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[Elizabethrose]

Oh good Sparkle, i thought you'd been referred to a specialist, it's good to have a trustworthy GP. Hopefully she'll have done her homework after she's received your results and before you see her. When is your appointment? Oh wouldn't it be wonderful if she's got a miracle cure up her sleeve!! x

[GypsyRoseLee]

Thanks for such an.informative reply Elizabethrose.

You're right, it is so tedious having to deal with all this day to day. I really do feel that my own hormones are still quite powerful, and I am severely affected by their fluctuations. I think you're right in that even 4 pumps isn't strong enough to control these fluctuations, sadly.

Yes, I do take Utrogestan. Prof Studd had me on his 7 days, 100mg, each month. But I reacted badly to it in August, so my GP suggested I go long cycle and only take Utro every 3 months, because I still have a period each month, albeit very light.

I am due to take Utro next week for the first time since August, and I am dreading it. But, then a small part of me wonders whether I have too much oestrogen, which has built and built since August, which is only being opposed by my natural progesterone, which might not be enough?

I just don't know anymore. I also don't know if I do still ovulate either. So much I just don't know.

[Elizabethrose]

Oh dear GRL, I feel really sorry for you, I'm sure you feel it's all one big fat struggle.

Well, maybe the thing to do is to get some of your questions answered. Are you able to contact Prof Studd or his PA and explain your situation, ask if the Oestrogel dose is too high? Does your GP have a good understanding of HRT and it's use in treating HA etc? Maybe taking the progesterone next week will be a good thing as it will put your mind at rest as to whether you've been taking too much oestrogen without having a good bleed. Is there a plan for you to have a scan at any point?

I think I'm a bit of a control freak as I have to know what is happening to my body. It's the not knowing that causes us women to worry! I don't know what sort of relationship you have with your GP but could you discuss this in detail with them? Take in a note book with all of your questions written down so you don't get sidetracked?

As far as light periods are concerned mine have changed over the years. I've never had heavy periods but they became very light one day bleeds in my early 40s, built back to 3/4 days, some months lasted 2 days others 4/5. Sometimes barely there, others medium bleeds. My anovulatory bleeds can be like normal medium periods, think my body is well able to clear my endometrial lining. (It's had plenty of practise!!).

Try not to let yourself get down about this, go on the attack, seek some clarification from the medics!!! I just decided I was going to stop 'chasing' my meno a few years ago. I used to think that every period would be my last, ever the optimist! However, now I just have a 'whatever' approach, que sera and all that jazz,: it keeps me sane!!

I really wish you well and do keep posting here, it helps to have the ear of other women at exactly the same stage, experiencing exactly the same thing you are! Have some of these 

[Machair]

How are we doing ladies?- thinking of you all. All is quiet with me at the moment- some days mucus oestrogen related others nothing. Hot at night but nothing else to report. Hope you are doing well.x

[Machair]

Actually no Sparkle as I am shattered so crash out but wake up hot with a headache! How are your tummy issues are they improving?

[Elizabethrose]

Hi Machair, nice to hear from you. All quiet on the western front!

92 days today, still absolutely no oestrogen rise. Hot flushes day and night, though they really vary from day to day and I can't work out why. I agree re the hot nights, they are such a pain. I'm still doing the banana (I sound like a loon!) at bedtime which definitely seems to ease the adrenal surge that wakes me before the flushes. Last night I managed five and a half hours before waking. Whoop whoop!!

Vagifem seems to be working so I'd recommend it if your bits start drying. It has definitely exacerbated the migs but that was expected, I didn't think I'd get away with no side effects. I'm hoping that a regular schedule of just twice a week now will allow it to calm.

How are you feeling in yourself, any signs of high or low oestrogen, any PMT? Why are you so shattered, juggling madly?

Sparkle it really seems to be going well for you at the moment - long may it continue!! x

[Machair]

ER I have ME so shattered is the norm, but this time of year brings more challenges so I am trying to rest a bit more. I am flying long haul to see my eldest son after Christmas, which I am really looking forward to as it will be almost 3 years since we have seen each other with the distance between us.
My last period which was very slight was in early November so I think I am on day 33, but like Sparkle it was so light you could have almost missed it, but it did last a week so I am counting from there. I think you are ahead in the race!

ER do you wake up hot in the morning between 5 and 6?

Sparkle have you any hot nights or flushes at all?

[Elizabethrose]

Oh sweetheart, I had no idea about the ME, how did I miss that? Oh what a complete bummer, just something else to juggle with. Is your hubby hands on, can he take over if necessary?

Wonderful news about your trip, it's Arizona isn't it? I'm sure it will be just brilliant to see him and his family. I know we all Skype and whatsapp nowadays but it's not the same. I hope you have a really lovely time!

Buy everything online, from your sofa and try not to stress. I hit town today and wanted to top myself within an hour, what a nightmare out there. I was meeting a pal at Yo Sushi for a quick lunch but the queue was about 30 people long, forget that! Think I'm only shopping now at 9am before the hoards hit!!

I wish you well, get the kettle on and your feet up! xx

[Machair]

Thank you ER for your lovely words. No it is Hawaii now, he moved from Arizona in 2014. It's a lot of flying!

