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[Babspiglet]

Hello ladies,

I wonder if anyone can help with this one.

I’ve just been advised by the meno specialist to interrupt my regime of 25 mcg Evorel patch and 100g Utrogestan alternate days after only a two month period. I mentioned that I was unclear of any discernible improvements and felt that I was too sensitive to the sedative effect of the Utrogestan. I also explained that I was aware of my heart rate more than usual and we wanted to test if this is was due to the oestrogen by coming off. I’ve wanted all along to address anxiety and energy through HRT.

She has given me some options. Wait two weeks and then resume by increasing my patches initially to 37.5 mcg to see whether this improves mood and energy. I could also switch to Tibolone (Livial) which includes a small amount of testosterone I believe.

I’m unsure which of these options to follow at the moment. What I’ve noticed is that I’ve never felt so low as these last few days since discontinuing. I spent most of yesterday in tears. Whereas I do suffer from some anxiety I’ve not felt this bad in a while. Do you think that this could be due to withdrawal, even on a small dose and after a short period of time? I also had a night sweat last night which I rarely have. If so, I feel I should make a decision between these two options as soon as possible. I’m not sure if I can wait two weeks if I’m feeling this low in mood!  Maybe the regime was doing more for me than I had realised!

Any advice would be very welcome. x

[CLKD]

Hormones rise and fall all the while and I think that a drop may well be enough even after a short time.    MayB put the product names into the search box to see what pops up? Make notes ;-)

[Babspiglet]

Thanks CLKD. I think you’re probably right. It’s a very bewildering journey this one. Actually it’s more like a not-so-magical menopause mystery tour! x

[CLKD]

Do you keep a mood/symptom/food diary to chart progress?  Let us know how you get on?

[Babspiglet]

Yes, I do. I’ve learnt the importance of doing that. Thanks for your support CLKD x

[CLKD]

It's awful, that low mood.  Fortunately I know what might cause mine and have ADs to take.

[Babspiglet]

Yes. I’ve just started taking a baby dose of Citalopram to see if I can take the edge of my anxiety. I keep it low as I can’t stand the side effects of nausea and lethargy. x

[Babspiglet]

Oh my Lord Birdy, thanks for that, I was suspecting that this was too much of a coincidence.  Yes, she should’ve known and advised of this. Poor system must be a bit bewildered! x

[Kathleen]

Hello Babspiglet

I think that  lots of  ladies who regularly endure prog withdrawal will agree that it's awful  however I have found  that coming off oestrogen is also a problem.

I stopped taking Oestrogel and Utrogestan about sixteen months ago. I stopped Utrogestan first and then tapered off the gel. Five months later the crying started and has continued to be a problem ever since plus I still have anxiety and some flushes. As Birdy says coming off hormones suddenly is never a good idea and it turns out that doing it slowly isn't a walk in the park either lol.

I agree that your system must be a bit bewildered so perhaps have another chat to your meno specialist.

Take care.

K.

[sheila99]

It might be useful to use a sequi regime rather than conti, you'll have a bleed but you'll know if it's the progesterone that makes you feel bad. If utro doesn't agree with you then try a different type of progestin. I'mnnot sure how common progesterone withdrawal is, I'm lethargic on the utro phase and feel better when it ends (long cycle so I more 'good' days) . 25mg is a low dose so may well be too low. I started on 50mg in peri. Anxiety seems to need a build up of oestrogen, it took 3 months for my anxiety and insomnia to go. Once you're stable on the right level of oestrogen you may want to add testosterone. They will only prescribe it for low libido but it did help my mood too. Another one who thinks stopping for 2 weeks is pointless. Sweats are a sign of insufficient oestrogen.

[Babspiglet]

Thanks for caring Birdy. I’m still the same really, full of anxiety. I haven’t been crying at least, maybe because I now understand why I feel this way. I thought it was just my natural anxiety wreaking havoc but it’s hormone withdrawal it seems. I think I’ll go back on my existing regime and increase oestrogen patch gradually. Those hormones must’ve been doing some good at some level. I don’t think I have the appetite to try something like Tibolone at present, about which I have limited understanding. Maybe another time. I do hope you’re alright now? Have you switched to an alternative?

Kathleen, thanks for your reply. All this can stir up a real hornet’s nest it seems. I thought I’d be alright with a temporary withdrawal having only taken HRT for a couple of months.  It’s awful that you’re still having those symptoms now! I shall resume and take all further decisions with extreme care. x

[Babspiglet]

Sheila, thanks for your reply. You ladies are wonderful.

Yes, I’ve read about sequi, and could try that. I don’t know how I feel about a bleed though. The specialist has mentioned adding testosterone at a later date after all my levels have been checked. She also said that if my anxiety is not caused by hormone deficiency it might not respond to replacement. I struggle to understand how you can determine one way or the other though, surely it can only help? I will experiment with upping the oestrogen level as my next experiment. x

[silverstar]

I took Livial for years and it did very little for me other than help with the hot flushes. I have had a full hysterectomy though and so have no estrogen at all. It’s very weak

[Babspiglet]

Oh no! What do we do?! Do you think that the person who invented utro actually had it in for women?! 

[Babspiglet]

I took Livial for years and it did very little for me other than help with the hot flushes. I have had a full hysterectomy though and so have no estrogen at all. It’s very weak

Thank you. I feel wary of taking Livial. I’m not sure what it will achieve but it is an option I’ve been presented with. x