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[MoaningMyrtle]

Hi everyone

I am new to posting on the forum and have read many posts but I really need some advice, mainly about HRT.

I think I entered peri stage around 7 years ago, I am now 54.  Although I didn't realise at the time, my first symptoms were extreme anxiety made worse by ectopic heartbeats and palpitations.  I pushed to see a mental health psychologist as I had a similar experience in my late teens and had help back then.  Looking back, I started my periods quite late at almost 15 so I think my hormones have always played a part in my anxiety.  The psychologist did help in keeping my anxiety at a manageable level although my ectopic heartbeats and palpitations are always a reminder.

My periods also started acting erratically from around this time too but other symptoms are extreme dizziness (vertigo), thrush, sleep disturbance and having no appetite for sex.  Over the last couple of years I have developed bad pains in my joints and muscles and although I have done yoga for over 20 years (not great but I try) this is becoming more and more of an effort and I'm often teary after classes because I can do the poses as well as I used to or not at all!  I do have problems with the discs in my lower back which also result in pain in my facet joints so I've always had pains but I have developed pain all over my body ? feet, elbows, wrists, fingers, shoulders and hips.  I was starting to think fibromyalgia.

I was prescribed vagifem 10mg about a year ago to help with dryness down below and I'm not convinced it's helped.  I had my last period not long after which also coincided with very hot flashes, mainly in the evening and during the night.  My body feels as if it's just going to combust from the inside with the intense heat.  No sweating though.

I went back to see my doctor before Christmas to talk about my pain and lack of sleep and HRT and she took some bloods which showed that I had a deficiency in Vitamin D.  This could also lead to joint & muscle pain, so I've taken a course of Vitamin D booster which hasn't helped.  So back to the doctor and she has now prescribed Utrogestan 100 and Estraderm MX50 patches.  I told her I didn't want to have any more periods.

I was originally prescribed 2 tablets of Utrogestan daily and the patches twice weekly.  However after 10 days I had a call from the doctor to say that she had given me the wrong prescription and I should only be taking 1 tablet of Utrogestan daily!  So I reduced the dose and have now had a period!!!  Is this usual?  I haven't been told to stop taking the tablet at any point and have a break, I've just been prescribed a continuous dose.

I felt so low yesterday when my period started and was very tearful and irritable and I'm now thinking about just doing away with HRT and just let my body do it's thing.

[jillydoll]

Hi Moaningmyrtle.
Glad you've found us, and I'm sorry to hear your suffering at this time.
I was the same too with the flushes, I didn't sweat that much, as I don't anyway, just get so hot until I feel I'm going to pass out, it's truly awful.
The anxiety was bad for me too. I've been post meno for nearly five years now, and still suffer from it occasionally. HRT does work for me, but it's not a miracle worker either.
I've got my life back, that's what's important.
As for the bleeding, I would think the drop in the Utrogestan has caused it.
It should settle down, but if not, go back and the doc should send you for a scan, which is no problem at all, I've had one, as have many women on here.
The trouble with HRT is that we need to tweek it here and there, one size doesn't fit all, as it were, so you may find you need more oestrogen then your having. Although, you should see what happens and stay on it for 3/6 months to see if it suits you. Unless of course, you have horrendous side effects.  Then you should change to another regime.
If you havnt had a period ( not including this bleed now) for 12 months, then yes, you should take the Utrogestan daily every day.
I'm not on patches, so can't really comment, I'm on tablet form HRT.
But I'm sure someone will post soon whose on them.
Hang in there. One day at time. Do you take pain relief for the aches and pains?
The vitamin D should start working too. Keep taking it. If you are deficient, it might take a while to build up.
Sorry I couldn't be any more helpful, but I'm sure some one will be soon.
Sending best wishes to you.
Jd xx

[MoaningMyrtle]

Thanks so much for you response, I was getting a little worried I'd done the post wrong and no one could see it.  I'm not great with these sort of things.

You've put my mind at ease a little too but  I've made an appointment at doctors to talk again.

[jillydoll]

Good.
it's just sometimes posts get missed that's all.
Even tho I wasn't much help, I wanted to let you know we?re here.
Keep posting, let us know what the doc says.
Good luck.

Jd xx

[Penelope]

Hi your post sounds all to familiar Have you had a full thyroid panel of bloods tests done?🌹

[MoaningMyrtle]

I get called Myrtle by hubby and it's from the character in Harry Potter.  Obviously my moods are a huge factor 

Yes had checks on thyroid and heart and all came back good,  it's only reading up on the menopause myself that all the symptoms I've had over the last few years added up to one thing.

I am seeing a difference in my flushes as haven't had any intense ones the last few nights.  Doing yoga today so see how I get on there with pains.

I try not to take painkillers if I can help it but the constant ache does get you dow.

Thanks for all the encouragement girls xx