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[Mary G]

Polly, if I were you, I would leave it at 6 capsules for this month - it can't make that much difference.  I agree that it would be well worth an email consultation with Dr. Currie but if you have life ruining symptoms, it will probably have to be a hysterectomy.  As you know, I am in a very similar place and wish I had the courage to just go for it but I've never even been in hospital before let alone had an operation so it is a lot to face - I have never even been pregnant so I am not used to anything medical.  Also, I will have to pay for it because I doubt the NHS would cover it.

[Spangles]

Hi Polly
I was just revisiting your thread and was wondering how you are getting on?
Big hugs
Shellb
xXx

[PollyH]

Hi Shelb, Mary's, Clkd and taz2 - apologies if I have missed anybody out.

Thank you all for the replies - so sorry I haven't got back sooner I just wanted to wait a bit longer after having a bleed to see how I felt.

So here's the update. Just about managed to take all seven utrogestan and started a bleed three days after stopping it. It lasted for about two and a half days quite heavy and then just stopped like a tap had been turned off last Wednesday afternoon - Was still weepy while bleeding - when it stopped started to feel overwhelmed and anxious and have felt like that since apart from Saturday when I had one good day an d that was it. Also I have had problems with my teeth and have had to have the second half of my top teeth removed so all gone and waiting for my new set - life just gets better but to be honest I can deal with the teeth I- the menapause I can't . So yesterday and today still feel crap anxious - my hair is dry and horrendous the skin on my face looks ten times more wrinkly and I don't know why - I look different every day really weird.

I'm still off work - fourth week now and that doesn't help. So still not right after he bleed - what the hell is going on with me - I'm even contemplating coming off Hrt AGAIN - I just feel like a
Nutter.

The scan results - I nearly forgot where normal the stenographer said with a benign cyst on one ovary and the womb lining now 3mm instead of 5.2mm last time. I have a follow up next Thursday with the specialist - God knows what he is gonna do but I will definitely NOT be taking utrogestan again. Should I stop the patches now ? Because I won't be taking utrogestan again.

I would like to email Dr currie but I don't know where to start with it all - are you only allowed to ask one question per email - my brain won't work properly.

Any thoughts eternally greatful.

Thanks to you all
PollyH
Xx

[CLKD]

Take a list to the Appt. next week.  See what the Consultant suggests.

Have a look at the advice for sending a personal query to Dr Currie. 

It's awful to feel as you do.  What has your Dental Surgeon suggested about care after extraction, anything special for the gums area? I went the implant route as I felt too young for a 'plate' 

[PollyH]

Hi Clkd

Thanks for the reply - I will definitely take a list on Thursday. My gums are fine just salt and water and I have my new teeth - lucky me - can't believe I have false top set at 51 would never have thought it cus I have always looked after my teeth but my dentist said when I was thirty six that my gums were starting to recede and he said it could be hormones ! I didn't think anything about it until I started peri menopause abput thirty eight!

Will keep you all posted about my Thursday appointment.

PollyH
Xxx

[CLKD]

>wave<

[Mary G]

PolyH, sorry to hear that things have been difficult for you.  I completely understand why you don't want to take Utrogestan again, it's terrible stuff isn't it!!! You are not alone, I find that Utrogestan and all types of artificial progesterone make me feel quite down but worst of all, if I don't up my daily dose of oestrogen gel, I get silent migraines. 

I hate to be overly persuasive but when you go for your next appointment, it might be worth broaching the subject of a hysterectomy.  Strangely, I dreamt about having a hysterectomy last night, perhaps I know my time is coming.  For those of us who are intolerant to artificial progesterones, it does seem to be the only option in the long term.  It's just plucking up the courage to do it.

[PollyH]

Hi all

Thanks Mary g for your reply. Here is the update from seeing the specialist yesterday. Well quite disappointing again. Apparently I have not two options now - up my estrogen dose to 75mcg patch and carry on with this without utrogestan and have three monthly scans to check my womb lining, even though I had symptoms of w acting a bleed after four weeks on 50mcg patch. He said I the womb lining will not necessarily build up as he has a few ladies on estrogen only with a womb and they are ok. I'm not convinced after having symptoms last time. Option 2 - come off hrt again. I asked about hysterectomy and he said it was a last resort but the said he didnt wrestle want to godown that route. He als said that if I did have one itvcould make things worse. He also said that if I had one he would take ovaries as well cus they wouldn't be working anymore and ther wud b a risk of ovarian cancer if they were left.

