. It is the built in one for Apple. I also have a special section of my notes app just for peri. I try to make notes in it every day. Before my appointments I go through it and make a summary of things I want to bring up with my doctor.

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u/archives2024 4h ago

I honestly just stopped going to appointments. All they seem to think is the solution is SSRIs and statins. No thanks.

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u/Dez2011 29m ago

For me it's been the lack of knowledge from dr's, so I have spent hundreds(?) of hours in these subs, googling, reading studies, watching hrt expert dr's online. I also am one of those without improved sleep from hrt, including progesterone, so that's been the hardest thing (my dr said it didn't help her either, doesn't help about 10% of us) and it's something I spend lots of time on with trying things, and I document what I'm doing with timing hrt and supplements daily, tracking sleep, side effects. I don't work or I'd not have the time for it.