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[jayneaddo]

Hi everyone

I am 51 and been post menopausal for 8 years. Have been taking femosten conti for 7 years. Then in 2012 added vagifem to this as having lots of increased bladder problems( interstitial cystitis) and last year my gynaecologist prescribed estradot 25 mcg. Three weeks ago I started bleeding and just before that felt very bloated. My bleeding is decreasing but my stomach pain is increasing by the day.
I went to see the GP who referred me for scan, and I also managed to get hold of the gynaecologist who prescribed the estradot and had an emergency scan on Friday. He told me that I have fibroids but couldn't tell if they were in or outside the womb. The rest of my womb lining was thin. He suggested we wait and see what happens or come off HRT.
I had small fibroids when I was peri and again with another scan in 2011 so think this gro wth is recent of the fibroid. I had such awful symptoms before HRT I don't really want to come off it if I can help it. I also seem to have pressure in my rectum and more frequent bowel movements with occasional diarrhoea.
I was considering going to see a gynaecologist privately and thought of nick Panay.
My scan appointment from the GP has also come through for next week and I thought I might see what shows on that, although not sure another scan is helpful.
Sorry for long post.

[babyjane]

Hi jayneaddo, you sound worried and rightly so, I would be too. In fact I was when I had similar symptoms to yours a few years back, minus the bleeding as I had a hysterectomy when I was 38.  It was the change in bowel movements that worried me and my GP referred me to the gastroenterologist who gave me a colonoscopy not because he thought there was anything amiss but to reassure me. I can never thank him enough because it showed my colon was completely clean and healthy and he diagnosed me with irritable bowel and haemorrhoids. The symptoms were stress related as they reappear when I am under stress but I felt so much better to know it was not something serious.

I hope you can get similar reassurance to make you feel better about things.

[Hurdity]

Hi jayneaddo

Sorry to hear about your problems and I am actually very surprised that the gynaecologist prescribe Estradot 25 in addition to the Femoston conti without any additional progestogen to protect the womb.

As it turns out the extra oestrogen has stimulated your fibroid to grow. It is good that they are following this up because you would not want to have extra oestrogen for a long time without extra progestogen. However it is good that your lining has remained thin despite this - but not that the fibroid has grown!

Hopefully you will get the answer soon - and of course do mention all your symptoms to the doctor - hopefully you will remain under the care of the gynaecologist and if s/he doesn't do so I would raise the issue about progestogen. It may be that they suggest a Mirena coil which will keep the lining thin and then you can take as much oestrogen as you need - but it also depends on what is advised re treating the fibroid and how large it is.

Do keep us posted and good luck with your appointment - but you shouldn't need to see someone privately!

Hurdity x

[jayneaddo]

Thanks baby Jane and hurdity.

Well I have taken a brave decision and removed my patch. I always worried that the extra oestrogen would cause problems. It might not be enough to reverse anything but worth a try. When it was prescribed I had lost a lot of weight and therefore my own oestrogen had dropped, put a stone back on though so reckon it will all balance out now.
I tried the mirena before but not with a good result, think I might be sensitive to progesterone . Going to contact gynaecologist tomorrow again about it all.
I am just about to be made redundant so can do without this I must say. Hence going private for advice as I thought might speed it all up.
Might try e mail to Dr currie as well.

[Hurdity]

Just to add that you may well need the extra oestrogen (to control symptoms?) but just that in my (non-expert) opinion I would have thought you would need extra progestogen as well, if you are having additional oestrogen. ie I wasn't suggesting you should stop the extra oestrogen....

You may well find that your symptoms ie flushes return if you reduce your oestrogen dose abruptly like this. Personally I would carry on with your current regime until you have seen the doctor/gynaecologist - another few weeks is unlikely to make any difference re adverse effects I wouldn't have thought, and your doc next week will advise on your next course of action. However Nick Panay is one of the top gynaes.

I had a consultation with Dr Currie last year and her response was great.

Hope this sounds OK!

Hurdity x

[jayneaddo]

Hi All

I rang the clinic for Nick Panay today who is fully booked until 26 January!!! Just like the NHS but private. Very busy man.
Still seem okay without the patch other than a bad headache.
Think I'll search around for another gynae to go and see. Any Ideas?

[Dancinggirl]

If you are London based there are NHS menopause clinics.  When I lived in north London I went to quite a good one in Edgware if it's still going. 
Way back when I was first peri meno in my late 30s I went to the Amarant Trust : http://www.self-help.org.uk/directory/womens-health/?entryid54=30672&p=6
I'm not sure whether this charity still offers clinic appointments.
I think there are links to meno clinics on this site.

DG x

[jayneaddo]

Hi there
I thought I would give an update. Headaches have worn off after removing patch but bleeding has increased a lot. Had ultrasound on Thursday and womb lining is 9 mm and uneven. I am having a hysteroscopy next Friday.

This makes me very nervous as I have had two before and both were unpleasant. Still I need to know. I hope whatever it is that I don't have to stop the rest of my HRT but need to research just in case.

Anyone using natural remedies? I have started taking higher nature menophase.

[jayneaddo]

Hi there

Well it continues. Bloody GP who has removed vagifem from my repeat. The discussion I had was about stopping my patch. That has gone as well but I am ok with that. My gynaecologist said to continue with vagifem no matter what as I have such a bad bladder condition. Gp removed this with no discussions 😪

Why do they make it so difficult. Another call to be made Monday

[sharon1958]

I'm in a similar to boat to you at the moment so I totally sympathise on the worrying part! I'm due to have a hysteroscopy tomorrow morning and a bit nervous about it too. Also had bleeding and was advised to come off HRT for the time being which I did a month ago. I have to say that I am coping better than I thought. I'm getting flushes but I just tell myself they will ease after a bit and they do. Still getting palpitations at night but again I just try and breathe slowly and they pass. Still not pleasant though. I'm trying Menopace and magnets - I reckon they can't do any harm. Time will tell of course if I stay off it full stop!
I also had a colposcopy a few weeks ago with a punch biopsy as there was some concern on the ultrasound. A very worrying 2 weeks until I phoned up for the result which thankfully was fine. My lining is also 9mm hence the hysteroscopy tomorrow.
I hope you get on ok and that the bleeding is nothing more than from the medication. Let us know how you get on.

Sharon

[purplenanny]

Good luck for tomorrow sharon1958, hope it won't be too bad
PN x x

[jayneaddo]

Sharon 58

I hope it all goes well for you tomorrow. I fully empathise with what you are facing. Do let me know how you get on. I am just hoping that my body sorts it out and it's just one of those things. Our bodies can be so complicated at times.

I shall think of you tomorrow.
Best wishes
Jayne

[sharon1958]

Thanks PN and Jayne. I was told it should be less uncomfortable than having the colposcopy so fingers crossed!
I'd been on HRT for 7 years so the gynae I saw thought it was long enough or suggested trying a Mirena coil with estrogen gel but I'll see how I cope in the meantime. I'm pleased at least it's winter time now!

Sharon

[CLKD]

Who is the GP trying to protect  ……….. if you have Vagifem I would continue using it - after all a Gynae usually knows more than a GP otherwise 

Don't add anything else to the mix though and by the way, if 'alternative' or 'natural' preparations worked, they would be available on the NHS 

[jayneaddo]

Hi there

Most recent update. Spoke with GP who has put my vagifem back on repeat. Another hurdle overcome. Still bleeding heavily though. Roll on Friday when I might get some answers.

Thanks for all your support.
Jayne xx