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[Blue Kingfisher]

Thanks for all your advice Freckles. I'm going to request the tests from my GP!

Will let you know how I get on at the appointment. It's 19th August & counting down the days!

X

[Michelle46]

Hi everyone
I've just joined and this subject is very helpful. I am on Evorel 50patches and 14 days of utrogestan. I've been on HRT for 4 months. My doctor is not helpful at all,she makes me feel like I'm being a nuisance. I don't know what's wrong. I'm all jittery,buzzing body,terribly anxious and no sleep. I wondered who the best type of person would be for me to see or any advice from anyone would be great x

[Blue Kingfisher]

Hi Michelle46,

i will post a synopsis of my visit so you can see how I get on. Your GP doesn't sound very helpful at all & clearly what you need is "help" - it's terribly frustrating!

I'm sure some more helpful ladies will offer some words of wisdom in the meantime as I'm just starting out on this rocky road!

X

[dazned]

Hi Michelle 46 

What you have been perscribed seems like a good starting regime,if you have a good read around here you will see that its all very trial and error and what suits one wont always suit another. Try and stay positive and bear in mind it will take a while to work try at least two cycles. Also it wont necessarily "fix" everything ,the main thing is you should feel better most of the time not all of the time  . Its called the change for a reason so some adjustment of mindset is required too. Good luck.

[Mary G]

Michelle46, I wonder if it would be worth your having a blood test to make sure you are getting enough oestrogen out of the patch?  I found my levels were way too low on the 50mcg patch and I was not getting anything like enough oestrogen from it.  Could this be your problem?

You are taking a lot of progesterone for that dose of patch and I wonder if your ratios are out?  Are you taking it orally or vaginally and 100mg or 200mg?  Utrogestan is far more effective at lining clearance when used vaginally and it also has fewer side effects so that is also worth bearing in mind.

A lot of women don't feel as good as they either could or should on HRT and this is usually because they are not getting enough oestrogen or they are taking too much progesterone which cancels out the positive effects of the oestrogen.  Before I switched to my current regime, I felt half baked and not quite there with the overwhelming feeling that there must be something better out there.

If you did seek the advice of Professor Studd, he would probably prescribe 2-3 pumps of Oestrogel everyday, 7 days of Utrogestan vaginally every month and possibly daily testosterone - this is the regime I use and it is brilliant and I feel very good indeed.  I imagine Dr. Michael Savvas would prescribe something very similar. 

The menopause and HRT is a specialised area of medicine and if feel you could do better and you can afford it, I think it would be worth seeking the advice of an expert and finding a more a tailor made regime - one size does not fit all with HRT and some women tolerate progesterone better than others and this must be taken into account.  You will probably be on HRT for years so it's important to get it right as soon as you can. 

Blue Kingfisher, good luck with your appointment!

[Michelle46]

Thankyou Mary
That has been very helpful. I take 200mg of utrogestan for 14 days of the month. I'm not sure if this is right for me,I feel all wired. I will ask about the gel and also another form of progesterone. I will go once more and see if she is helpful. She has been terrible and has made me feel like a hypochondriac. She is happy enough with giving me antidepressants which I don't think is the answer. When I asked about testing my blood re the estrogen level she said it's pointless! After changing to the gel the next step is a specialist in this field.  Thanks so much x

[Michelle46]

Thanks dazned. I appreciate your advice x

[Hurdity]

Hi Michelle46

I've been away so just wanted to say  !

Also you may not necessarily need to change to gel? You haven't said where you are in menopause and how old you are? Your doc is quite right - you don't need to have oestrogen tested - if you are over 45 and your cycle is becoming erratic as well as having symptoms, then this is sufficient to diagnose you as menopausal and to prescribe HRT.

The other thing is that 14 days of Utrogestan is actually more than the licensed dose - which is this amount for 12 days per month and under doctor's supervision can be reduced to 10 days. You may have been given this amount due to heavy bleeding though?

If you are still early in peri-menopause then your own cycle could be kicking in and causing some of these symptoms too - it is difficult to get things right when you are peri! Some women find using the CCP  Qlaira is helpful in early peri-menopause because it contains estradiol (the same oestrogen as in HRT), suppresses the cycle and so prevents the major hormonal fluctuations of peri-menopause, and only has 2 tablet free days.

You should not need to see a specialist at the moment - as you are already being prescribed separate oestrogen and progesterone so may need tweaking or perhaps change to the pill I suggested?

Do tell us where you are in menopause and how old you are?

Hurdity x

[Freckles]

Hi Michelle46

I'd also suggest asking your GP for blood tests to determine your levels of oestrogen, testosterone, progesterone and FSH.
At least that way, as Mary G pointed out, you will know if there is an imbalance on your hormone levels and whether or not your current HRT levels are in sync or not.

I finally did ask for this, after being on Femoston 1/10 for years ,which did nothing for me at all  (after the first 6 months) other than turning me into an anxious walking zombie, with no energy,no motivation and with skin like a crocodile and eyes resembling two dead oysters).
Mt blood tests  found my oestrogen levels were just 72! Lower than most men's!

