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[Kernow]

Hi there,
I think the forum is amazing, so much information.
I wonder if anyone can help me. I'm 59, have been post menopausal for 8 years now. Throughout this time I have suffered extreme hot flushes, insomnia, mood swings. I work and look after a child with Learning Disabilities on my own so need to be ‘ on the ball' as much as possible.
In the last year the flushes became intolerable, anxiety levels ridiculous...I truly thought I was losing my mind. I've held off from HRT, tried all the natural supplements, nothing helped.
My G.P. eventually persuaded me to try HRT and 5 months ago she started me on Femosten. However I was then told by a colleague that I shouldn't be on that at my age and should try the bio identicals.
So on 37.5mg Estradot and originally 100mcg daily of Uterogestan. The hot flushes almost disappeared initially which was wonderful, but I didn't feel much effect on the anxiety levels. 5 months on the hot flushes are returning, my mood feels awful...(used to suffer with awful PMT years ago), and I feel almost ‘drugged'...not myself at all.  Dizziness is a problem that has appeared and the insomnia is back with a few hot flushes.
I seem to be going backwards.  I've read some of your very knowledgeable posts, and wondered if I'm just very sensitive to the meds so have started inserting Uterogestan vaginally, and am now trying to take it cyclically...starting on D15 with the Uterogestan. Currently I'm D5 without the Uterogestan and I suppose I expected to get a bit of a lift but nothing so far. I feel very low, bit of a failure and quite desperate as I really hoped HRT would be the answer.
So I write to you kind souls for any help you can offer before I stop altogether.
Sorry for the tone of this new post...not me normally at all...

[CLKD]

Well - did the Femosten ease any of your symptoms?  It can be Trial and Error. 

If you really can't cope with the anxiety maybe ask your GP for an 'as necessary' anti-anxiety medication until you find HRT that suits.  Browse round.  Make notes! 

You are so NOT a failure.  HORMONES    ...... your body didn't get where it is suddenly so it may be that HRT will take a while for your body to accept the uptake.  Plus if your own hormones are joining in  .

[Kernow]

Thanks for that:)
I was only on the Femosten for 6 weeks but yes it felt like it was starting to work.
I've had major issues accepting HRT, I lost my cousin (who was like a sister) to ovarian cancer. She was BRAC 1, luckily I was not, but it sticks in your mind.
Mmmm hormones....pesky little blighters

[CLKD]

Who has told you about the Link between HRT and cancer? 

Browse round.  Make notes.   Also, if it was working, why listen to a 'colleague'  unless your GP was useless!

Off to bed now  - we have a thread about relaxation too somewhere

[Kernow]

Sleep well!
And thanks again for the advice...and yes nice G.P. but not really up to speed re:HRT

[NorthArm]

Hi Kernot
That ‘failure' feeling is awful, isn't it? Rest assured, it is all part of the process - God only knows why!!

I agree with CKLD, in that if the Femoston was starting to work, don't listen to anyone - if it works for you, that's the only thing that matters.....

You will feel as though you might have gone backwards when you swap from one hrt to another, as it does take a little time for your body to adjust which is why they say to give each one a good three months...

Maybe the progesterone in the Femoston was a better one for you? I do know they give Femoston to women who get horrendous PMS in their child bearing years, and it seems to help with that....

Or you could try the 50 patch? I didn't get much relief from 25 or 37.5, but find 50 is better. My low mood wasn't lifted completely though, so I opted to go back on an anti depressant I'd taken for years (like you I suffered with bad PMS) until about 9 months before this meno hell hit....Lots of ladies here take both, and in my case it was the final missing link to help with those horrid lows.

Anyway, keep browsing round - so much great info on here.

Just a thought, too - do you ever get any respite from your child? It's hard enough being a single mum, but if you have a special child it makes it that much harder. Try and take some time just for you if you can - get your hair done, have nails done, even a quiet bubble bath with a book can do wonders for how you feel x

[Kernow]

Thanks Northarm,
Really good info and much appreciated...
And thanks for the words of encouragement, no respite no but I've sort of got used to that.
Have a wonderful dog who I take on long walks after work, sea air always helps except for the frizz hair effect (Mine not the dogs!)

[CLKD]

Not an Afghan Hound then  - we have a thread on dogs too 

Let us know how you get on. 

[Kernow]

  Haha, no she's an Airedale terrier. More worrying is they say owners look like their dogs and mines got a beard!
No hope really.
Thanks for the support CLKD, and will keep in touch

[Daisydot]

Don't say that kernow my cats have got the longest whiskers on the planet 

[Kernow]

Ah but Daisydot you can channel that look...aka Cat Woman
Whereas mine....well the bearded lady did well in the circus years ago....maybe a career change!!,

[CLKD]

You have your sense of humour, you'll fit right in.  In one of the supplements today there are photos of dogs with owners who look exactly like their pets  .....

We have a thread here too "My Chin" ......... tweezers and I are great pals.

We had Airedales locally in the 1990s, now there is a shorter version padding around the fields, the more rarer 'Welshie'. 

[Kernow]

Ladies...advice please. This morning feels a bit of a turning point.  Had my shower and just couldn't bring myself to put on my new patch (37.5 mgs Estradot). I've been trying the other way of waiting till D15 to start the Uterogestan at 200mcgs (instead of 100mcgs daily) due to the fact mentioned prior ? sensitivity to Progesterone component. I'm on D8 of that cycle.
I only know that my anxiety levels are through the roof, and I can see no benefit except the vile hot flushes day time have reduced...the insomnia has not.
I have a pack of Femosten 1mg/5mg...should I go back on that and see if anything improves? I was worried about being older and taking oral preps rather than transdermal due to increased stroke etc.
I am probably being a total numpty but I don't like not ‘feeling like myself' so look to any suggestions you ladies may have.
Meanwhile there's a hazy yellow thing in the sky and I'm going to pay homage to it with the hounds...who knows I may find some answers

[CLKD]

Push that hazy yellow UFO in my direction please 

It's The Change and Trial and Error finding something that suits.  Did you walk?

[Kernow]

Yes CKLD....got out to the coastal paths which are pure mudfests due to the recent rain fest 
The sea was however beautiful with every colour and hue you could wish for.
It's funny because I was waiting for something to happen....leaving off the patch....HRT monitor booming down to me...'hot flushes approaching...blah, blah'.
Obviously too soon for that, so the decision is whether to slap the patch back on and persevere through the entire cycle or change to the tab.
However did life get this exciting....hope your day produced a yellow orb with smiley face....I told it to get a move on and give you some rays