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[Keep On Swimming]

Hello everyone,

Just seen my gyne who threw me a total curveball... (she wasn't the one who prescribed the oestrogen gel 3 weeks ago - she was on hols so it was her colleague). She thinks I am through the meno given the severity of my symptoms. (I will dance in the street if this is the case!)

She doesn't want to keep me on the POP if I am through the meno because she says we can have a much simpler HRT approach. She's asked me to stop my pill and the (wondferful) oestrogen gel for a week, do a blood test and go back to see her on Monday. I said, "But aren't those blood tests unreliable?" and she said she's so sure I'm either through or nearly through that it will give her enough of an indication. Hmmmm... She also said that the POP + 1 pump of gel is ok for contraception but the POP + 2 pumps = not enough protection.

Did a thyroid test today and I'm still underdosed which explains a lot of why I'm feeling so rotten. But this week is going to be horrible because stopping the pill + the gel means my poor thyroid dose is going to go even more crackers plus I'll maybe get the horrendous night terrors/anxiety/sweats/nausea and a period to boot! Don't know what to do about the thyroid dose because in any case I'll be on a different HRT regime as of next week - meno or not.

She also said that the meno was the "worst time of her life" and that she woke up at night, soaking and feeling like she was about to fall off a cliff and then had horrible morning anxiety and low mood. I was glad she shared because I finally feel understood!

That's all for now...!

[dibradley]

Hi Keep on Swimming,
How are u getting on? I have also just been diagnosed with Hashimoto. I have also started HRT. I have only been using it for 4 weeks. My symptoms are virtually the same as yours. I am 45. Anxiety, insomnia, hot flushes, night sweats and low mood. But, I could deal with most symptoms but find the anxiety and insomnia almost unbearable. I am on Lenzetto and live in the Netherlands. They are not very clued up here on HRT. So we have to use Facebook groups to educate ourselves. I have not seen much reduction in my anxiety or insomnia since I started 4 weeks ago. I keep a diary and track my cycle and symptoms. But I also haven’t noticed that I am progesterone intolerant either. Here - and not sure in france. - they don’t usually want people to take their urtogestan vaginally, yet it is perfectly safe to do so…. So it’s quite challenging. I am going to experiment tonight with taking my progesteron vaginally, but since I have two capsules of 100mg - it will be a challenge to insert two capsules… but am worried about having enough progesteron to protect my womb lining….. the Newson clinic says it’s ok to reduce your dose to one pill if inserting vaginally…. But here all the Dutch Facebook groups say it’s not a good idea…. Makes a person so nervous about what to do and what’s best.

I’m praying my thyroid levels will be ok. Tomorrow I go for a thyroid test and will see….

I only take 0.25mg of thyroxin and that’s worked for me since august…. But now on HRT it might mean that I have to increase my dose…

Keep us posted on how you get on and I will let u know about my thyroid levels….

Good luck. U are not alone!

[Wrensong]

Hi Keep On Swimming -  I have sent you a PM as too much detail to post here.
Wx

[dibradley]

Hi Wrensong,
Thanks for your message on a different thread by the way. Appreciate it!

[Wrensong]

Hi dibradley, no problem  .  I have just replied to your post on the Lenzetto thread.
Wx

[Keep On Swimming]

Hi Wrensong (just PMd you back, thanks so much) and dibradley!

dibradley, I'm really sorry you have Hashimoto's too - if you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to PM me (not sure everyone else wants to read about thyroid issues - not unless there is somewhere else on the forum for this?). I could write a THESIS on thyroid problems... Just bear in mind that most people are fine and get the right dose fairly quickly (not me, I'm a bad example!) but that you will have to increase your dose regardless of the HRT, as your thryoid destroys itself gradually.

I'm sorry the Lenzetto hasn't kicked in yet for the anxiety and insomnia. I really hope it will because I agree, those are the hardest symptoms to deal with. Plus feeling very blue. From what I read here some women have to try a few types of HRT before they hit the spot. Can you get Estréva 0.1% gel (Estradiol) over there? It started to really help me after 5 days of 1 pump!

It's a great idea to keep a thyroid/meno diary to record everything as this will also help you manage your thyroid meds/HRT doses.

I don't know how to advise you about the vaginal Utrogestran because I'm so new to this but I think I'll be offered this on Monday (I'll be pushing for the vaginal option) so I'll come back and let you know what my gyne says, ok?

Let us know about your thryoid results.

And, btw, I worked with Dutch people for many years and loved them! So refreshing and good fun!

xxx

[Keep On Swimming]

Oh my goodness I just have to moan...

Feeling absolutely dreadful (weak, dizzy, sick) since stopping the oestrogen gel and POP only yesterday (I know, unbelievable - but I am the most sensitive person to meds/weather/anything you'll ever meet).

The meno symptoms are back with a vengeance. Insomnia, night palpitations + sweats, nausea, anxiety... I know my body is going, "Where is the lovely oestrogen you were giving me every day and where is the progesterone from the pill?" and my thyroid is going, "What are you complaining about mate, I'm underdosed but now there's no more oestrogen or progesterone cruising about I'm teetering over into overdosed!"

