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[Riley04]

Hi, didn't know whether to start a new thread, decided to just continue on this one so not to bore any of you!
I've been having a mooch around this site and reading posts and if I'm honest I haven't got a clue about the gels, patches etc etc.... I really have had my head stuck in the sand for the past 6 years!
So it's got me thinking; the dr wasn't great when I went last month and didn't really know what to do with me and now I'm wondering if I've just been fobbed off with a pack of pills?  I haven't had any bloods done for 6 years (when I was first diagnosed) so should I go back and ask for a full blood screen?  Is going on a continuous (kliofem) the right approach for first use?  Should I have asked for oestrogen gel?  I've got my work cut out trying to get my head round all this lol

[Dancinggirl]

Riley04 - Whilst MM can be great in many, many ways, it can also confuse many women.  When first given HRT women come to this sight and read all kinds of horrors about various HRT types and then believe they have the wrong thing.  I think you have already started your Kliofem so I would continue - you may do really well on this so don't look for problems. If in 3 months any side effects you may feel are not settling then it's worth trying something different.
There is a lot to take in and so many women who vista this site have very strong views and also believe what they are using is the best - you mustn't loose sight of the fact that we are all different and what suits one women won't necessarily suit another. GPs are not generally clued up when it comes to treating the meno, so may of us do need to lead the way and ask for what we need and want.
If I were you I'd stop reading any more at this stage - just take the pills, enjoy the benefits as the oestrogen does it's magic, expect a few strange side effects ( a bit of spotting or bleeding, possibly a few headaches etc.) and concentrate on getting your diet and exercise regime in good order.  Good luck  Dg x

[Cassie]

There are a few ladies on this lovely forum who have been  through an early meno, I also tried the natural route for about a yr but went onto bio identical HRT at 40, you may want to  try this if you dont get on the with your tablets. The rub on gel works beautifully combined with the Utrogestan (progesterone part ) used vaginally. You keep cycling as you should do and feel very normal and healthy, and will hopefully be able to come off the AD's which many ill informed GP's like to prescribe for early meno, when in fact all your body requires is what it should be naturally making, hormones! You need not worry about any dangers, up until 50 even a bit later, you are only replacing what your body is needing so no added health risks. All the best.

[Hurdity]

Hi Riley04

A Dancinggirl says - you may be absolutely fine with this type of HRT. Many women are . You are post-menopausal and provided you absorb the oestrogen from the tablets through your digestive system, you should feel a lot better, and yes you should be able to come off the ADs which you shouldn't have been given in the first place, for a hormonal imbalance at your young age!

I use patches because I didn't want to take anything orally but I didn't become peri-menopausal until my 50's and still on HRT in my 60's. If the tablets work for you, no reason why you shouldn't take them for 10 years or more amd then maybe change to a different type as you get older?

Hurdity x

[Riley04]

Hi
Not been on for a few days, but decided to check in tonight as I've been feeling so low.  Fed up of feeling exhausted, zero motivation and just completely fed up.  I can cry at the drop of a hat, but boy I'm ripping hubby's head off every time I speak to him (good job he works away during the week so he just gets it down the phone).  I was chatting to a colleague at work today and I told her that I was just a miserable cow - and I really am.  I know it's early days for the hrt, but I feel more emotional the last 2 days than I have in a while.......... just want to feel happy

[clare663]

Hi Riley04. Sorry to hear that you are so down! I too started the peri at about 34/5. Had the hot flushes and periods got heavier suddenly. I would then be late and then I had months were they didnt seem to want to stop. It wasnt until I developed more symptoms and had longer gaps between the periods that I realised what was happening. I eventually went to the GP and was prescribed HRT. It didnt suit me at all. Restarted my periods which were heavier and more painful, literally leaving me in agony. I also turn into an emotional wreck. Gave up on it after 6 months and managed ok for 2 and half years. Then the hot flushes got unbareable so I tried the patches, starting by just using a third and building it up. 6 weeks later I noticed the emotional side getting out of control so took it off. I have just started to get the hot flushes back so have started on a small amount of the patch again and will find my dose when the hot flushes stop. Your body will fluctuate with hormones constantly so you need to be prepared for this. It is tough but we are all in the same boat on here so dont ever feel like you are alone. xx

[Hurdity]

Hi Riley04

Sorry to hear you are still feeling rough. You do really need to give it a bit more time to find out if this type of HRT suits you - because your body has been low in oestrogen for some years and so will have a lot of acclimatising to do. You may well still have some down days before you get better.

If you can bear to keep going for at least two months and then see how you feel. Be sure to keep a diary of your moods so that you can look back at how you have improved ( or not!) - your comment son this thread are a start.

As has been said already - most women of your age would probably be better off carrying on with a cycle - you would still get monthly pmt and a bleed but you would not then be taking the progestogen all the time. Re getting bloods done - now that you have started HRT you won't get a true reading but if you have had so few periods in the past few years then you are undoubtedly menopausal - and probably post-menopausal if you have been without a period for a year.  No need to have bloods - but go on how you feel.

If you have digestive problems then a transdermal HRT might suit you better but in that case you would definitley need separate oestrogen patch (or gel) and progesterone, so that you could increase the oestrogen dose until you felt better for most of the time.

The other alternative is the combined contraceptive pill - there is one similar to HRT called Qlaira which has the same oestrogen you are taking, but only 2 pill free days. It's not suitable if you don't get on with synthetic progestogens though.

Hope this helps and hang in there - there is light at the end of the tunnel - but it may take a wee while yet!

