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[Annie0710]

Good morning

I joined last night and kind of feel normal again!  Normal as in I'm not going mad, but abnormal because my body and brain have changed and didn't warn me.

I am 48, and had a hysterectomy aged 32, leaving just my ovaries.  They shut down within a year of the op and I have been on elleste solo 2mg ever since.  Everything was hunky dory until 3 years ago when I suddenly felt strange.  Numerous tests didn't really reveal anything (apart from slight b12 deficiency) and they said I was peri menopausal and on hrt so nothing really more they can do.  I've suffered since but lately have more new symptoms to add to my list so have an appt next Thursday to discuss it.  Chatting briefly on the phone yesterday the Dr said they will probably reduce my oestrogen, which has now really scared me !

Has anyone else been in this situation? Although I have no uterus instead of reducing oestrogen wouldn't it be right to increase progesterone to balance them out ? I have little faith in the Drs where menopause is concerned. Last visit 3 yrs ago they gave me anti depressants because every time I went to them I cried !

Thanks
Anne x

[honorsmum]

Hi Annie,

Although I can't answer your question, you are in absolutely the right place to get advice from someone who can - there are lots of extremely knowledgeable women on here. 

I'm 45 and seemingly going through perimenopause, although none of the GP s I've seen have acknowledged that, and I have had every test going for all sorts of other weird and wonderful conditions...as well as being told it's an anxiety disorder!
I was prescribed HRT by a private specialist last week, but still haven't decided what to do yet.

I hope you find the forum helpful.

[Annie0710]

Thanks for your reply Honorsmum,

I just want to feel normal again but then who doesn't ?!!! Xx

[honorsmum]

That seems to be the battle cry of a lot of women going through this! 

[Millykin]

Hi Annie
Can't really help but if you dont have a womb you won't need progesterone, that strips the lining from it. As for the oestrogen I don't know why they would reduce it but someone will be along to help you. Welcome to your new normal! It's rubbish 
X

[Annie0710]

Thanks ladies

I'm just so worried that they will do the wrong thing for easiness

I have read that womb less woman going through menopause could benefit from natural progesterone not progestins, this article explains it better

http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/hysterectomyhormones.html

Hope the link works, I am on my mobile !
Xx

[Millykin]

Annie don't let them fob you off for easiness, your the one thats left feeling crap. Interesting article. I can never post links on my mobile just dosent work for me! X

[Annie0710]

Thanks Millykin

It's important to me that I stay strong
I'd rather take tiny steps forward in this than massive steps back so will listen to what they say but won't agree on reducing my oestrogen dose unless tests prove I don't need it !
Xx

[Hurdity]

Hi Annie0710

 

Sorry to hear about your symptoms.

What I'm puzzled about is that you kept your ovaries but then say they packed up a year later? Therefore your menopause started then, so not sure why they say you are peri-menopausal. If your ovaries packed up completely back then, and that's why you were put on HRT, then you would not be going through the menopause now 

You definitely don't need to reduce your oestrogen dose at your age - if you look at the information on this site, then under 60 years of age the benefits of HRT exceed the risks, provided you are medically healthy enough - in terms of diet, lifestyle, alcohol, exercise, smoking, weight etc.
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php

As for progesterone - you don't need large quantities of this hormone to balance the oestrogen, if you are taking HRT and don't have a uterus - your body still makes small quantities in the adrenal glands, and I understand from what is known so far, that this is sufficient (men have it too!).

The doctor cannot reduce your oestrogen if you do not want them to, and unless they are strongly advising it in your case, on medical grounds, I would say that you want to continue as you are.

What symptoms are you getting that are bothering you?

Hurdity x

[Annie0710]

Hi Annie0710

 

Sorry to hear about your symptoms.

