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[anon2021]

Hello all,

I have just finished 6 weeks chemo & radiation therapy for colon cancer and because of the treatment this has put me into full menopause. I’m 51 so was peri anyway and had tried the Oestrogel & Utrogestan privately but found it a bit much so changed to Qlaira the bio identical pill. 

However, now I’m in full menopause all day sweats mode!  It’s bad enough trying to recover from the chemo & radio and this is seriously impacting my mental health too and slowing my recovery.

Has anyone had anything similar as I understand I can take just the Oestrogel now as I no longer have periods and therefore no requirement for Utrogestan?

Any guidance welcome. My oncologist doesn’t seem that helpful on this subject so any advice would be greatly received as trying to get an appointment with GP who also may not be au fait either with the intricacies after cancer options.

Thank you so much!
M x

[CLKD]

Have you had your womb removed?  I think 1 needs progesterone if 1 still has one.  Hopefully someone will be along.

There is an option of sending a personal e-mail message to Dr Currie, for which there is a charge.  That might be an option.  Decide which symptom you need to ease first, then ask the question?

How do U feel over-all?  What on-going support will be available?  Oncologists often don't know much about HRT, in their eyes it's usually a 'no'  .  However, Quality of Life is important.

 

[Dotty]

Hi if you’ve still got your womb then you need to take a progesterone too x

[anon2021]

Thanks Dotty & CLKD,

I was under the assumption that if periods had totally stopped (which they have) you didn’t need the progesterone so just as well I asked.

I’d probably better double check with a doctor just to make sure before I go ahead.

Many thanks!

[anon2021]

I’ve just paid for the email to Dr Currie so I’ll see what she says and let you know. Thank you for the advice!

[CLKD]

Good morning.  Let us know how you get on .  Every bit of information is valued, every day is a learning curve ;-)

 

[anon2021]

Will do, no reply to my email yet but I will post on here as soon as I do.

 

[CLKD]

It may take a few days 4 Dr Currie to respond ;-).

[Julia Dizzy]

Hello Anon2021, I sympathise with you and wish you well in the future.
 
I started chemo yesterday as a "belt and braces" mop up after having major surgery in July to remove a cancerous tumour from my bowel. My surgeon said they had got it all and it hasn't spread anywhere else, but some of the removed lymph nodes showed minute traces, so I have to have the chemo. It is a 3 month course of 4 drips and tablets in between. So far a very strange experience and feel quite rubbish! My BP has also shot up but that could be the stress of it all.

I am on Estradot 50 and Utrogestan 100mg orally at night. I am 65 and still have my womb. I don't know how chemo affects HRT, but I woke up drenched at 6am today and have not had one of those for ages on this regime?

Hope you get on ok with your Doctor and best wishes. x

[anon2021]

Hello Julia,

Sorry you are having to go through chemotherapy. Your doctors will make sure you have everything you need to make you more comfortable whilst you go through this. I took Metoclopramide for sickness and nausea and that really helped. They couldn’t operate on my tumours hence chemo & radiation.

I’m sitting here having a hot flush as I write this. Haven’t heard back from Dr Currie yet but hoping she gets back to me soon.

Good luck with your chemo and wishing you all the best with your treatment and recovery.

X

[CLKD]

    both.

Dr Currie may be a few days B4 you get a response, due to her work commitments. 

[anon2021]

UPDATE:-

Hello all,

Well lovely Dr Currie came back to me. She confirms I can take the “continuous combined regime” HRT (ie every day, no break).

So, in my case as I have a preference for bio identical HRT, she suggests 100mg Utrogestan at night and 1-2 pumps of Estrogel daily.

She suggests a low dose of the gel to avoid any unnecessary side effects. She also says to take this dose for 3 months before changing any dose as it takes this time to fully gain effect. After this you can change it up or down according to your side effects.

I hope that helps anyone else in similar situation. To clarify, if you are in full menopause (ie no periods) but still have ovaries and womb then you must take the combined HRT ie oestrogen and progesterone and it is safe to do this after cancer treatment if your cancer is not hormone led. Please check with your oncologist or cancer team before you begin.

Best wishes to everyone and thank you to all who replied.

X

[CLKD]

Tnx for the update!   Let us know how you get on, don't disappear 

[anon2021]

Hello everyone! I hope you’ve all had a lovely Christmas! Just thought I’d update you.

I had to have a break from the HRT due to my liver having a hissy fit from all the chemo. I thought the HRT hadn’t been doing much so thought I wouldn’t miss it (hadn’t been back on it that long). How wrong was I!!!! Night sweats (more of an all night drench v little sleep as drenched, boiling, freezing, have to get changed etc!) and spontanous overheating during the day is quite tiresome to say the least. Moods are fine but I take my Utrogestan every morning rather than at night as weirdly it keeps me awake (despite many having a sedative effect from it, seems I’m the opposite).

I’ve just been able to restart the HRT so hoping it kicks back in soon. Meanwhile I’ve tried the Menopoised Magnets (no joy and rather expensive!) and cooling blankets, pillowcases, gels, etc etc. Sadly cooling things might help a tiny bit during the day but not at night. I read a lot on here that hormones dip at pre-dawn which is definitely agree with. I just have to persevere and hope that the HRT kicks in soon and does finally help with this side of things as I had been sleeping so well after years of not! I have bought one thing that I’d say helps… as I am drenched head to toe but can’t wear ordinary pyjamas as too hot. On the advice of many I looked into bamboo nightwear and then discovered a company called Intimissimi who make the thinnest cashmere and modal polo neck and leggings. They’re so light and because of the natural fibres your skin can breathe and actually helps regulate your body temp. I chose the polo neck and leggings as it covers my whole body and wicks away the sweat (which wakes me up, even the entire length of my legs sweat… I’ve literally always been the least-sweatiest person and now it seems there’s not one bit of me that doesn’t run with sweat at night, even my ankles! ) and high polo neck so stops my long hair being soaked too. It dries in seconds so I don’t have to get up and changed. Can highly recommend! Shops are in London but online too. I don’t think I’m allowed to post a link but easily found searching Intimissimi and search cashmere modal ultralight.

On the plus front my first cancer scan came back clear so that’s great news! 

Happy New Year to everyone when it arrives. Here’s to a wonderful 2022 for everyone x

[CLKD]

That is such GOOD NEWS    you and the medical team must be relieved.  Do you have a follow-up?

As for sweats etc., tnx for the update.  It can be Trial and Error which is so tiring  . 

Best wishes for the New Year - keep in touch :-)))