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[KaraShannon]

Ok eConsult auto reply said I will get a reply before tomorrow evening. 

I feel in myself that I'm mid cycle.  At the start of the cycle I'm usually energetic and at the end I'm usually tired (to put it simply it's more than that but can't type it all out, I know the feelings well, this is why I think there's been a cycle still going).

So now may be as good a time as any, but I will still question the whole thing and get it right, I was doing this correctly and religiously for 2 years before this.

[KaraShannon]

doctor's appointment at the end of the month, receptionist suggested not doing anything before then.

That will be another month.  This is what happens.

I will chat to a pharmacist today too.

[joziel]

Kara, I wouldn't take medical advice from a receptionist.

What are you afraid will happen if you start progesterone? (Why not start it?)

[KaraShannon]

I wouldn't take advice from a receptionist, I was just reporting what she said.  I'm sure she meant well.

Well, I've started the progesterone patch.  I found some dates in a diary, and by miracle, counting through the days since last september, if I start progesterone today I am on the same timing as before.  So I imagine my cycle has continued roughly the same through the 3 months continuous (unopposed estradiol).

Things are still not ideal because I was taking a supplemental Evorel 50 with the progesterone, which is unlicensed to be done that way and yes I do get that still may prevent the womb lining from being cleared properly, but that was the regime I was on for a while before and the doctor had told me it was ok (of course it was when I questioned that that I was told to move to utrogestan and then all the problems started).

For now it means I'm starting some progesterone though and I have an appointment in 3 weeks.  I'll see how I feel, I feel like I'm retaining water, and I think the progesterone always stopped that feeling and I always felt better on the progesterone phase, so hoping that will take place again, let's see.

Thanks for all the advice and thoughts, I appreciate all of it and feel free to continue because I listen to all of it and just trying to get back on an even keel   

[joziel]

Progesterone is a diuretic (according to Lara Briden) - as in - it helps you get rid of water stored. But I'm not sure if that refers to synthetic progestin or just utrogestan/body identical...

[ATB]

It’s really hard to understand all this stuff sometimes, well often, and so many us get it wrong too so you’re just the same as most of us are or were at some point. You should not have been left to just use estrogen when you still have a womb and that isn’t your fault so you’re doing great by adding the progesterone now and can move forward knowing just a little bit more about how it works. Maybe your GP will want to ultrasound to check your uterus lining?

[KaraShannon]

Thanks Joziel and ATB, I think I've cracked things, I feel better today now, I think there's slightly less water retention already.  Doctor appointment is made and blood test booked, meanwhile progesterone is now in the system.  I will discuss with the doctor about trying utrogestan again and / or what can I do if my body prefers the norehisterone (which it seems to even though it's artificial).

A quick google search (I don't rely on that but interesting) suggests progesterone helps with energy, water retention, supports thyroid function, all that explains why I always felt better on the progesterone phase.  Because of that I think I will need to give utrogestan another chance sometime as it is body identical and may help me further.  I have hashimotos as well.

[KaraShannon]

Update, the progesterone kicked in, I started getting my energy back, my postural hypotension is so much better I'm hardly thinking about it anymore. 

The progesterone might not be body identical, but I seem to do well on it.

Thanks for all the help, I've had my blood test but despite my phone appointment with the GP, the nurse said she was only instructed to take bloods to measure estradiol.  So I won't know about testosterone or progesterone.  I get the feeling that my testosterone might increase when I'm on the progesterone (noreshisterone) patch (more energy and stronger, less 'weak' muscles)

[Peanut31]

Hi

I too was told not to start my Progesterone yet by a private menopause clinic. Why is this being advised?

After posting on here with my concerns (I double checked the letter), I got back in touch with the clinic about this.

I was told not to worry but start it after my August period, which is overdue. If it hadn’t arrived after a further 7 days then take it.

After posting on here and no period showing when it should, I started my tablet last night, my first mistake was not taking it when I got into bed, I was still up watching tv.

Brushing my teeth and getting ready for bed was interesting, as I felt like a zombie. My husband did say I went to sleep straight away though.

Good luck.

Peanut31

[KaraShannon]

Hi

I too was told not to start my Progesterone yet by a private menopause clinic. Why is this being advised?