His next conversation went like this - " you could try coming off hrt because you can't stay on it forever and the menapause is a natural thing and all. Women have to go through it" I could have smacked him round the room - he also said that he thought I had other issues going on and asked if ther was anything going on in my personal life - cheeky man.

He just doesn't get it!

So back to square one - wat do I do now? Ive got a prescription for the 75mcg patches but just don't know wat to do.

Thanks for listening
Polly h g

[SadLynda]

Hi Polly
What an awful tale of woe.  I am no expert as quite new here and still awaiting a doc appointment for phase 1.

but I know if I were in your shoes I would be changing GP to find one 'with a clue' as he clearly has not got one.

Good Luck x

[honeybun]

My worry would be if he is so misinformed about having to come off HRT when the new guide lines state it's an individual's choice then is what he is telling you about using quite a high dose of oestrogen with no progesterone is actually safe.

I really would see someone else because you may end up running an unnecessary risk.


Honeybun
X

[Hurdity]

Heavens above PollyH!!! This is from a gynaecologist/menopause specialist?! How very dare he!!!!!!!!!!

If he is prepared to let you go for oestrogen only and be scanned every three months - is  it not possible to endure the progesterone (or a powerful synthetic like norethisterone - have you tried this - much lower doses needed than utrogestan?) every 3 months or would you suffer debilitating symptoms that affect your ability to function normally?

It is usual to leave the ovaries after a hysterectomy, although as you have an ovarian cyst could this potentially cause problems?

Definitely see if you can go to someone differnet. Is this gynae someone you were referred to on NHS at a menopause clinic?

So sorry to hear about your unhelpful appointment 

Hurdity x

[Mary G]

Stupid man.  He sounds clueless and I disagree with just about everything he said.  Firstly, you can stay on HRT for a very long time if you choose to and as I said before, the 5 year time limit was plucked out of the air and based on absolutely nothing other than a flawed and discredited study.

Not sure about the womb build up point other than to say that I get a bleed (much longer but with the same amount of blood) with or without taking any progesterone. 

Moving to the hysterectomy, I can't think what value your ovaries would have at this stage of your life and if you have had cysts, I would have thought it was a no brainer and you would be far better off without them.  Did he explain what value they have?

As for coming off HRT completely, don't even go there!!!

Given those choices and bearing in mind your extreme intolerance to artificial progesterone (Utrogestan), I would opt for the three monthly scan without using any progesterone BUT, in the meantime, why not see a specialist like Studd privately to get another opinion.  I can tell you that he will not try to put you off having a hysterectomy and he will no doubt have some other options for you to consider.

[PollyH]

Thanks everyone for your replies

I'm already awake 5am not sleeping well the moment - I've got period backache and a bloated stomach and can't make a decision - if I'm starting to feel like I need a bleed now - how will I be on 75mcg patch or are these symptoms of low estrogen.

I think I am going to email Dr currie when I can get my head round everything I need to tell her in the email. I am definitely at my wits end with it all. I don't give up easily but I am coming to the end of the road with all of this - it's just a nightmare.

Mary G - I saw that you mentioned DHEA in one of your posts - something to do with your adrenals. I am sure I have read that when we are post menopause we are supposed to make estrone in the adrenals - but if these are not working properley then this won't happen. What does DHEA do and how does it help with hormones?

Thank everyone - you are all amazing.

PollyH

Xxxxxx

[Mary G]

PolyH, first of all, I think that emailing Dr. Currie would be a good idea, I am sure she will be able to help and also it will be another opinion.  If you don't know where to start, perhaps you could just by reciting your dreaded appointment.

Regarding the DHEA tablets, I was in a pharmacy in Gibraltar and saw them on the shelf and asked the pharmacist about them.  I have got to know her well over the years and she recommended them saying that many people swear by them so I bought some for myself and my partner.  They are suitable for men (yes, men lose hormones with age too!) and women and I think they have given me more energy and lighter periods but my partner says he has not noticed much difference.  You can't buy them in shops in the UK, only online.

DHEA is a steroid and they are supposed to regulate hormone production, boost the immune system, lower cholesterol, stop hair loss, improve bones, libido, cognitive and thyroid function and increases serotonin levels in the brain.  It sounds like a long list and I don't know if actually it does all those things but I feel better for taking them so I will carry on.  You might want to give them a try!

Please keep us updated.

[Taz2]

There's an article here mentioning DHEA http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2078836/The-happy-menopause-pill-Its-natural-drug-said-banish-hot-flushes-pep-flagging-sex-drives.html.

Taz x