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[StripeyMaz]

Hello all
Hello everyone

I've been on Evorel Conti for nearly a month for joint pain.
It's made no difference whatsoever and if anything the pain is worse.
Since xmas eve I have been continually bleeding so I rang the surgery for advice. My GP has said stop it and come in to see her. I'm going in on Tuesday.

I know a month is not really long enough to tell but this situation is not manageable and I'm happy to stop it. My question is....will this cause a further bleed and what else might happen? Will going cold turkey be difficult or is a month not really long enough to have a dramatic effect.
Sorry for all the drama, just so hacked off with it all.

Thank you all xx

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM StripeyMaz
Bleeding in the first few weeks and even months on a conti HRT is quite normal - it can take up to 6 months before the bleeding and spotting stops.  Reducing meno symptoms can take time and if you were very oestrogen deficient, then it can take at least 3-6 months before the benefits can be truly felt.  Most women prefer to start with sequential HRt regime and put up with a monthly bleed, as this is often better tolerated than the conti HRTs.
You may get some bleeding when you stop the HRT but this should subside within a week.
If it's just aching joints that are causing you problems, then it's worth trying a diet rich in Omega3, calcium, Vitamin D and magnesium - also brisk walking everyday does wonders - I'm an ex professional dancer with terrible joints  - I wake each morning feeling stiff and achey and the best way to ease the pain is by going for a long brisk walk.
If you are carrying a bit too much weight ? - so many of us struggle to keep the weight under control when meno hits     Loosing some weight and improving muscle strength can also work wonders. What ever you do - KEEP MOVING - don't sit down for too long.
HRT can help joints but it is about a whole range of measures and also finding an HRT that suits you.  Perhaps try a sequential HRT e.g. Femoston 1/10, for 3 months and see how that goes? DG x

[Hurdity]

I was just about to post and I see Dancinggirl has replied so just to say I agree with all her points. Personally I would suggest a sequential HRT because it gives a more predictable bleed. Also as you may not yet be post-menopausal your own cycle could have kicked in, or else your womb lining may well have built up from anovulatory cycles so the lining is shedding now and this should ease off

I'm always stiff in the mornings but it gradually eases as I move about.

I presume your thyroid function has been checked?

Hurdity x

[StripeyMaz]

I guess I'll wait and see what the GP comes up with. I've followed the advice and taken off the patch tonight.

I take on board the comments, thank you. I work full time as a self employed gardener. I couldn't get more exercise if I tried. I admit I'm probably carrying 3 or 4 pounds more than I should be but I  have more muscle than fat so lack of activity doesn't play a part. We eat really well though I've been veggie for 30 plus years.

I've only had a TSH thyroid blood test. I kept asking for a full set but got nowhere so I've just had a Blue Horizon one done privately and am waiting for the results.

Clutching at straws I asked my GP whether he thought it could be fibromyalgia but he said it doesn't exist!!  Made me feel exasperated for all the poor souls out there that have it!

Very frustrated in all this but I'm on a roll and am determined to get to the bottom of it. With any luck it's just a case of trial and error until I find something that suits. I realise it's very early days but I wonder if part of the problem is I'm not actually convinced it's menopausal arthralgia.

Watch this space
Thank you all xx

[Dancinggirl]

StripeyMaz - I'm a keen gardner - aching joints comes with the job I'm afraid.  Have you tried Volteral Gel?
You haven't told us how old you are? When was your last natural period?
Do you do a warm up before you start gardening? Do you do stretches and relaxation after heavy work at the end of the day?.  Your joints may be damaged after all the heavy physical work involved with gardening so perhaps get some advice about how you can protect your joints better  - thinking about how you do things can make quite a difference - a physiotherapist can really help with this.  DG x

[StripeyMaz]

Hi DR
I'm 52, last period was Jan 2016.
I'm pretty sure you're right that 30 plus years of full time gardening has taken its toll. As a dancer you'd be only too aware.

This is not job related I'm sure of it. It first started at Easter 2015 a few months after I came off the pill. My hormones went bonkers for a bit understandably and the joint pain just picked up.
It comes in waves, some days are better than others. It moves about but knees, hips and feet are worse. Currently the tops of both arms are affected but not right into my shoulders.
I've had all sorts of blood tests but all are normal. Still waiting on the thyroid ones.

I had very few menopausal symptoms at the start of Dec which was why I wasn't convinced about HRT.

Pretty confused I have to say.

Thanks x

[Dancinggirl]

StripeyMaz - it is alarming what emerges when the meno hits.  Aching joints are common in peri and post meno and it's very difficult to find an answer - basically it's down to a lack of oestrogen.
You say you are vegetarian - I'm a life veggie (3rd generation) but I eat dairy and eggs and I take Omega 3 fish oils.  Are you vegan?
Though I thought I ate a good diet, when I actually looked more carefully I realised I was low in certain things - certain amino acids can be lacking in the veggie diet e.g L Lysine.  L lysine is important for connective tissues in joints and for the skin etc. - I take vitamin D and magnesium supplements in winter.
If you don't eat oily fish then I woudln definitely take some Omega 3 fish oil ( veggie versions aren't as good) as this really dose help joints.
Do try a different HRT type and see how it goes - I suspect you are not post meno enough to take conti HRT(hence the bleeding) and a sequi one will be better.   DG x

[StripeyMaz]

Thank you DG, what you are saying is starting to make sense.
I did wonder if I'd been given conti too soon and I mentioned it on the phone to my GP but she said it was OK, I was close enough!!  Maybe not!

I take Vit D because my levels were at rock bottom this time last year but have since picked right up. I hadn't considered magnesium or oil to be honest. I'm not vegan and I eat dairy so that might make life easier I guess. I don't eat fish though so plan B might be needed. Is olive oil any good aside from the calories?!

I think I'll try another HRT because I can see the benefits outweighing the risks and as you say I've given my bones and joints a hammering over the years. I'll see what the GP thinks on Tuesday, trying to keep to the same one but it's very difficult at our surgery.  I'm totally prepared to put up with some settling down issues if it gets me there in the end but I wasn't too impressed to start massive bleeding morn, noon and night since xmas eve and still ongoing(though not much now) after having been told point blank that it wouldn't be the case.

As you say- all quite alarming.

Definitely a lot to learn as well

Mazx

[Dancinggirl]

StripeyMaz - I'd ask for Femoston 1/10 sequential HRT as this tends to be tolerated very well by many women.

Olive oil isn't Omega 3, I think Olive oil is Omega 6 or 9.  Omega 3 is the magic one for everything but it's particularly helpful for joints. The best source of Omega 3 is from oily fish I'm afraid  - so a bit of a lapse if vegetarian but Fish oil capsules are a very important supplement if you don't eat fish. I take Krill oil capsules but there are cheaper types of fish oils that give Omega 3. Do start on a highish dose for 3 months to build it up and then reduce to a maintenance dose. I started taking Omega 3 fish oil capsules after attending a conference on children's development and behaviour - controlled trials showed such marked improvement in children who were given Omega 3 supplements, that soon after this conference there was a big push to put Omega 3 in all sorts of processed foods to improve everyones diet.  Adding Omega 3 and vitamin D is linked to improvement in all kinds of things  - brain function, nervous system, energy etc. but particularly bones and joints.
Magnesium helps the body absorb Calcium and vitamin D - so this is often included in supplements as it's a vital link.
It's often these small vital nutrients that go missing in our diets and stop us absorbing things as well as we should.
Try printing out the info on this site to show the GP - look under TREATMENTS at the top of this page.
Keep us posted.  Dg x