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[Daisydot]

I guess like a lot of our ladies in here I rely mainly on the advice from the forum members as against the lack of advice from our gps,I've fought hard to get where I am and it's been a lot of trial and error and I've been so grateful to be able to air things here and ask advice which I've had plenty of.
I'm at a stage now where I'm getting niggles again and apart from here there's no one I can ask or trust for advice I'm afraid.
I'm still suffering breast pain especially on the left side and their pretty solid and annoying,I'm now finding I get horrible attacks of constipation with burning pain right up my back to my shoulders.this is a new symptom for me and it gets me pretty stressed when it happens,it's only been since I started the Oestrogel and I have noted other ladies describing the same constipation  thing happening to them.Im 61 now and surgical meno at 42 and was hoping I'd found my solution with the hrt as it was quite straight forward with no womb.i tried a few and settled on the gel about 5 months ago.they said start on one squirt and work up to two but I'm wondering now could I be getting too much with two and this is what's causing me problems.ive no sweats or most of the other bad symptoms I had before hrt and now because of the oesteopenia in my hips and spine it's impirtant I try and stay on hrt.Im tired and I guess clutching at straws tonight but would you agree I should cut back down to one squirt,I just need someone to bounce off I suppose.opinions please ladies xx

[Dancinggirl]

Daisy dot - I am 62 and not on HRT anymore but have developed digestive issues over the last couple of years.
HRT Gould actually help the gut, as it can improve muscles and skin but this will take time.
You are anxious and anxiety really effect the whole digestive system - for me it's the opposite to you as my food often goes straight through me.
I would seriously look at your diet - eat small meals often and make sure you have plenty of fibre. Drinking enough fluids is vital ( can really improve digestion) - very few of us drink enough water. To get our digestive system functioning really well, exercise is key - lots of brisk walking, running up and down stairs and not sitting for longer than 45mins makes a big difference.
The pain up and down your spine could simply be slow transit, poor digestion and heartburn. Again smaller meals can help with this and eat really slowly as the system doesn't have to cope with too much at once and avoid higly fatty foods and cut out as much sugar as possible. Do you have porridge or muesli for breakfast? I have recently been taking digestive enzymes and found this has really aided my digestive process so could be worth trying. Peppermint capsules can also be great. Try taking a couple of Gaviscon after a meal as well to relieve any heartburn.
Maybe drop your Oestrogel dose down to 1.5 pumps per day? To see how you feel.
I'm afraud HRT won't solve everything but I doubt it is really causing the digestive issues as you are using oestrogen transdermally.
Age is a nuisance - so many things stop working so well.
DG x

[Daisydot]

Good morning DG great advice as always and thank you for that.I actually went with a vengeance this morning my tummy was growling the whole night lol I'm going on holiday on Saturday so that doesn't help I suppose.I think although I put up a brave front deep down I'm very anxious and I have had a stressful week,I had a young gp in Spain who told me I was twisting my bowel as I was so stressed and to try and relax more,it must just be my makeup I guess.anyway I will follow your advice and thank you for taking the time to reply it's always appreciated xx

[Dancinggirl]

It's called the ‘SWAN' effect.  On the surface we appear to be carrying on well, seemingly in a calm way, but underneath there are niggles and stresses that make us tighten the muscles, stops us from breathing properly etc. 
do try to learn Mindfulness - it's not perfect but it does help me through.  DG x

[paisley]

Hi daisydot
I am not an expert but if you have sore breasts it could be too much oestrogel. You could try going lower & see if that helps. What about vit E or evening primrose oil. As the constipation I am normally the opposite because one of my meno symptoms is anxiety & that makes me go. I have recently started changing my diet. No sugar, not much bread. Have fruit & nuts with almond milk for breakfast, salad for lunch etc. I have also just started meditation every day to try & destress as like you I seem outwardly ok but inside there is sometimes a volcano ready to erupt. As you know from previous site I have just started HRT again at a low dose. I do think being stressed will make things worse. Hope the holiday helps you relax a bit more

[Daisydot]

Hi paisley I started to get sore breasts on one pump after I'd been on it a few weeks so I thought then maybe it's time to increase to two then but still sore breasts,I've hoped as time went on it would lessen but they feel ginormous and tender still.
The constipation is a new thing for me as usually I get the opposite with the ibs and it's been so long since I had any of these issues.
I like to think my diet is reasonable as I'm careful having had so many food intolerances,I struggle with ibs if I eat bread or cakes so I do try and avoid but it's awful hard to be good 24-7,I also find it hard to pinpoint what causes this pain in my back it's horrible and disappears as quick as it starts.Maybe I've just had a crap week with docs and test results and it's flared me up again or maybe it's the holiday thought stressing me,maybe just too much going on it's been a rotten couple of weeks,I've got blood tests on Friday so I'll get the nurse to check my back pain.Im definately looking forward to Lake Como on Saturday and as you say it'll de stress me a bit hopefully.thank you paisley much appreciated. Xx

