Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[GypsyRoseLee]

Went to see my GP this morning to plead my case for HRT. I managed to not sob as I described how I'd been unable to contact my consultant for her recommended prescription. I described how horribly low I'd been feeling coupled with insomnia and the daily diarrhoea etc. Explained that I wasn't seeing my consultant until mid May, and that I couldn't face another 5 weeks like this and that I was really worried that our holiday next month would be ruined.

He was WONDERFUL  Really listened. Reassured me that he could start me on HRT immediately and that I would feel the benefits within a few days re: insomnia and diarrhoea. He asked which preparation of progesterone I would prefer and (thanks to all you lovely knowledgeable ladies on here) I asked for Utrogestan as it was the gentlest, most bio identical one. He wasn't familiar with it but was happy to prescribe based on the fact that I had clearly done a lot of research into the matter (I love this site).

He assured me that he knew how to reach my consultant through unofficial channels, and would ask whether she agreed with a regime of Estradot 25mg patch, coupled with Utrogestan 100mg tablets taken twice a day on days 15-26 of my cycle.

So, I am currently wearing an Estradot 25mg patch on my tummy and waiting to feel better     

The only thing is, my cycle has been erratic these last few months. Firstly 23 days, then 28, then last month 32! My consultant wanted to limit my progesterone exposure as much as possible, so had recommended I only take it for 7-10 days per month. My GP was fine with me doing this.

I am on day 13 of my cycle but not really sure when to start taking the Utrogestan? I don't know if my period will come in 10 days or  15 days or 20 days? I don't want to take the Utrogestan for any longer than absolutely necessary. My GP was a bit vague and said I would have to take a 'suck it and see approach' and that hopefully now on HRT my cycle should regulate so I will know when to start taking the Utrogestan more accurately over the next few months.

I would be very grateful for any advice.

[CLKD]

well done for pressing your point home and  for your GP

Someone will be along soon with advice I'm sure 

[GypsyRoseLee]

Thank you CLKD. I think I might make him my next husband 

[CLKD]

  ……….. I don't think I could entice another man into my Life if I needed to 

[honeybun]

I would count today as day 1 and take it from there. You may well get some breakthrough bleeding but a routine will soon be established.
One point. Utrogestan is to be taken at night without food. It makes you sleepy so taking it during the day is not advisable. The 200mg taken at night for the days the GP suggested will be fine.

Well done for getting what you need and I hope you feel much better soon.


Honeybun
X

[GypsyRoseLee]

CLKD 

I do already have a very nice husband, but HE hasn't given me Utrogestan 

[GypsyRoseLee]

Thank you Honeybun. I will take your advice and I'm not bothered by any breakthrough bleeding if it happens.

To be honest I was hoping to just be on the patch for a week or two before taking any progesterone, because the last couple of weeks I have felt so grim.

I honestly don't know if my period might arrive in 10 or 20 days, so I don't suppose it really matters if I count today as Day 1 or as day 13 (which it technically is).

[SueRoe]

GypsyRoseLee, so glad you had a successful visit! You must be so relieved that you may well be feeling rather better soon. I had exactly the same question about timing Utrogestan when I started on it. I found that trying to synchronise it with an already erratic cycle was impossible. It sounds as if your priority is improving your mood rather than your pattern of bleeds so I can't see any harm in taking just the oestrogen (which makes you feel more upbeat) for a couple of weeks. I thought that women who are on 200mg Utrogestan took all of it at bedtime because it can make them sleepy - taking it in the morning seems like an undesirable thing to do. Maybe your GP thinks its calming effects would be a good thing for you in the mornings as well as at bedtime...   

[dogdoc]

Hi gypsy. You and I are at about the same stage in this journey. I started on 25ug estradot in January with 200 utrogestan same as you. My cycles were also very erratic ( 20-35+ days). They've completely regulated back to 28 days. They're lighter and shorter as well ( delightful). 

I didn't take any progesterone at all in the first month because I wanted to know what the side effects of one medication alone would be before I added another. Still had a period. The following month started the progestetone on day 12. Have been taking it for 10 days a month vaginally. Have not noted and side effects yet... Have increased my estrogen dose in the second half of my cycle ... First to 37.5 then to 50 as that big drop in estrogen from ovulation to period was wreaking havoc. I am much much better.

