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[Mogster71]

Morning Ladies

I joined the forum only last week and this is my first post since my new member hello. I've been reading a lot of the threads and now don't feel quite so alone!

I feel lucky at 47 not to be having hot flushes at all, but I haven't felt "well" for a few years now, suspecting that I have been in peri without really knowing it. Periods started to get a bit flaky about 3 years ago, sometimes 3 bleeds in 2 months, then a couple of months with nothing, that type of thing. They are shorter but more painful now and still heavy. Around this time I had my first strange turn, what I now know was a visual/silent migraine. I have never suffered before but that was scary. Vision affected, speech was all jumbled and it was horrible.

Fast forward to last summer and they started to happen more frequently, less of the visual issues with not being able to see/big white blobs etc, more to a feeling of facial numbness in my cheeks/tongue/teeth, the eyeball itself feeling hot or cold. Numbness in hands and feet. I can't abide bright light now and have to have shades on even to go and put my washing out! Computers/phone now on night light all the while. I saw doctors, opticians, and an osteopath, thought I had MS!! HRT was suggested last year but I thought I knew best and said I would muddle on.

A recent spell of migraines prompted me to visit again last week and I was offered low dose Novofem. Not once was I asked about family history and my maternal grandmother had a BC. My mum had 10 years on HRT before it was stopped (I think that was the guideline at the time) and like me, she had no hot flushes beforehand but boy did it hit her afterwards!!

Just not sure what to do, I started the Novofem last weekend, took 3 tablets and then spoke to GP who said that if I wasn't sure and didn't have symptoms did I really need to be on it? My main fear is starting something like HRT when I'm not having hot flushes etc, as if they take it away in 10 years time will I feel even worse? Are non-painful but debilitating headaches a good enough reason to want to have it?

Sorry for the long post 

[CLKD]

You ramble.  That's what the Forum is about, getting thoughts onto paper.

I think that most ladies opt for HRT to ease hot flushes.  Which I have never had.

Headaches can be 'common' during The Change.  Making sure that you are well hydrated, sit correctly when working, wear appropriate shoes when walking, eating well and taking gentle exercise is important.  I mention the shoes as if the body compensates all the way up the spine, then the neck muscles may be affected = head aches.

Did the Novofem help any symptoms?  What pain relief have you tried? 

Your maternal grandma's breast disease is probably irrelevant unless you can find out exactly what the cause was?  There are several types of cancer and not all related to hormones ;-)

[Mogster71]

Thanks CKLD. I am rambling I know - the thoughts just come out as they would in conversation, not always in the best way!!

The heads are a nightmare, very unpredictable but I am lucky to not have them with pain. As someone who struggles with a fear of vomiting they would scare the hell out of me. I do eat and drink a lot better than I used to but still from time to time have to watch for dips in blood sugar, so my bag has plenty of snacks in if I'm out and about! I've never been one for heels anyway, I tend to stick to trainers or flats these days. Osteopath helped me with my posture, and I move about a bit more now he has pointed out the error in my ways due to my deskbound job.

Novofem was stopped by mutual consent after 3 days. I expect as a bit of a panicky person I stopped it prematurely. I was just talking to my husband about it and he asked if I had a headache in those 3 days - nope. Could be co-incidental but might not. Paracetamol is what I would take for a headache, which my doctor said to take at the first sign of a migraine.

My gran had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy, lived another 10+ years before passing of something unrelated.

I am an indecisive person anyway but having brainfog and feeling anxious around this is making things worse! Thank you so much for helping x

[CLKD]

Hi!  I started a thread on emitophobia years ago, it's plagued my Life and is responsible for my panic attacks 

I find 'nurofen' better for pain relief.  I could take buckets of 'paracetamol' and it would kill me but not help with any pain  .  Maybe speak to a Pharmacist to see which combination is OK so that if 1 med doesn't help, you can add something else?  How long is 'Novofem' taken for?

