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[jasper]

Hi again, I've posted quite a lot recently about my problems with a trial of Evorel (estrogen only so far as I was still having normal periods while taking it) for my major migraine problem.  It worked for the first month and when I increased dose but then would stop (and is causing joint pain).  I've just got off the phone to Anne Macgregor who is now suggesting I try Zoely (bioidential estrogen, synthetic prog) for 3 months to switch my cycle off so that we can see if this helps. She had originally suggested Mirena + patch but says given that my cycle is still causing problems, this isn't the best way forward now anyway (relieved as didn't want to try it).

Pretty worried about trying Zoely but it seems a logical step to take next..  Anyone here been ok with it (or not)? She seems to think it's a better alternative to Qlaira.

thanks a lot as ever

ps meant to say I am meant to take it 3 months back to back, cutting out the estrogen free placebo days

[MIS71MUM]

Hi Jasper

Strangely I am googling Zoely as we speak.  Hadn't heard of it before but really interested as to how you get on.
I was contemplating Qlaria but was concerned about the differing phases of progesterone.

I was on evorel sequi and really don't think it was strong enough for me. I crash during my period and also mid month. I'm not having regular periods though. I'm 45, what about you? X

[jasper]

Hi Mis71Mum,
I'm 47 but still having regular cycle. I was reacting better to the patch initially or when I increased dose but otherwise problems were just resurfacing, in a similar patter to you.  Specialist seemed to think Zoely a better version as she said Qlaria was the first attempt at including oral bioidentical estrogen but she didn't elaborate.  It has 4 placebo pill days with no estrogen/prog I think and is otherwise monophasic, but as mentioned, I have been told to try it continuously for the first 3 months (assuming I can tolerate it at all!!).  As I didn't take a version of Evorel with progesterone, I don't  yet know how I will react to that.

[Hurdity]

Funny that as I have mentioned Zoely on a couple of threads recently too! The main difference is that Qlaira vaguely tries to mimic the phases of the menstrual cycle so has 3 different strengths of oestrogen, 1 mg 2 mg and 3 mg, only has 2 placebo days, and has 22 days with oestrogen and progestogen, the remaining 4 with oestrogen alone. Zoely has a constant dose of oestrogen and progestogen all the days it is taken (24) with 4 placebo days. Qlaira would be better for those whose hormones take a dip at the end of the month and marginally better for those who dislike progestogens. However if you take Zoely back to back this isn't an issue and you will get a constant dose of hormones so theoretically no mood crashes dips etc - as long as you tolerate the progestogen OK.

I think if you're under 50 and troubled by mood swings and increasing pms then it sounds like a good option to try anyway.

Hurdity x

[MIS71MUM]

Excuse me ignorance, but if you take the pill back to back, what happens to your period? Is this an option if you are in peri with very irregular cycles?

[jasper]

Thanks a lot Hurdity. Fingers crossed I can tolerate it and also that it doesn't raise BP in the way that standard COP does (Prof Macgregor appeared to think it was less risky on that front). Constant levels are what I need I think as my migraines are heavily reactive to any change in estrogen levels (especially downwards), hard to say re progesterone as I haven't been on it yet. I don't have too much of a problem with PMS etc but the migraines more than make up for that!  I am 47 so it does feel very late in the day to be doing this (I haven't been on COP for 13 years since pre kids) but I am desperate.
Hi Mis71Mum - I would imagine so as it is going to shut down your normal cycle so to speak (or that's the hope with me) and you would just have a bleed after 3 months.

[Pam Madra]

Hi Jasper Interested in knowing you took zoely and how you are going with it now. I had been prescribed zoely by one doctor as well but then my gynae wanted me to try out tibilone and see how I go with it after AD did not work during perimenopause for me. Please keep posted as to how you went with it

[Wantmylifeback]

Hi Ladies

Can you get Zoely or Qlaria on NHS prescription?  My meno consultant has suggested I change from gel to combined pill to switch off my cycle.  I have been on a downward spiral since the start of the month and my anxiety is hard to control.  I am heading to Chamonix for Christmas and dreading feeling like this.  Normally I would have picked up by now but I can't seem to shift the low mood this month.  I usually have a dip around day 7/8 of my cycle for around a week then level out again and I'm fine.  I am only 41 and in peri stage.  How quickly does the combined pill take effect?

WMLB

[Hurdity]

Yes both Zoely and Qlaira should be free (to you) on NHS as they are contraceptive pills so your regular doc or family planning clinic should be able to supply them (give your reasons)! Hopefully others may advise as to whether you can sometimes encounter resistance from health-care practitioners when asking for these preps?

I presume if you take the pills back to back to some extent they work a bit like continuous combined HRT ie the same oestrogen and progestogen every day. However given that a bleed is normally expected in the 4 placebo pill days - this implies that the progestogen dose is not sufficient to keep the lining thin - but is sufficient to provide contraception - hence it is a contraceptive pill and not and HRT preparation. Having a bleed every 3 months minimises the oestrogen dip and progestogen withdrawal symptoms (which would occur every 4 weeks with the normal cycle of Zoely) but allows the lining to shed. That's how I understand it anyway

Zoely is not a very high oestrogen dose though (1.5 mg per day when taken). here is the detailed product info about it: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/27581/SPC/  (the warnings are pretty standard for HRT and the Pill).

Hurdity x

[jasper]

Pam,
Sorry for the slow response. Fraid I gave up after 2 months as I was having issues with neck pain / base of the skull for 6 weeks. Am pretty gutted as I am now in the midst of my standard post period migraine which is horrendous 😢. Hope it works for you x

[Pam Madra]

so sorry to hear this. wish you find something that works like all of us.

[Wantmylifeback]

Hi Ladies

I spoke with my GP yesterday and she is going to have to put forward a case for them to prescribe either Qlaria or Zoely, the pill they have prescribed is called Rigevidon does anyone have any experience of taking this particular brand? 

WMLB

[Hurdity]

I seem to remember someone mentioning it - just looked it up and contains the standard synthetic oestrogen  ethinylestradiol + synthetic prog (the same as in Mirena and Femseven patches - levonorgestrol ) - so it's whether you want to go down this route or have something that contains bio-identical oestrogen ie estradiol as in Qlaira and Zoely. Maybe you've been on the CCP before and got on OK with it?

Hopefully someone with experience of this will be along - I think GypyRoseLee tried a couple of pills but I think one was Marvelon....you could try searching for threads about this particular pill - go to Forum home page.

Hurdity x

[Wantmylifeback]

Hi

As I suspected my GP won't prescribe Zoely or Qlaria on the grounds of insufficient prescribing history and cost. I have been offered Millinette as an alternative and see how I get along with It!

WMLB x

[Tinkerbellj]

My  gp prescribed zoely on Thursday No problem at all! really hope it helps!!