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[Tempest]

Hi ladies. As some of you may know, I'm over one year TAH/BSO and received no HRT up until 36 days ago when I started Estrogel 2 pumps daily.

To say things are getting no better is an understatement! Yesterday was a fog of extreme fatigue and joint pain again, with very low mood and crying spells, and to cap it all I'm noticing a lot of hair shedding the last 14 days but just kind of thought it was a 'phase', but it's getting rather alarming now.

So this morning has been a flurry of phone calls. Phoned the Consultant who did my surgery (who doesn't like HRT), and waiting to hear back but I don't expect any help there. Phoned GP two days ago, but they REALLY didn't want to know as my Estrogel was prescribed by the Menopause Clinic, which is a separate entity. So I've phoned the menopause clinic too. The Consultant there SHOULD phone me this afternoon. Maybe. The secretary wasn't sure!

I am so desperate now that I've just contacted Professor Studd's secretary Jo who advised that I may be able to consult with him via phone, and to email my history to review. She said he doesn't normally like to do this, but I explained that I'm in Scotland so she said he may agree to help.

I really can't go on like this. I have no quality of life, and it seems that the only way I may get any proper help is to consult privately.

[Mary G]

Join the club, this is exactly what happened to me and I too phoned Professor Studd's office in a fit of sheer desperation and then finally, I had a voice at the end of the phone who was able to help me.  My GP refused to help me and left me to rot while I was having 5 episodes of scintillating scotoma (migraine aura) everyday so I had no alternative other than to seek help privately and I make no apologies for making that choice.  I initially did the same as you and he sent me an email and we went on from there.  To this day, I really don't know where I would be now if I had not taken that decision to contact him.  I do hope he can help you too.

I went through a cycle of hair loss but it stopped and my hair suddenly grew like mad so I would not worry about that at the moment.  It goes on for quite a while but it is all part of your body getting back to normal and your hair resuming its normal cycle.

Are you taking any testosterone?  If you had your ovaries removed you will definitely need to.

Why doesn't your surgeon like HRT?  I trust he has given you clear and concise reasons for not liking it although it does sound rather bizarre.  I thought the new NICE guidelines stated that it was your right to have HRT through the NHS, no questions asked.  If this is the case, why are you not getting the HRT you have asked for and why isn't your GP helping your either?   

[MIS71MUM]

Just a thought, and I am not medically qualified, but have you thought about going to 1 pump a day until your body gets used to the oestrogel.  I was on a low dose of hrt and it suited me fine but when I went to the medium dose of the same brand, I really struggled, so much so that I quit after 6 weeks.

I also had the hair shedding, but to be honest, it only lasted a few days, I assumed it was just the introduction of new hormones.  Mind you, this did happen to me when I was on the pill when I was younger.

Like I said on the other thread, I could tell I had applied the gel and was jittery, wired but tired for a while and I hadn't had HRT for 4/5 months.  I think you haven't had any for 1 year and you are on double the dose.

[Keepgoing]

I am 3 months on the gel and utro and after first month I lost a lot of hair and was getting worried, it stopped falling out but was much thinner but couple of weeks ago I noticed wee short hairs all growing on my head...so it's coming back. I'm thinking it is my body getting used to hormones and all the old hair affected by low hormones is renewing itself. My hair went really dry frizzy and brittle before any other symptoms came along...I am peri so still have some of my own hormones and since you have had op a year ago I really think it's going to take time to build up...can you not ask your doc for some diazepam to get you through the initial stages till you start to feel the benefits? Xx

[Tempest]

Well, MaryG it's a total disgrace isn't it? Neither the Menopause Clinic Consultant or the Consultant who did my surgery's secretary phoned me back (and the latter promised me she would)!

I have sent my 'history' as Jo (Professor Studd's secretary) asked. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he may be able to help! I explained to her that although I very much appreciate that a face to face consultation would be ideal (and I'd love to do this so that I can also have the bone scan - already had one surgery for degenerative disc), that when I discussed it with Hubby we concluded it really isn't 'do-able' as our son is autistic and he really has a hard time coping whilst I'm away even for a day (and I would probably need to do an overnighter as i'm in Scotland).  I'm keeping my fingers crossed! She said if he agrees, she will contact me to book the telephone consultation.

I get the impression that the NHS as a whole thinks we are a nuisance. They know HRT takes tweaking and supervising. I'm pretty sure this is why we get fobbed off, or in my case 'I'm sure you will manage', which is what I got post op! I remember asking one of the nurses on the ward after my surgery what to expect, and she said 'oh, you'll be alright'!! It was more a case of, you WILL be alright, because we say so. It's too much bother!

[Tempest]

Mis71mum, this is one of the things I've been thinking! I was on 1 pump for about 5 days and it really was OK. Wish I'd stuck to it now! The jitters are driving me crazy. It's like I have a pneumatic drill going on inside. 😮

[Tempest]

Oh, and sorry MaryG! No, no Testosterone at the moment. This is something I'm hoping Professor Studd will be able to help with. I think a lot of my symptoms are classicly 'low T'!

[Tinkerbellj]

Have a huge hug. I totally feel your pain.rang proff studd his sec was lovely and he agreed to telephone consultation cuz I am in n. Ireland. But he told me to check his web site download what I needed and take it to meno clinic along with nice guidelines which I did . As soon as I mentioned his name the doc perked up and have me what I asked for. I went from one to two pumps yesterday and threw up all day with terrible vertigo so I am thinking one pump is enough?  And it was only 3 months since last hrt. And I grt the whole internal shakes thing. I am off work which hasnt gone down well but I am not safe to practice what choice do I have. Cant believe hormones can make u feel like this. Xxx

[CLKD]

 

[Tempest]

Thanks, Tink!!! Sorry you're still having it rough too. Good grief! I threw up yesterday from the spinning head. I had a guy in from Scottish Gas in at the time installing a new smart metre and I had to cut him off mid sentence and bolt for the loo! So embarrassing!

Thank you for the lovely hug, CLKD! xxxx

[MIS71MUM]

Yes I'd knock it back to 1 pump for now, then when you feel you have settled, you could always increase by half a pump maybe and split the dose am and pm.

I think there are many HRT takers on here, who have found that medium doses take a long time to get used to and that's when they started off low.

[CLKD]

After all, hormones levels don't suddenly drop do they  …….it's more an easing off of oestrogen and the pausation of monthly bleeds. S rands to reason? that adding HRT on a gradual basis allows us to monitor how we feel ……. as with my ADs, when I have to up the dosage occasionally because my brain gets low, surely with HRT it needs slight occasional adjustment?

[Tempest]

That's very good advice I feel, Mis71Mum. Thank you! I've just applied 2 tonight but I think I will do this tomorrow.😊

CLKD, unfortunately there was no gradual decrease for me! I was in peri (they THINK), for approximately 3 years before my surgery (I personally don't think there was any 'think' about it - I had all the classic symptoms but was fobbed off by my GP as 'they couldn't really tell because I'd had a hysterectomy previously'. Seriously)!!! And then wham!!! Ovaries gone, felt like death very shortly afterwards. It has been truly hellish, but now it's turned into a different kind of hell now I've started the Estrogel so this is why I am so very grateful for any advice and am hopefully going to be able to call on Professor Studd's expertise. xxx