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[toothbrush]

hi everyone,  just coming to end of my first 3 months on elleste duet and finding the side effects starting to outweigh the benfits
first month was fine , but flushes didnt really stop till second month.  so much improved on that front and my sleeping is much better too.......but 2nd month breasts were really sore and huge! and they are big enough already  .  worst thing is i have put on 8lbs - really unhappy about that as had worked hard to get a stone off before starting the hrt.  craving sweet things and carbs dreadfully. feel constantly bloated. and for the last 3 mornings have woken up with headache.  last month on the green tablets i was like short tempered woman from hell - like pmt symtoms 90% of the time.  will it all settle or should i look at something different - feel like just accepting the hot flushes and sleepless nights again 

[Hurdity]

Hi toothbrush

Sorry to hear about the side efects - the point of HRT is generally to feel better overall so if the side effects are making you feel worse then if you can bear to try it another month see if they settle.

If not then it's time to try another preparation. Unfortunately the progestogen in that type - norethisterone - is notorious for causing some unpleasant side effects in some women - and perhaps has caused the bloating. Tablet HRT maye also give rise to more side effects too.

Another tablet HRt which many women prefer because the progestogen is closer to our own, is Femoston, so you might think of switching to this one if Elleste really doesn't suit you.

Other than that patches might be the way to go - but there are only two combi patches - one of which (Evorel sequi/conti) also contains norethisterone.

Are you on conti HRT or the cyclical one? If the progestogen does disagree with you then the downside is that you will be getting side effects all the time too! Many of us prefer to keep on wiht a cycle (ie have a bleed) even when post-menopausal so that taking the progestogen is limited to 2 weeks at the most.

Hurdity x

[Briony]

Hi, if you look back at my previous posts you will see that I have nearly given in on several occasions. I am now coming to the end of month three and have to say, overall, I now realise I am better off with it than without. I use Evorel patches and Utrogestan (vaginally, to lessen side effects). I do seem to get random days of yuckiness - mainly fatigue/dizziness, headaches, nausea or anxiety  (perhaps when my own cycle is playing up) but I am certainly no longer considering giving in and going back to nothing. Even if I stop HRT, it will be to try something else, not to stop altogether. I am very grateful to the ladies on here for keeping me going! (I'm naturally very impatient!). x

PS Had the same problem with boobs. That's eased too, except just before my period.

[toothbrush]

Hi thank you for your help.I shall definitely look into trying something different and let you know what my doctor suggests. Just feel rather fat and miserable but getting a good nights sleep!  . My scales say my water level is low so that might be making the headaches . More water ,more exercise and Healthy food lol x