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[Annaaustria]

Hi, I am English and live in Austria and have had such trouble with getting advice in German I thought I'd come on here. 54, I was diagnosed with Hashimotos hypothyroidism in 2008 and high cholesterol too, which seems under control. In 2013 I needed a partial hysterectomy due to my cervix falling to bits and causing such pain. Treatment was brilliant and I made a good recovery. BUT no one warned me of the side effects. I suffered from horrible palpitations for the first year,crying and panic attacks. These may have been acerbated by sleeping pills which I stopped as soon as I realised they might have an effect. The gynecologist said I should try two months of oestrogen- he always insisted I was having flushes which is one thing I've never had- I just run warm which is no bad thing in this climate!!! I lasted 4 days, because I felt so ill, (although my sex life briefly returned!!!!) All the symptoms returned but slowly subsided.I couldn't see how this would work really, it was feeding the body with oestrogen and taking it away after, so the symptoms surely would have returned anyway.  Now I've started what I understand is called aphasia, where I say the wrong words, sometimes I'm aware and sometimes not. I have to work so hard at concentrating when I speak that I'm shunning company. This  followed me going back to work temporarily teaching-nothing wrong with the concentration and words then!  The palpitations are back-but baby ones. I get my heart beating fast, which usually follows too many carbs in the evening, so I'm trying to watch that. I feel so low, sick of my body changing and not feeling myself and on edge. Do I give in and ask for HRT permanently and try the oestrogen again - maybe a lower dose, it was 1 mg. I'm watching my diet a bit more and trying to exercise each day. Is this ever going to end? Anyone else out there feeling the same? Just to chat with someone in the same boat would be great!

[Kathleen]

Hello Annaaustria and welcome to the forum.

Everything you say sounds like the work of the dreaded menopause to me even the aphasia, although in my case I have phases when all words desert me, not just the wrong ones!

There are many knowledgeable women on this site so you will receive lots of help and advice, you are not alone.

Take care and keep posting.

K.   

[Limpy]

Welcome Annaaustria



Yep - the aphasia is delightful isn't it.
I started using HRT because I felt so bleugh - like you I didn't have huge problems with flushes - more running warm.
HRT has helped me a lot, just feeling more "with it"

BTW - There's lots of information in the menus on  the left hand side of the screen.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome Annaaustria
I lived in Linz, Austria for 3 years back in the 70s - I was part of the ballet company at the Landestheater.
I'm not completely clear about what you had removed  - do you still have your uterus?
I'm assuming not, in which case your can just use oestrogen and this can really help all the meno symptoms.  I had a premature meno which started in my 30s so have been on HRT most of the time since then - I'm now 58.  My doctors insisted I try a break without HRT for a time in the autumn of 2013 and I coped reasonable well but suffered the same types of symptoms as you. The palpitations would happen at random times, even if I was sitting quietly having a rest.  My sleep was very disturbed with the inability to control my body temperature. I dreaded going out in the sunshine as I over heated dreadfully.
I have now been back on HRT for the last 6 weeks and really feel I've got my life back.

When you tried oestrogen before maybe it was too high a dose too quickly.  I've used Oestrogel for most of my HRT treatment and you can adjust the dose yourself, starting with just one pump each day and then increasing until you feel really good. When I went back on HRT this time my gynae suggested I start with just one pump per day for 2 weeks and then increase to 2 pumps per day.  I have actually gone down to one and half pumps per day as this seems to be enough to keep everything ticking over nicely.  You may find that one pump per day does the trick.
I hadn't realised how tired and fuzzy I was feeling without HRT till I went back on and now feel full of energy and getting some quality sleep is wonderful.   
I'm sure they will do the Oestrogel in Austria - it is made in Europe - so I would ask for this and start really low to avoid side effects. DGx

[Annaaustria]

Hi Dancing girl- I'm not sure if I've got the reply thing correct, I thought I'd be able to reply to each comment, I'll see. I had the entire uterus removed as it was full of blood and the cervix wasn't working during my periods-yuck!

