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[tp1969]

Hi,I need some help desperately. Had been on elleste duet 1mg for 12mth then dr took me off it because of side effects, ( migraine, mood swings) but at least it controlled hot flushes. Fast forward 12mth and I am put back on it as exhausted from lack of sleep due to night sweats and flushes, (Dr put me on clonidine first which just gave me headaches). Changed from elleste to formoston for 3 mths March to May as had read that the side effects may be less, actually worse!  So went back to gp who shrugged his shoulders and put me back on elleste, regardless of the fact it gives me migraine and heavy bleeding. I stopped taking elleste beginning August and tried nutrition fx.  Have had no period but the night sweats are relentless so I managed a cancellation appointment with gp on Monday.  He promptly put me back on elleste, telling me there are hundreds of different hrt it's just a matter of trial and error! And gave me a prescription for venlafaxine 75mg, just for the side effect of reducing hot flushes. Started taking both Monday evening and was violently ill at 2am and continued to feel spaced out for the next two days. I have taken nothing since and am now having flushes roughly 2 every hour and don't know what the hell to do. Spoke to gp on phone and none the wiser. Don't know whe ther to restart elleste before I completely go into meltdown😰😰

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM
It can be tough to find the right HRT regime. Look under treatments to see your options.
Most hrts will bring some side effects so it's about finding the one that brings the most benefits with the least side effects.
Having tried just about every HRT option, I found that having a Mirena fitted and using oestrogen as gel ( applied to inner thighs each day) was the best HRT regime as I didn't get any bleeding after the first few weeks and I could use as little or as much oestrogen as I needed to control all my meno symptoms. 
You may do better with the transdermal patches - so perhaps try these first?
Keep us posted DG x

[peri]

Tp1969

Your GP is right there are 100's of hrts, so why go back on one which doesn't suit you.  Why not try patches or gel they are much better and should stop hot flushes and help with mood as well as protect heart and bones long term.  For what it's worth I thought elleste was one of the worse ones.  Why not try the green tab at the top of this website and do a bit of research, then request what you want from your GP x

[Salad]

Sounds awful tp1969 

Maybe trying a different method of HRT, such as gel or patch might be an idea?
It does seem to be a case of trial and error in finding a method that suits best.
Keep at it!

[CLKD]

   browse round.  Make notes!

Read the treatment banner above (green)

Maybe make a list of symptoms and decide which you need to ease first.  Venlafaxine can ease flushes ......... but if you felt ill with it, that's no use to you!  I had some awful side-effects from a few ADs in the 1980s, it really was essential that I found one that helped the depression and eventually ........... PHEW!

You may find that the Practice Nurse is more knowledgeable about HRT and menopause, or maybe go see your local Pharmacist: most of private rooms these days.

[Hurdity]

Hi tp1969

  from me too.

So sorry to hear you are feeling rough despite trying several HRT types.

I agree with the others that patch or gel oestrogen may be the way to go - if you look at the info on this website it says that this method of delivery is preferred if you get migraines with tablet HRT.
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/route.php

Also this statment about migraine:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/atoz.php#GlossM

Migraine
Migraine is often triggered by hormonal fluctuations and therefore may occur around the time of a period. Such migraine may improve at the time of the menopause. Some women find that migraine may be triggered by the daily hormone fluctuations which can occur with oral (tablet) HRT so the transdermal (patch or gel) route is usually preferred with a history of migraine.

I was just wondering if you are post-menopausal yet - ie did you have a period in the 12 months you stopped HRT after your first trial of Elleste? Also you age - as that gives an indication how much oestrogen mught be needed ( higher if younger - but in any case needs to be sufficient to eliminate flushes). Sounds like the 1 mg worked in this respect.

The combi patch HRTs are listed here: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/perimeno.php (scroll down).

Evorel sequi contains the same progestogen as Elleste but because it is delivered transdermally (through skin) then you may not get the mood sqings and headaches in quite the same way. Femseven seems to be better tolerated (from what I've read on here) but some have problems getting it to stick as it stays on for a week. Dancinggirl's suggestion of a Mirena sounds good because it deals with the bleeding too and eventually you should have lighter periods and it might even stop them?

Anti-depressants are not supposed to be prescribed in preference to HRT for menopausal symptoms except when women are medically unable to take HRT ( as per current guidelines).

Hang in there - and keep trying - and let us know what you decide and how you get on

Hurdity x

[walkingthedog]

Hi tp1969 I was on venlafaxine a few years ago it made me feel very ill I was only on it a few weeks, it's very difficult to come off as is duloxetine from the same group.
I'm not saying the right. Ad won't help I'd just advise from personal experience to avoid those two
Cx

[Butterfly22]

I am on venlafaxine for depression but it was a last resort, it's helped me so much even gives me an energy boost in the morning but I did read the risks, as you say walkingthedog they are hard to come off , I tried Duloxetine and was in a right state, shocks to my head, extremely flat.
My sister was given venlafaxine for headaches took one and felt hideous.
There are so many HRT to to try maybe try another combo xxx

[CLKD]

If a lady has depression then the appropriate AD should be prescribed.  However, some can give awful side effects: I know, I've been there since 1988  ........ and some can take a while to kick in.  The longer the brain has been depressed the longer it can take for an AD to show benefit.

Prozac made me  , several others caused severe nausea, but I had to have an AD so it took about 4-5 months to find something that I was able to tolerate.  Not a cure but at least I am able to get out of bed.  I don't know why people think that ADs are 'difficult' to stop taking  .   I had to wean off one and it took 9 weeks of careful tapering. 

Similarly, from reading about different reactions to HRT and how long it can take to find something that helps, it really can be Trial and Error.

[Butterfly22]

I don't think the Internet helps as when I was looking at those two AD's all I was reading was horrendous to come off, I told my doctor my worries and she said well you won't be coming off them for a while and when you do we do it probably (taper them) I'd rather feel better now and will worry about that when the day comes. Xx

[dazned]

Exactly,you have to feel enabled now ! No point worrying about the what ifs ! What it you have no problems and everything is good! We need to remember most people report on forums/internet the worst case scenarios not many bother to post about the life changing results,they're too busy living their lives to the full.
We all react in different ways just like with Hrt it's a case of trialling them until you find one that suits unfortunately. If only these things were easy.

[Butterfly22]

How good would that be, take this one pill it works 😄 I tried most other AD's before this one all with side effects, this has helped me loads xx

[CLKD]

It depends on what one is taking the particular drug for. 

Mum's GP has given her a 'pill to get her going in the morning', if she feels OK apparently she's not to take it.  Give me, give me, give me 

[Hurdity]

tp1969 - just to reiterate that the recommended treatment for a woman in your position ie presenting to the doctor with menopausal symptoms of flushes and sweats (and related new onset anxiety or low mood) – is HRT and as I said the younger you are – especially if less than the average age of menopause – the more important this is. There are plenty of HRT options still available if you haven't found the right one yet, and I would urge you to try some of them as suggested. This is not a reflection on judgement on any other women who take ADs for other reasons or who cannot take HRT – but just what should be recommended for you.  Do ask us any more questions about the different types of HRT available if you need to. All the best.

I'm glad the rest of you are feeling better on the treatment you are taking

Hurdity x

[Butterfly22]

Thanks Hurdity, a big menopause symptom for me is hot flushes, night sweats so taking HRT is a must, and yes CLKD I could do with one of the pills, if it makes me feel better I'm taking it! Xxx