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[knorman]

Hello All

My name is Kim and I am new to posting on the forum today.

I started taking Elleste Duet Conti (low dose) just over four weeks ago, having finally acknowledged I could no longer go through the menopause naturally.  Extremely pleased I started HRT as 3/4 days in saw improvement in joints, 10 days in, evening flushes had gone, 2-3 weeks in, nights flushes in bed gone, so I though I would finally have some sleep after being sleep deprived for almost 14 months solid (I also have CFS/ME).  I thought how much better I was going to be feeling once I reached the 3 month mark and felt I had made the right decision.

However, delight short lived. For the past 8 days I have had intense dry mouth and a burning tongue with a metallic taste and today my lips have started to burn. Never experienced this before HRT and could only conclude it is the HRT. I have since read that progesterone can cause burning tongue and dry mouth.  I now spend my nights sat up drinking water, using a saliva spray and a lip salve, so original problem back, completely sleep deprived and feeling very unwell again.

Unable to see my Dr until 17th Jan, so today decided not to take any more pills.

Has anyone else experienced this difficulty and if so, did it pass, or did you try another HRT that worked better for you?  Have been going round in circles past 48 hours as unable to discuss with Dr.  Any help for a newbie will be very much appreciated!

[CLKD]

Welcome.

Some toothpastes can cause burning mouth SLS (laurel sulphate) .......... I would phone a Pharmacist for advice or your Surgery pronto!

[knorman]

The pharmacist said it is a common side effect of HRT, but no one that I know has had any experience of it. I never normally react to medication, so very disappointed, its too much of coincidence to be anything else.  Ho hum!  Thank you for your reply.

[Dotty]

Change to an HRT with a different progesterone.  Or persevere as side effects usually disappear within 3 months

[knorman]

This was my dilemma last night, do I stop taking them or not.  If I could get hold of my Dr and she advised that the symptoms should go in time, I would keep going, especially as I am so pleased with HRT results so far, but I am not able to speak to anyone.  I have been going round in circles.  At the moment, I would rather have the night flushes back (NEVER thought I would say that) as it least I would occasionally have a little bit of sleep if they didn't kick in as soon as I got into bed! Not able to see my Dr until 17th Jan.  I've been reading this site and the magazine for a few years now and joined today to see if anyone had experienced this problem.  It has been reassuring to hear from you as I am once again at my wits end, thank you.

[CLKD]

Speak to a Pharmacist, or stop the HRT until mid-Jan.?

[4meSons]

Hi I suffered with this badly last year but didn't realise it was a meno symptom.i was at the doctors umpteen times about it and was even referred to ENT. I wasn't on hrt at the time I've only just started taking it, the burning has stopped but I still have a dry mouth x

[Daisydot]

I think it's more common than we realise sometimes my lips are so dried up in mornings they're stuck together I just keep a water bottle at side of bed,I also suffer terribly with dry eyes I bought viscotears liquid gel from boots today it's a godsend for dry eyes you'll prob find your nose is all dry inside and your ears dry and itching not to mention your undercarriage,all part and parcel of the menopause ,you could try omega 7 supplements it helps with lubricating all the mucous membranes during menopause but it's a bit costly around £20 a pack, you can get from health food stores or online.xx

[knorman]

Thank you for your replies everyone. It does help to know we are not alone doesn't it!  Even though it was only yesterday I stopped taking the HRT, my mouth, tongue and lips already starting to feel better and had a more comfortable night and a little bit of sleep.  So it is definitely the HRT causing the problem, I never before had this problem until 3 weeks into taking the HRT.  I am going to drip feed the HRT, enough hopefully to keep the dreaded night heats at bay, until I go to Drs on 17th Jan.  Hopefully then we will find something else that won't give me this side effect.  I really do not want to give up on HRT as I am so pleased with the results so far and it has (ironically) even helped with the dry eyes (and daisydot, those drops are marvellous).  I am hoping it helps with all the other dry bits you have mentioned also!  I am still at a loss to understand how  it helps with the other dry bits, but dried my mouth out. 4MeSons (I am sorry, I have not worked out yet how to reply to the individual posts!) I have been using something called Saliveze from Boots to help with the dry mouth and chewing sugar free gum. If the HRT has stopped the burning mouth, you will hopefully have the opposite effect to me and the HRT will eventually stop the dry mouth! I've always assumed the dry nasal passages were due to the last virus (which I still have) that finally took me down into CFS/ME, but the last few weeks I have begun to wonder Daisydot. Thank you again everyone and I hope you do not have too many mad dashing around days until Christmas. x

[ancient runner]

I've been on HRT for almost a year and am suffering from this problem now - but mine doesn't seem to be connected to progesterone as I am on a sequential form. It is horrible. Weirdly my undercarriage symptoms are suddenly much better though!

[Hurdity]

Hi knorman

 

I haven't experienced this problem but just to say, maybe you would be better off with a transdermal HRT for example Evorel sequi patches ( same progestogen as Elleste) or Femseven sequi patches ( different progestogen). You might be allergic to the progestogen or something in the preparation when taken orally? Can you not get an emergency appointment as you seem to be having an allergic reaction to the HRT? This is not a routine matter that can wait. Your doc should advise you and I would say is negligent if they make you wait without giving advice - because if you are allergic they should prescribe another one (tomorrow!) rather than make you wait over Christmas and suffer the flushes, sweats and sleep deprivation again....

Hurdity x

[knorman]

Hello Hurdity

I had the same thought, maybe non oral would be better for me.  Tongue is a bit sore, having just got up and I am going to try a tab today, but if it comes roaring back, will stop again. If I am able to take one every few days, it might keep night flushes at bay.  So far they haven't come back (that's tempting fate!).  We have tried really hard with the Dr appointment, but nothing doing, I am not a child or elderly person, so not deemed as an emergency.  Nothing has swollen up or affected my breathing.  I never normally have a reaction to medication, so this has been a kick in the teeth as I fought against HRT for so long (why?!). x

[knorman]

Ancient Runner, what has your Dr suggested re: burning mouth and the HRT? It's bizarre it has affected my mouth in this way as it has helped with the dry eyes.  Hoping it will help with undercarriage also!