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[Hurdity]

Hi PollyH

Sorry to hear you are suffering - I don't like progesterone either but fortunately not badly intolerant - just some negative side effects but not enough to make me need to do without it entirely.

I can't remember if you said whether you are post-menopausal or not and how old you are - sorry if I've asked this before on another thread?  That might have something to do with the feeling of needing a bleed? Maybe your lining is building up too much and this is physically apparent?

I must say I wouldn't like to be on oestrogen only without a bleed and just rely on 3 monthly scans - not because I think it's too much oestrogen per se ie it doesn't build up in your bloodstream as too much - but because of the effect of it unopposed in the lining. Our oestrogen levels during the menstrual cycle are usually far far higher than on medium dose HRT (once we are post-menopausal) - although replacing it artificially, even with bio-identical oestrogen - does not seem to replicate the natural effect for all women!!

Good luck with your appointment and do let us know how you get on.

Hurdity x

[PollyH]

Oh I Hurdity and Clkd thanks for your replies - I'm post meno and 51 - been going through this for 10 years - and sure I was peti at 39 looking bak. At the moment I'm taking 50mcg estradot and was using utrogestan 100mg vaginally but could only manage taking two or three. I've exhausted all other progestogens.

Will post after my Thursday appointment.

Thanks
Polly h
Xx

[CLKD]

Hope it goes well tomorrow >wave< - let us know!

[PollyH]

Here I am back from my appointment  - so utterly disappointed in the outcome as usual. He said that I could either come off patches for two weeks and maybe I would have a bleed - so told him I was post Menapause and he said it didn't necessarily mean that I wouldn't have one- anyway I didn't last time I came off so that's not an option. Second he would give me 7 days of the dreaded utrogestan 100mg vaginally. So this is what I'm going to do but I feel I am back to square one. I asked what I we going yo do after that and he said I should have a long cycle hrt - so 50mcg estradot patches and 7 days of utrogestan 100mg vaginally every three months or so. I don't see how this can work as I have only been back on patches five weeks and already feel the need for a bleed. This is never going to end - I explained abouth feeling ill with progestogen as I have said above but he this option is the only way I can do it. So am I going to be off work every three months for one or two weeks - host can I live my life like that?

He still wants me to have a scan on 7th August and then see him again - I'm gonna have to plead for a hysterectomy. Maybe he's ticking boxes and exhausting every option before he will offer me this.

So no resolve - but will keep u posted
Thank you for listening

Polly h

Xxx

[Hurdity]

Hi PollyH

Sorry to hear you are disappointed. Has the doc said to take the progesterone now or wait until 7 days before the 3 months? In terms of feeling like you need a bleed ie "weepy brain dead and period pain" - that is very unlikely to be because you can't tolerate oestrogen only. It sounds to me like a hormonal change - such as an oestrogen dip, or pms symptoms caused by progesterone or withdrawal from it just before a bleed. If you are two years post-menopausal or more you hormones will have stabilised and should keep you on an even keel - provided the absoprtion is constant.

The other thought is maybe you are still reacting to the decrease in dose from 75 mcg - the reduction to zero (stopping HRT) would cause symptoms of low mood amongst other things, and this would be partly alleviated by re-starting - but if the dose still isn't high enough the symptoms may recur or not disappear completely. Doesn't explain the period pain though - which suggests that progesterone is involved.

I stopped HRT a few years ago for 4 months ( was on Estradot 50 mcg) - symptoms came back so I went back onto HRT, but doc suggested 25 mcg ie reduced dose as I was late 50's by then. The symptoms went but then they came back so for me 25 mcg wasn't enough. I went back up to 50 mcg and they disappeared and have done pretty well ever since. Maybe the same thing for you but 75 mcg to 50 mcg?

How long will you have been on oestrogen only by the time 7th August comes? This will give an idea of how thick your lining might get.

Also do you use Vagifem or something like that as well? I always try to make sure this area is well plumped up before I start the vaginal utrogestan - my theory being that if the tissues are plumped and thickened, then it minimises systemic absorption and therefore fewer  side effects. Might be worth a try for when you take the utro?

