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[Heron]

Hello Ladies
I'm 55 and still having periods, although they are tailing off now - I've had maybe 4 this year. The flushes have started and I can cope with those - the mood swings, insomnia and loss of concentration are really having an effect on my life however. I hold quite a responsible position at work and I find I have to check everything twice in case I've made a mistake.
I visited the GP this morning (to my embarrassment I ended up in floods of tears, I'm mortified!) She was very sympathetic and kind - but seemed very young and also not very knowledgeable about HRT. I accepted a prescription for Elleste Duet 1mg, but when I got home there were no instructions in the box so I googled the product. 
Oh dear. Now I'm more confused than ever.
Is this the product for me? Some of the side-effects seem worse than the symptoms I'm experiencing now. I went to the GP because I'm feeling thoroughly miserable but the thought of heavy periods, raging PMT and hair loss is making me hesitate taking the tablets.
Should I have asked for anti-depressants instead?
(Just to add - things are a bit iffy at home at the moment and I'm not getting a lot of support from OH) Thanks for listening.

[tiger74]

Can't comment on the suitability of your prescribed medication as I'm not medically qualified.

However, as a patient/consumer, I did wonder whether, once things are a bit calmer a visit or phone call to the pharmacy whence it was dispensed would be worthwhile.  If they have dispensed a Prescription Only Medication without the patient information leaflet that it pretty irresponsible, especially as it was something you hadn't had previously.  Anyone can make a mistake but I wonder how many other POMs have been dispensed from there without the relevant PIL? 

If you're concerned about side-effects/efficacy/suitability is there a GP at your practice who may be more clued up with whom you could discuss your confusion?   

[warwick01]

Hi Tiger74

When I started my meno melt down I was given elleste 1mgi noticed a great improvement but did not get on wee with the progesterone. Its a case of suck it and see! not all women are the same and one size doesn't fit all.

I too had a very senior role and needed to function at work HRT saved my sanity and my job. That was 5 years ago, in a blip at mo and finished work a few weeks ago due to feeling so bad with meno.

As your still having periods u need the seqi HRT.

Take care W

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Heron
I know we should read the leaflets that come with any prescription but to be honest they should come with a health warning themselves.  Let's face it we wouldn't dare take the odd aspirin if we took too much notice of the enclosed leaflets!??
Your GP has given you a low dose HRT and though the progesterone in this preparation can give some MPT types symptoms for some women, it does suit may women very well.
I haven't experienced hair loss with any HRT preparation and I've had loads of different types of HRT over the 20 years I've used it.
I give the Elleste a go and see how you feel - you may be surprised how good you feel.  The first thing you may notice is that you start to sleep better which is so lovely.
If you find the progesterone bit doesn't suit you then try Femoston 1/10 as it contains a kinder progesterone that is tolerated very well by many women. 
Good luck. Keep us posted. DG x

[Heron]

Thank you for your responses ladies.
Work was a bit of an ordeal, but I'm reassured enough by your replies to give the HRT a go. I'll start tomorrow.
Fingers crossed 

[CLKD]

  …….. Is your OH worried about your symptoms etc.?  Perhaps you could print of the 'advice for husbands' from here 

Also our men-folk are not mind readers so you need to sit down and explain how you feel, that you are going to try treatment but it may be Trial and Error for a while. 

Always take a list to your GP - also the Pharamcists at chemists often have a private room for discussions if you have any queries. 

Have a read of menus, left of screen!

[Millykin]

I tried Elleste duet first it didn't suit me it was the progesterone part, so I waited few months got some advise on here and moved to Femoston 1/10 it's been great, took couple months but doing great now. Funnily enough CLKD it was my hubby that first suggested menopause, not because of moods or anything just the fact he was cold in bed and I was throwing covers off lol! Not bad for a guy brought up with all boys and mother who didn't know she had been through it! Says he knows me better than myself
X

[peegeetip]

Stick with it

It took me 6 months before period was back to near normal.
The first few HRT periods were "memorable" and did make me doubt I was doing the right thing.
The first few were longer and heavier than normal then it settled again.

Thankfully I stuck with HRT as some of the symptoms I was getting cleared up and my quality of life returned.

The side effects are different for each of us, just like any other drug.
Give things at least 6 months before deciding to move to another option.
My doc said 3 but that was really optimistic imho

The flush/sweats went away really quickly, some of the more embarrassing symptoms took longer but I got there in the end 

All the best and remember to come back and post how your getting on.

 

[Heron]

Thank you so much for your advice.
I hope I can report back soon considerably more bright eyed and bushy tailed!
x