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[Jules53]

Hi ladies.

Thanks so much for all of your replies. A quick update on my visit to the doctor. She was very good and we started off by looking back at all of the HRTs I have tried so far- 5 or 6 in total I think🙄.

After a long discussion she asked if I was prepared to persevere with the Utrogestan for a week or so to see if the itching subsides as it could be from an imbalance of hormones .  I agreed to continue for a while and take antihistamines. I took the Utrogestan as soon as I left the surgery (as I didn't take it last night and felt quite tense).  I did feel a sense of calm about half an hour after taking it so that was a good sign. I have felt pangs of anxiety during the day but the antihistamine were making me feel a bit spaced out so it wasn't too bad.  I am going to be consistent and stick with it and the itching is bearable at the moment and will hopefully subside over time. I have a tendency to chop and change as I want quick results but I know I have to be patient😁.

If that doesn't work she suggested I try Kliovance (which she gave me a while ago and I  never started). She will also refer me to the menopause clinic if needs be.

Also, one of the other doctors at the practice was attending a menopause forum/training tonight so they are going to use my experience as a case study and she will phone me next week to let me know what happens. In the meantime, she has given me a prescription for Diazepam to use if I need it. I'd rather not if I can help it and have bought some Kalms to take instead until the HRT starts to work.

TC- just out of interest, which AD's were you prescribed? I've taken Venlafaxine before and they worked well but they made things worse before they got better.

Thanks again ladies. I will keep you posted.

Jules xx

[Tc]

Jules. Sounds like a productive appointment. Hope the balance evens out for you and the itching stops.
I have taken various AD'S in the past but this time I've been given Escitalopram. I've never taken it before. . I haven't started it yet.
Tbh jules I've got a bit of a track record of taking  myself off of them.
And yes. I have always found that the first two weeks things can get worse before they get better. There is a thread on here about mirtazepene at the moment and some ladies are saying they didnt get as many side effects in the first couple of weeks.I have taken it in the past but only once I was already on prozac so I cant judge it alone

I dont know why but I've only ever  been able to get diazepam out of my doctor once. It was the week after my wife died and then only forc 7 days. He doesnt like giving them to me as he says they are not long term but. I think there have been times when a few days relief and sleep might have helped and I've often asked for them  but been refused.

Have you got 7 days?

I am a chopper and change as well. I must admit. I find it easier to stick with something and ride out the side effects if it's working but if it's not working I feel like I'm wasting precious time and suffering for nothing.

I did stick with the utrogestan  I thought I'd better stay on it as it's my 2nd progesterone and  I've changed my Estrogen 3 times in 6 months. I! I do feel some of my worst side effects from it have lessened.
I hope you find the same.
Interesting to think you have been discussed at the forum tonight. I bet youd like to be a fly on the wall!!
At least your doc seems interested and that's a big plus
Xxx

[Jules53]

Hi Tc.

Yes, it was a good appointment and I do have faith in her so that's good. In the past I have tried Mirtazapine, Citalopram and Sertraline and none of them worked for me at the time, though to be honest I probably didn't give them long enough. Anyway, Venlafaxine was good in the end for the hot flushes and anxiety. It is notorious for getting off but I reduced very slowly and had no problem.

Yes, the doctor gave me 7 days worth of Diazepam- 2 x 2mg per day, so 7 days. Although I would only take one per day(as I would be too scared to take 2 - so they could last 14 days. Luckily, I am really cautious about taking tablets and have only taken a few when I was starting Venlafaxine.

It sounds as if you have had a really tough time and I'm so glad things are starting to work for you. Menopause really sucks for some of us. Most of my friends are sailing through it - they are so lucky! My mum had a really bad time and I seem to have followed her. I really hope both of my daughters don't follow in our footsteps!

This forum is such a godsend and everyone is so supportive so thanks for taking the time to reply to my posts 😁.  I will keep you posted and let you know what comes back from the forum- yes I would definitely like to have been a fly on the wall!😉. I hope things continue to improve for you Xx

[Jules53]

Hi Birdy. Don't apologise- that is reassuring as that's what I thought and the doctor mentioned yesterday.

 The itching is subsiding a bit. It's just the 'finding it difficult to take a deep breath(and mild anxiety) that I need to get rid of then I'll feel much better . Am just getting back into a routine with the progesterone so, hopefully, it'll disappear soon😁.

Thanks for your reply.  Jules x

[Jules53]

Thanks Stellajane. The itching started when I started the new regime of HRT - both Oestrodose and Utrogestan and I had a gap between finishing the Femseven Conti so I think my hormones are all over the place😥. 

I will monitor it for the next week and if I'm still itching I will have to try something else. The itching isn't as bad today and I started the Utrogestan again yesterday, so fingers crossed!  My anxiety symptoms are quite high today though so I hope my hormones are trying to sort themselves out! Will keep you posted.

Thanks. Jules x