What I'm puzzled about is that you kept your ovaries but then say they packed up a year later? Therefore your menopause started then, so not sure why they say you are peri-menopausal. If your ovaries packed up completely back then, and that's why you were put on HRT, then you would not be going through the menopause now 

You definitely don't need to reduce your oestrogen dose at your age - if you look at the information on this site, then under 60 years of age the benefits of HRT exceed the risks, provided you are medically healthy enough - in terms of diet, lifestyle, alcohol, exercise, smoking, weight etc.
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php

As for progesterone - you don't need large quantities of this hormone to balance the oestrogen, if you are taking HRT and don't have a uterus - your body still makes small quantities in the adrenal glands, and I understand from what is known so far, that this is sufficient (men have it too!).

The doctor cannot reduce your oestrogen if you do not want them to, and unless they are strongly advising it in your case, on medical grounds, I would say that you want to continue as you are.

What symptoms are you getting that are bothering you?

Hurdity x

Hi Hurdity

Yes back in 2000 ish aged 32/33 I went to docs with a long list of symptoms, she immediately said it sounds like my ovaries had gone into shock and did bloods, the oestrogen level was really low and she prescribed hrt, I remember hearing that I would still go through menopause at an older age, but to be honest really didn't give it any more thought as I had been really well since then.  Then about 3 years ago I went to my new surgery after a sudden onset of problems, I thought I had early dementia and heart problems, extensive tests later showed arrythmia. And slight b12 deficiency which was not treated, I kept going back saying I feel worse and eventually a different gp did FSH which showed peri menopause. She upped my oestrogen to 6mg but within a week another gp called me to say 2mg is the max dose and I have to go back to 2mg daily and prescribed me anti depressants. I didn't go back after that, I felt they weren't taking me seriously, and I've nevEr felt right since.  But just recently I've developed even more symptoms (and agin didn't think menopause) but researched random allergic reactions I was experiencing (I am latex allergic and carry an epipen), on reading about this I saw that it suggested its a symptom of menopause, so I read up more and was totally shocked and relieved to see I had almost every symptom, bar hot flushes (I never got hot flushes back years ago either) just whole body temperature changes.  My list is endless but recent ones are

Recurrent bladder infections (I manage to flush most of them through)
Foot/toe cramps
Muscle aches
Joint pain (mainly lower back and knee)
Muscle stiffness in neck and shoulders
I wake up with headaches
Panicky feeling
Dry skin but getting spots
Wrinkly skin !
Loss of libido
Vaginal dryness
Itchy vulva
Extreme fatigue
Sudden onset of gum recession, sore tongue
Eyesight seems to have deteriorate but remained stable (shortsighted) for years


Foggy brain, palpitations ,occasional night sweats, feeling faint, withdrawn are some that I still have from 3 years ago

Xx

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Annie0710 and welcome to MM
Reading through your posts I think you need a referral to a gynae or menopause clinic to reassess what is needed. To start with I think you are taking your oestrogen in pill form? You might do better changing to a patch or gel as this is often a better way of using oestrogen - in other words through skin.  You may need to check regarding your allergies though - patches may not be possible for you and you'd need to check with the gel as well.
Whole body temperature changes can actually be a type of menopausal flush - my flushes were as though my body couldn't regulate it's temperature at all.
I think the instincts of that first GP were probably right in that your oestrogen levels were too low for your age - if you are getting lots of palpitations this is typical for menopause and mine stopped with HRT.
Perhaps contact your GP practice and ask if there is one of the doctors that specialises in menopause with whom you can discuss this in more depth. Explain that you have had conflicting advice. Write down your concerns and questions and print things off from this site to back up your queries. Don't be fobbed off with ADs just ask for a referral to a meno clinic or gynae to get some specialist advice.
The recurrent bladder infection (burning urethra?) and the other vaginal problems need some local oestrogen treatment like Vagifem so you need to ask for that as well.
Sometimes we need to go into an appointment armed with the right information and a clear mind to get exactly what we need - this is not easy when we feel so vulnerable.
Keep us posted.  DG x

[Annie0710]

Thank you Dancinggirl

I wondered whether to ask about seeing a specialist, as the gp's at this surgery don't seem to understand, I'm sad I can't have my original doc but I live out of her catchment area now

I can't carry on the way I am.  It's not fair on my partner either, we had such a great social life but now I avoid social events as much as I can
Xx