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[Mogster71]

Been awake a couple of hours now as it seems after telling all the doctors I've not had hot flushes they have decided to make an appearance! First one at 11.30 pm after I'd been in bed a couple of hours, then 3.30am. Thank goodness we have a ceiling fan in there!!

Could you give me your thoughts please? My head is scrambled to heck this week. I tried a month on Novofem (continuous HRT) I'm nearly 48 and peri. My symptoms have really stepped up over the last few months and on 1 June I decided enough was enough and tried HRT. Fine on oestrogen then I had some reactions to the progesterone, which I now know is a testosterone-based kind. The adrenaline rush feeling was scary!

I stopped it after one cycle and now wonder if I was too hasty as I've now had more of these adrenaline rush sensations. I was trying to describe to my husband what it felt like. I would say that it's as if you were about to jump off a bungee!

I've been to see my GP this week, and my bloods were done again yesterday as they lost the last set Another appt next week to discuss the results of these and the bone scan I had last week. She said rather than try HRT did I want to try Propanolol. When she was explaining it, it made sense but I'm not keen because I already have low BP and this could tip it too far as it lowers heart rate. Is it oestrogen causing these feelings? I'm not aware of being stressed/panicky over anything in particular. Am I right in thinking that maybe the oestrogen needed to be increased if the progesterone was doing that?

Its starting to feel like this is taking over, I have read and read and researched lots of different supplements and stuff. My husband said just go with the flow (no pun) but it's not as easy as that...I've still got to function and sick of feeling rubbish.  I think my marbles are getting ready to roll down the road........... 

[Dotty]

Hi it definitely sounds like you need hrt.

Hrt can take 3 months to work so you wouldn't have felt the benefit after only taking it for a short time.

You don't need blood tests at your age. You should go by symptoms .

You should be offered hrt not Propalanol . Good luck xx

[CLKD]

That's a bit static Dotty.  I take Propranolol to stop early morning anxiety surges.  Otherwise I wouldn't be here.  Regardless of causation, it is symptoms that should be treated.

Blood tests are reliably unreliable  but may, Mogster, give a base line to work on.

Take a list of symptoms with you and discuss.  Let us know how you get on.

[Mogster71]

Hi ladies

Sorry...posted then went decided that since I was up and about I'd get an early start at work!!

Thanks so much for replying. Dotty hello - the HRT was great but not the progesterone part. When I spoke to her on Tuesday as to whether it would have improved had I stuck at it, she couldn't answer. Some people do, some don't. I think she has repeated the bloods because a) they lost them and b) the last ones she was going by in September last year showed I was in menopause, but at what stage I don't know!! My last natural period was about April time, then I had a withdrawal bleed at the end of the one month I tried the HRT.

CLKD I'm keeping a meno diary - mood, symptoms, what I've taken/eaten that day etc. I know that the bloods will only show what's happening on the day I had them done  which isn't the best. Theoretically, a week after a bleed I should be at a certain level of hormone, unless it doesn't count if that bleed was false? IDK... drives you mad. I already feel gaga as it is.

The propranolol was 10mg dose, used for migraine/headache prevention with the bonus of lowering anxiety, and could be taken either every day (better) or just as and when, even up to 4 times a day. She said I mentioned the word stress a few times in our conversation. I am not stressed other than about the whole menopause thing, strangely enough!!

[CLKD]

Stress causes the same reactions regardless.  Some deal with it by knowing it will pass, others require medication.  I take 20mg Propranolol at night which works thus far.

Lots have problems with progesterone. 

Let us know how you get on.

[Sgtvhilts]

You sound like me.
I don't get ‘flushes ‘ per se though, I just get heat and horredus night sweats which resulted in poor sleep and head fog.
It was a no brainier for me- get on the drugs, I couldn't tolerate such symptoms
It is always personal choice of course but I have to say that I have seen a big improvement, not perfect, but omg so much better.

[CLKD]

Also - drugs don't have to be for ever 

Think of pain relief: two tablets can ease symptoms.  In the same way, a period of HRT etc. can ease symptoms enough to get a quality of Life.

[Mogster71]

Thanks Sgtvhilts

Head fog and this wired feeling are awful, I'm also nauseous at times (can only imagine it's what morning sickness must be like?). I really resonated with a comment someone made, forgive me I can't remember which lady  who said to deal with what's going on in the present.

CLKD you are right of course, whatever gets you through eh?!

[Foxylady]

Hi Mogster71, I think HRT is the way to go, I had the adrenaline rush thing in the morning, probably the only way I actually managed to keep on working! Not had them (gradually reduced) since being on HRT (on second regime a total of 4 month son HRT) Head fog still there occasionally but nowhere near as bad and my reflux was particularly bad (evening/night) nausea, wretching etc before HRT. I've been on propranalol for years (prophylaxis for migraine). My attitude was what do I have to lose by starting HRT..symptoms were horrendous and had already had 3 years of it!!

[CLKD]

I had dreadful nausea at times when I suffered regular periods.  I was advised to eat every 3 hours, 24/7 - in order to keep energy levels topped up.  Bananas help ;-)

[Mogster71]

Hi Foxylady

Thanks for your message, I am badly affected by nausea, what makes it worse is that I am a vomit-phobe    I've been talking about it with a really good friend of mine today, and I wonder whether I'm further along in meno than I thought I was....all the mornings I've chatted to her over the last couple of years and I've felt sick and acid-y. These adrenaline rushes have been going on for a few months too. I originally put it down to being low blood sugar or something but I'm sure they are hormonal now! Reflux has definitely got worse.

I'm so glad to hear you've found a regime that suits you and you're starting to feel better - that's really encouraging

CLKD sometimes when I am feeling "acid-y" the only way through it is to eat something. Biscuit/granola bar or some nuts. I do eat reasonably well and I'm increasing my fluid intake to make sure it's not that which causes the headaches, but even sometimes water can make my guts boil 

[Dotty]

Mogster71 - nausea was one of my worst menopausal symptoms 😢 . X

[Foxylady]

Monster71, I take a probiotic aswell as Ranitadine for the reflux & IBS, might be worth researching for yourself if your not already on a probiotic. Just a thought! Might help with the nausea. x

[Mogster71]

Hi Dotty

Nooooooo not you too    Hopefully you're over that bit now?? x

Lol Foxylady. My husband might agree with that name at times  ...haha. No, I'm not on a probiotic - I used to take Bimuno years ago, and then another one which didn't need chilling.. I'll have another look, thank you for the tip x

[Foxylady]

Ooops, sorry Mogster71 !!