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[Annie0710]

Hi, I haven't been on for quite a while

I'm still suffering, due to my hysterectomy 17 years ago I've always been on oestrogen hrt but since peri hit me 4/5 years ago the oestrogen therapy hasn't  been enough, I sailed through those 13 years on it

Last year after joining here I was intently reading Hurdity's positive reactions to Estradot so have been on that since, I love it for the practical reasons but still feel poorly

I've always had this nagging feeling that there's more I can be given, that my hormones are out of whack, thinking logically (but perhaps I'm completely wrong) those years post hyster although my oestrogen level was very very low and then replacing it got me back on track I was still producing progesterone and testosterone

At the start of peri I went downhill, never having flushes or night sweats but pretty much everything else

Most troublesome are Recurrent herniated discs , my back is painful daily now, painful hip, terrible arrythmia, anxiety, continued hair loss, increased random allergies, loss of libido, crashing fatigue, bouts of nausea to name a few

My absence from the forum was more due to 2 factors, dr's repeatedly told me they can't do anymore for me hrt wise and also I developed double vision and identical symptoms to nocturnal ophthalmos which led me to research other conditions, although I attend regular hospital eye appts, they still haven't come up with a reason

I also tried utrogestan 100mg as the gynae I saw said he was happy for me to try progesterone cream which I felt OK on, so bought my own utrogestan to trial, again I tolerated it well and felt a little better, the sleepiness at night was lovely

Mid June I asked for estradot in 100mg instead of 75mg, and surgery said they'd agree only if I had a consult with nurse, so I met her.  She's new, she's moved from the hospital gynae dept and we sat chatting, I explained some of the symptoms  I have and she was amazed I've never had my testosterone levels checked, I explained I've asked numerous times but was refused.  She's booked me in for the blood test mid July and asked that I stop utrogestan (which I've deteriorated since stopping it, more anxious and moody)
She said even if I'm borderline low on T she would fight my corner for a therapeutic trial

I'm so sorry this is so longwinded
Would members who have had/are on testosterone therapy give me feedback on how they felt/feel?

I'm so worried about trying it if it is offered making my hair loss worse but I've read a few reports that it can increase scalp hair growth

Annie xx

[CLKD]

Lovely to hear from you!  All experiences shared may help others.

[Annie0710]

Nice to 'see' you too CLKD!


Annie x

[CLKD]

The Change can throw all kinds of un-expected horrors can't it  . 

Was it the GP/s that kept telling you that they can't do any more? 

[Annie0710]

GPs and a gynae they referred me too, he just said I'm going through 2nd menopause (1st was 6 months after my hysterectomy at 32) and 2nd menos hit harder and given the fact I've been on oestrogen since 32 there's nothing more that can be done

It was only this chance meeting with this new gynae nurse they've employed at the surgery that the offer of a testosterone test, and possible therapy has been mentioned

If it doesn't work out I'll get my pennies together and look into contacting prof studd

Do you know how much he charges for telephone consultations ? I've looked on his website and couldn't see

Annie x

[CLKD]

The advice you have been given has been rubbish  .  Medical expertise moves on so fast that there is usually another route to take ! It might not be this year but next?

I am sure that someone will be along who has had consults etc. with Prof Studd. 

[Mary G]

CLKD, you are right, Professor Studd would have a field day with this.  Annie0710, am I correct in thinking you have had a hysterectomy but have kept your ovaries?  If so, I can't think why you are taking Utrogestan, you don't need progesterone and all it will do is make the oestrogen less effective. 

From what you have said, it sounds as though you have the same problem I had and that is you are not absorbing the oestrogen from the patches.  Everything you have said suggests you are not getting anywhere near enough oestrogen.  Therefore, the best next option for you would be to try Oestrogel which is, in my opinion and having used both patches and Oestrogel, a better and more flexible product.  It is certainly more easily absorbed and the beauty is that you can adjust the dose either up or down - flexibility is key to all successful HRT regimes.

