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[Nikki180515]

Hi

I am new to this site and suffering at the moment, after feeling quite well.   My job as a full time teacher doesn't help!

I am on 1mg of sandrena gel a day, and am now extremely tired, weepy and feeling overwhelmed with life!!

Anyone else been through this?  And what HRT are you on??

Any thoughts would be appreciated as think I am loosing the plot!!

Nikki xxx

[Joyce]

Hi Nikki & welcome.

How long have you been on HRT? It takes a while for full benefits to kick in. I was put on Premarin initially after my hysterectomy until I discovered what it was made from! Switched to Oestrogel which worked well until about 3 years ago, when I was switched to Estradot patches.

I no longer work. Doubt I could have worked feeling as you do at the moment. Maybe get referral to menopause clinic if you have one. 

[lancashirelass]

I went into.surgical meno at 39 an implant has worked best.for me i.also have to use prog though due to.endo which i hate.  It sounds like you need your dose upping. 

[Linsey44]

Hi. Was surgical memo at 44 (18 months ago)  on 2 pumps oestrogel. Stilll get some hot flushes and dont sleep as well as i would like but kind of used to it.  Think you have to be prepared to feel slightly different to what you did pre op.

When did you have your op? Have you still got womb? If so are you taking progestrone?

Linsey x

[Nikki180515]

Hi all

I had my op in May this year, has every removed including ovaries, due to family history of cancer.

Been on HRT for 3 months now and everything was fine, til I started back at work! So suppose that is the problem, but unfortunately can't give that up, but am working on thinking of a job that would give me a better work/life balance!!  If there is such a thing! 

Thanks for all your comments it's great to hear that it's not just me suffering!!

Nikki xxx

[Linsey44]

Hi its still very early days if you op was in May.  I was on tibolone initially which wasnt nearly enough and after 5 months I changed to oestrogel and what a difference.

What definately makes my flushes worse is alcohol, caffeine, stress, sometimes hot food and also going from hot to cold areas and vice versa.

I do feel more tired than I did before and put that down to meno symptoms.

What helps me is exercise brisk walking and am taking up yoga and generally relaxing more.

I had my ovaries out (2014) due to having BRCA2 gene mutation, my womb was taken out 2013 due to gynae issues.

Do you have a faulty gene?  Dont feel obliged to answer.

Linseyx

[Nikki180515]

Hi Lyndsey

I tried to get the testing done, but the genetics department didn't think we had a strong enough link, even though my mum died at 55 of ovarian cancer, her cousin at same age and also breast and bowel cancer.   They think it maybe lynch syndrome, but again due to know living relatives with cancer they can't test.

I had the op as had cysts on my ovary that had a solid mass in, but fortunately all ok, they found another one in my left tube too.

Have booked doctors appointment to discuss reviewing HRT to see if can sort out a higher dose!

Nikki xxx

[Pollie]

Hi Nikki

Sorry you are feeling so unwell.

I have no experience of surgical menopause but think you should ask to have your testosterone levels tested. Testosterone is produced in small (but significant)  amounts by the ovaries.......

It is important that you have sufficient levels of oestrogen before starting any testosterone therapy though as the receptors need to be 'primed' with oestrogen before they will respond to the testosterone.

I think also you should ask to have your oestrogen levels monitored and I believe aim for at least 150pmol/l to prevent bone loss.

HTH

Pollie

[Cassie]

I would ask for the oestrogel or an implant being so young you need a constant source of a reliable oestrogen, the gel works very well as you can up the dosage according to symptoms starting at the lowest of 1 and a half plunges of the pump and can go up from there if needs be and its really "user friendly" as well.  Good luck!

[Nikki180515]

Hello

Thanks again for all the advice. I have an appointment on Monday with the doctor, unfortunately not my usual doctor, but then that may be good!

Sandrena gel comes in small tubes, each with the measured dose of 1mg they come in 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg with 1.5 being the highest dose.   So doctor put me on the middle dose but as you say think I need to up it to 1.5mg.

I am going to ask for a full set of tests for hormones and if they say they don't do it, will ask who does then! Going to see if I can get referred to a specialist, as you say I am young so need to know I am getting the correct dose!

I must admit that since taking Kalms for the last week I am feeling much better, so maybe it was just anxiety??


Will keep you posted

Nikki xx

[Zaza]

Hi Nikki
I had same op as you over two years ago and not yet found a balance. Like you on Sandrina 2mg but i get side effects such as bad gastritis, aching bones and poor sleep. Hot flushes still happening too.

I have been to the menopause clinic and other non hrt alternatives that work are Gabapentin, and some antidepressants (zopliclne)which for me are hard to take when you work as they made me sleepy.  Oh an Ditropan is another option used by endocrinologogists to reduce sweats

From what I can gather from the hospital it's really up to the individual to find the level of sandina that works.

Personally, they have advised me to try Premarin but I am not sure about this as it comes from pregnant mares and I have read they have a miserable life.

Hope you find something that works    X

[Nikki180515]

Hi Zara

God this menopause is rubbish!   I have increased to 1.5mg of sandrena gel, but am so emotional just cry all the time!   I am a teacher and feel completely overwhelmed by my job to the point I want to give up! But then the next minute I feel ok. 

I am at the doctors again on Friday to discuss next step.  Must admit I feel I want to come off HRT as wonder if it's that that is making me such a mess.  I never really got on with the pill and have read some women just don't get on with it.   I Have started taking St. John's wort to see if that helps with my mood.  I am going to ask about testosterone as I know that helps balance mood and obviously I have none now!

It's all fun and games and there seems to be such a lack of support out there, apart from these forums of course. 

Hope you get sorted soon too and eventually we will feel like new women! 

Take care

Nikki xx

[ellie66]

I have not had a surgical menopause but I find testosterone helped enormously in levelling out my moods and gave me much more energy. I would say try some.

[Nikki180515]

Thanks Ellie,  yes I am going to ask about it on Friday.  But I believe in the UK you can only get it on private prescription? 

Did you get yours from the GP?  And does it come in a gel?

Nikki xx

[Zaza]

Hi again Nikki,

Your walking in my shoes, as you sound sooo like me! I am in a similar position regarding work. Just a word of warning, I came off my Sandrena for 6 months and ended up a wreck, crying, tired, and stressed to the point I have now been off work for 2 months trying to build up the Sandrina in my system.

I think at the moment you are crying because you are worn out and still recovering. My daughter is a teacher, so I know how tough that can be when you are well, let alone burnt out.

How much time did you take off work to recover?  It takes at least 8-12 before hrt builds up in our system, at least that's what the menopause clinic in Edinburgh told me.

I understand teachers can't easily take time off work but your body is guiding you to take some time out torecover and find your optimal HRT level. Your body will thank you as will your colleagues and kids!! Joking apart, chat to your GP, tell them how bad you are really feeling and they will support you 100% and will sign you off work. Don't feel guilty, you deserve this after all you have been through. Also ask for a referral to The Menopause Clinic, some GP's don't even know they exist so do your research. The clinic has been very supportive.

Take care,
Zaza x