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[jessmet]

Hi
I'm 25 and had premature menopause due to chemo and radiotherapy.  Ive been on hrt for over a year, I had been having regular bleeds, up untill now. I knew when they were going to happen to the day but I'm having a bleed only 2 weeks after my last one. But this one feels like the ones I used to have, like a proper period. I'm having head aches, really bad period pains and a painful lower back, and having a heavier bleed than the ones I've been having on the tablets.
Is this normal? Shall I go to the doctors? 
Thanks in advance. X

[carrs]

Hi jess
Sorry to hear you have been having all those problems.

It does sound like a normal period that has broken through. Do you think it could be due to missing some of your HRT or not taking it regularly enough? Or have you been sick so it was not absorbed? Maybe you need a stronger dose?

[Dancinggirl]

Hi jessmet and welcome to MM
You've obviously had a tough time - I hope we can give you support here at MM.
You don't say what HRT you are on so it's difficult for us to advice. I was peri menopausal from my mid 30s & I had quite bad period type pains and headaches with the withdrawal bleeds when on Sequential HRT.  You are getting break through bleeds when you shouldn't which could indicate some hormone imbalance. It would probably be a good idea to see the doctor to be checked out.
It's well worth reading through all the info under the headings to the left of this screen.
Have you had advice from a gynaecologist or menopause clinic? You are going to be on HRT for a long time and you need to find the right HRT that suits you. Some specialist advice would be appropriate - GPs are not usually qualified or experienced in managing premature menopause.
Tell us more about yourself. Hopefully others will be along with thoughts and advice.
DG x

[Wombat]

Hi Jessmet

Could you speak to the clinical nurse specialist who helped you through your chemo ? They often have answers to these questions.....or your gynaecologist perhaps ?

Let us know how you get on, everyone is really supportive on this site

Wombat x

[jessmet]

Thank you for your quick replies.  I'm on prempac c, the lower dose one. I was on the higher dose but I was putting on so much weight with it my g.p changed me to a lower dose. I've only seen my g.p who prescribed the hrt after a blood test. I had scans done about 8 months ago that showed that there was 'no activity', thats how they explained it, when I was going to have ivf treatment. 
I'm really struggling with the fact that this has happened to me and still don't really know anything about it.

[Wombat]

Hi Jessmet,  have you considered some counselling support to help you through all the enforced changes. Macmillan could help with this......

Wombat x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi jessmet
So sorry to hear your story - it must be so hard to deal with.
There are a number of things that you need to consider but I really think you need to get advice from an HRT specialist - a gynae or meno clinic.  I think you've been left in the air not really knowing what's going on. If you are not producing eggs then egg donation may be an option for you.  Definitely ask for a referral to a recommended gynaecologist who can explain your options and look at you holistically.
You've been given one of the older types of HRT and there are so many out there to try - you may have to kiss a few HRT frogs before you try the HRT Prince; I certainly did.
Femiston is very well tolerated by many women as the progesterone in it is kinder.  It comes in two strengths so you could try the low dose first.
Wombat is right - you should have been offered some counselling to help you through this.
Keep asking us questions - we're here to help.
DG xxx

[Hurdity]

Hi jessmet and  from me too.

So sorry to hear about your health problems.

I agree with Dancinggirl - you really need specialist advice at your age particularly. Personally I think you need a much higher dose if you are not producing any oestrogen of your own - but I would actually change type from Prempak which is a rather old-fashioned type of HRT (and happens to be the cheapest).

It is better to take the oestrogen which is the same as in our own bodies ie estradiol. All the other HRT types have this as the oestrogen component (sometimes as oestradiol valerate). The main thing also is to try to find a progestogen that agrees with you. You could try Femoston but to achieve higher levels it may be that you would need either oestrogen patches or gel, with separate progestogen - the most "natural" is Utrogestan-  but some women find that it has too much of a sedative effect.

It is worth pushing for a referral as you are going to be on HRT for long time and you want to get it right so that you can feel as well as possible.

Yes - go to the docs!

Hurdity x

Edit - dancinggirl and I posted at the same time - but we are along the same lines!!

[jessmet]

Thank you ladies.
Quick update. I went down the doctors on friday, sat up there for an hour and a half, for the doctor to say 'what do you want me to do about it'. I got to work and I almost passed out, I felt really dizzy and got the shakes. They sent me straight up the hospital. They did a urine sample but no bloods. The doctor was furious at what my g.p said and sent them a letter saying that I need to be referred. I have an appointment to see my g.p on tuesday.
I'm feeling better but I'm on my 9th day of bleeding and getting head aches and bad period pains.
Hopefully things will be sorted soon.

[carrs]

Hi Jess

Glad you are going to get some specialist advice eventually - your GP will refer you, though should have done so before now. It's obvious the HRT you are taking is not suiting you.

I think many GP's do not know about these issues - I know the ones I go to do not, and I am regularly asked - "what do you want me to do?". I say what I want, but then I worry they are not advising me about anything. I guess they can't be experts in everything, so their job is to make referrals when they should.

You have experience of coping with different medical clinics, so you will be able to get the right help. Hope you feel better soon.

[jessmet]

I went and saw my g.p. I still haven't been referred but she is sending me for an urgent scan. Not had an appointment through yet tho. She's not keen on changing my hrt either as apparently the one I'm on is better because of my age and circumstances.  I feel like I'm not being taken seriously. 

[Wombat]

Hi Jessmet,

If your in the UK you should get your scan appointment within 2 weeks.

Keep pushing....big hug

Wombat x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Jessmet
I don't think you have told us what hormones you've been given? It's good you are being sent for a scan but I really think you need some specialist advice for the management of your hormones. Can you find out if there is a menopause clinic in your area? You GP should be referring you - I'm afraid one needs to be quite assertive about these things - could you take a friend or your mother with you for back up. Sometimes the doctors only take notice when somebody is there as a witness then they are forced to do the right thing.
Keep a diary as well- how you feel each day - what symptoms you are getting etc.
Keep posting - you've been through so much you deserve to have your hormones in balance so you can get on with your life.  DG x

[jessmet]

Hi.
I went for my scan and they told me there that they found a cyst in my left overy, but it's not that that's causing my problems.  Got an appointment to see my gp on Thursday to talk about what to do next. Will get her to send me to a specialist as I'm getting worried now. I want to go for ivf eventually and I need to be having regular cycles with bleeds which I was having, but haven't had anything since that big one that lasted 12 days. I've missed 2 regular ones now. I hope that makes sense?

[Dancinggirl]

Hi jessmet
You really need to be referred to a specialist who will explain what is happening and what your options are. If you are on Prempac c this is a very low dose HRT and if your oestrogen levels have dropped because your ovaries are no longer producing enough oestrogen as a result of the chemo etc then you would probably need a higher dose of HRT to be able to have a cycle.
Alternatively you could be producing some oestrogen naturally which could also affect your cycle.  You need a full assessment of hormone levels etc. and advice about your options regarding IVF.  Good luck - keep us posted.  DG x