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[Alua197]

Ladies, did any of you feel worse starting on hrt to begin with? I read somewhere that the first month can be awful? How long was it before you felt better? I'm on a new regime more Estrogen and feeling awful need some words of encouragement as want to give it a fair trial. I get the impression that many woman give up early and miss out on the benefits.

[carrs]

Hi Alua

It's a shame if you feel worse rather than better, but it's probably best to carry on for longer to give it a good try. It's hard sometimes to work out if you feel worse because the new dose is not working yet, if you have too much oestrogen, a different sort of progesterone which does not suit you so well; or if it is a coincidence and you are feeling bad for other reasons (cold, flu, hard week, your own cycle kicking in).

I have always found it hard to know what causes what.
You could keep a diary of symptoms and cycles to see if you can see any patterns emerging?

Take care

[Dancinggirl]

Hi  Alua197 and welcome to MM
It would be helpful to know a bit more about you e.g. age, where you are in the menopause and the symptoms you are trying to alleviate? What type of HRT you are taking?  When you say you are feeling worse, in what way?
I think there is often a 'settling down' period with many medications and like so many things we are prescribed there are different types and it can be a matter of finding the right one for you - so there is an element of trial and error.
Do read up all the info under the headings to the left of this screen to get clued up and get back to us with questions.
Keep posting   DG x

[Briony]

In short, YES! I nearly gave up after a week and had another wobble after two months. Only kept at it thanks to the ladies on here. Now as I approach month four, I  still have days when things aren't great - but the overall balance has tipped from more advantages than disadvantages of taking the HRT. x

[Joyce]

Your body needs time to adjust, so try & stick with it. If it really gets too bad, phone your GP for a consult.

[Alua197]

I'm pre meno 41 years old. Main symptoms anxiety depression and awful skin sensations. On 100mcg estradiol for two months to see if there is any therapeutic benefit then will cycle in progesterone if it's working. Have not got on with synthetic p. only been three days so early days yet. My insomnia seems worse!

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Alua
Are you seeing Prof Studd?  Have your been diagnosed as peri menopausal? Have you been having regular periods or has your cycle been erratic?
I believe it can take some time for this type of hormone treatment to be beneficial.
100mg is a very high dose and this is a lot for your body to adjust to so I'm not surprised you are feeling some initial negative side effects.
I am not a doctor or nurse so certainly no expert but having read posts on this site from women suffering with anxiety hormone treatment for anxiety seems to have mixed success.  It is well worth trying and a good percentage of women seem to respond well(otherwise the doctors wouldn't prescribe it) and I believe it can transform your life.
Many women seem to find they need SSRIs alongside HRT to really control their anxiety and I assume you have already tried SSRIs/Anti depressants with no success and this is why treatment with hormones is being pursued?
As and when you have some progesterone I expect you will be given Utrogestan as this is bio identical so is the same as our bodies produce naturally.
Do read up all the info under the headings to the left of this screen to get really clued up.
Keep posting.   DG x

[Alua197]

Not seeing prof studd but did speak to him on phone. I have been diagnosed pre meno elevated fsh and Lh. Periods erratic have gone three months without. Cycling again but a scanty bleed of a day if that. Have tried anti depressant but not ssri limited success. Latest smear they said my cervix was that of a post meno woman. My mum was 42 when she started hrt. Have no doubt problems are hormonal. I understand it's quite a high dose but have read and been recommended a higher dose. Took a 50mcg patch for five weeks and was feeling better but this regime has been suggested by a specialist here in Australia. If I cannot tolerate higher dose will drop back to 50.

[Briony]

When I spoke to my doctor about the 'worse before better' thing, she said that I had to remember that my body hadn't been used to estrogen for a while. This is not natural for someone in their very early 40s, but by body would have started to see it as the 'new normal'. As a result, any increase in estrogen increase would make my body initially feel strange/different. She said to keep hold of the picture: at my age, my body needs estrogen to keep me healthy, so a few teething problems would still be better than major heart and bone issues in 20 years. She also pointed out that if I was taking the pill, I would be on a much higher dose of estrogen.

Every time I feel a bit wobbly, I try and remember this (not always easy!). I am actually now thinking of going on Qlaira, a more natural, HRT style pill, as my own cycle is still causing problems and I think I need something stronger that will suppress my own slightly crazy hormones!

Good luck x