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Author Topic: World turned upside down over night  (Read 3314 times)

Alua197

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World turned upside down over night
« on: January 12, 2015, 10:08:51 PM »

Hello lovely ladies. I'm 41 and mother of a four year old and soon to be two year old. Prior to January 9 last year I would wake up every day and think how lucky I was as I had a near perfect life. Then it all changed. I woke up feeling queasy one day and had an episode of vertigo later that morning. I felt jittery all day. That night I woke at midnight thinking I was having a heart attack and was carted off to hospital. I was okay for 6 weeks after apart from some weird cold flashes. Then all the weirdest most wonderful symptoms surfaced. Hot flashes burning skin migraines insomnia constant panic constant feeling of dread etc. I was bed ridden for a month. During which time numerous trips to er and tests for everything from ms to every rare form of cancer. Nothing was found. I felt like I was losing my mind and still do most days. Since I weaned my daughter periods would not come for three months then two weeks then if they did it would be a day of spotting. Finally my bloods confirmed premature menopause or pre menopause. My mum was also 43 when she started on hrt. So I tried established sequi for five weeks and was feeling some benefit but the progesterone phase brought me down so I stopped. I understand the progesterone in this is notorious for causing problems. With depression and anxiety being my worst symptoms I have consulted a specialist and they have agreed to do Estrogen only for eight weeks to see if there is any improvement. I am using estradiol 100 and have been told there is better therapeutic benefit with this kind of depression. I also spoke with professor studd on the phone and his treatment is very similar to what I have been prescribed. I have only been on the patch a few days and it's hard to know if I feel better or worse. I know I need to give it a fair trial. My main concern is it will make me feel worse. My Estrogen levels are low normal for my age and last time they were tested were 220pmol. Every day is a struggle right now. I pray it improves soon and am so grateful for these forums. X
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CLKD

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Re: World turned upside down over night
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2015, 10:13:47 PM »

 :welcomemm:  keep a food/mood diary and make notes.  Your symptoms seem to be 'within normal limits' - read the menus, left of screen, make notes.  Trying to run a home and 2 young children must be tiring without menopause leaping out at you!

I had cold flushes when on Tamoxifen, so it is hormonal  ::) as well as itchiness, crashing fatigue …..

You have followed the 'right route', several ladies have had treatment with Prof Studd - I expect they will be along if not, do a search ;-).
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Alua197

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Re: World turned upside down over night
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2015, 10:16:23 PM »

Thanks. I just rang professor studds office after finding his research and we had a ten minute chat he did not charge me basically said have your go read my papers. Was nice of him.
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CLKD

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Re: World turned upside down over night
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2015, 10:17:11 PM »

Have a browse round, ask away, no question is taboo ……..
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Briony

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Re: World turned upside down over night
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2015, 08:33:39 PM »

Hi - welcome!

If you read my previous posts, you will see that we have had quite a similar journey. I too am in my low 40s and started experiencing difficulties after pregnancy (well, miscarriage in my case). For two years no one associated my bizarre symptoms with hormones and I was pushed from one specialist to the next, getting more and more paranoid with each visit. Almost over night,  I went from being a pretty confident, sporty, 'busy' person to a gibbering wreck with no social life, scared of her own shadow and refusing to do anything but fester (often expecting to die any moment - and that's the woman who hadn't been to the GPs for seven years previously!). It wasn't until a doctor spotted my estrogen was averaging 40pmol that a hormonal connection was made and eventually, I was offered HRT.

I won't lie - it has not been plain sailing and I still have wobbles, but overall, HRT has eased my symptoms (especially the weird ones such as fatigue, nausea, itching, cold flushes, dizziness). I am so, so grateful to the experienced ladies on here who persuaded me to persevere when I wanted to give in and in the same way, that would be my advice to you: hang in there. What you do have to acknowledge is HRT isn't a miracle cure - you kind of have to find a 'new normal' and learn to appreciate the good days. The most reassuring thing of all is knowing, whatever the issue, whatever the time of day,  you have people on here who will listen, understand, advise and never judge.
 - Sometimes I reckon I'd have been sectioned if it wasn't for these guys    ;) 
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Alua197

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Re: World turned upside down over night
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2015, 09:13:38 PM »

Thanks for replying. My Estrogen not that low but I think it's low for me. I have only been on current regime a week. I had a terrible night of insomnia last night, even sleeping pills don't help on the bad nights! I know I must be patient. Just when you have
Bad days or nights you think the hrt is to blame.
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Briony

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Re: World turned upside down over night
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2015, 10:37:13 PM »

I know just what you mean. I had one day of the jitters (about a week in) and nearly threw the patches away. Now realise it was (hopefully) just an initial adjustment, but that didn't help me at the time! X
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Kathleen

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Re: World turned upside down over night
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2015, 11:09:02 AM »

Hello Alua197 and welcome to the forum.

I know I say this a lot but I do recognise a lot of what you say, menopausal symptoms hit me like a train and I struggled to adjust.

I am pleased to see that you are getting help and I hope you find a regime that works for you.

Take care and keep posting.

K.
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Cassie

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Re: World turned upside down over night
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2015, 11:48:56 AM »

Welcome...I went through prem menopause @ 38. Dr put me on birth control pill but when I turned 40 I went onto the Oestrogel 2 pumps a day and using the Utrogestan 100mg for 12 days per month (this is imperative if you have a uterus). Have never looked back, you will be fine. Am now 50 and still on same routine and dont intend to stop anytime soon. 200 is low I went up to 600 on the oestrogel, that is an good circulating oestrogen level where you should function like a human...give it a chance on the patches or swap to the gel if its easier but do get some progesterone to take as well all the best.
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Alua197

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Re: World turned upside down over night
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2015, 08:52:35 PM »

Thanks cassie. My Estrogen has been as low as 85pmol. It's only been a week on the patches and specialist said two months to notice a difference and it will be gradual. Lots of advice suggests a change in Estrogen dose can be difficult for the body initially. I slept last night so I'm grateful for that!
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CLKD

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Re: World turned upside down over night
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2015, 10:58:54 AM »

Your body doesn't get where it is suddenly so easing into 'new' treatment is important.  Keeping a mood/food diary can chart any changes etc..  Keep posting!
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