I think you are right about crowds and Christmas shopping. I prefer the early mornings before the main part of the day, but it doesn't always fit in as I am very orthostatic with the ME due to overnight dehydration. BP is rubbish for the first few hours, so I can't stand still in queues. I get readings like 90/80 or worse! Not the best thing to have in a crowded shopping centre!

Hubby is brilliant, but he works long hours in the city, so I get by through pacing and planning. Mum has been very ill and Dad is facing more cancer surgery so it is rather draining at the moment.

Your support and that of Sparkle and all the ladies on here has been absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy 2017.

[Elizabethrose]

Oh bless you, what a lot you have to manage. I'm very sorry, I had no idea about the ME, how truly rotten!

I really wish you well and that your Christmas is a happy and peaceful one and that you thoroughly enjoy your trip to Hawaii.

Lots of love to you x

PS No need to thank me, we're all supporting and encouraging each other here!! xx

[Machair]

ER do you think the migraines are improving since you have had less signs of your own oestrogen rising? Do you think they occur as the oestrogen falls or as it builds?

[Elizabethrose]

Mmmmm, I'm trying to remain positive here but it's not going as well as I'd hoped if I'm honest. I've only had three months without oestrogen surges but the last few weeks have been grim with the Vagifem.

When this all started at the beginning of peri the migraine were pure menstrual migraine without aura, and these tend to subside after a natural menopause, that's why I resisted the hysterectomy and oophorectomy that some of the specialists were pushing for. However, over the past few years the auras have become much more frequent and I've read that there is no evidence that migraine with aura improves after meno. I actually haven't spoken those words out loud to anyone, certainly not my husband, and I'm just going to continue jiggling and juggling till I have a clear picture of what's happening. There's no point worrying about it at this stage because nothing can be done to alter my position.

Saying all of that, whilst I've said I've had a tricky few weeks, it is still nothing like what I've been through. My goodness, I had some dark times, regularly in migraine 5 days a week and with migraine pain that prevented me taking breath. I do not have that sort of frequency or intensity now and I am enormously grateful for that! Fingers crossed all will continue to calm!! x

[Jenna]

Hi Elizabethrose - just a thought, but I wonder whether Estriol Cream might suit you better (re migraines) than Vagifem as it is a different form of oestrogen. Would it be worth a try?

[Elizabethrose]

Oh thank you Jenna, you are kind.

I had a very lengthy discussion with my GP who is one of Nick Panay's team, she really knows her stuff and is an absolute delight. We discussed all of the options and she felt that we should start with Vagifem and adapt, add to or change as we need to. I am ridiculously sensitive to hormone change and she knows this. The Vagifem started working immediately which rather shocked me as I woke the next day with mucus. I haven't had a problem I can't deal with; slight cramps, bit of a show on some mucus one day but I've had visual auras which is very very unusual for me. I have every other sort of wicky whacky aura but rarely visual, plus migraine headaches and a lot of them.

I've finished the 2 week load so now it is the twice a week maintenance dose I'm on and I'm hoping that my body will be able to cope with just this minute dose. I probably need to give it time to see if it will settle. This will be my second week of the the 2 doses so it's still early days. Do you use the Estriol cream? Have you tried the Vagifem? Forgive me if you've told me already, I've a brain like a sieve at the moment! Some of the lovely ladies on here explained that they were using both Vagifem internally and estriol cream on the outsides. Think the GP wanted to do one at a time to check for reactivity!! I certainly cannot use Yes, wow, that stings but Sylk seems to be ok, though I had a bit of a stingy day today. This is a pesky body!!

A friend keeps pestering me to check if I have thrush. I've only had it once, many years ago. I feel slightly uncomfortable. I've checked it out, doing the contortionist routine with a mirror (!) and it doesn't look red or sore, it's not itchy, or with discharge, just feels a bit prickly if you know what I mean?! My pal says I should buy a Fluconazole tab from the pharmacy and just take it. Have you ever had thrush, does this sound like it to you?

Thanks Jenna for your advice x

[Jenna]

I have tried Vagifem, Elizabethrose, but it didn't suit me. It made me feel swollen and uncomfortable. I do use Estriol Cream twice a week and Yes water-based on the other days and this works for me (fingers crossed!).

If you have any inkling that you might have thrush I would get a swab taken. My GP was convinced my different VA symptoms - involving the 'undercarriage' more - were thrush and the treatment just made matters worse. I eventually managed to persuade her to take a swab and that proved I didn't have thrush at all and local oestrogen (Ortho Gynest pessaries then) eventually sorted matters out. That is the shortened version! I also had to see a Gynae at that time as my GP was concerned about a red area there and the Gynae told me that I could not use Vagifem and oestrogen cream - it was one or the other. She thought the cream would be better for me as I could use it where my problem is and said Vagifem wouldn't reach there. My GP had already prescribed Vagifem as the pessaries were now discontinued, and the Gynae told me to use those first and then change to the Estriol Cream. As I happened Vagifem didn't suit me anyway!

Oh and to answer your other question  - whenever I have had thrush I have had severe itching!

Hope that helps!