Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[lisa06031510]

Hi all,

So next month will mark 4 years since I had a full hysterectomy at the age of 36.. so I am aware I have to stay on HRT until I am 51 for health reasons.. but does that mean I will continue to have menopause symptoms for another 11 years!!!
I'm on 150mg of HRT patches
. And I'm.sure in a couple of years I can reduce that buti am so confused to when the symptoms will go... Obviously they are no where near as bad as was when first had the op... K
Just not sure I can cope with another 11 year of this.
Thank you
Lisa xx

[sheila99]

Some people are OK when they stop, others have symptoms for life. What are your symptoms now and have they got any better with hrt? If you still have symptoms now it might be that you're not absorbing it well. A blood test to check your levels might be useful.

[lisa06031510]

Symptoms have got so much better with HRT the first few years were so rough where I wasn't on correct amount.
I still struggle with sweats, anxiety and dry vagina though..had bloody tests before got put up to 150mg in May and they said my body needed a higher dose

[CLKD]

Hi!   vaginal atrophy symptoms can be eased by appropriate oestrogen replacement therapy: which is inserted into the vagina usually every night for 2-3 weeks.  Then as necessary: some require every night, some can cope with a few nights each week.

Vagifem or ovestin are the usual prescriptions.  I use 'ovestin' internally and when the vulva is dry, on the outer area.  Some insert 'vagifem' into the vagina and smear a little 'ovestin' on the outer regions.  Or use a moisturiser: Sylc or Yes : are quite helpful.

Anxiety for some reason can become problematic during peri - how does it affect you.  If HRT isn't helping symptoms which can be overwhelming mayB you could take an anti-anxiety medication.  I have used Bachs rescue remedy mouth spray successfully too, B4 an event.

A few anti-depressant medication can help with easing flushes.  MayB keep a mood/food/symptom diary to discuss with your GP?

[joziel]

You probably need an even higher dose. Younger women with early menopause or surgical menopause can need very high amounts.

Have you had bloods done on the 150mcg dose?

You probably also need testosterone and you should be given local estrogen for the vaginal dryness - either Vagifem or Ovestin. Don't rely on the systemic estrogen for that.

You might need to see a menopause specialist, maybe someone at Newson, to get the doses of everything you need.

[lisa06031510]

I've tried all sorts for my dryness but nothing helps and I just end up with Thrush so I give up.

To be fair my anxiety is not to bad now... Just feel it in my chest and tummy sometimes

The hot sweats are constant.. to the point I feel like I'm.going to pass out.

I keep asking to see a menopause specialist but each time they say they will get advice and come back to mebut apparently if I need a higher dose then dr can't give me anything higher so will hopefully get referred.

No blood tests since the higher dose.. I have a chat with my Dr next week about my dose so hopefully they will refer me this time...

[joziel]

Lisa, you don't need a referral to see a private menopause specialist. If you can afford it, I'd highly recommend it. You can ask them to write to your GP and tell your GP what to prescribe for you so that your meds and future care can revert to the NHS and you may just need to pay once...

I see Dr Olivia Jones at Newson Health and would highly recommend her. It's about £230 for the consult. Once you are stable on HRT, you need to be seen once a year to stay in their system but you don't need to get your meds from them. It is about £175 to see a nurse or pharmacist there who can also prescribe HRT but if your case is a bit complicated, it's best to see a doctor. (I tried to save money once by switching to a nurse but because I'm a bit complicated, she referred me back to a doctor there. They didn't charge me again but I had to do 2 consults....)

[sheila99]

You can ask for a referral to an NHS meno clinic but in some areas the wait is very long, it's a year where I live. You can also check levels yourself if your gp won't, medichecks does them and I'm there are others.