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[CLKD]

Do U sound listened to?  Give the 'ovestin' a chance, if the skin is thin and dry there may be a slight sting initially - some find that inserting part way for a few nights helps. 

Let us know how you get on?

[Lesred]

Aww thanks CLKD will do, I’m hoping my problem first time round with the specialist was I didn’t really understand VA and thought that can’t be my problem surely, oh so naive!

Listened to… hmmm, with one ear perhaps 

[Wrensong]

Hello Lesred, good to have your update, thank you.

I do hope you'll feel better for Ovestin & yes, you can always go back on systemic HRT if you feel you need to.  Please do let us know how you are if you have time.

Thank you for asking, but not sure quite what's going on with me, though that's nothing new    I am working on it though 
Wx

[Lesred]

Hey Wrensong

Thank you so much for responding, I’m still building up the nerve to try the ovestin, but I’m getting close as bladder after a five day rest is niggling again, I think I have trouble believing anything will help and terrified to make it feel worse. Feeling strange now without the conti patch, I sort of liked knowing I was getting some hormones back in my body, even though sometimes they make some things a little worse! I always have to work myself up to starting any form of treatment  also my jaw clenching and sinus issues are worse than ever, I do get fed up with the constant onslaught of silly niggly things.

I know what you mean about not being sure what your body is doing, I feel like that a lot!! It does feel like you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t during menopause.

Will let you know when I’m finally up and running, really hope all okay with you too  take care

Lesred x x

[Wrensong]

Lesred, only natural you're afraid of making things worse.  With a continually sore GU tract it can be hard to focus on anything else & it's stressful having to make decisions about treatment in those circs.  Although I just reread this entire thread I can't remember  (sorry) whether you tried the Ovestin while also on Evorel Conti, but if so it's possible as I think we said before that it was the Norethisterone in EC making your bladder worse, so that Ovestin on its own might have a much better outcome for you.  And better still, if that soothes the GU tract over time that might give you confidence to try a different systemic regimen for other symptoms if you felt comforted in the knowledge you were replacing some of your own lost hormones with HRT.  It certainly can take some trial & error to get sorted & unfortunately I don't think many of us feel hunky dory on our very first regimen.

Not surprised the jaw clenching is worse (is it nocturnal?) as the HRT dilemma is a stressful situation for you.  I have longstanding bruxism & for years in peri & beyond wore mouthguards overnight.

Anyway, just thinking out loud, please don't feel obliged to answer questions.  Whatever you do though, please cut yourself some slack; this can be such a difficult time of life & we are all doing our very best with woefully incomplete science to guide us & the complexities of individual biochemistry  .
Wx

[Kirsti]

Hi Lesred

I am glad your Doctors appointment went well.
I totally understand how you feel about trying different treatments, I worry constantly that trying something else will make things worse and if I come of the systemic HRT completely will that be worse. It is all trial and error and does take time as Wrensong said.
Not to mention our own fluctuations going on in the background. I definitely think that hormone peaks and troughs are my problem, even with my IC, food doesn't seem to make a lot of difference to me it feels like my hormones and stress that cause the problems.
You have to get used to listening to your body and using your own intuition which is quite hard at first.
As Wrensong said you can go back on the HRT if you feel you need to, for some women it seems to be better without HRT so worth a try.
I do actually think my VA is under control currently with the Vagifem, I am still using it every day, just having a day off every now and then to stop too much build up. My bladder is still much the same but last week I did have a few good days. I have had my fourth Bladder Instillation and go for the fifth tomorrow, so fingers crossed that might be helping. Also my testosterone has been delivered and I started that yesterday so fingers crossed for that too, as since I reduced my Oestrogel by 1/2 a pump my dry mouth has been a bit worse. Hopefully the Testogel will help. I will report back again soon.
Wrensong, I hope things improve for you too soon.
It really is a roller coaster ride isn't it.
I'm off on holiday next week too so fingers crossed that will help calm things down a bit 
Hugs to all xxx

[Wrensong]

Hi Kirsti

I do actually think my VA is under control currently with the Vagifem

that's so good to hear    Good luck with the testosterone, I hope you find it helps.  I'd err on the low side with application initially if your own T was mid-range as I think you said.  Are they going to retest for you after you've been on it a while?  Must be a relief to be nearly finished with the infusions.  Have a great holiday & do let us know how you are some time.
Wx

[Kirsti]

Hi Wrensong
Yes I will need to do another blood test for the testosterone after 6 weeks.
Thanks for the tip to err on the lower side of application. Quite tricky to work out how to get the correct measurements from the sachets but I will try and make them last a little longer than suggested then.
3 more instillations to go, so fingers crossed they help too.
I hope you are coping ok at the moment and yes I will keep you updated again 
xxx

[Wrensong]

Hi Kirsti, yes if Testogel it is difficult to judge the amount  .  A sachet actually lasts me way longer than 10 applications, but I'm v sparing with it as my oestrogen was low for some time & I'm currently only applying T alternate days.  Waiting to retest.