I barely managed to work today (luckily I work from home, for myself so I am able to get a cat nap). I know that stopping the pill and gel plus a wrong thryoid dose is the reason behind all this (my gyne said it would be tough). Just have to hang on until blood test on Monday morning then my appointment on Tues for the VERDICT (meno or not...?) and a new HRT regime (hope it includes the lovely oestrogen gel!) to confuse my poor body/thyroid even further...

Thank you, just needed to say all that out loud.

[Wrensong]

  KOS.  Not long until Monday.  Be as kind to yourself as you can while your body is in shock.  Everything crossed for results that get you on the right path.
Wx

[Keep On Swimming]

Thank you so much Wrensong. I hope you are having a good day?

Your message made my eyes smart with tears... Feel like saying LOADS of bad words but I'd prob get invited to leave the Forum (I could say them in French though, hahaha!). I've nearly passed out a few times today (par for the course when the thyroid meds are wrong) and am wishing I was a princess who could just waft around, get massaged, and have people at my beck and call. Until Monday!

This is how wrecked I am - I was going to ask you what does "KOS" mean! Hahaha, I'm in stitches!

[Wrensong]

Yes, I'm OK thank you.  Crumbs, I hope not loads of bad words in response to my post  ?!

Nearly passing out?  How absolutely horrible for you.  Very difficult when you need to work & can't take time out.  I hope you manage to get adequate sleep tonight & if so, let me in on the secret.

Sorry for the shorthand earlier, typing is not my forte  so it was a sneaky short cut 

I hope you got my PM yesterday - no need to reply, especially when you are feeling so rough.
Take care & let us know how you get on next week.
Wx

[dibradley]

How are u getting on?

[Keep On Swimming]

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all having a "good" day...

I thought I'd update my post just in case it could help anyone else out there.

I did my FSH and estradiol blood test yesterday and saw my gyne who said that I’m not post-menopausal but that I’m deffo in the very complicated stage of peri where oestrogen levels rise and fall like a yoyo…

She’s put me back on the POP, and the oestrogen gel, but just 1 pump because she says 2 pumps won’t protect me from getting pregnant. The coil would be better, from what I gather you can increase the gel no problem but I can’t have the coil because it gives me contractions and I need to be on the pill for the adenomyosis (the pain has come back this week since I’m off the pill). She says I don't need extra progesterone as the POP will provide enough (after me bugging everyone for progesterone info, sorry...). And she told me to use the gel at night as that's when I get the sweats, etc.

She says that this stage is a compromise, that it won’t be perfect (that I will still get night sweats etc., but not as intense), that this stage is hard because oestrogen levels rise and fall, and that it’ll be easier to find a regime once I’m post meno. And that if the meno symptoms come back as bad as in Oct (they were crippling) to increase to 2 pumps but to use additional protection but she really prefers just 1 pump. I have to see her every 6 months and then she’ll take me off the pill in a year’s time to see where I’m at.

So, I've started the pill and gel again... A bit of a 360° for my body but I'm delighted to have the gel back and as for the pill, the pain is pretty bad so I have no choice (also don't want a 4th child!).

Also had a video call with my thyroid specialist who said to stay at same dose but if in a week’s time I feel rotten again to increase by 1 x 6.25mg / week. I’m actually feeling slightly better on the thyroid dose side but that could be either because my last increase 4 weeks ago is FINALLY kicking in or the fact that I stopped the pill for a week and that was like an increase in T4… Wait and see.


Is anyone else out there on the POP + gel? If so, let me know how you're getting on!

[Booroo]

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all having a "good" day...

I thought I'd update my post just in case it could help anyone else out there.

I did my FSH and estradiol blood test yesterday and saw my gyne who said that I’m not post-menopausal but that I’m deffo in the very complicated stage of peri where oestrogen levels rise and fall like a yoyo…

I would also be interested in answer to this

She’s put me back on the POP, and the oestrogen gel, but just 1 pump because she says 2 pumps won’t protect me from getting pregnant. The coil would be better, from what I gather you can increase the gel no problem but I can’t have the coil because it gives me contractions and I need to be on the pill for the adenomyosis (the pain has come back this week since I’m off the pill). She says I don't need extra progesterone as the POP will provide enough (after me bugging everyone for progesterone info, sorry...). And she told me to use the gel at night as that's when I get the sweats, etc.

She says that this stage is a compromise, that it won’t be perfect (that I will still get night sweats etc., but not as intense), that this stage is hard because oestrogen levels rise and fall, and that it’ll be easier to find a regime once I’m post meno. And that if the meno symptoms come back as bad as in Oct (they were crippling) to increase to 2 pumps but to use additional protection but she really prefers just 1 pump. I have to see her every 6 months and then she’ll take me off the pill in a year’s time to see where I’m at.

So, I've started the pill and gel again... A bit of a 360° for my body but I'm delighted to have the gel back and as for the pill, the pain is pretty bad so I have no choice (also don't want a 4th child!).

Also had a video call with my thyroid specialist who said to stay at same dose but if in a week’s time I feel rotten again to increase by 1 x 6.25mg / week. I’m actually feeling slightly better on the thyroid dose side but that could be either because my last increase 4 weeks ago is FINALLY kicking in or the fact that I stopped the pill for a week and that was like an increase in T4… Wait and see.


Is anyone else out there on the POP + gel? If so, let me know how you're getting on!