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[CLKD]

Hormone blood tests are reliably un-reliable 

Let us know how you get on!

[Sammiejane]

hi shell

no i've been under a menopause specialist who didn't want me taking tablet form hrt because i have GI issues and smoke so i should never of been perscribed my doctor she has put me on gel after trying a patch which didn't suit but the gel i'm not obsorbing and again feel like u do something missing i've gained a ton of weight and lost half my hair all through taking estrogen hrt i didn't have hairloss or side effects when i took pill before when i was in my 20s early 30s and they assume that because we have no uterus we don't need progesterone but progesterone has multiple effects on the human body as too testosterone i'm struggling to get my estrogen levels up on hrt to what they deem optimal and the more estrogen i'm pumped with the more side effects i get if i hadn't of had hysterectomy i would more then likely still be on the pill so i'm looking at that option as it consistent dose of estrogen and progesterone and stronger but i may react differently to it but with all the hrt problems being out of stock maybe my only option . what is it called u take again ?

[Sammiejane]

shell and brandydog1

i have progesterone which is utrogestan 100mg as menopause said this is safest and more body identical then progestin which is to be taken daily every night i only managed 4 days i felt tired urinating more bloated i normally go bed about 11 and found i had to take this at 9pm as wouldn't wake up but i may give it another go or will go on the pill !

[Shell]

Hi Sammiejane

Its scary how we are being prescribed medications that aren't right/suitable and potentially can do more harm than good.
Im confused how you can take the contraceptive Pill, but not HRT I was always on the understanding that the risks was similiar for both regarding smoking etc. GI issues again all tablets follow the same route?? But hopefully the menopause specialist has it right.

Im currently on Estradot patches but feel horrendous and my body just soaks up far too much, but if I lower the patch its not enough, thats why im thinking that my body needs more than just the oestrogen, its completely unbalanced...i swap one set of symptoms for another!!!.
Originally I was supposed to go on Tibilone/livial which isnt a HRT your body breaks it down into the 3 hormones and the idea is that it mimics your bodies hormones. My gynae wanted me on this as I had endometriosis and adenomiosis and it was the best option, but as soon as my ovaries had been taken I felt like I'd been hit by a bus, so GP swapped me to patches.

I just need something that levels all my hormones and gives my body what it needs to thrive again as it should.

Please keep me updated if you have any luck.

Take care
Shell x

[KiltedCupid]

Thank you so much for your kind words and support Ladies, you've convinced me im not completely insane!!. 
Im going to really do my research on specialists, and speak to my GP who I trust the most about my bloods etc and go armed with as much info as I possibly can.
I presume Dr Currie would not be able to do prescriptions of any HRT, and having bloods and Thyroid tests etc would be needed for any real treatment decisions.

Thanks Shell x

You're certainly not insane Shell, you just need some help getting a good balance of hormones, which work for you.

I think Dr Currie does prescribe and sends the letter to your GP so that you can have what she prescribes on repeat.

I'm not sure how her consultation works but other ladies on the forum have used this service so they might chip in with their experiences.

There's also an old surgical meno thread on here you could search for, it's called The Surgical Menopause Thread - it might have some useful tips from the ladies who had similar problems to yours and how they dealt with them.

[Shell]

Hi KiltedCupid,

I'll go on and take a look see what infirmation I can gather. I may also look into how I arrange a consultation with Dr Currie.

Thanks for your advice and support.

Shell x

[Hurdity]

Hi Shell you go to the home page of the forum and it tells you there. You pay £30 and ask a question by e-mail. You can then print off her answer and take it to your doctor - it's not a prescription as such but recommendations. I;ve used the service (some years ago) and it was brilliant

Hurdity x

[Shell]

Hi Hurdity,

Thanks I shall go on and take a look.

Shell x

[Hurdity]

Sorry I posted in a hurry - I did of course mean the home page of the main website - so hope you realised! Here's the link: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/contact-the-doctor.php

Hurdity x

[KiltedCupid]

Just keep on keeping on Shell and you'll get there. Seems impossible at times but there's good help out there. Come back and let the ladies know how you get on, I'm sure there's younger women in the same position as you who'd value your feedback.

[Butterfly22]

I started early as well but no reason for me. It taken me a while to get sorted on hrt so it frustrating when it's discontinued, I'm not read all the posts but from experience your best doing your own research and keep trying until you find out what is best for you, personally I've taken 99% of HRT and write notes how I felt and what side effects I have ect.
You do feel like your going insane that's why groups like this are a godsend, I've had endless help and advice from here so always ask as so many are here to help you x.

[Shell]

Hi All,

Just to update saw an amazing doctor today who specializes in gynae and menopause and has dealt with many in early menopause and surgical menopause. He listened to all of my issues and was really understanding.
His advice was to go back on to Tibilone as it allows my body all 3 hormones which it would of had at 37 and give it a good 6 to 8 weeks if I can, we are going to then do a follow up on a full hormone blood screen and check the difference in levels to compare. He advised I could use oestrogen gel if my levels are low as a top up as he didnt think I'd need a higher amount of any others. He wants me to allow a full 6 to 8 weeks for my body to adjust and did say that HRT isnt going to be a cure all, but if we get the main things covered then hopefully the rest will follow.
I was on tibilone straight after my bso but he believes my body was in far too much of a fight or flight/hit by a bus mode to cope so early on. So wish me luck and I will keep you all updated on how I get on over the next few weeks.
Oh and im able to pop my patch off tonight and start my tablets 24hr laters. Xx

[Jessica97]

Hi shell!

I hope you are well!

I'm 22, currently on prostap and have just been prescribed tibilone- livial for HRT for 6 months then scheduled for a full hysterectomy.

I'm so glad that you have got something out of your appointment today! In regards to the Spire- that's who I am under treatment with and they genuinely are amazing!

Let me know how you get on with the tibilone as I'm quite nervous to start this too!

Good luck xx

[KiltedCupid]

Hi Shell - great to hear you had a good consult and an understanding gynae. Please don't be worried about tib, you might find you love it, some women do and it's considered by some gynaes to be the safest form of hrt. I suppose your gynae wants you on it because it relieves all the menopause symptoms in one little pill without any problems with endo build up. Great too that you're ok to add some top up E if you need it. It's only 6-8 weeks before a re-check so you know you've got that to rely on. Maybe try and keep notes on how your feeling week by week if you can't manage daily and then show it to your gynae at follow up?

Go into it with the attitude of this will help me get back on track and with the knowledge you're being monitored along the way and I'm sure you'll be fine. Keep us posted on how you're getting on.

Good luck.

Jessica97 - I hope things work out for you too, I really liked tib but it just made me tired. I now know that the gel I used to top up didn't absorb well for me so I gave up, but I liked it and to be fair, probably didn't give it long enough. Good luck to you too and keep posting with how you're doing.

[Cassie]

I have been on oestrogel and 100mg of utrogestan for 12 days a month since I was 38 and am in my 50s now its really worked well for me, I do hope you get sorted.