'There are 66 symptoms of menopause and I had nearly all of them'
Tina Cleveland with her husband Ray who has been supporting her through menopause - Credit: Archant
A woman whose anxiety spiked during lockdown fuelled by the menopause is launching two new groups aimed at supporting each other.
Tina Cleveland, 54, of Buxton Avenue, Gorleston, said she was totally unprepared for the mental and physical changes and said she woke each morning "with a feeling of dread".
Health concerns surrounding her husband, who is extremely vulnerable to Covid, added to her anxiety which saw the couple only going out at night to avoid contact with other people.
Her research lead her to discover around 66 symptoms of menopause ranging from hot flushes and brain fog, to food cravings, a cold nose, palpitations, acid reflux, and tinnitus.
Tina Cleveland said she was unprepared for the impact of menopause and has set up a group where women can support each other. - Credit: Archant
She said she had been experiencing changes for around four years, and that more awareness was needed around symptoms.
She is on a low dose of HRT and says yoga helps, but the key to tackling anxiety was talking about it and sharing experiences and ideas about how woman might cope.
"The thing is to get people to talk about it and make friends, then they wont feel so anxious. They have got to be brave and make that first step because it's the anxiety that keeps people away."
"During Covid it was horrendous," she said.
Most Read
- 1 Six arrested after Willow the dog finds 'substantial' quantity of drugs
- 2 Landlord finds 20 rabbits abandoned at home after tenants move out
- 3 From schools to shops: All you need to know about living in Gorleston
- 4 Mixed feelings for traders as they move into Great Yarmouth's new market
- 5 Rollesby mum shares heartbreak after death of her seven-year-old daughter
- 6 8 places where you can see fireworks for free in Norfolk for the jubilee
- 7 'The best yet' - Yarmouth's celebration of wheels gearing up for return
- 8 Crews called to collapsed walker on remote Norfolk Broads' path
- 9 Driver caught at speeds of nearly 100mph also found to have no licence
- 10 Drone shots show British warship anchored off Yarmouth ahead of Jubilee
"Anxiety was probably the main problem but the sweats did not help.
"Coming out of lockdown was probably the hardest bit.
"I thought there must be lots of other people in my position that were really struggling so I wanted to create a group where woman can just talk to each other.
"There are 66 symptoms of menopause and I felt like I had nearly all of them. You look at your body and think 'this isn't me', I have never felt like this.
"I am not qualified to give any advice, I can just say what I have been through."
Gorleston Menopause Mayhem is meeting on Wednesday, April 6 at Morrisons cafe 3-6pm and on Thursday, April 7, 5-7pm at Gorleston Library.
To find out more visit the Facebook page or contact Mrs Cleveland on 07704 318231.
