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[Corvus]

Hello Everyone,

I’ve learnt so much from this forum that I wanted to say hello.

I am 51 years old, was peri for years before Nov ‘21 when I developed palpitations, ‘air hunger’, joint pain, flushes, extreme weakness and fatigue etc yet hormonal migraines stopped completely. I collapsed a few times, was sent to A&E, had cardiology,respiratory, gastroenterology consults but everything came back fine. I suspected my symptoms could be menopausal and asked for HRT but was refused.  Dr said, ‘ it can’t be menopause, menopause isn’t that bad’.

In July 22 I had hysterectomy BSO and symptoms increased. Was refused HRT again. ( Was told I wouldn’t need it as surgical menopause was easier than natural menopause )

Finally started HRT in sept ‘22. First three months on two pumps oestrogel which caused migraine. I became very shaky but no improvement of meno symptoms. Was told to increase to 3 pumps despite not settling well on 2 and become so shaky I was admitted to hospital for a week. Was switched onto Estrodot 50. Meno symptoms improved but migraine became even worse especially on patch change day. Also developed tinnitus.

Just spoken to my GP who said stop taking HRT completely. I’d rather not if at all possible as I need help with the palpitations and breathing issues but she said those are not menopause symptoms, though from reading this forum, I know many ladies experience them. She then suggested I go back on the gel.


In desperation I had a private consultation with Dr Schaedel at Myla Health, Sussex in December. She was helpful so I have booked a follow up with her but nothing available for two weeks. So now I don’t know what to do. Currently feeling awful but I don’t want to make more sudden changes as I know this will just make symptoms worse.

Sorry to moan and ramble on, just feeling overwhelmed at the moment.

[Flossieteacake]

Hello Corvus and welcome to the forum. You are not rambling on so please do not think that. No wonder you are feeling overwhelmed. You have a lot to take in.

How sad your Dr dismissed you and said menopause cannot be that bad. Then to be told a surgical menopause is not as bad as a natural one is just the icing on the cake really. 

I can totally understand why you felt you had to go private. Sorry to be slow but could you say how long you have been on the Esradot 50? It is horrid it seems to have caused you migraines. I have found on the forum that some people need a certain patch brand such as a person may only get on with Evorel or another person may only get on with Estradot. It could be Estradot does not agree with you but another brand may be better.

It is great you have an appointment in two weeks but of course, we need to help you in the meantime. You have come to the right place and you will find much support on here.

[mandss]

OMG you poor thing, how can anyone say that the menopause is not that bad?? Its a living hell at times. I have a had a rough journey so far, but had a hysterectomy 6 weeks ago, so now in a surgical menopause so should not get the highs and lows in hormone levels. I am on patches, and I have a very understanding consultant. I am so sorry you are going through this. Is there anywhere else you can go for help? keep talking to us, we may not be able to change this but we can assure you that you are not alone xxxx

[Corvus]

Thank you so much for your kindness and support Ladies.

Flossieteacake…i’ve been on Estrodot 50 for 10 weeks although the GP did try raising me to 75 after 3 weeks and added testosterone briefly even though my oestrogen wasn’t stabilised. Another GP took me off the T and dropped me back to 50 a week later.  I’ve been wondering whether it might be better to stick with the Estrodot 50 until I have seen the private Dr rather than swapping back to gel immediately. See what she says before messing with my hormones any more than they are already.


Hi mandss. So sorry you’ve had a tough time. I hope you are recovering well from your surgery and that not having the hormonal highs and lows will make things easier.

[Flossieteacake]

Thank you so much for your kindness and support Ladies.

Flossieteacake…i’ve been on Estrodot 50 for 10 weeks although the GP did try raising me to 75 after 3 weeks and added testosterone briefly even though my oestrogen wasn’t stabilised. Another GP took me off the T and dropped me back to 50 a week later.  I’ve been wondering whether it might be better to stick with the Estrodot 50 until I have seen the private Dr rather than swapping back to gel immediately. See what she says before messing with my hormones any more than they are already.


