Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hello All 

I haven't been around much these last few months, mainly because I feel I have finally turned a corner and seem to have 'recovered' from my hellish peri menopause. In the last 3 months I've only had a small handful of days where I've had the dread anxiety/depression - and the rest of the time I have felt great.

It has been such a horrible, horrible (nearly 4) years for me since the misery started, which resulted in a virtual breakdown last year for a couple of months where I had to be signed off work & ended up under the Crisis Team for several sessions for Heaven's sake. I've been steadily improving since last Autumn, and I now really feel 98% back to normal. I still have to pinch myself that it is *over* at last. Just about 

I am still faithfully using 4 pumps + testim gel + Utrogestan 100mg on days 1-7. And for the last 2 months I have barely had any withdrawl bleed. Just the tiniest bit of spotting for 2 days. Prof Studd has assured me that I'm barely bleeding because the Utro is doing its job. But I'm inclined to think that maybe my cycle has now virtually shut down. I'm nearly 47, and none of my close female relatives has lasted this long still having periods.

I now have an excellent (youngish male) GP who fully supports Prof Studd's diagnosis and I have finally found an excellent local pharmacy that can source the proper, Besins UK pack, Estrogel for me and NOT the inferior, re-packaged, parallel import Oestrodose which I kept being fobbed off with.

So, there's my story. A happy ending hopefully. I hope this gives some hope to all the lovely ladies on here who feel like their hormonal anxiety and depression is with them forever.

Now, for my question - I fly on holiday soon, and I'm paranoid about my luggage getting lost and my vital, vital HRT with it. Can I travel with my pump pack and my testim gel in my hand luggage? Does anyone know?

[CLKD]

Ring the Travel Agency or Air Line you are with in the morning?  I would also take a copy of my prescription with me in hand luggage too.

So lovely to hear that you are now well     I can't tell you how pleased I am on your behalf and well done on the GP!  Don't let us know where you are, or he will be over-whelmed - unless he wants a full time job with menopausal ladies? 

[Elizabethrose]

I agree totally with CLKD, I'm so delighted to read your post GypsyRoseLee. Well done you, you deserve a peaceful ride into meno!

I took a letter from my doc and a copy of my repeat meds list when flying but also checked with the airlines. Whatever you do investigate throughly before travelling, the last thing you need is to have it confiscated at security! Ring the airport, they may be able to advise. I had to travel with needles too (migraine meds) which often caused a bit of a hoo-hah!

Once again congratulations, thrilled to bits for you! 

[peri]

Glad you're well GRL, so pleased for you + your story helps others who are struggling x

[GypsyRoseLee]

Thank you [smile] You have held my hand through out the last 4 years and I couldn't have done it without this wonderful forum. If I hadn't stumbled across you guys I would never have realised what was happening to me, nor found my way to Prof Studd's door.

Taking my script with me is a good idea. Might ask my GP about him providing me with a letter.

[Annie0710]

What a lovely update :-)

[GypsyRoseLee]

Thank you Shortie. I'm actually going to Portugal, so I wonder if they stock it in their pharmacies?

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hello sparkle

You have all been so patient and understanding with me all those times when I thought I was losing the plot.

[CLKD]

If it's to hand, you won't have to traipse around pharmacies ;-)

[Peacegirl]

Hello All 

I haven't been around much these last few months, mainly because I feel I have finally turned a corner and seem to have 'recovered' from my hellish peri menopause. In the last 3 months I've only had a small handful of days where I've had the dread anxiety/depression - and the rest of the time I have felt great.

It has been such a horrible, horrible (nearly 4) years for me since the misery started, which resulted in a virtual breakdown last year for a couple of months where I had to be signed off work & ended up under the Crisis Team for several sessions for Heaven's sake. I've been steadily improving since last Autumn, and I now really feel 98% back to normal. I still have to pinch myself that it is *over* at last. Just about 

I am still faithfully using 4 pumps + testim gel + Utrogestan 100mg on days 1-7. And for the last 2 months I have barely had any withdrawl bleed. Just the tiniest bit of spotting for 2 days. Prof Studd has assured me that I'm barely bleeding because the Utro is doing its job. But I'm inclined to think that maybe my cycle has now virtually shut down. I'm nearly 47, and none of my close female relatives has lasted this long still having periods.

I now have an excellent (youngish male) GP who fully supports Prof Studd's diagnosis and I have finally found an excellent local pharmacy that can source the proper, Besins UK pack, Estrogel for me and NOT the inferior, re-packaged, parallel import Oestrodose which I kept being fobbed off with.

So, there's my story. A happy ending hopefully. I hope this gives some hope to all the lovely ladies on here who feel like their hormonal anxiety and depression is with them forever.

Now, for my question - I fly on holiday soon, and I'm paranoid about my luggage getting lost and my vital, vital HRT with it. Can I travel with my pump pack and my testim gel in my hand luggage? Does anyone know?

I flew last month hand luggage only so my gel was in there. I also had a copy of my prescription as the aviation authority says you should. But, it does have name address etc on side of gel so thst would probably be enough. As it goes nobody even glanced at my toiletries bag. Anyway, even though the gel bottle is big it only contains 80ml I think which is less thst the 100ml per item max you can take (1000 ml liquids allowed in total but each item must not exceed 100ml)

So good to hear your success story. Now go have a wonderful time x

[Tinkerbellj]

Delighted for you gypsy xxx have a great holiday x

[paisley]

It is lovely hearing success stories. GRL I am so happy you feel better & have a great holiday Xxxxx

[Mary G]

GRL, thanks for updating us on your progress, that is fantastic news, I am so pleased Professor Studd's regime has worked out for you and your story is a great inspiration for other women.  It seems that the 4 pumps of gel really does work for anxiety and depression and definitely worth persevering with even it is it sometimes difficult at first. 

Re taking Oestrogel on holiday, it's no problem because the container is 80 grammes and the restrictions only apply to items over 100 grammes.  I take gel in my hand luggage all the time and have never had any problems.

For some reason, Oestrogel is not available in Portugal, I have tried to buy it there several times without success.  You can buy other forms of HRT over the counter and without a prescription but not gel.

If you are in the Algarve and either have an emergency or feel like buying some inexpensive Oestrogel, you can go over the border into Ayamonte in Spain and buy it in a pharmacy there.  It is an easy drive and I think there is a bus service too. 

The Spanish Oestrogel (Oestraclin) now comes with a useful measuring syringe (as opposed to the slide) which clearly marks the dosage from half a pump (very useful) upwards.  The syringe can also be used as applicator for placing Utrogestan next to the cervix which is an added bonus.

[Butterfly22]

Ah that's great news so pleased for you and gives me hope xxx

[Katia]

I did not realise there was a generic of the gel.  I will have to look at mine as I'm not sure I'm getting enough estrogen