I think you could benefit from testosterone and I am very surprised that you have never been tested for your testosterone levels.

I recommend you have a look at Professor Studd's website, he has a section on HRT and hysterectomy.  I'm afraid none of the treatment you have so far had makes any sense to me and if this level of treatment continues, I suggest you seek advice elsewhere with an expert like Professor Studd.

I hope that helps.

[Annie0710]

Thankyou so much Mary !
Re: progesterone, it wasn't prescribed, gynae said I could use the cream, I think he said it to shut me up as I repeatedly asked "how do you know for sure this isn't a hormone imbalance I'm suffering from?"  I got desperate with the symptoms and was trialling progesterone (stress relief, sleep aide etc)

This new nurse said the same, she's surprised I've never had a testosterone level checked as my ovaries went into shock at a young age after the hysterectomy, that is why she's ordered it and will fight my corner for treatment if it's still in range but low

I've had a look at Prof Studds website and if this test doesn't help I will contact him

Do you know what he charges for telephone consultations ?

Thank you again
Annie x

[Mary G]

Yes, Professor Studd does do telephone consultations and an MM member recently had a successful one with him but I don't know how much it costs.  It might be worth ringing his office and speaking to one of his secretaries.

The gynaecologist should have realised why you were having problems, not just tried to get you to shut up, I despair. 

Good luck and please let us know how you get on. 

[Annie0710]

Yes, Professor Studd does do telephone consultations and an MM member recently had a successful one with him but I don't know how much it costs.  It might be worth ringing his office and speaking to one of his secretaries.

The gynaecologist should have realised why you were having problems, not just tried to get you to shut up, I despair. 

Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Thank you Mary
I'm getting quietly optimistic now, I have every symptom of low testosterone !
I just worry about it increasing my hair loss, but, it could actually be the cause of it, now that would be the icing on the cake if test gel cured that

Annie x

[Freckles]

Hi Annie0710
I started on Studd's regime three months ago (due to go back for the check up with him next week) and like MaryG  am on  Oestrogel (3 pumps daily), a very tiny bit of Testim (Testosterone gel) and Utrogestan (100 mg for seven days a month, which I use vaginally).
I was on  Femoston 1/10 and experiencing all the classic signs of low oestrogen (thinning head hair, aches in my body,  a lovely and luxuriant moustache, really brittle nails, eyes that looked like 2 dead oysters, etc.,) plus anxiety, low mood, feeling "unreal" and so on.
MY GP is a patronising 12 year old who suggested I "be weaned off HRT" and take liquid anti-depressants when I asked for higher levels of oestrogen. Personally I am no advocate of AD's although I recognise many women find them helpful
Had my blood tests done on the NHS and my oestrogen level was only 72, despite being on the crap Femoston! Less than most men's, so no wonder I felt so horrible for the past 3 years
Since being on Studd's regime, I can honestly say I feel better now than I have for years.  Head hair is not thinning as much after three months, aches gone, skin and nails much better,  and more importantly, my anxiety and low mood have significantly reduced to the extent I feel "normal" now with more energy and motivation.
It was £300 to see Studd in person but I don't know what he charges for a telephone consultation.
It was worth very penny in my opinion- otherwise I'd have spent the last third of my life being nearly bald, bearded, no fingernails to speak of, crap skin, aches and pains and feeling like the living dead.
Do get your hormone blood tests done on the NHS before you have your consultation.  Saves a lot of money as compared to Studd's clinic doing it.
Good luck! x

[Annie0710]

