A mother who was terrified she was developing dementia has revealed how a television documentary presented by Davina McCall helped her discover the true cause of her debilitating symptoms. Lorraine Sharvin, now 46, initially dismissed her severe exhaustion and memory lapses as simply the result of juggling work and raising three children alone.
From Overwhelmed to Terrified
Lorraine's symptoms began in 2017 when she was just 38 years old. She experienced profound fatigue that left her unable to keep her eyes open beyond 8pm each evening, despite sleeping through until her 6am alarm. "I woke up feeling utterly drained every single morning," she recalled. "Returning to work after time off left me feeling like I desperately needed another holiday immediately."
As time progressed, her symptoms expanded to include:
- Severe anxiety in new situations
- Persistent joint pain
- Increasing forgetfulness and memory lapses
- Difficulty finding words during conversations
The Breaking Point
Her concerns about dementia intensified dramatically during a management meeting at her workplace. "The room went completely quiet when I suddenly couldn't get my words out," Lorraine explained. "I knew what I wanted to say but I just didn't have the words. Everyone was asking if I was okay, and I knew I hadn't been okay for a long time."
This incident proved so distressing that Lorraine ultimately resigned from her position as a pre-school manager, convinced something was seriously wrong with her cognitive health.
The Life-Changing Revelation
Everything changed in 2023 when Lorraine, slumped exhausted on her sofa, caught Davina McCall discussing menopause symptoms on television. The presenter had been sharing her own perimenopause experience to raise awareness about menopause symptoms and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
"I saw Davina on TV and I thought, 'that's what I'm like'," Lorraine said. "I'm so grateful to her for sharing her experience - it really saved me."
Rapid Transformation
Following the documentary, Lorraine compiled a comprehensive list of her symptoms and visited her GP, who prescribed HRT patches. The transformation was both rapid and remarkable.
"HRT was like a miracle - an absolute lifeline," she revealed. "I felt different by the third day. My joint discomfort had vanished within days, and I felt so much better within 10 days of starting the patches. Honestly, it was amazing."
Lorraine had previously undergone extensive medical investigations including:
- Multiple blood tests
- Testing for autoimmune diseases
- Liver scans
- ECG heart monitoring
- Sleep apnea monitoring
Yet none of these investigations had identified the root cause of her symptoms until she connected them with menopause.
Rebuilding Her Life
The Basildon resident has now returned to work as a learning support assistant and feels transformed. "Now I just feel like an older version of a younger me," she explained. "I feel refreshed after sleep and I'm on top of everything - home life, work. I feel so much more confident."
Spreading Awareness
Lorraine now documents her experience on TikTok under the username MissMenopauseSupport and through her podcast Hot Flushes and Homework. She has become passionate about raising awareness of menopause symptoms, particularly among younger women.
"If you're experiencing symptoms of menopause, you're not alone," she emphasised. "Even if you're under 50, it's more common than you think. Nothing is wrong with you - you're not broken, you're just changing. Talk to someone, get some advice - it will make all the difference."
Her message to other women experiencing similar symptoms is clear: menopause symptoms can manifest in ways that mimic other serious conditions, and seeking appropriate medical advice can be truly life-changing.
