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[pepperminty]

Hi Ladies ,

I haven't posted for a while as I have been busy with various things. But I thought I would post  you all on how I am feeling after a somewhat traumatic and shaky start on Femosten 1/10. I have been actually feeling better this month , but I still have 2 tablets to take before the end of the pack so we shall see how my next period is then. I haven't had the awful spotting or anxiety and have been coping well. I have been a little tired but have been experimenting by adding extra oestrogen by using an old part used pack, and topping up with half a tablet and it seems to be working, so far. I had crushing fatigue once this week , but dealt with it well. I hope that this continues and that when I see the meno nurse at the hospital next week , she will come to the same conclusion that I need to up my dose.  I have had a bit of ovary ache , as it were but overall I am feeling better.
I don't know whether this upward trend will continue , but I hope it does.

Best wishes to you all Peppermintyxx

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hurray     

I was wondering how you were getting on? That's fantastic news that you're on the up, I'm so pleased 

I really wish GPs would err on the side of caution and tell us not to expect much improvement for at least 12 weeks. It would stop all this disappoint and worry when you feel it's not working after the first 4-6 weeks. I think HRT takes much longer to get to work on anxiety/mood issues than it does on the physical symptoms like hot flushes etc. And I think Greenfield mentioned that her GP told her that at least 6 weeks before HRT would work on depression and 3 months before it would help with anxiety.

Keeping everything crossed for you, long may it continue 

[CLKD]

I think that getting rid of anxiety is my most important issue ! let us know how you get on!

[Greenfields]

Hurray     

I was wondering how you were getting on? That's fantastic news that you're on the up, I'm so pleased 

I really wish GPs would err on the side of caution and tell us not to expect much improvement for at least 12 weeks. It would stop all this disappoint and worry when you feel it's not working after the first 4-6 weeks. I think HRT takes much longer to get to work on anxiety/mood issues than it does on the physical symptoms like hot flushes etc. And I think Greenfield mentioned that her GP told her that at least 6 weeks before HRT would work on depression and 3 months before it would help with anxiety.

Keeping everything crossed for you, long may it continue 

So glad things are improving for you pepperminty.

And yes, my Dr did say that it takes 3 months for HRT to kick in with anxiety.

I hope you start to feel consistently better soon.

Sending hugs xx

[pepperminty]

Thanks everyone,
I am not quite there yet and still have the dreaded, bit after the end of the progesterone phase / when starting the new pack to come. But I am hopeful that I wont crash this time, and that it is not miss placed optimism. We shall see, and I will update either way !

How are you getting on GRL? I hope your holiday was good and that you didn't have any HRT related issues while you were away.

Peppermintyxx

[GypsyRoseLee]

Well I have good news and bad news about my holiday I'm afraid PM 

You can read all my posts these last 2 weeks if you can be bothered. But the potted history is that I had a spray tan the day before we went on holiday. I was fine for the first 6 days we were away. But on the seventh day suddenly my anxiety and depression reappeared in the time it took to have a shower. Bizarre. I wasn't taking any Utro (was delaying til we got back). Couldn't think why?

So the last 3 days and the flight home were pretty grim. It took us nearly 20 hours to travel home, and when I got home and went to change my patch again, I discovered the current patch stuck to the inside of my panties. It could easily have been there for 36 hours or more! Then I suddenly got suspicious about my spray tan. Could that have possibly left a barrier on my skin stopping me absorbing any oestrogen while on holiday? Or could the chemicals in the spray tan actually interfere with the oestrogen molecules?

Whatever the reason my mood was really low still even after getting back off holiday and it stayed really, really low. Despite new oestrogen patch etc. Anxiety was nasty too. I started getting really worried as this was turning into one of the longest 'down' spells since I started with peri and I WAS ON HRT!!!

It was only on this Wednesday (11 days into feeling like grim death) at precisely 6pm that I suddenly felt the depression and anxiety lift. Quick as a flash.

So, maybe it was the spray tan playing silly buggers with my patch? Or maybe the HRT isn't strong enough to control my mood fluctuations? I actually think that it is the CHANGES in hormonal levels that I cannot tolerate rather than low oestrogen itself.

But I have decided to give the HRT another 4-6 weeks and if I get anymore extended 'down' times like I've just had then I'm going back to my GP and asking to try the Pill. I think maybe I need something that will completely knock out my own hormonal cycle to stop these fluctuations causing havoc.

[CLKD]

GRL - that was a good precise  but you may find that your own hormones are still active for a while  .  Having had the patch stuck on the panties won't have helped  and perhaps if a lady sweats a lot, the product doesn't get absorbed as it ought to be?    as for the moods, I really remember how Hormonal I could be throughout the month until periods settled into 32/34 day cycle.  Even when taking The Pill I had mood swings  …….

