Print

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

[CJ-sleepless]

Hi everyone! I'm new here.  Had hysterectomy (kept ovaries) 10 years ago for endometriosis (I'm now 48).  Recently started menopausal symptoms, hot flushes being the most troublesome and brain fog! Not sleeping and driving me crazy.  I've been prescribed premique combined (because of endometriosis).  I have a couple of questions already.  I've read it's made from the urine of pregnant horses -eww- not sure I like the idea - any thoughts? Also, I take St johns wort as I've found it works miracles with my psoriasis, but I've read it interacts with hrt - anyone know in what way?

Thanks in advance, off to read all the info here
Chris

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM CJ-sleepless
Do read up all the info under the headings to the left of this screen.  I suggest you try Femoston as it has the kinder progesterone and the oestrogen is bio identical so is well tolerated by many women.  Unfortunately many GPs still prescribe Premique as it's what they are used to prescribing and it is the cheapest!!!
I would check with your GP whether you can continue with St John's wort - it is a drug and is often contraindicative with many other drugs - I believe it can stop some drugs from working.  Many people think that herbs you can buy over the counter are natural and therefore safe but this is often not the case. 
Psoriasis is difficult to deal with - HRT often improves the skin as it restores the collagen - again ask your GP for advice about this. Many prescribable drugs are derived from plants. Everyone needs to be very careful about taking any remedy without professional advice.
Sleep usually improves with HRT and as your body adjusts this may happen.
Perhaps get your thyroid checked as well?
DG x
 

[CJ-sleepless]

Thanks for the reply and the welcome!  My GP knows I'm taking SJW so surprised she didn't mention it!  I'll perhaps mention the Femostan and see what she says - she's generally very helpful GP I'm lucky!  Fingers crossed the psoriasis improves with the HRT - nothing else has really helped - the SJW seems to make it less red - I imagine from its anti-inflammatory properties - but I guess I can manage without it if need be.  Thyroid was checked a little while ago so I know that's ok - about the only thing that is lol

[Dancinggirl]

Lack of sleep is a torture and creates a lot of stress.  Skin conditions are often triggered by stress and if HRT makes you feel better generally then this may help your skin as well.
DG x

[Hurdity]

Hi CJ-sleepless

 

My gynae GP told me that taking St John's Wort with HRT won't actually do you any harm but might make the HRT less effective because the compounds in it bind to the oestrogen receptors - or something similar.

I haven't looked into this myself but she recommended it for low libido but I am generally sceptical of treatments like this that haven't been developed and made available under safe and licensed doses for us all - but after Christmas I will read about it and lokk at the evidence/what trials have been done ....

Hurdity x

[CJ-sleepless]

Thanks everyone - interested in your comment Hurdity about libido - another problem    I'm going to give the Premique a go since I've already picked it up from the chemist - if no improvement I'll ask about the Femoston.  So glad I found this site, so much info and all of it useful!  I like to be an informed patient.  I wonder how long I should give this Premique as a fair trail?  I've not much idea how long it will take to "kick in" so to speak.  Thank you everyone for making me so welcome - great to know I'm not alone 

[Smokey]

Hi CJ-sleepless

I think the docs like you to try a HRT for three months to see if it's going to work for you and then try another if it doesn't x

[CJ-sleepless]

Well the hot flushes have improved but still not sleeping terribly well and my boobs are now sore - forgotten what that was like!  Almost finished first month so I guess I'll have to try a little longer before I can try something else 

[Nicky Vaughan]

Hi there CJ Sleepless - Im new here too ! Have been reading your post and its nice to see your GP is helpful with the HRT - wish mine was , Ill be trying to get an appointment with a female in due course , who hopefully has better knowledge !
I dont suffer with hot flushes too much , I wish I did as I feel better when I have them to be honest , head clears and have a rush of energy and feel good factor - I get more of a cold flush which makes me feel pretty rotten and shaky - anyone else have these more so than the hot ones ? I wonder what causes the cold ones ??
Good luck with your treatment and hope the sore boobs improve too - Ive forgotten that bit too , its been so long as Im two years+ post meno .
Take care .