After posting on here with my concerns (I double checked the letter), I got back in touch with the clinic about this.

I was told not to worry but start it after my August period, which is overdue. If it hadn’t arrived after a further 7 days then take it.

After posting on here and no period showing when it should, I started my tablet last night, my first mistake was not taking it when I got into bed, I was still up watching tv.

Brushing my teeth and getting ready for bed was interesting, as I felt like a zombie. My husband did say I went to sleep straight away though.

Good luck.

Peanut31

Peanut31

The only thing I'm aware of is that if you still have a cycle, then taking progesterone 14 days after a period is when to start it. 

Perhaps others might have more to suggest on this.  Good luck

[KaraShannon]

Update for me. 

Thyroid levels are normal (around 1 for TSH which is usually good for me)

Estradiol, receptionist hesitated and then said I need to book a routine appointment. 

Anyone thoughts on that?  Now I'm worried.  She said wait till Thursday for routine appointments to become available.  I was a bit nervous about the way she hesitated (past stuff being triggered) so I didn't push and ask is it high or low or what is it saying. 

[joziel]

Well, I wouldn't worry too much because it's not a blood test which is going to tell you that you have some awful scary disease or anything(!!) 

You're on quite a high amount of estrogen at the moment, is that right? So it might be quite a high result. The thing to say about that is - IF YOU ARE FEELING BETTER(!), then you should fight to stay on that dose. Even if it is like 800-1000pmol. Because some women really do need those kind of levels to feel good.

Many non-HRT knowledgeable doctors might be freaked out by levels like that and might try to bring them down and get you to reduce. Try to resist that, if you are feeling better on a higher dose. And if your doctor insists on reducing you might need to see a private menopause specialist to get them to approve you being on a higher dose - they can write to your doctor and tell them this is okay and your doctor should then accept that and you won't need to stay going private....

But really don't worry, whether the estrogen result is 20 or 1200, it doesn't mean you're going to die(!)!

[KaraShannon]

Thanks, major trigger there.  You are right of course.

I've not spoken to them yet and tonight I have to change the patch back to estradiol 100.  I felt so much better on the Norehisterone and now that period is over for another 2 weeks and I'm dreading it as clearly the postural hypotension, dizziness, heart not 'keeping up,' etc, is something to do with estradiol as it all went away with putting norehisterone back and I was just getting back into a normal life...

[joziel]

Kara, are you saying that when you are on the estrogen only patches you are getting the side effects? But things are better when using the combined patches with norethisterone?

So - the estrogen dose is the same, the only difference is whether you are taking progestin or not?

I don't know your history but you could see if you could trial a continuous regime. Sometimes there are times to do this even if you are peri-menopausal. (I have a history of mild endo and continuous is recommended even in peri, to suppress the endo.)

[KaraShannon]

Thanks Joziel

I wasn't getting side effects, not for 2 years, but I increased the estradiol because the doctor said it was ok, nothing about it not being licensed to use that way with evorel sequi.

So then I was on 100 Estradiol, started getting dizzy...........thinking it was during the noreshisterone phase, spoke to the doctor, they said time to go on Utrogestan, tried it, bad reaction, problems seeing a doctor, family bereavement, very dizzy, 3 months later I find that I was on unopposed estradiol for that length of time.

I felt so much better starting the noreshisterone recently, almost back to my old self.  I've now started the estradiol phase again, my period came during the norehisterone phase.  Unfortunately last night I was 'nesting' terribly, stressing over everything not being 'done.'  Didn't think anything of it I just thought I needed to get things done, but today period started again and the most awful period pains that put me to bed for 2 hours this afternoon (and I tolerate a lot of pain and never need painkillers).  I wouldn't say it was worrisome in the sense of needing a doctor or anything, but not feeling great, plus temperature a bit higher than normal (again not a fever or worrisome, just higher than usual for me).  Haven't eaten all day and that's very unlike me, lol. 

I wonder if my uterus is just clearing the lining away as this isn't normal for me.  Of course I'll keep an eye on it, but it's only been today.  I am due to see the doctor anyway.

I'll talk to her about maybe being on combined continuously.  I seem very 'well' on norehisterone, though mood just drop a little.

(edited to add I've never had any problems before or symptoms of endo, but worth bearing in mind thanks)