[GypsyRoseLee]

I tried to keep it as short as possible 

I know that my patch falling off into my panties really won't have helped the situation. Especially on top of me probably already having not nearly absorbed as much oestrogen as necessary over the previous weak. A case of very bad timing.

I remember always getting moody and PMS in the 4-5 days before my period while on the Pill. But it was only then, reliable as clockwork and disappeared as soon as my period stated. I could settle for that now if I went back on the Pill. As it is, on HRT my moods still seem to come and go like the wind. I'm happy to wait another couple of months to see if HRT can wrestle my hormones into a more submissive pose. But if they can't then I will need to explore other options.

[pepperminty]

Hi GRL,

sorry to hear that there have been a few hiccups .
 I don't think that you can judge anything as yet if the patch hadn't been working properly as that may have set you back a little.
Although it is easier said than done (I know because I have been there, panicking in the depths of despair ) but I think you need to give it at least a couple more months on the higher dosage, for it to kick in sufficiently, if it is indeed going to.

 Also I have found that because I am feeling more like myself generally and especially when I am feeling quite well the contrast seems greater with the dips. I hope that makes sense.

Ultimately for me it is a decision purely based on the fact do I feel better/ get more benefits on HRT than off it and the answer is yes at the moment.

I do not want all the down below problems at my age and diminishing  collagen with all the delights that brings . The total lack of being able to make a decision and being unable to string a sentence together , forgetting to buy items in tescos even with a list. The extreme exhaustion and inability to cope with anything, the night sweats , burning feet, Zombie circles round my eyes  - I could go on.

I just pray that I will keep on improving and if I get a bit of a dip period time ( that's next week , yikes ) I can hopefully cope.  I will stick lots of inspirational quotes in strategic places and even if I don't believe them whilst low , it must have some effect on a subliminal level.
So I await with bated breath as to next week , and hope that I am not posting that I spoke too soon !!

Pepperminty xx

 

[CLKD]

Also - if you know you may feel low next week, don't take on too much! so that you can rest, doze, feet up until those feelings lessen.  Knowing that they don't last and working through those feelings ain't easy!

[Hurdity]

Hi pepperminty

So glad you are feeling generally better overall this month - do hope you continue to see an improvement and that your pmt/period is not too bad....

Hurdity x 

[pepperminty]

Hi Hurdity, ref last post thanks  / ladies ,


It was the first pill of the new pack yesterday and the emotional ,the less able to cope me popped up again. I had a good cry and woke up at 1am boiling hot (I seem to go in temperature overdrive at the same time every month) and had another good cry.

 I am perfectly rational in my thoughts , just utterly emotional about stuff I would normally take with a pinch of salt. I feel physically better though.

 I did resort to taking a diazepam at 1am rather than spend hours awake feeling despondent. I cant say I am jumping for joy this morning either , but I can function at least.

I have the meno nurse today , so we shall see what she says .

Before if George Clooney had turned up with a winning lottery ticket I wouldn't have cracked a smile but now I would at least make him a cup of tea, then burst into tears and say thank you - I suppose that is progress of sorts .

I just hope that I don't get any worse.

I have now established at least it isn't to do with the progesterone as I feel ok on it just a little more tired , it's the PMT at the start of the new pack.

Thanks for all your support ladies

Pepperminty xx

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hi Pepperminty

Just wondering if you had any joy with your Meno Nurse today?

[pepperminty]

Hi GRL,
thanks for asking. I hope you are ok.
Well she said that I shouldn't have had a period last month for 2 weeks and if I do not get one by day 7 of this pack to immediately start a new pack from day one to help my natural cycle be in sync with the HRT. She also suggested that I should up my dose as I appeared to be improving , by already doing this myself by using half tablets from an old pack each day. She said to see how my periods are and if my symptoms improve further on Femeston 2/10, and she will see me in 3 months and if I have any problems to call her. 
I am shattered today and haven't started my period yet ( day 3 ) so we shall see -an extra week of oestrogen might be nice if my period doesn't start anyway.
I do hope what I have written makes sense as I am too tired to focus at present. At least I am just sensitive and not inconsolable though with the PMT.
How is life treating you ?

Pepperminty xx

[GypsyRoseLee]

That's good to hear. Upping your dose sounds sensible. But did she have any advice about your tiredness?

I felt quite tense and not myself over the weekend. Anxiety was nipping at my heels. Barely slept Sunday as a result. Then woke Monday feeling weirdly and wonderfully 100% normal. It's been a long time. Very relaxed and feeling contented all day. Felt even better yesterday, just happily pottering in my garden and joking with my Mum. It was lovely. Then noticed my withdrawl bleed had arrived early on day 11! Coincidence?

Going to give this HRT another 2-3 months before deciding. But the fact I can have 3 days feeling so good gives me hope.