[CJ-sleepless]

I'm getting more confused every day - the flushes are better, but I'm feeling much more weepy than before - I wonder if its the HRT?  Also having a lot more aches and pains - I suffer with a shoulder problem which has got worse and now a very sore coccyx - no idea if its connected to the HRT or just coincidence.  Due to see my GP next week for a "how you getting on with it" type appointment and I just don't know what to think - how on earth do you know what causes what! Are joint pains part of menopause?  Sorry so many questions - I feel I need to be organised before seeing the GP again as they have so little time!  Just feeling incredibly low

[Dancinggirl]

Hi CJ-sleepless
As an ex dancer my joints are a real problem.  I swear by Omega 3 and vitamin D.
Plenty of walking is also essential to keep things moving.  I doubt your aches a pins are to do with HRt but definitely to do with the menopause.  The HRt should eventually help with joint aches etc but it takes time.
The weepy stuff could also be to do with winter and lack of Vit D.
Keeping active its important but I do believe the body needs these extra supplements together with a good diet.
DG x

[Dorothy]

Hi,

I have had psoriasis for 16 years and have found some soaps that really help - glycerine based ones with lavender or chamomile essential oils in them.  Might be worth trying.  I'm not sure who makes the ones I use, but things like that are available in many places.  I've also found aqueous BP cream helps with the soreness.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi CJ-sleepless
I've just looked back over your posts on this thread and realised you are on premique - this does have a progesterone that often gives women PMT type symptoms so it may be making you feel weepy.
I'm not sure whether you should be on a sequi HRt as well?
Perhaps go back and ask for Femoston 1/10 as the progesterone is kinder and there have a few ladies posting on here saying they feel really good on Femoston HRT.
I still think it's worth taking the Omega 3 and Vit D though.  DG x

[CJ-sleepless]

Thanks everyone for your support - I love this forum!  I am taking an omega 3 supplement (I'm allergic to fish so have to take a vegetarian one), but I'll take a look at the Vit D thing - interesting.  I'm seeing the GP next week, so will see if she will consider the Femoston - not sure what sequi HRT is?

[Dancinggirl]

Hi CJ-sleepless
Continuous HRT means you take oestrogen with progesterone all the time and will eventually result in there will being no bleed - there is often some bleeding or spotting during the first few weeks or months. You have been given the oldest type of continuous HRT and the hormones in this are not bio identical.  Most other HRT preparations have at least got bio identical oestrogen.  Many GPs are  used to prescribing Prempak and Premique so they tend to stick with what they know!!! When I first started HRT over 20 years ago I was given one these older type HRTs and got quite nasty PMT - I hasten to add though that many women too very well on these HRT types!!!!
Sequential (Sequi) HRT means there will be 2 phases within the regime - one that is oestrogen only for 2 weeks and then the 2nd phase is progesterone together with oestrogen for 12 -14 days. Just after the 2nd phase there will be a withdrawal bleed a bit like a period but often lighter and for a shorter time.
Sequi HRT is usually given during the peri menopause and for a couple of years into post meno.   Many women choose to continue with the sequi HRT (and put up with having a monthly bleed)to reduce the negative side effects of progesterone. Generally women find they do very well on oestrogen only and then the progesterone phase can give PMT type symptoms. There is a general move toward the more natural progesterones like Utrogestan that can bring fewer side effects.  Femoston has a progesterone that is close to our natural hormone and some women even find they feel better on the progesterone phase with this HRT!!!
We are all different and how our bodies respond to HRT will vary greatly.  The beauty of this forum is that many of us have experienced the different types of HRT and can offer suggestions as a result.
To find out more look under the heading: HRT Preparations to the left of this screen.
DG x