Hurdity x

[Riley04]

I know I need to give it more time, but I can't keep going like this.  For the last week I've spent more time crying than anything else.  I'm stopping these damn tablets, I will go back to the dr, but if I carried on like this I would end up divorced, without kids and unable to work.  I'm falling out with everyone cause I'm so snappy and crying at not being able to cut a carrot properly - how ridiculous is that?
Thanks for all your replies, appreciate it, but this hrt lark is driving me crazy!!

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on!

[Dancinggirl]

OK Riley04 - you mustn't throw in the towel yet - there are other HRT options to try and most women find something that suits them.  Clearly the progesterone continuously in this HRT type doesn't suit you.  You are too young to be without HRT and I think you said you were reducing the Citalopram at the same time which won't be helping your mood as you will be getting withdrawal symptoms.
I would not reduce the Citalopram at this stage but I would go back to the GP and ask for a different HRT - I would suggest Femoston 1/10 sequential HRT OR, better still, ask for Oestrogel ( an oestrogen gel you apply each day) or an Oestrogen patch (Estrodot) and then for the progesterone choose either Provera (Climinor) or Utrogestan which you would take alongside the oestrogen for 12 days each month - these HRT options have kinder progesterones that may well suit you better and you won't be on the progesterone all the time so that should be better as well - unfortunately you will get a withdrawal bleed each month with a sequential HRT but many of us prefer to have this slight inconvenience rather than take progesterone all the time.
You haven't mentioned how you libido is??? HRT should keep your ‘lady bit's' stay healthier and less dry so can really help reduce vaginal atrophy and bladder problems.
Like all medications, it is trial a error till you find the right HRT - I'm afraid the long term consequences of low oestrogen can be quite bad for many women but even 5 years of HRT now will pay dividends in the long term.

Do look under TREATMENTS at the top of this page - print things out if ned be to show the GP.  I would stick with Citalopram alongside HRT for the time being.  Keep posting  DG xxxxx

[Riley04]

Hi
I haven't had citalopram regularly for a couple of years, tried taking it a couple of moths ago and got chronic diahorea stopped and tried again and same thing happened. It starts within 24hrs of taking it! 
I've got classic pmt with this hrt but worse than I've ever had it. I cried in costa coffee today. I don't cry when I'm anxious or down, but always did with my periods which is why I think it's the hormones. Body has probably gone into complete shock cause it hasn't had any for over 6 years lol.
I'd rather feel down than like this. I just can't function hubby doesn't know what to do with me, 19 year old sulking in her room hahaha. I've got a stressful job and there's no way I'm risking bursting into tears there I'd never live it down!!
I'll ring the dr in the morning and ask if there's an aternitive to try.
Love to u all xxxx

[Dancinggirl]

Riley04 - Do ask fro something different - there all be an HRT that will work for you.
If you can cope with having a monthly bleed then a sequential HRt will probable be best for you.  However, ou must expect to get some side effects with any HRT but if you start with a sequential then you get at least 2 weeks of just oestrogen which should make you feel a lot better generally. 
If I were you I would try either Femoston 1/10 or an oestrogen patch (Estrodot 50mg) with 12 days of progesgeoner each month - either Provera or Utrogeston(micronised progesterone).
Here is the info for the combined sequential HRT tablets:http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/perimeno.php
Here is the info on the progesterones:http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/to_progestogens.php
Here is the info about the oestrogen: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/treatafter.php
Print these off to show the doctor.
I'm sure once you find the right HRt you will feel a lot better.  DG x

[Mary G]

Riley04, I'm sorry you are feeling so dreadful.  It is now obvious that whatever you are taking is not working and you need to try something else.

Firstly, why not read Professor John Studd's website?  He specialises in all things hormonal and menopause related and I think you will find it interesting.  Many of his patients have PMS and early menopause and he usually prescribes Oestrogel, Utrogestan (progesterone used vaginally) and sometimes testosterone.  I am one of his patients and on this regime and I have found it to be the best form of HRT by a very long way.  If you suffer with PMS, it is important to go easy on the progesterone part of HRT and Professor Studd explains this on his website.

It took me years to find a really effective form of HRT and I had to try endless different types and combinations before finally getting to the best one.  I am now 55 and feel very, very good indeed and roughly the same as I did aged 30 so I must be doing something right!

I have tried different forms of oral HRT but they often don't work very well because much gets lost in your digestive system.  I found they gave me stomach problems too. 

[Riley04]

I just want to say you ladies are awesome!  I was in such a state today, my eyes look like p*** holes in the snow and my nose like rudolph.  I posted on here to get it out of my system and you are all so supportive.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I've been putting the world to rights with my bestie over a bottle of fizz and I'm going to print out the info you have suggested and see what the dr says.  Def not taking these ones any more.

You don't know me from adam but you have helped so much - made me feel like I'm not going mad


Hubby out buying chocolate now hehehe

 

[Riley04]

Hi everyone me again!
Thought I'd just update where things are at the moment. It's not been a great few weeks, I stopped the hrt after becoming an emotional wreck and within a couple of days started a horrendous bleed. The constant crying stopped but bled for about 10 days (a shock to the system having not had a proper period for 6 years!). Spoke to dr and she told me as I wasn't having night sweats and bad flushes I should wait until I've had my bone scan to see what the results are before deciding whether to try a different hrt. Not convinced that's the best approach but I suppose if my bone density is reduced then the decision will be taken out of my hands.
The last couple of weeks my anxiety has crept back up again, I don't know if it's because of hormones or because i need the equivalent of citalopram again. Mornings are the worse and once I get going I'm fine, it's just as soon as I open my eyes in a morning a wave of nerves just comes over me. I know it's in my head so I'm giving myself stern talking too
I've bought some menopace and menomood from holland and barratt, has anyone tried these?
I'm functioning but it does feel like I'm surviving rather than living at the moment.
Just lost at what I should do if I'm honest xxxx