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[Rosie63]

Hi ladies.  I'm really sorry but I feel like I need to vent how I'm feeling and this is the only place I know I can come for a listening ear.  I think I'm getting to the end of my tether with trying to find the right HRT for me.  Over the last 18 months I've tried pills, gel and patches both sequentially and continuously.  For the last 6 months or so I've been on Estradot and Utrogestan and although it all seemed well at the beginning, I was starting to get a lot more bad days than good and I ended up taking the patch off just to get a few days respite before symptoms started to return and putting a patch on again.  I realise this wasn't doing me any good either and my poor body probably didn't know what was happening !!  I think 6 months should be long enough for my body to adjust and so, sadly, I don't think this regime is going to work for me.

How can it be that I was on a regime for a number of years with very few problems and yet I just don't seem to be able to find something else that suits me. 

The thought of trying to get another GP appointment feels me with dread and embarrassment to be honest as I feel I'm now becoming a nuisance to them    On the other hand my quality of life over many months has been poor so I feel I still need help.

I'm so sorry to gabble on but just needed to get this all out.  Thank you for listening...:-)

Rosie63xx

[Tc]

Rosie pleased dont be embarrassed about seeing the gp about it. I've been on 3 different regimes in 6 months!!. It's not unusual and it's not your fault.
Dont put off seeing doc. That is what they are there for.
Have you been to a meno clinic?
Maybe ask be referred.
Sorry you are suffering.
Best wishes TC x

[CLKD]

Take a list of your symptoms to your GP and see whether your dose needs a hike?   GPs are paid to help people.  The other option is to see a local Pharmacist, they have private rooms these days. 

[jillydoll]

Hi Rosie63.
TC is right, don't give up, go back to the doctor, there are other options for you..
Ask to be referred.
I know what you mean about going back to the docs, I always feel insignificant, like my hormones aren't important, not like a ‘normal' illness. But you can't carry on like this, go see him/her, and ask for something else, or to be referred....
Good luck...xxx

[JaneinPen]

Sorry to hear you are suffering Rosie63. Don't feel bad about going back to the GP. Just make sure you take a list of your issues to get the best possible outcome.  Meanwhile gabble away. We all need to vent from time to time and we will not be judged on here

[Rosie63]

Thanks so much ladies for your kind, thoughtful replies.  You made me want to cry.

I did pay to see a gynae privately last year but my GP said I was wasting my money as it was all trial and error and he could help me.  He has been amenable to me trying different HRTs but I can see from the look on his face that he's not sure what to try next.  He only works one day a week at my surgery so it's even harder to get an appointment with him.    I phoned the private hospital yesterday but I was put off because the cost of seeing him has increased from £155 to £245 and I'm not sure I want to pay that much more !  I called into a local pharmacy this morning and she was very nice but said I should make an appointment to see GP.

Anyway, I've made a list of the side effects and symptoms tonight and will call the surgery tomorrow to make an appointment.  Hopefully I won't have to wait too long.

Thanks ladies for spurring me on not to give up and I'll let you know how it goes with GP.

Wishing you all well.

Rosie63 xx

[CLKD]

That's a huge amount for a Private appt. 

Nowt to lose if you visit your GP?  with your list.   

[Friendlygal]

Hi rosie63
I was just going to write a post and came across yours. I can relate totally. I have been deliberating returning to my go for weeks but keep putting it off. I like you have tried hrt tablets patches and gel but the side effects are so bad that I am unable to continue. I am simply ‘putting up' with all of my symptoms of the menopause at the moment as I am at a loss of what to try. I am really sensitive to all medications and have really bad side effects from AD's also. I am desperate to find something that works for me as my mental health is extremely poor and getting worse by the day. Could I ask what side effects you have experienced please?

[Orangefoot]

Can your GP refer you to a menopause clinic? I have to drive an hour away to get to one but it's been worth it as they have been 100% more helpful and understanding than my GP.

The GP did blood tests and told me I couldn't be peri menopausal and refused me HRT. The clinic prescribed based on my symptoms and have sent a letter with new blood results saying I can increase my Evorel patch dose.

[Rosie63]

Thanks CLKD xx

Friendlygal - sorry you're also having a difficult time.  The list I made tonight of side effects, or symptoms...not sure which is which anymore as they all seem to blur in together but they are nausea, headache, aching joints elbows, hands, knees, ankles and feet, fatigue, dry eyes up nose and mouth, aching throat and low mood    All this combined makes me anxious and it's constantly on my mind. Funnily enough I've never suffered with hot flushes or night sweats. What I find is that I get what I think are side effects from the hrt so that makes me stop taking it.  Then I feel better for a few days but then the symptoms start to creep back so then I put a patch on again and then it becomes a vicious circle. 

It sounds as though you need to get back to your GP Friendlygal if your mental health is deteriorating and you shouldn't have to suffer and just put up with all the meno symptoms.  What symptoms are you getting ? Let's make a promise to each other that we will call our GP's this week.....agreed? 

I hope you get some relief soonxxx

[Rosie63]

Thanks Orangefoot. I will ask if there's a meno clinic I can be referred to when I see my GP. I'm pleased you are getting somewhere through your clinic 

Rosiexx

[Orangefoot]

I felt as you describe without estrogen and that all went away with the first patches. I can't manage life with utrogestan so after discussion with the menopause specialist I've got an IUS that has less progesterone than the Mirena. One month in and I'm ok - much better than with the utrogestan.

[Rosie63]

Thanks Orangefoot.  Sorry to be dim but what is an IUS? Xx

[Friendlygal]

Hi Rosie 63
Yes I'm similar to you- aching joints, fatigue and low mood with some anxiety now to. ( that's without hrt) when I take hrt I get fluid retention, bloated, headaches and very little improvement with hrt to be honest. I am seriously considering AD's again as I do not want to feel any lower than I do but again the thought of the side effects are preventing me from trying. All AD's tend to give me fluid retention, I gain weight and extremely low labido which then causes other problems 😩. Good luck with your journey. Hope you feel more yourself soon 😘😘😘

[Rosie63]

Hi Friendlygal.  Not sure if you've seen the recent thread on here about taking AD's.  A couple of the ladies are supporting each other and taking it very gradually.  This may be the way for you to go if you decide to try AD's again.


Let us know how you go along.

Rosie xx