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[Karen max]

Hi
I'm hoping someone can offer me some help
I'm 4 years post menopause age 51 yrs old , during last 3 years I've suffered a lot of menopause symptoms but worse one is anxiety.
Over last 3 yrs I've been given different hrt which did not suit me as they were causing me to bleed none stop
So around 8 months ago my Gp put me onto Evorel conti patch it has helped with anxiety and hot flushes until a few weeks ago when both hot flushes and anxiety have came back as bad as ever , can anyone advise me on maybe asking for a different .
I've noticed my mood has dropped so low I've no motivation I just feel flat inside apart from crying at drop of a hat but the anxiety is just taking over taking me life

Any info would be greatly appreciated

Thanks ! X

[Tinkerbell]

What dose patch are you on?

[sheila99]

I think you need a higher dose.

[NorthArm]

Have you tried separating the oestrogen and progesterone? The conti patch comes at a standard oestrogen / progesterone dose, and you can't get one with more oestrogen in it.

Many ladies on here take an oestrogen patch, which can go up to 100mcg and a separate progesterone, in capsule (can also be taken vaginally), pill or the Mirena coil (progesterone impregnated) forms and it works quite well for them. Are you seeing a gynaecologist?

Good luck with it all xx

[Karen max]

Hi
Thanks for reply
My doc is cluesless with hrt to be honest and so am I

I can't see on the box what dose they are it just says
32mg estradiol 11.2 mg norethisterone

I asked a few weeks while seeing GP could I need stronger he said no and said if I wanted he could refer me to menopause clinic but there is around 18 month waiting list  x

[Karen max]

Hi northarm
I'm waiting to have surgery as I've a prolapse bladder ,bowel and womb is lying very low down so consultation I saw at hospital said they would remove womb and overires repair bladder and bowel.
I see my GP on Thursday going to ask for another patch as I honestly don't think the one I'm using at minute is doing much good , I just have lost my get up and go I've no motivation at all inside I feel flat dead...  seems I've no emotions left apart from being full of anxiety something I never suffered from in my life until 3yrs ago
Im just clueless when it comes to hrt and the more I read about it the more confused it makes me

Kaz x

[Taz2]

Karen max have you been given a reason for the removal of ovaries too? These days it's considered better to leave them if possible. Some surgeons remove them as part and parcel of the hysterectomy and repairs without even discussing it.

Taz x

[NorthArm]

And Karen max, please remember to discuss post surgery hrt with your consultant before you have the surgery. There have been a couple of ladies on here that have had total hysterectomies and have been left high and dry afterwards, so make sure you ask.

Post surgery (whether or not you keep ovaries) you won't need to use progesterone any more - so you can use as much oestrogen as you need. Look under the ‘menu' tab above, full of helpful info on all this xx

[Karen max]

Hi northarm
That's why I was trying to hold back and stay with the patch I'm using now as I know it will be changed after surgery but I honestly don't know how much longer i will be waiting up to now it's 2byrs and waiting lists are so long
But it's getting just too much to suffer now as seems all my old menopause symptoms are returning back , I can cope with most be the low mood / rage kind of mood and the anxiety is just over powering plus I have not motivation for anything I just feel flat /dead inside
I will see what my doc has to say in Thursday when I see him but to be honest I'm not holding out much hope as he is not clued up on hrt

Many thanks
Kaz x

[CLKD]

Karen max : Do make sure that your Consultant understands that he/she needs to discuss HRT prior to surgical intervention!!! Don't be fobbed off.

It is major surgery. My Gynae prefers to remove 'the lot' to save another anaesthetic  but do check if there is a valid medical reason.

Let us know how you get on!

[Taz2]

Please do check the reason for removing ovaries. Once out they can't be put back and they do still produce small amounts of oestrogen even if you are post meno

Taz x

[Karen max]

Hi Taz
They said because of prolapse is so bad it has pulled ovaries down  with the weight  , they said easier for me if they remove them as they have stopped working naturally 4 yrs ago also because my mum and gran both had ovarian cancer at young ages mum was just 43yrs so to be honest I'd rather they removed them it's one less thing I've to worry about as it's always in back if my mind ..

If GP knew a little bit more regarding menopause I just feel like he looks at me as if I've 2 heads when I ask about different hrt patches
 I don't know much about it myself apart from the symptoms I've been suffering last load of years when it comes to hrt I'm just confused
Just need something to help with the low mood no motivation and anxiety ..

Kaz x

[Ladybt28]

Hey Karen Max  welcome to the forum! - Ask a few more questions here and look at a few more posts.  Under the main section there are information sheets you can print out and take with you to the GP to show them - it usually focuses their minds if they haven't a clue.  If it's 2 years waiting for your op you definitely need something sorted in the meantime.  As time goes by our oestrogen can drop significantly and if you already have problems in that department then the drop can be more dramatic than usual.  If you type what you are looking for into the search box they come up or one of the ladies here may know exactly what link you need and sent it to you in a post?  Ladies anyone know what the link is???

[Karen max]

Hi ladybt28
I've been on the group for a long time posted many times , I've been on the hrt tablets (few different ones) all caused bleeding and other side effects so I give up on them struggled on to around 7/8months ago GP put he onto patch seemed to help at the start with hot flushes ect but last few months I'm feeling like I did last year just really low mood no motivation flat inside all I can do is cry ( over the smallest things) anxiety is through the roof plus my breats are so sore also noticed I'm having heavy discharge , in all I just feel drained and flat ..
I don't know how much longer I will be waiting for my surgery as waiting list hjust seems to grow by the day so I've to see my GP Thursday afternoon and I was wondering if anyone who suffering any if my symptoms is using a patch which has helped them .
I know we are all different and one thing don't suit everyone but I think I either need higher dose of patch or a different patch

Kaz x

[Taz2]

My prolapses made me feel very low and tired so this might have something to do with it.

Sorry to hear about the ovarian cancer in your family and I understand why it's a good thing for you to have them removed. Just make sure you have a good HRT regime lined up for immediately afterwards.

It can be so depressing waiting for an op and not having a firm date but you will get through this and end up feeling so much better.

Taz x