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[Optimist]

Hi all, I would appreciate some advice regarding the Hrt regime I'm on which I don't feel is working...again!
I'm peri and have tried a few HRTs bug have reacted to the progesterone phase on each.
I was sent to the menopause clinic and started on femoston 1/5 even though the DR knew I was still having sporadic periods. I think it was because mood swings were my main symptom and seemingly controlled by my natural or hrt cycle.
1st month on femoston 1/5 really low mood for 3 weeks then lifted and felt so much better in month 2 then into month 3 although mood up other symptoms came into play which I can only think would be due to progesterone build up? I spotted/bled all through month 3 had terrible bloating/constipation/not sleeping/urine output increase then month 4 it's been a nightmare again all above symptoms but now really low mood again to top it off. My finger joints have started aching again which tells me I need higher oestrogen but 1/5 conti doesn't go any higher? I'm waking anywhere from 1-4x at night to go to toilet & the volume is ridiculous-I'm already on oxybutinyn tablets for urge & frequency control.
I have a review at the menopause clinic on the 19th Dec but my tablets run out on tues next week. So question do I go to gp to get more femoston 1/5 or do I go back to my everol patches (just oestrogen phase) to see if all my symptoms subside again? I'm seeing a different DR at the clinic when I go back, the 1st didn't ask me any q's Re what had been happening just seemed so certain I was going to be great on femoston conti. Should I ask to trial femoston sequi higher dose 2/10 so any progesterone symptoms only last a week or so?
I'm feeling so low again about this whole menopause thing. I just want it to go away. I had nearly 2 months of feeling okay in between month 1-4 but that was it.
I'm trying my hardest, eatting well, exercising, mindfulness but it's just not working and my low mood is affecting my relationship and work again.
Please can anyone help me? I'm so sorry to bother anyone with this.
X

[Kathleen]

Hello Optimist.

I don't have the expertise to answer your question but I wanted to sympathise with your plight. I am feeling similar things to you atm so I know how hard this can be.

Hopefully one of the expert ladies will be along soon to advise you.

Take care and sending hugs.

K.

[Taz2]

Hi Optimist.

I'm interested in the fact you are on oxybutinyn and wondered how long you have been taking it and who prescribed it? Were you also referred to a urinary continence specialist clinic to try to resolve this problem without medication? The side effects of this drug can be quite debilitating and it is often seen as the last resort to resolve urgency and frequency rather than a first line of treatment. Well, that was my experience anyway. Could it be that this treatment is causing you problems as well as the meno symptoms?

Also, have you been checked recently for blood sugar/diabetes as an increase in urine volume is not typical of menopause as far as I know?

I hope that you get some answers soon.

Taz x

[Optimist]

Hi Taz, I've been on oxybutinyn for around 6/7 years I think now.
I usually take 10mgs xl in the morning and your right it does cause tiredness and there has been some research (unevidenced) around dementia if used in older people. When I heard this as you can imagine..panic, anxiety set in and I went to my GP and asked about it. Gp at the time said not to worry but we did agree to cut down to 5mg daily to trial but it was useless and I had to go back to 10mg. I then tried taking it at night due to half life tiredness etc but think that was worse so am now back to mornings 10mg which does help. I've definately noticed an increase of volume/freq since being on the conti and I'm sure I've
heard that can be a progesterone side effect? Unfortunately it doesn't appear to be subsiding and due to it
affecting my sleep so much is getting worse. I'm getting ridiculous brain fog too lately which again makes me think I perhaps need higher oestrogen? I keep my weight down even though I'm fighting that also since on conti-I've always been skinny mini (lucky me you may think, but jeez you feel the cold 😊)! So don't think I'm diabetic but possibly worth a test. I'll ask. I tried vagifem to see if that would help with urinary increase but I had really bad symptoms on that -mood swings bleeding -however it did make me sleep so maybe worth another trial of a different cream?
Thanks for replying taz-I do appreciate it especially while feeling so low xx

[Taz2]

It's like picking your way through a maze isn't it?

Have you ever been referred to a continence specialist though? If not I really feel you should ask for it as you may be able to help your urinary symptoms and then decrease the medication. According to this link you don't need to be referred https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/incontinence/Pages/Gettinghelp.aspx 

Taz x 

[Optimist]

It certainly is!
I was referred to urology before starting the tablets. I had bladder scan etc they didn't find anything and my pelvic floor wasn't an issue. I can remember from a very very young age having urgency problems, if I didn't get to a toilet ASAP it was an embarrassment! I've always suffered from constipation and have often wondered if the two are linked. I'm using Aloe Vera colon cleanse + prunes daily and still an issue! I've just kind of accepted it but it's not good.
Are you on hrt? How is it for you? X