[Kernow]

Hi Daisydot,

I am no expert but I have heard of people suffering with ibs getting referred shoulder/back pain. DG seems to have everything covered with her sound advice.
Stress is a vicious thing isn't it and can cause so many physical problems. And like you I can put on a brave face to the world whilst inside a maelstrom persists.
Lake Como will be wonderful and I am very jealous You've got everything sorted for your trip, covered all eventualities so relax and enjoy.
If you need to borrow the pink furry handcuffs just let me know

[CLKD]

I have slow transit.  It's a nuisance if we are going out for the day or on holiday.  I do find that Actimel pots, several a day, help and Mum uses a fig mix sweetie from H&B as well as liquorice which keeps her 'regular'.  Fortunately I rarely have pain when bunged up.
 
I also have reflux as well as a weird feeling of 'acid' up my gullet which affects under my chin and behind the shoulder blades.  Sometimes a gentle massage shifts it .........

I'm not on HRT but I have tender spots in the R breast which I can't bear being touched.  It bothers me a bit due to surgery there over 20 years ago  .  It's on contact only and the breast is soft.

[MIS71MUM]

Yes Actimel can do the trick for me too.
I'd give them a go as they work quite quickly and are supposed to be good for you.
I wouldn't change your gel just yet, especially if you are doing so well.
Or lemon juice in water first thing in a morning can also get you going.
😐!

[Daisydot]

Thanks for the advice ladies,I can't take actimel unfortunately but I buy them for my husband.
I eat prunes every day and overall my diet is very good ,except when I pig on those chocolate raisins lol,this is just something new for me and I'm surprised by the severity of it and more importantly the cause.
I'm still not convinced the hrt isn't a major player in this so I'm going to reduce my dose back down to one daily and see how things go.
Kernow I think I've forgotten many of the uses for furry handcuffs now it's been so long,I'm talking years maybe my trip will sort that one out lol.thanks again ladies you are gems xx

[Daisydot]

God what a rotten night I had,I reduced my squirts to one yesterday and I spent the whole night tossing and turning and soaking wet sweats again,that's telling me my body didn't like that reduction so I'll try and persevere for a couple of days but not ideal timing with my holiday coming up on Saturday.i May even do 1.5 squirts as suggested by dg I can't believe the shine off my face this morning it's so greasy and oily looking,not a good look first thing lol.im taking a spoon of coconut oil at night and that seems to be doing the trick with the transit I'll just have to be careful with what I'm eating in future too.the joys of meno lol thanks ladies xx

[CLKD]

Altering what you eat/use prior to a holiday ain't the best timing probably 

Did you say where you are headed for?

You may not require a spoonful overnight once the bowel gets into routine and now that you are aware that it does work for you ........ I love coconut 'milk' from the can is that the same .........

 

[Daisydot]

Yes your right CLKD I'm just so desperate to not mess up this holiday that I'm trying everything to get well.we are off to Lake Como for 6 days by coach I couldn't face any more flying when I booked this.
No it's not the same it's pure organic coconut oil so it's really greasy to take a spoonful,not the nicest way to take it but efficient lol.Im all packed ready to go now so I forbid any mishaps before Saturday lol.

[CLKD]

Crikey - you ARE brave.  The last coach trip I went on was following a long train journey from St Pancras St., across France and Switzerland to Lake Lugano - I was 18 and never thought twice about going  .   Maybe take Immodium prior to the journey and carry the coconut oil 4 when you arrive?

Do enjoy it.  I am envious a little bit 

[Daisydot]

I can tell you exactly what will happen lol,I'm so bunged up this morning can't go to the loo again but tomorrow when I'm on that coach,and they do requests fluids only in their onboard toilets,I'll sit there desperately needing to go that's my track record I did exactly that two weeks ago on the Amsterdam trip lol.im so scared of going in public toilets.
 I can just see the driver going up the coach saying “right who did the big jobby in my toilets” my red face would be a dead giveaway.🤢
I'm off for my blood tests this morning I'm surprised I'm not kacking myself at the thought of that and I was just about to make my tea when I remembered “fasting” blood test oops.
Dont be envious be adventurous don't let life fly past you there's too many happy memories waiting to be made,you only get one crack at it xx