Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Jaz]

Hi Ladies

I have started a new topic for this as would like to hear from as many of you as possible. I had a hysterectomy about 6 years ago and still have ovaries, I am now 52.. I stated Elleste solo 2mg coming up to a year ago with great results. My symptoms were mainly anxiety/palpations, low mood, sleep problems and aching limbs and lack of appetite. All my symptoms disappeared within a few weeks. However recently they have come back with a vengeance except for joint aches.

I was told my ovaries would eventually stop producing oestrogen over time and my Meno nurse said it maybe I have gone from peri menopause into menopause hence the return of symptoms and perhaps we could consider  increasing my dose of HRT. I am finding it hard to manage any kind of stress and have tried to motivate myself to exercise which nurse advised and went for jog today but doesn't help that I have lost my appetite again so affects energy levels and losing weight! My BMI is healthy otherwise but BP has increased
 a bit.
Can someone suggest if increasing the dosage may help and if so what would still be a safe dose or do I need to change to other forms of HRT, although I have to say tablet form has suited me well. I wont be able to speak to Meno nurse now till after holidays but having a terrible Easter break and feel desperate. Part of me feels like just taking an extra tablet but I know need to speak to Meno Clinic first.
Has anyone taken a higher dose after having a blip like this or been advised to with good or bad results?
Would really welcome hearing from you...cant believe I am doing this instead of enjoying the lovely weather 
Jaz x

[Anjia]

I have had this problem going from 1 to 2mg I had bad leg cramps so am now on patches but finding it difficult to get a balance I like you am so fed up with it. I am supposed to change my patch today but am not going to as tomorrow I will feel wretched this is what is happens I had my hysterectomy sixteen months ago.

[Sarah2]

Hi

Sorry you are feeling down.

It wouldn't be sensible to take 4mgs of oestrogen.
The highest dose in tablet form is 2mgs, though with Oestrogel you can use the maximum which would be 3 mgs daily. Not sure about patches.

I think the advice you have had is pointing along the right lines- HRT will help but may not be the complete solution in itself which is why other measures like lifestyle changes will possibly help. It's a bit chicken and egg but if you can manage to stick at some exercise for 4-6 weeks then you might start to feel the benefits- no need to jog- a really brisk walk for 30-45 minutes will help.

Meno is really a time when we can't get away with all the things we used to - so exercise and a good diet are really important to work alongside HRT.

I'd def talk to the clinic but wouldn't suggest you double your dose. It just might have adverse effects.

[Jaz]

Hi

Thanks for that. I have heard women mention they take 2mg in the morning and 1mg in the evening wonder if that would work. Also just a thought but could it even be I have too much oestrogen now in my body from HRT that is causing me to have theses symptoms? What is oestrogen dominance? I have heard women talk about. Sorry for my ignorance. 

jaz

[Sarah2]

Whose care are these women under? If they are taking 3mgs oestrogen then a dr should be monitoring this because they will need their prescription more often.

My personal advice to you would be to swap to Oestrogel - then you can try out different doses by yourself- it starts at 1 pump which is 0.75mgs, and you can use up to 4 pumps which is 3mgs.

Personally, I don't go for this 'oestrogen dominance' idea which I don't think has any scientific basis: meno symptoms are caused by loss of oestrogen- though in peri they 2 hormones can be out of balance due to daily fluctuations.

I'd still reiterate what I posted before- that HRT is not the 'be all and end all' of treating menopausal symptoms- there is evidence that a change in diet ( cutting out refined carbs, caffeine, alcohol and 'junk' food) and eating well, along with regular exercise can really make a difference too.

Sorry- not a lecture- just saying that HRT doesn't always do it all!

[Suzyq]

Hyster sisters has a good list of symptoms for too much/too little of both estrogen and progesterone. I felt bad with low estrogen but also with high estrogen too! I also feel awful with no progesterone! We have only found all of this out by looking at symptoms and I also have frequent blood levels done. I am pretty constant at the moment with a reduced dose of estrogen and a daily dose of progesterone! I know lots don't put stock in blood tests but I am not comfortable guessing about levels, causes so we use them to guide our next actions! Just some things to think about ...

[sweettooth]

Hi Jaz, i am also 52 (total hyster few yrs ago) i used to be on 100mcg patch but this past 1 - 2years i cannot tolerate that amount.  When my estrogen was too much i felt awful, tired, racing heart etc.  The annoying thing is that the symptoms of too much are similar to too little

You could try lowering before you go up?  x