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[Linsnw]

Hello
I started feeling poorly in September 14. Long story short I was disagnosed after 3 months as perimeno. I was really, and still am, struggling with work, life and a 4 year old. I was referred to a gynae as history of ovarian cysts. She put me on Femosten1/10. Had to wait until period to take....felt like forever....then started. First 4 weeks were ok, but still felt bad but as if everyhting had been lifted a touch, but then got period in week 5 and its now over and feeling pretty bad, Tired, dizzy, nauseus, anxious. Been told I need to wait until April to see gynae again but not sure how long I try this before it works. i know everyone is different, but I don't feel a whole lot better than I did (if any at times).... so my question is, in 6 weeks should I not be feeling better by now?

[Linsnw]

I should say I'm 42 and my ovaries, which have been through a cystectomy, IVF and fibroid removals gave up the ghost we think. US showed no cysts present now.

[dazned]

Hi sorry to hear you are having such a miserable time .

Unfortunately these things do take time to settle in/down, I have been there . Try to persevere for at least 3 months,we will all do our best to support you eg symptoms/side effects . I'm 8 weeks into a new HRT and only now getting bad reactions with it,so please try a bit longer then if no better go back and discuss an alternative.
Hope things improve soon x

[Linsnw]

Thanks for the support. Every week feels like a month! The last 6 months were harder than the first 6 after having new baby! Ha ha. Just wasn't sure on timescales! Was hoping to be the lucky few who saw immediate improvement!

[Millykin]

I started Femoston 1/10 last April each month I noticed a slight improvement along with some dips. It took me 10 months to fully notice the difference. I posted a thread look how far I have come. It shows where I was to how I am. Try to stick it out at least 6 months. Femoston is a good one. I now on 2/10 as I never really had a break through bleed. X

[Linsnw]

I'll check that out. Thanks. Amazing how it can come on so suddenly, overnight in my case but take an age to sort.

[Millykin]

That's how I felt, just woke up one day and all hell broke loose! Never again to be the same, but close so it helps, just have to try and adjust our life now to the slightly different us!

[Linsnw]

I could live with close! Think I've a journey before I get there! X

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Linsnw and welcome to MM
You've had a tough time - poor thing.  I'm afraid you need to give the HRT more time.  If your own hormones are fluctuating, which is highly likely if you are peri meno, then this will bring fluctuations in how you feel.
The HRT should gradually bring things under control and more settled. As you are quite young you may need to go onto the higher dose. I would say that 3 months should see some progress and 6 months is more realistic.
If you are still getting flushes and night sweats after 3 months then I'd definitely consider the higher dose.
Just to clarify - you described the bleed you got on week 5 as being a period but it is not technically a period but a withdrawal bleed that ensures your womb lining doesn't get too thick.  The HRT will override your own cycle - if it's functioning at all - and as your own hormone levels drop the fluctuations will be less pronounced.
You are rightly using a sequential HRT which should bring a bleed 2-3 days after you finish the progesterone +oestrogen phase of this preparation -  so week 5 is absolutely right as you described.
I had a premature menopause which started in my mid 30s; I had young children and tried to work as well, I also had some counselling to help me through - I can really empathise with how you feel. You are doing all the right things - try to relax more and be kind to yourself. You may get good and bad days but little by little your life will get back on track.   Keep posting - we are here to support you.  DG x

[Linsnw]

Thank you DG. That explains a lot. My own hormones were clearly fluctuating quite a bit before HRT so suspect they are now. And yes withdrawal bleed is what I had. It was really painful and quite heavy and I got really dizzy through it. Dizzyness seems to be my most debilitating symptom along with anxiety. I tend to be able to cope with all the others a bit better. I have a pretty big job and have had to pull out of lots of things. Conferences, presentations. My team keep me going and I've been honest with them. My daughter is a joy but I feel bad when I can't do things with her I used to be able to. I have accepted this isn't going to be a quick fix which helps mentally. Although I was hoping I might have been one of the lucky ones that felt better after a few days!!!
I'll hang in there a bit more and try to be realistic about timescales! Thanks for the info though. I like to understand what's going on.

[Hurdity]

Hi Linsw

I answered your post on another thread but just wanted to say  from me.

I agree you should give it a little more time and then think possibly about a higher dose.

I can see how difficult it must be to experience this with a young child and a demanding job - it might be as you say that you have to pull back for a while to cause you less stress?

Hurdity x

[Linsnw]

Thanks for that Hurdity. Good advice.

Are there any general pieces of advice you can offer on diet or specific products I should be eating when I'm on HRT to supplement?

Equally are there any particular exercise regimes that are easy to fit in around a 5 day working week and a child at school...ie ones that can be done at home or involving a young kid?

[Millykin]

 
I think running around after a young kid is good excercise! x

[Linsnw]

it sure is!!!

[Hurdity]

Hi Linsw

Wow that's a big topic!

There is some excellent info on this site about diet, lifestyle, exercise and weight gain:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/diet.php
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/weightgain.php

That's a start..... I would always recommend eating a welll balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, pulses, grains, dairy, fish etc, not too much fat or sugar/refined carbs and prepared from fresh ingredients. if you have a small child i expect you're doing that anyway.

Some women take supplements but it's best to get as much as you can from your diet and supplement sparingly. I take pure cod liver oil every few days (not the capsules), and a herbal iron tonic every few days ( but I'm sure this tonic isn't necessary). Some take Vitamin D because they have been shown to be deficient and those whose diet is poor or who don't get the sun and especially in winter may not have enough - but I don't generally except the occasional calcium and vitamin D tablet.

As for exercise regimes - I agree with Millykin - your muscles will be strong if you have a 4 year old, and running around too! Dancing to music would be good cardio and your daughter will love that!

Maybe there are others with young children who have got a favourite exercise regime? - I didn't do anything special when mine were growing up - I was too exhausted looking after them!

I used to do Jane Fonda workouts from DVDs a few years ago which were brilliant but got fed up of doing the same ones!

Hurdity x