My plan is to cycle doses of estrogen ... Lower dose from end of period to ovulation. Increase at ovulation time to try to prevent some of the symptoms breaking through then. Apparently very sensitive to drop in estrogen. Make sure you record how you're feeling / symptoms with your cycle so you're gp or specialist can adjust things as necessary. ... Ps. There's an app for that lol

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hi Freda 

Yes, it has only ever really been my mood swings and anxiety which have been of most concern to me. I'm not remotely bothered about any erratic bleeding or anything like that.

Technically it has been 14 days today since my 'period' started. But I have no idea whether it will be day 14 of my actual 'cycle' or not. My cycle has been ranging between 24 and 33 days for the last few months. I am very, very tempted to just stick with the patch for the next couple of weeks at least before starting with the Utrogestan.

But I have my consultant appointment in just over 4 weeks, and part of me wants to have experienced a 'full month's' cycle of HRT before seeing, so I can gauge its effects on me before speaking with her?

But I have just come out of two really hellish weeks of anxiety and low mood. I feel like I desperately need an 'oestrogen holiday' for a few weeks in order to recover.

Gah, I am so undecided over what to do 

[GypsyRoseLee]

Sorry Freda, meant to add my GP did tell me to take all 200mg at bedtime. I don't know why I typed 'twice a day'. I will be very pleased if Utrogestan does make me sleepy because one of my nasty symptoms has been random insomnia which has really floored me and made me fearful of going to bed (and I used to be such a good sleeper who LOVED going to bed).

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hi dogdoc 

We sound quite similar. Can I ask if you decided to start HRT because of mood swings/anxiety?

I have always been very sensitive to drops in my oestrogen. Always suffered with PMS. Even before my nasty symptoms (anxiety/low mood/insomnia) kicked in I noticed my PMS was lasting longer. Basically starting immediately after ovulation and continuing through until about day 4 of my cycle. But during ovulation I would feel almost euphoric and like I was happily stoned 

I am so tempted to NOT start the Utrogestan tomorrow (am on day 14 today) because I've just come out of the other side of 2 horrible, horrible weeks or anxiety/low mood/insomnia etc. I am presuming my mood started to lift and improve yesterday morning because my poor body has managed to barely, barely just muster enough oestrogen to make me ovulate and so my mood is benefitting. I DID start to wear my first patch yesterday morning, but I think that was coincidence as my mood was better before I even put it on.

But, God do I feel like I need the oestrogen lift right now - especially as my natural oestrogen will shortly start to sink.

But I am due to see my consultant in just over 4 weeks and want to be able to give an accurate 'month's reading' of my symptoms to her, so she can advise.

Did you feel the Estrodot 25mg wasn't strong enough for you?

I am really intrigued by you idea of increasing/decreasing oestrogen accordingly following your cycle. How will you manage this?

[honeybun]

You really do have to be careful of having too much oestrogen without opposing it with sufficient progesterone. At your age the womb lining can build up quickly. You should use your progesterone as prescribed ie...the latter half of the month then you will have a withdrawal bleed.
If this regime is different....which is usually prescribed by a consultant then regular scans are advised to make sure there is no build up which is risky.

I do understand as we generally feel better on oestrogen alone, but there are risks to this.

It's a case of managing HRT the best way that you can and accepting that nothing we do will make us feel as good as we did when our bodies were doing all by themselves.

As has been said so many times on the forum

It's not called the change for nothing.


Honeybun
X

[GypsyRoseLee]

"accepting that nothing we do will make us feel as good as we did when our bodies were doing all by themselves"

That's quite a depressing statement Honeybun 

The women I have chatted to in real life all say that they love their HRT and it makes them feel like they're back in their 30s again. They certainly look very well on it and seem to have lots of energy.

In my Mum's social circle there are quite a few American women in their 60s/70s who all take HRT (I understand it's far more common for American women to take HRT, as a matter of course, when they go through menopause?) and they do look noticeably younger and have none of the complaints about aching/stiffness/UTI/energy issues than their Brit friends who haven't taken it.

[honeybun]

It undoubtedly makes you feel better but certainly for me and a lot of other women on this site, not the same as before.

Mind you, women really come to this site when they are having problems so there are so many other women who go through meno with no problems.

I didn't mean to sound depressing but for me it's just how it is.

I hope you get to feel as good as you possibly can.


Honeyb
x