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Author Topic: Hello, new and need help .  (Read 3926 times)

riversong

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Hello, new and need help .
« on: May 12, 2016, 10:53:20 PM »

Hello,

I'm 49, I started menopause at 46. last year i was getting hot flashes that were out of control, i went to the Dr. and he prescribed me estrogen.progestin patch, lowest dose. It worked within 3 days, was a relief, but sadly about 2mths later I started experiencing fits of rages, extremely sore breasts and hug weight gain, so I discontinued. Surprisingly the flashes didn't really bother me after that, they were still there but not so intense.

Fast forward to now. 2 mths ago I had to have a total hysterectomy, uterus, ovaries and cervix. Now the hot flashes came back, but even worse, I get hot flashes, sweat, then cold flashes, i don't know what's worse. So as of Monday of this week i started on a new patch , estrodial .25. But they don't seem to be helping at all :( , I'm on my second patch now, but along with the intense flashes I am starting to get canker sores inside my mouth, not fun, and i'm also very nauseous.

Are these normal side effects? why haven't the flashes slowed? Could it be the brand? Any help or experience would be greatly appreciated. I'm about to lose my mind here. 😕
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riversong

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Re: Hello, new and need help .
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2016, 11:33:55 PM »

Oh i forgot, I'm also getting Menstrual like cramps which is totally weird because I don't have a uterus now.
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riversong

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Re: Hello, new and need help .
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2016, 07:05:03 AM »

Know one can help me? :(
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littleminnie

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Re: Hello, new and need help .
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2016, 08:10:10 AM »

Hi Riversong. Have you been on the sitemap at the top of the page and scrolled down to 'HRT after a hysterectomy'?  If that doesn't help perhaps email Dr Currie and see what she suggests?
I'm on HRT but I haven't had a hysterectomy.
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Kathleen

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Re: Hello, new and need help .
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2016, 01:12:04 PM »

Hello riversong and welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately I can not help with your query but I'm sure one of the knowledgeable ladies will be along shortly to advise you.
 I also agree with littleminnie that a search of the site may be helpful in the meantime.

Take care and keep posting.

K.
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CLKD

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Re: Hello, new and need help .
« Reply #5 on: May 13, 2016, 02:49:21 PM »

Your have had major surgery so what you feel may well be a residue of hormones as well as internal bruising.  HRT doesn't work instantly  ::) it can 3-4 months B4 a lady can feel true benefit. 


Some people can be sensitive to the fillers/coatings of medication.  You may be lacking in minerals if your mouth is affected, are you drinking enough?  Either ring your Dentist or local Pharmacist for advice, then let us know!
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Lizab

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Re: Hello, new and need help .
« Reply #6 on: May 13, 2016, 03:11:31 PM »

I haven't had a hysterectomy, but I see you're only on .25. That is a super low dose and may simply not be enough to control symptoms. When I started on .375 several women on this forum said .375 wouldn't have made a bit a difference for them. Sure enough, when I increased to .5, I had noticeable improvement. And less than a week  is really too early to tell. Some ladies report feeling better within a few days, but most take a little while to adjust. Also, yes, it could be the brand. How well is it sticking? I had been on a generic twice weekly patch and by the time it was due to change, the edges were peeling away so badly I would guess I was only getting half the dose. It was really only making good skin contact in the very center. I asked to switch to a brand name patch and it maintains skin contact much better. Lastly, there are ladies on this forum who have had hysterectomy, hopefully they can address your surgery-specific questons (from your other thread). But meantime, have you seen the hystersisters forum? I found that to be helpful and informative before I found this forum.
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Mary G

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Re: Hello, new and need help .
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2016, 03:31:32 PM »

riversong, welcome to MM.

Firstly, I realise you have only just started the patches but I think that dose of oestrogen is far too low.  25mcg is a very low dose patch and not nearly enough for someone of your age who has just had a full hysterectomy and no longer produces any hormones at all.  When I used the 25mcg patch I didn't notice any difference at all.