Oh 3 more instillations to go     Sorry, I had misinterpreted your last post to mean 5th was the last. 
All the best with it.
Wx

[Kirsti]

Hi Wrensong, I have made a note to try and make the sachets last 12 - 14 days instead of 8, as I have no idea what my Oestrogen levels are! I will see how it goes.
Yes one more instillation in 2 weeks time, then 2 more at monthly intervals. So far not much success though to be honest  .
I guess it was worth a try, it might still work!
Take care xxx

[Lesred]

Oh gosh Kirsti why is it such an uphill struggle all this 

I finally decided to stop being a wimp and started Ovestin last night, all was fine and felt comfortable until today when my bladder which has been behaving reasonably well has got irritated again and I’ve been to loo far too frequently today and am now aware of it, don’t know whether to persevere or give up again ( so fed up, don’t want to give up) is it likely to be just early niggles do you think?

Sorry I’m hijacking your thread and that is not my intention as yours and Wrensong’s experiences are really helpful.

I really hope you get some relief soon, and that the testogel helps?! And the instillations 

Lesred x x

[Lesred]

Lesred, only natural you're afraid of making things worse.  With a continually sore GU tract it can be hard to focus on anything else & it's stressful having to make decisions about treatment in those circs.  Although I just reread this entire thread I can't remember  (sorry) whether you tried the Ovestin while also on Evorel Conti, but if so it's possible as I think we said before that it was the Norethisterone in EC making your bladder worse, so that Ovestin on its own might have a much better outcome for you.  And better still, if that soothes the GU tract over time that might give you confidence to try a different systemic regimen for other symptoms if you felt comforted in the knowledge you were replacing some of your own lost hormones with HRT.  It certainly can take some trial & error to get sorted & unfortunately I don't think many of us feel hunky dory on our very first regimen.

Not surprised the jaw clenching is worse (is it nocturnal?) as the HRT dilemma is a stressful situation for you.  I have longstanding bruxism & for years in peri & beyond wore mouthguards overnight.

Anyway, just thinking out loud, please don't feel obliged to answer questions.  Whatever you do though, please cut yourself some slack; this can be such a difficult time of life & we are all doing our very best with woefully incomplete science to guide us & the complexities of individual biochemistry  .
Wx

Sorry Wrensong meant to confirm I tried Ovestin in Sept 21 after various tests and seeing a specialist, cant really remember why I stopped, and yes my clenching is nocturnal, also tried a mouth guard from dentist, but didn’t help at all, I agree I think I’m tense and slightly stressed! Loved your message re cutting myself some slack, I need to do that a lot more! X x

[Wrensong]

Kirsti, you can always increase to the recommended T dosage when you are ready if you feel you need more.  Please don't expect it to cause any probs - I was simply explaining why I'm currently on less than recommended & mindful that when tested, your level without supplementing was mid-range-ish.  I'm also a small woman (young teen size) & tend to need lower doses of some meds, possibly for that reason.  Some women find T slow to exert its effects, a few months, so you may also need to bear that in mind.  I actually notice an increase in saliva a few hours after each application & that started quite quickly for me.  But, I have no ovaries so can't seem to produce much T for myself.

If you have 3 more instillations to go, I imagine there's every chance you could still benefit from it cumulatively.  Everything crossed for you anyway.
Wx

[Wrensong]

Lesred, well done on starting the Ovestin.  Very early days & I'm sorry you are less comfy today.  Hopefully a blip.

Yes, I managed to damage quite a few mouthguards clenching on them in my sleep (both hard & soft types) & my dentist then said for some people they make matters worse    When you start to feel some benefit from the Ovestin hopefully your stress levels will decrease.  Rooting for you.

[Lesred]

  Thanks Wrensong x