Hi mandss. So sorry you’ve had a tough time. I hope you are recovering well from your surgery and that not having the hormonal highs and lows will make things easier.

I think keeping on the same patch does make sense. I am sorry for not being clear but I meant so say if Estradot does not suit then perhaps the menopause clinic can recommend a different brand of patch. It sounds like you have had lots of changes and I know how they really effect our health when that happens.

They usually say to keep to one amount for about 3 months so your GP seems to have increased your dose very quickly. I wonder if your poor body even had time to adjust to the oestrogen.

[Corvus]

Don’t worry Flossieteacake, what you said about trying a different brand of patch was clear. I will ask about other patches when I see the menopause clinic.

My meds and doses have been changed around a lot haven’t they and by the time I started HRT my own hormone levels must have been very low. Too much too quickly maybe. If I had discovered this forum earlier I think would have been more cautious about all the changes. So glad to have found you all now.

I will stick with the estrodot at least until I see the Dr. Even if things are tough the last thing my body needs is more upheaval.

Thanks for your advice. 

[Flossieteacake]

Don’t worry Flossieteacake, what you said about trying a different brand of patch was clear. I will ask about other patches when I see the menopause clinic.

My meds and doses have been changed around a lot haven’t they and by the time I started HRT my own hormone levels must have been very low. Too much too quickly maybe. If I had discovered this forum earlier I think would have been more cautious about all the changes. So glad to have found you all now.

I will stick with the estrodot at least until I see the Dr. Even if things are tough the last thing my body needs is more upheaval.

Thanks for your advice. 

Oh good. Usually I struggle to explain what I mean. Yes, I feel your HRT has been changed a lot and in such a short space of time too.

Please let us know how your appointment goes.

[Corvus]

Hello,

Not sure if this is the right place to post updates but I saw the Private Dr and she thinks I have histamine intolerance.

I have a long history of allergies, asthma etc which were well controlled. Oestrogen improved meno symptoms but was making me feel so ill. Kat36 posted a really helpful link to an Instagram live with Dr Naomi Potter and suddenly it all started to make sense.

I’ve started the low histamine diet and Dr has switched me onto one pump of oestrogel temporarily to try to help meno symptoms a little without flaring up the histamine response too much. Currently feeling exhausted and very weak with much joint pain.  She’s given me Fexofenadine to take for a least a week before trialling Utrogestan 100 to see if that will calm mast cell response.

I’m hopeful but nervous. I’ve read here that lots of ladies struggle with Utrogestan. It would be very difficult to manage without HRT at the moment and worried I might be running out of options.

Fingers crossed. xx

[Gnatty]

Hi, I recommend you join the Facebook group Surgical Menopause UK womens support group. It is reassuring to chat to women who have had same procedure. That's not to take anything away from this forum which is wonderful! There are women too on there who have to take a strong antihistamine because of the histamine issues. I think once the utrogestan gets into your system that would also help with the troubling symptoms as I think it kind of damps down the over reaction of the body to the oestrogen. That is not a technical answer but it is kind of what happens! I have just added in utrogestan, I was a bit wary too but ten days in and I think things are starting to settle. For me it was insomnia that led me to the utrogestan rather than histamine problems. Some women in surgical menopause seem to manage fine without it but for others it does seem to create harmony and balance.
Also, it is still relatively early days for you in adjusting and tweaking your hrt post operation. Certainly don't be tempted to give up on it, we need it. And we will all be different in how much we need. At some point you will be wanting to test your oestrogen levels to check they are decent enough for bone protection etc. But wait until you are feeling a bit steadier maybe.
You will get sorted, I promise!

[Corvus]

Thank you for this advice and reassurance Gnatty. I’m feeling encouraged by your words about Utrogestan, both in general and your personal experience. It’s interesting that some women who have had surgical menopause also need progesterone. I have been told repeatedly that it’s only needed to protect the lining of the uterus but I’ve sometimes wondered how we can lose a balance of hormones and by only replacing oestrogen all our different, unique bodies are supposed to be fine.

…and I’ve joined the Facebook group !

[Gnatty]

Great! I hope you find it helpful x