Hi Annie0710
I started on Studd's regime three months ago (due to go back for the check up with him next week) and like MaryG  am on  Oestrogel (3 pumps daily), a very tiny bit of Testim (Testosterone gel) and Utrogestan (100 mg for seven days a month, which I use vaginally).
I was on  Femoston 1/10 and experiencing all the classic signs of low oestrogen (thinning head hair, aches in my body,  a lovely and luxuriant moustache, really brittle nails, eyes that looked like 2 dead oysters, etc.,) plus anxiety, low mood, feeling "unreal" and so on.
MY GP is a patronising 12 year old who suggested I "be weaned off HRT" and take liquid anti-depressants when I asked for higher levels of oestrogen. Personally I am no advocate of AD's although I recognise many women find them helpful
Had my blood tests done on the NHS and my oestrogen level was only 72, despite being on the crap Femoston! Less than most men's, so no wonder I felt so horrible for the past 3 years
Since being on Studd's regime, I can honestly say I feel better now than I have for years.  Head hair is not thinning as much after three months, aches gone, skin and nails much better,  and more importantly, my anxiety and low mood have significantly reduced to the extent I feel "normal" now with more energy and motivation.
It was £300 to see Studd in person but I don't know what he charges for a telephone consultation.
It was worth very penny in my opinion- otherwise I'd have spent the last third of my life being nearly bald, bearded, no fingernails to speak of, crap skin, aches and pains and feeling like the living dead.
Do get your hormone blood tests done on the NHS before you have your consultation.  Saves a lot of money as compared to Studd's clinic doing it.
Good luck! x

thank you Freckles, it's so nice hearing success stories

I've not been honest to the doctors about anxiety and feeling low as I know they'll try and palm me off with ADs, as much as I believe they have their place with emotional disorders I know what I'm feeling is as s result of something, and would rather treat the problem to alleviate the symptom of that makes sense

So re hair loss/thinning, are you saying it has reduced since your new regime ?  Mine is more noticeable on top , scalp is showing probably because hair is thinner there but it's a diffuse loss, now I'm noticing it at temples, pony tail is ridiculously thin now, and I lose lots of strands drying my hair

My oestrogen levels are always good, having been on hrt for so long , prog near 0

I was thinking that too, get my results mid July from doc and if they don't help pay prof studd to help me

I really appreciate you ladies for sharing your experiences

Annie x

[CLKD]

Get your results and see Prof Studd ……… why wait.   If it seems expensive to you, then maybe family have a whip-round: pre-C.mas gift ;-)

Once you get your regime sorted, maybe book yourself into a hairdresser for a re-shape?

[Mary G]

Annie0710, do you know what your oestrogen levels are?  The reason I ask is because what is considered to be a good level for some women is no good for others and I need very high blood levels of oestrogen to feel good - the so-called normal blood range of oestrogen was completely useless for me.  I don't think low levels of progesterone are a problem but it could be that you personally need to have high levels of oestrogen to combat your symptoms. 

[Annie0710]

Annie0710, do you know what your oestrogen levels are?  The reason I ask is because what is considered to be a good level for some women is no good for others and I need very high blood levels of oestrogen to feel good - the so-called normal blood range of oestrogen was completely useless for me.  I don't think low levels of progesterone are a problem but it could be that you personally need to have high levels of oestrogen to combat your symptoms.

Oestrogen was 774 April 2015 when last tested

2012 (onset of problems) was 400s
Then 1x600s and 2x 700s

I'm not sure what I'm better at Mary, whenever I seem to increase my dosage I don't feel well, have taken it off today for a few days to see how I feel

What I can't get my head around is for all those years I was great on 2mg elleste solo (Max dose)

Apart from progesterone the only other thing it can be is testosterone


CLKD, no hair dresser for me, my hair is awful and can only cope with being put up gently with those grippy clip things, it looks awful

Saw derm, she said a mixture of Seborrheic dermititis and female pattern hair loss just by looking at it, another specialist who wanted me in and out in no time, no follow up appt either

It's not the money that's stopping me contacting prof Studd, I've got a breakthrough in 2 weeks of the NHS testing my testosterone, so that day I'll ask for Oestrogel to try plus see what she says re testosterone, if it's a no, then I'll call prof studd and get it that way

I can't thank you all enough, I'm sick of feeling so lightheaded and disorientated amongst all the others

The eyes can wait, at least I can still see even it if it 2 of everything

Annie x