If I were you, I would switch from patches to Oestrogel because the gel is far more flexible and I think you will need to adjust your dose of oestrogen quite a lot before you find the right level.

Secondly, because you have had your ovaries removed, you no longer have any testosterone and this should have been offered to you along with the oestrogen.  You are far too young to be deprived of these vital hormones and it would appear that you have more or less had to go cold turkey on both.

To be honest, on that low dose of oestrogen, zero testosterone and having had a full hysterectomy, I am not surprised you feel the way you do but fortunately it will be very easy for you to get back to normal with the right dose of hormones.   Another positive is that you will not need to ruin your HRT regime with the dreaded progesterone!

I hope that helps.


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Hurdity

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Re: Hello, new and need help .
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2016, 08:19:59 PM »

Hi riversong

 :welcomemm: from me too

Sorry to hear that you had to have a sudden operation to remove everything and wondering if you feel able to share the reason why?

Anyhow I totally agree with the others that this is an extremely low dose of oestrogen for someone of your age and in your position. I am 63 and I've been on Estradot 50 mcg ever since late peri and I still have my ovaries and womb! It is good to start low and gradually build up - to avoid the sometimes distressing symptoms of sudden increase eg nausea etc - which could be worse initially with higher dose - but with being plunged into sudden surgical menopause like that, your body has experienced a huge shock and it will take some time to adjust to the hormone turmoil and subsequent deficiency, but you definitely need more!

It is personal choice whether you like the idea of patches or gel - but if you stay with patches - Estradot are the best because they are very small and also go up to 100 mcg dose. What has your GP said re dose - or have you been referred to a menopause clinic with specialised gynae?

Re Testosterone - it may take a while for your body to register the effect of this - you will still be producing some tesosterone from your adrenakls but I understand you will have experienced approximately a 50 % reduction. Personally I would try to achieve an optimal oestrogen dose first before introducing testosterone to avoid the possible androgenic side effects (while you are still oestrogen deficient) - but you need a specialist to prescribe this so i would ask for a referral if your GP is not willing.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Hope this helps :)

Hurdity x
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riversong

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Re: Hello, new and need help .
« Reply #9 on: May 13, 2016, 08:47:42 PM »

Wow girls, thank you so much for the very informative replies.

I cannot get in touch with my Dr until Monday so i took it upon myself and put another patch on, so now i have two. The flashes are getting out of control and I can't handle them anymore.

I had no idea that a menopause clinic actually existed, so I looked it up at the hospital where I had my hysterectomy and on the website it says there is a six month waiting list, good grief. I live in Canada, I don't know why my Dr. never mentioned it to me. You would think they would have all that set up prior to surgery.

I had to have the hysterectomy because of menopause bleeding and I had complex hyperplasia. I also had severe endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Again, thanks for all of this information, I will let everyone know if the two patches work, fingers crossed. I'm also going to schedule an appointment with my Dr.
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riversong

  • Guest
Re: Hello, new and need help .
« Reply #10 on: May 15, 2016, 09:56:49 PM »

Just a small update. Things aren't as bad with the two patches, i'm still getting flashes, but a little fewer, wish it was zero but i will take anything at this point.
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Taz2

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Re: Hello, new and need help .
« Reply #11 on: May 15, 2016, 10:32:28 PM »

Oh i forgot, I'm also getting Menstrual like cramps which is totally weird because I don't have a uterus now.

Just want to say that I had a hysterectomy almost two years ago and still get menstrual cramps when I use HRT.

Taz x
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riversong

  • Guest
Re: Hello, new and need help .
« Reply #12 on: May 17, 2016, 05:12:34 AM »

Oh i forgot, I'm also getting Menstrual like cramps which is totally weird because I don't have a uterus now.

Just want to say that I had a hysterectomy almost two years ago and still get menstrual cramps when I use HRT.

Taz x

That's odd, where are the cramps coming from? I've noticed that they're getting worse today 😒
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