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[LAC1969]

Hi there,

So a telephone consultation with my GP has ended up with me today collecting my first HRT prescription (no - make that 2, at a cost of £17.60!!!).  I'm peri-menopausal, aged 48 and three quarters (in denial about approaching 49 clearly) and have only had 2 periods in around 16 months.  The last one was in Sep 17.

I briefed the doc that a) I'm nervous and apprehensive around most medications (except paracetomol and antibiotics if ever needed) b) I'm a scaredy-cat in that I usually believe that if there is a medical risk that I'll be the one to experience it c) I wanted a low dose because of a and b and that d) I'd prefer patches because then my liver wouldn't be doing the same processing.  That last one stems from the fact that my mum died at only 65 with liver cancer plus I have heamachromatosis which can result in iron being stored in the liver.  I'm not iron over-loading currently and haven't ever done so actually but it's another thing I worry about!  Anyway my female doc was a bit of a disappointment and didn't listen too much I don't feel.  She must have repeated about 4 times in a 4 minute conversation that 'it's up to you really' and offered nothing to balance my anxiety around this topic.

You're probably getting the picture now??  I'm not gung-ho over this whole thing and the truth is that my only real symptom is the night sweats, which are really disruptive, and the ocassional hot flush during the day (embarrassing but.......).  I'm grumpy and irritable but it feels like I've been like that so long that I think that could just be me?  I took Sage for 7 or 8 months with pretty good success at stopping the sweats but that no longer works, as my oestrogen levels have no doubt plummeted again naturally.

I know that waking several times a night is exhausting and can't be good for my health (and it's bad enough to have driven me to the GP) but Iwould really appreciate some encouragement/advice/wisdom from you ladies to reassure me that I'm going to be ok if I try this and that I'm not going to die during the night with a DVT!  Seriously, that is a thought that ran through my mind whilst reading the side effects and some posts on nhs websites!!!  Aaagghhh!!  I'm thinking that maybe I should half the patch?  That might make me less anxious.

And finally, the list of side effects and heavy bleeding is worrying me.  Do you think I'm likely to bleed given the infrequency of my periods? I really like not having them and, who knows, maybe I have had my last natural one?  I don't know if heavy (and potentially frequent bleeding) would be worth the trade off!!!

I know I sound like a right old worry wart but that is exactly what I am.  I would appreciate anything you wish to share with me.  I need a voice (or more than one) of reason 

Thanks to you if you took the time to read this.
Louise

[Wilks]

Hi Louise!
I'm 49 and fast approaching 50. I have a similar apprehension around pharmaceuticals to what you describe, but I felt so awful with peri menopause symptoms that I decided to go ahead with HRT. I started with a low dose of Evorel Sequi a couple of years ago. Had no side effects except for a mild irritation under the patch. It worked pretty well for a while, until my oestrogen plummeted last autumn. I went up to a slightly higher dose 3 months ago and that seems to be helping. Again no side effects and only light bleeds, but my boobs have grown and I prefer to be flat chested, lol. But that's a small price to pay.
I'd suggest you give it a go for 2 or 3 months, since your dr has deemed you suitable. You can always stop if you don't like it.

[sadielouise78]

Hi Louise,

I understand your worries but be assured every type of medication comes with a big list of side effects which they put in to pretty much cover themselves and any unusual things that may happen to people.  You would be very, very unlucky if you got all of even half the side effects.  I've just had a month of Evorel Sequi but had problems with heavy bleeding so have changed.  But I do have a history from years ago of heavy bleeding so it's not new for me.  I had the same problems with the Mirena Coil.  And I should say I had another HRT before Evorel Sequi which started the heavy bleeding but Evorel Sequi didn't stop it so it wasn't definitely caused by Evorel Sequi.  I have to say though it solved my sleeping problems.  I also found the patch kept falling off but I do a lot of exercise and I think I was sweating it off.  I just couldn't see myself going long term with a piece of plastic stuck on my bum so I've moved onto tablets now.

You will only know if it's any good for you if you give it a go.

Sarah

[AnnieR66]

Hi, I have been on Evorel Sequi for a few months now,I mainly wanted to get rid of the night sweats and they have done that.
I haven't had any side effects but you will have a bleed every month which to me is better than lying there all night burning up and soaking wet!! x

[FoggyMoggy]

I was exactly the same as you, Louise, especially because of blood pressure problems on the pill, back in the day.  I finally decided to try patches as sage or anything else didn't work but nor did the patches!  They had zilch effectiveness for me.