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[Taz2]

That's a good point Linsey. This is the info from the menu on the left of the screen under Alternative Therapies Vonnie - not sure if you'd seen it http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/otherpreps.php

Taz x

[tiger74]

Hi Vonnie - to echo what Linsey44 and Taz2 have said, sage and evening primrose and various other 'alternative therapies' contain high levels of phytoestrogens.  If you want to be super-cautious it might be worth avoiding these until you have your biopsy results.  (I have history of oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer and I avoid phytoestrogens.)  All depends on your attitude to risk and where the intolerability of menopausal symptoms stands in your list of priorities.

Here's hoping that all is well with the results from your visit to the breast clinic, it's a nerve-wracking time for you and I wish you all the best.

[CLKD]

The waiting is the worst part. Once handed the results we can be more informed.  I suggest to Vonnie that she takes someone with her when she goes to get the results! at least to celebrate with when they are OK!

[vonnie]

Thanks for the posts, phone call from the hospital today -good news everything is ok.  I have got to have regular checks -I asked if these would be at the hospital but was told with my gp.  The report is being sent to my gp, so suggested I make an appointment for around three/four weeks -to go through the full details etc. 
Not getting any relief yet from the fluoxetine, but I suspect it may be too early-only been on them two weeks, feel really tired out but just cannot sleep at night. Lucky to get three hours in total, perhaps will be better now the hospital has rung-it was a panic though as the doctor said he would write to me-so when they phone I felt really sick.
Just need to discuss the report now, no hrt-so discuss the way forward, my risks of osteoporosis  etc with not being able to stop the HRT. 

[Cassie]

The Premarin is very old school...ask your Dr for the bio identical more friendly hormones such as the gel or a patch in my opinion much safer and "natural."

[vonnie]

Letter received from the hospital, confirming that the biopsy showed no worrying features.  Confirmation that I must not take any further HRT, confirmation that I am at a higher risk due to my family history and the fact that any hrt increases the risk slightly means I must not take any.  The letter did not show what the biopsy showed -which the gp was hoping, so just hoping the GP will know when I go back in around three weeks.
But, I feel really really bad today-I am tired out-but saying I am tired is an understatement as I am totally drained and the pains in my legs are so bad -they are more than just aches, I have been short tempered with my mum and took her the hospital and then went to do a bit of shopping but I was just not in the mood as it was such an effort.
Just wondering if I can take anything to try and give me a boost-I don't suppose there is, but it is a vicious circle-went bed around 10.30last night-was still awake at 3pm, then dozed off and woke at 4-awake then till 6 and then dozed and got woken at 6.45 by my alarm for work.  Really struggling to keep going, hardly put one leg in front of another-this is common or not-should I see my gp before the three weeks?, I have a week off work next week-so looking forward to it.
Has anybody else felt like this and had these symptoms?

[CLKD]

However: quality of Life is important!  Give your Surgery a ring and ask that the GP seeks out the actual 'result' before your appt..  He may have had a letter with more information in.

I have had breast disease but would push for HRT should I require it.

[vonnie]

Feeling awful, my legs are really aching -I am in tears with the pains.  I am not sleeping -lucky to get two hours a night, flushes are terrible, my gp is now off on long term sick so had to see a different GP last week.

The GP had received a letter from the hospital -very vague and said I had no worrying features-the gp was happy with this whereas my previous gp would have requested further information as he wanted to know what it was, what was the cause etc-this gp was not bothered in finding any further info out.  the gp doubled my fluoxetine -now on 2 * 20mg, took them Thursday onwards-last night was worse than ever for flushes etc-around one hours sleep, I am so exhausted feel really ill and trying to keep going work etc-not good.

[tiger74]

Hi Vonnie

If you're really determined to have more detail of the pathology of your breast biopsy you could try ringing the Breast Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Team at the hospital where the sample was analysed.  Explain what you want and ask them to obtain a copy of the lab report for you.  The Breast Care Clinical Nurse Specialist printed off a full copy of the lab report on the tissue which was removed when I had breast surgery, gave it to me and explained the contents.  Depends how much detail you want.  Would reading a report make you feel worse?

Like you, I can also sleep poorly.  Not always but sometimes, especially when night sweats wake me up and/or I have a busy evening at work and my shift pattern necessitates that I'm back there the following morning so my brain doesn't switch off.  For some time I resisted my GP's suggestion to accept a prescription for sleeping tablets but capitulated eventually and what a transformation.  I don't use them often (the last packet time-expired before I finished it) but it's handy to pop one occasionally.  Is this something feasible for you?

[Taz2]

Hi vonnie - so sorry you are feeling so dreadful. Just a quick point. I tried fluoxetine for a few months but had to stop due to muscle pain. This is not the most commonest of side effects but can happen so I wonder whether your pains have become worse since being on it?

I think obtaining a copy of the lab report would be a good idea.

Taz x

[vonnie]

Thanks for the posts and advice, I will ask my gp to obtain a copy of the lab report -so I will know if I can take evening primrose etc.

As for the fluoxetine I have been on 40mg now for just over two weeks and I feel dreadful, everything is a chore -no matter what I do.  I am awake now when I go bed for hours -previously would doze off and then wake around mid-night but now I cannot even go sleep when I go bed.  Struggling to keep work going-and I only work part time, so I don't know where to go I was not too impressed with the go last time-I just suppose its seeing a different gp but I will have to go back again.  He told me to have hot baths etc-which was all basic things to aid the sleeping, as I am so so tired I am well behind with the xmas preparations -no cards done, etc just not in the mood and feeling really really miserable. People don't understand -when I tell them I am tired -they cannot understand why when I only work part-time-but I am in fact exhausted.  The pains in my legs have become a lot worse-as well so will discuss with gp.

[CLKD]

If the pains are bad then stop the medication.  There are other options and by stopping, you will see if the drug is contributing to those pains.

[vonnie]

Thanks for your post, unfortunately I cannot stop the fluoxetine without speaking to my GP.  This was emphasised at the beginning that you cannot stop the medication on your own -you have to reduce the dose for several days to come off gradually-once the GP has agreed to it.  Otherwise I would have stopped yself-just so difficult getting to speak to a gp-especially with the viruses etc which are all around.

[CLKD]

Most surgeries will ask the GP to give the patient a phone call and your health is as important as anyone else.  If not visit a Pharmacist for advice!  Leg pain should not be ignored.

[vonnie]

Still on medication, finally managed to get GP appointment next week.  Unable to speak to gp-my regular GP is still of and they have locums in  as they also have other GPs off. 

Have to wait till net week, sleeping is worse than ever, flushes are worse than ever and cannot motivate myself to do anything as I am so exhausted.