I also was offered antidepressants instead of HRT  but I knew that wasn't the answer as I intuitively knew it was lack of oestrogen that was the primary problem and I was right.
I then did masses of research as  I knew nothing about HRT,  and ended up seeing Studd. His regime has changed my life and was the best £300 I have ever spent. Changed my life in 3 months.
The transdermal HRT gels work so well for me and are a safer and more effective option than HRT tablets, with minimal side effects, as compared to the tablets often prescribed by GP's who often lack knowledge of effective HRT regimes.

If your GP is really unhelpful (as mine was and still is) I'd suggest a tailor made option from a specialist  might be a very worthwhile investment, especially at the peri menopausal stage, if you are at that stage, to consider.
From what I gather from posts on MM, not all specialists in the NHS offer up to date HRT  treatment.  It can make a huge difference in getting the right HRT treatment at an early stage, especially for preventing long term health problems.  I didn't know I had osteopenia in my left hip until I saw Studd and had a bone density scan. That accounted for my aches and pains there but I know I would have never had that assessment done on the NHS until I had the onset of osteoarthritis. My GP told me to get an osteopath from Yellow Pages!
See Studd's web site just for information of being peri menopausal and having a history of reproductive depression, etc., and how the right HRT can assist individuals.
Make lots of notes from knowledgeable posters (like Mary G and others) and online sources and go back to your GP. Read the NICE guidelines too; AD's are not considered the first option for treatment for hormonal problems any more. They are popular because they are dirt cheap to prescribe and in my opinion, just fob women off with genuine hormonal related problems. Ditto tablet based HRT treatments.
Good luck and keep us updated? x

[Ellie80]

Hello regarding Professor Studd and his consultations/treatment. . Can any one kindly shed a light on roughly how much a consultation and treatments for bio  identical hormones may cost (peri menopause)
Many thanks
Ellie xx

[Hurdity]

Hi Ellie80

 

You should be able to do a search. There are plenty of Studd patients on here. He is quite expensive I gather (including the blood tests). Don't forget you can get these "bio-identical hormones" mostly on the NHS - at least oestrogen and progesterone, and sometimes testosterone if you need it, and depending on the area. There are also many other cheaper gynaecologists that can help you, and of course the NHS menopause clinics if your GP will not. This should be your first port of call (GP). Do tell us about yourself and where you are in menopause - I would suggest starting a new thread and then you will get more replies.

Hurdity x

[Elizabethrose]

Hello Ellie, welcome to the forum.

if you're interested in seeing Prof Studd, you could give his office a call. I feel sure his secretary will be very happy to run through the costs with you which will then allow you to see if it suits you.

All good wishes to you x

[Mbrown001]

 

Giving Prof Studd a call sounds like a great idea. I'm not sure but I think I've read that he will do a telephone consultation. Someone who has seen him will be along soon I'm sure.


Mrs Brown

[Freckles]

Flying visit here for posting here on  MM but I saw Studd for the first time last year- changed my life for the better, to say the least!
Best £350 I have ever spent. Then (as it was then last year)  £250 after a 3 month check up and then a yearly check after that at about £250.00
Not that expensive IMO for hugely improved mental and physical health ( in my case within a few weeks)
I had crap advice from my 12 year old GP who decided I needed antidepressant medication, when I knew it was due to my very low oestrogen levels as I was "too old" at 55!
Totally contrary to current NICE guidelines.
It (antidepressant meds) are cheap after all and apparently it's what's 12 year old or equally inexperienced GP prescribe due to lack of up to date knowledge
Anti-depressant medication is NOT going to help if the problems are fundamentally due to hormone deficiencies.
Also most GP's are very ignorant of the treatment options for the menopause, even specialist NHS menopause centres.
 I would suggest the following:
1. Ring Studd's clinic for costs
2. Get your hormones (at least oestrogen, progesterone, FSH  and testosterone levels ) blood tests done on the NHS at your GP surgery before you see Studd.
  About a week or two before  seeing him so you have the results before seeing him. I did that and have done it twice since then.
You are saving the NHS a lot of money by seeing him privately
That saves your money getting them privately compared with at Studd's clinic.  I did that and he was quite happy to accept the results.
3. It's NOT  accurate to suggest that Studd's routine is easily prescribed on the NHS. That's not always correct.
Usually IMO experience GP's are clueless and prescribe the cheapest version but often least effective HRT options ( e.g. tablets).
4.  Once you have seen Studd, he will write to  your GP  with your prescription, and copy you into the letter
5. I now get all my Studd prescriptions on the NHS.
There is no guarantee you will get Studd's prescriptions on the NHS (due to ignorance by some GPs) but I have found that someone with Studd's extensive clinical and research experience  (he set up the first HRT clinics in the UK) tends to be accepted.
 I get ALL my prescriptions on the NHS as prescribed by Studd.
Even if I didn't I get those (prescriptions) on the NHS I'd buy them privately - the change in my psychological symptoms has been amazing.
 I realise when I saw him £350 might be expensive and a lower similar price for a yearly check up- and I am far from well off.
But to me the improvement in my quality of life has been amazing and I doubt if I would  have experienced that level of expertise on the NHS.  On the contrary.
Up to you of course, so contact his clinic and Google him. For me it so worth the money.
Some NHS specialists do private work but I gather  that there is a longer wait.
Do email me if you want further info
Hope the above helps xx

[Elizabethrose]

Hey Freckles, good to see you here, shame you don't post more frequently, you're missed!! Hope you remain well and happy xx