Good that you have already thought of my advice ;-).  I'm slumped right now, watching the rain, deciding if to bother putting the laundry in but should the sun appear 

[Mogster71]

Wow

Its one of those phobias that is so intertwined with everyday things that it can take over! Thanks for sharing that with me. I'm sorry it has caused you so much grief too. I have stepped out of my comfort zone a heck of a lot over the last few years and now take part a lot more in social things but am still a bit of a wuss when it comes to feeling sick. I know it's a vicious circle in that panic or anxiety can bring nausea on itself. I can cope with my pets doing it but humans, not!

I've got ibuprofen in the cupboard too, I just thought pc was easier on the tummy.

Novofem was offered for a 3 month prescription to see how I got on with it. I just knee-jerked and ditched it early doors. I'm going to ring a pharmacist in a minute and see if I can just resume it or I have to start a whole new month...

I'm currently feet up on the sofa with a cat tucked under my arm (bliss) listening to the rain on the conservatory roof. My happy space. When my husband messages to say he's on his way home from work I will of course look double-busy 

[CLKD]

  - what, not watching the Queen Trooping the Colour 

It's fine in London thus far.

We have a pets thread somewhere 

[CLKD]

What is Novofem used for?

Novofem® is a sequential combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) which is taken every day without interruption. Novofem® is used in postmenopausal women with at least 6 months since their last natural period. Novofem® contains 2 hormones, an oestrogen (estradiol) and a progestagen (norethisterone acetate).


Doesn't state what it is 'taken' for 

[Jari]

Hi Mogster, welcome to the forum!

I too have family history of BC. Both were oestrogen receptive BC. 70% of BC is oestrogen receptive. Therefore, my GP will not allow me HRT.

I am happily going the natural path. I have a good natural menopause book. One thing it says for migraines is that Black cohosh is particularly helpful for anxiety and tension symptoms and also headaches and migraines.

Do you migraines come at the same time of the month or anytime?

X

[Mogster71]

Sorry CKLD, prescribed Novofem HRT for relief from meno symptoms that I visited the doctor with last week...he wanted to try me on it to see if it sorted the headaches out. Also I am a slight build with a history of low BMI and was diagnosed borderline osteopoenia in my mid 20s. My bone density improved through my 30s and early 40s as it was checked every 4 or 5 years since then. I've been referred for another scan so we shall see what's happening now.

I'll check out the pet thread!

[Mogster71]

Hi Jari

Thank you for your warm welcome! I'm afraid I have no idea whether my nan's BC was oestrogen receptive as it was about 30 years ago and she has since passed away  

I will check out the black cohosh, thanks for that. I'm pretty sure they are related to my cycle but as it's all over the place that's pretty hard to establish! Going to start keeping a diary so I can try and identify a pattern.

How is the natural path going for you, have you had bad symptoms would you say?

A x

[Jari]

Hi Mogster,

The natural route is going well.

My last period was nearly two years ago. I briefly took hrt, but it caused terrible anxiety and breathing difficulty. I came off it immediately.

Since then, I've followed the natural path with some increased excercise, eating a more balanced diet along with supplements. A good multi, omega oil. Using the brand Viridian.

I did have quite intense hot flushes at the beginning, around last period, which prompted me to rush onto hrt. Mistake. Since natural path, I do still have flushes/sweats, but have noticed these come in phases and have become less intense each phase..

I'm going to also try the glucosamine sulphate for joint aches and black cohosh for flushes. Interested to try. Both available with Viridian too.

Anxiety etc went as soon as I came off hrt. X

[Mogster71]

Hi Jari

Isn't it amazing how we are all tuned so differently! No flushes for me yet (hoping I haven't just jinxed that!) I am going to have another bash at the HRT thanks to some fresh perspective (thanks CKLD) to see if it changes anything for me headache wise. If it doesn't, I may well have to look at some sort of preventative which I'm a bit loath to do but I'm busy running a business and I need to be able to function properly and not be fogged up.