Your comment about Oestrogel may be right, trouble is you can get very litttle in Austria without a prescription so I'll have to go back to the same gynaecologist again! I have improved since the op, I am sleeping better and have a bit more energy, but it seems as fast as I've got my head around one symptom another rears its head, will it ever end!!!

Its done me no end of good just to find out I'm not alone with getting my mords wuddled!!!
Thanks!

[Annaaustria]

Thanks also to Limpy and Kathleen, I'n not alone!

[Limpy]

You definitely are not alone 

[Hurdity]

Hi Annaaustria

 

Hurdity x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi again annaaustria
You can't get HRT without prescription in the UK either.
Whether you try some Oestrogel or not is a personal choice but it may be worth trying if your symptoms persist to see if it helps.  Having said this, you sound as though you are coping quite well generally. It may take some time for your hormones to bottom out and for your body to adjust to the lack of oestrogen - unfortunately nobody can tell you how long that will take as it is different for everyone.
It is good to look at diet and lifestyle to see what helps.  I take Omega 3 oils and Vitamin D3 and a good multi vitamin alongside a good diet and lots of brisk walking.
Keep posting and let us know how you get on.  DG x

[Annaaustria]

Thanks DG!!!!

May I ask why you take the D3? I was advised to take it after last winter, and my levels were ok by the end of the summer. My calcium and bones are ok. Does D3 also have a role in menopause?

I've had such a boost with these replies. What I have to do is decide, do I buckle under and take the oestrogen or wait it out. There is so much conflicting information about!  I'm off now to see what the forums say on this!

Linz is a lovely city! I live right out in the sticks from Salzburg.

Liebe Grüßen!

[Dancinggirl]

Ah! Salzburg is beautiful.  I haven't been back since I left Austria back in 1978. Linz wasn't so great back then as the smog used to be terrible in winter.
The risks concerning HRT have been greatly misinterpreted over the years.  I believe the breast cancer risks are actually lowered for women who have had a hysterectomy and taking oestrogen only! In other words the research has shown that women without a uterus are less likely to get breast cancer if they use oestrogen!
The research is being constantly reviewed and it is now thought that 5 years of HRT in your 50s can offer good protective elements for your bones and heart.  In your case, if you find the right dosage of oestrogen there is no reason why you can't take it for the rest of your life, provided you don't develop health issues that prevent this.
It is quite unusual to get a bad reaction to oestrogen but taking it orally can be an issue.  This is why I would suggest the Oestrogel as it is absorbed through the skin and doesn't go through the liver.  You apply it either morning or evening to your arms or thighs.

Here is just one website that tells you about Vitamin D - there are many more.
http://www.vrp.com/bone-and-joint/vitamin-d3-higher-doses-reduce-risk-of-common-health-concerns
I used to teach a dance class and I had 2 GPs in my class.  We were chatting after the class one evening when the topic of Vit D came up.  They prescribed Vitamin D to patients who were suffering with fatigue and were mildly depressed.  They recommended we all to take Vit D during the winter.  The only good source of Vitamin D is sunshine and many of us don't get enough - particularly in winter.
If you eat plenty of oily fish then you may not need Omega 3 but you need to eat oily fish at least twice a week to get enough.
I suspect you may feel much perkier, as I do now, if you try a little Oestrogel - I was coping without HRT but I realise now how fuzzy headed I was and lacking in energy.
Keep posting  Dg x

[Annaaustria]

Thanks DG,thanks I'll have a look at the link!  Yesterday, the body decided to chuck mild pmt symptoms at me ( I was only aware when my husband pointed out I was being nasty) then some breast tenderness which I haven't had for ages, but at least the anger has made the speech thing better and I feel less fuzzy in the head. What ho!  Have a great weekend- we're expecting a huge storm here tonight but its so mild I expect it'll bring rain not snow!!!