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[flossie fiddler]

Hello! Isn't it strange how the M symptoms creep up on you? I'm almost 49 and now I realise that they probably started a couple of years back. The night sweats, periods becoming irregular, loss of libido, metallic or salt tastes and burning feelings in my mouth, extreme fatigue etc. Had thyroid function checked twice over the last 2 years and it was normal.

I was another one of those who thought I would sail through the menopause, with a little help from natural remedies. But over the past 6 months the weight gain, vaginal dryness, feeling like I'm thinking through mud and the sleep disruption finally made me realise I needed a little more than Menopace and a pot of expensive natural hormone cream to get me through.

Saw the menopause specialist at my practice and she was great. Thinks HRT is a good thing. She did bloods to rule out any other causes for my symptoms. All was normal, apart from my blood platelets being slightly small in size (which she said was nothing to worry about) and my cholesterol is higher than it should be. I've been given a 2 month supply of Evorel Sequi, but was advised not to start using them until day 5 of my next period.  As my periods are so irregular now, I'm not sure what to do. My last proper one was Jan 2nd, and since then I've had slightly pink discharge for a couple of days on 13th Feb, and it started again yesterday. Should I class this as a period, and start using the patches in the next day or so?

Incidentally, some symptoms have improved loads in the last month, and I almost felt a fraud seeing the doc. However, I am one of those people who tends to be a bit gung-Ho about illness and sail through stuff, usually. But my dry mouth, vaginal dryness, joint pains are still there. Sleep is not too bad at the moment, but I'm guessing that as I'm still having periods, my hormones will be regulating some of the symptoms. I know when it was bad, it was really bad and I just felt so low and wanted to hibernate.

Sorry for the long post, but I'm so pleased that my doctor recommended this website. I've learned such a lot, and realised that a lot of symptoms I had were menopause related. It's really good to find that I'm not alone, and to learn how others are coping.

[Hurdity]

Hi Flossie Fiddler

 

Don't apologise for the long post especially as you are introducing yourself!

You already realise that it is difficult to time the start of a new monthly cycle when periods are irregular but sounds like your idea of starting now is a good one.

Here is what it says in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC)

Peri-menopausal women who are still having regular menstrual cycles and are not currently on HRT should start Evorel Sequi within 5 days of the start of bleeding. Peri-menopausal women with irregular menstrual cycles, for whom pregnancy has been excluded, can start Evorel Sequi at any time.

http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/15325/SPC

So when she said start on Day 5 - she should have said no later than Day 5. I would start when you like.

Re symptoms abating - this often happens to women when peri. Your symptoms come and go and oestrogen levels rise and fall. It happened to me. My periods stopped for a few months. I then started getting what eventually became flushes and sweats. Then they stopped (flushes) and I thought Woopee! Menopause over. What's all the fuss about - then I had another period (which is why the symptoms went). Not long after they returned with a vengeance and I have been on HRT, more or less, ever since - and not looked back!

I hope the patches work for you so that you don't feel so low again.

Hurdity x

[flossie fiddler]

Thanks for your reply, Hurdity.

I'm going to start the patches on Sunday morning (it works for me as I will change patches on a Wed evening, fits in with my work pattern). I'm not expecting miracles, and realise that there might be some trial and error involved before I find the right combination for me. And also realise that it might not work for me at all.

But anything is worth a go for better quality of life.

[honeybun]

Welcome from me to.

These were the patches I started on and am now on the conti version.
I change Saurday morning and Wed morning. Check your box...I just had a look and that's the change days.
I found them very good. Within two days my flushes had gone (although every one is different)  . I started sleeping better too.
I hope you find them as good as I did.

Honeyb
x

[flossie fiddler]

Thanks Honeybun. I just looked at the box and you're right. But I've decided I'm going to do one change in a morning and one at night so that it's closer to 3.5 days rather than 4 and 3, if that makes sense.

Are you on the conti because you're post M now? I'm new to all this HRT stuff.

[honeybun]

To be honest I really don't know where I am meno wise. I had been period free for about eight months when the flushes and insomnia got so bad. I was 48 at the time. GP gave me the sequi. I stayed on that for about two years and then started with cramping and spotting so I was changed to the conti.
It has worked for me. I am actually reducing now as I will be 54 this year and I do want to be on the smallest dose. I cut a bit off my patch and mostly I have symptom control.
I did try coming off but my symptoms returned so I am happy on a half patch meantime.


Honeyb
x

[Hurdity]

Hi Flossie

I do the same - for my Estradot patches I now do Friday morning and Mon eve ie every 3 1/2 days, though for years I did Fri eve...

Hurdity x