Hope you feel better soon.

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

Sorry that you feel less than happy about the appt..  I think Hurdity has made some good points.

[PollyH]

Hi Hurdity

I have been back on estradot 50mcg for five weeks - not had any progesterone as supposed to be just taking estrogen only and having regular scans. By the time 7th August  comes I will have been on estrogen only for seven weeks so not had any progesterone for about three months as I came off HRT forvabout five weeks so I just thought it was my womb lining building up since going back on estrogen causing my symptoms. Am I right or coul I have some of my own progesterone and that's why I am so sensitive to taking it. I'm so confused.

I have to start the utrogestan straight away and he said I must use all seven. You could be right about the dosage - but I just need to sort this out first . I will definitely think about the vagifem sounds like it may work for me.

Thanks for the reply and also to Clkd.

Will keep u updated - hope iim not off work next week.

PollyH
Xx

[CLKD]

Trial and Error is awfully tiring 

[Mary G]

PollyH, sorry to hear that your appointment was disappointing.  I know how you must be feeling about the next round of Utrogestan, I will be starting my next round next week.  I will try to take 7 100mg capsules vaginally but if I get a migraine, I will stop immediately. 

Unfortunately, I cannot go as long as you have without a bleed because I bleed WITHOUT using any progesterone after about 5 weeks.  I don't know why this happens, it is strange.  As I said before, it is the same amount of blood but over a period of 14 days instead of the usual 5 days.

If you only manage to take a few 100mg capsules, you will probably still have a bleed which should make you feel better.  It will be interesting to see what happens after you take the Utrogestan and what sort of period you have.  Once you have the scan on 7 August, you will know whether or not you have taken enough and whether you could get away with taking slightly less. 

[PollyH]

Hi All

I have taken five utrogestan and I am a mental wreck - I don't know what to do - I've had major falling out with my hubby and he's had enough - they totally change my personality. I Can't stop crying and I feel a useless piece of crap. I can't take any more of this - please help my life is in turmoil - I can't live like this any more.

PollyH

Xxxx

[CLKD]

HORMONES 

How are you this morning?

[Mary G]

PollyH, sorry to hear you are having such a bad time.  If it's any consolation, I hate taking Utrogestan and absolutely dread it because I fear getting a silent migraine.  I took my first one (vaginally) on Saturday night and took the last one yesterday and so far so good BUT in an effort to avoid a migraine, I have been taking three pumps of gel at night as usual plus another one exactly 12 hours later to top up - when I get a migraine, it is always about 13-15 hours after I have taken the gel so I thought it might be a good idea to top up.  My partner and I discussed it (he is becoming an expert on the menopause and HRT) and we decided that I would take four this month so fingers crossed. 

Are you going to take the rest of the Utrogestan? I know you said that your doctor thinks you should take 7 capsules this time.  At the risk of being a repetitive bore, have you considered using the gel instead of the patch, it is more flexible and you can take a bit more when needed.

Please keep us posted.

[PollyH]

Hi Mary G and Clkd thanks for replying

I slept a bit better last night after having a long chat to my hubby. I have now taken six utrogestan and do u think that will b enough or should I take the last one tonight - don't know if I can cope with another one. Can't see me opting for a long cycle HRT with utrogestan cus I'm off work again and I can't live with keep being off work. The specialist doesn't seem to get it - I need a hysterectomy - there is no other way.

Thanks so much again
PollyH

[CLKD]

Consultants aren't keen on surgery unless it is absolutely necessary.  One problem 'solved' may well lead to others.  Is there an on-line hysterectomy Forum?

Maybe send a private message to Dr Currie for advice, the fees are in one of the pull down menus I think?

[Taz2]

I wouldn't advise hysterectomy unless absolutely necessary. Operations can go wrong. You can develop other symptoms although I can see that you feel at your wits end. I haven't read all of the thread but are you quite sure that progesterone is to blame? If you have a hysterectomy wont you still be producing your own progesterone to a certain extent? http://www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk/

Taz x