I keep wondering is this the last period..this time it's been a couple of months and I seem to get all the associated pains and grumps when I would normally start but nothing. Bloods done last week have all come back in normal range but until I speak to the doctor and not the receptionist I won't know figures.

Glad the natural route is working well for you and you are managing things x

[Jari]

Hi Mogster

I know, for sure we are all wired differently.

Some ladies on here do very well on hrt. Hope it will be the same for you! 🤞🙂

It's good you've escaped the hot flushes so far, mine started after last period..

X

[shrosphirelass]

Morning Ladies

I joined the forum only last week and this is my first post since my new member hello. I've been reading a lot of the threads and now don't feel quite so alone!

I feel lucky at 47 not to be having hot flushes at all, but I haven't felt "well" for a few years now, suspecting that I have been in peri without really knowing it. Periods started to get a bit flaky about 3 years ago, sometimes 3 bleeds in 2 months, then a couple of months with nothing, that type of thing. They are shorter but more painful now and still heavy. Around this time I had my first strange turn, what I now know was a visual/silent migraine. I have never suffered before but that was scary. Vision affected, speech was all jumbled and it was horrible.

Fast forward to last summer and they started to happen more frequently, less of the visual issues with not being able to see/big white blobs etc, more to a feeling of facial numbness in my cheeks/tongue/teeth, the eyeball itself feeling hot or cold. Numbness in hands and feet. I can't abide bright light now and have to have shades on even to go and put my washing out! Computers/phone now on night light all the while. I saw doctors, opticians, and an osteopath, thought I had MS!! HRT was suggested last year but I thought I knew best and said I would muddle on.

A recent spell of migraines prompted me to visit again last week and I was offered low dose Novofem. Not once was I asked about family history and my maternal grandmother had a BC. My mum had 10 years on HRT before it was stopped (I think that was the guideline at the time) and like me, she had no hot flushes beforehand but boy did it hit her afterwards!!

Just not sure what to do, I started the Novofem last weekend, took 3 tablets and then spoke to GP who said that if I wasn't sure and didn't have symptoms did I really need to be on it? My main fear is starting something like HRT when I'm not having hot flushes etc, as if they take it away in 10 years time will I feel even worse? Are non-painful but debilitating headaches a good enough reason to want to have it?

Sorry for the long post 

I went on evorel sequi last summer, because of headaches. I also didn't really have hot flushes. I had felt sporadically unwell for a long time prior to this (still in peri at 56, last year) and the HRT made me feel much better. I started on low dose, half patches which did make my headaches much better, but had continuing stomach issues. I improved dramatically after increasing to a full patch but last month had stomach issues again, which hopefully was just a bug, not a build up of progesterione as some people have suggested may be the case.

I am not worrying about hot flushes in the future as it's now I need to cope with and it was getting to the point when I couldn't function. Ten years hence there may be better solutions available. Good luck.

[Mogster71]

I went on evorel sequi last summer, because of headaches. I also didn't really have hot flushes. I had felt sporadically unwell for a long time prior to this (still in peri at 56, last year) and the HRT made me feel much better. I started on low dose, half patches which did make my headaches much better, but had continuing stomach issues. I improved dramatically after increasing to a full patch but last month had stomach issues again, which hopefully was just a bug, not a build up of progesterione as some people have suggested may be the case.

I am not worrying about hot flushes in the future as it's now I need to cope with and it was getting to the point when I couldn't function. Ten years hence there may be better solutions available. Good luck.

Hello Shropshirelass
Thank you lovely for your message, it is encouraging that you had some benefit from low dose HRT in relation to your headaches but sorry that you still have tummy problems. I get reflux as well as IBS so they are no stranger to me, I never even registered they could be hormonally related either. I believe there are thousands and thousands of women who are putting these feelings down to just getting older/having a lot on their plates/being busy with life to seek help, just because they can't put their fingers on exactly what's wrong!

I think that's a very positive outlook, to worry about the now. You are right, we have to get through now.
Best wishes to you too x