Print

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

[Hoffgrad]

I haven't posted on here for a good few years.    Just thought I'd pop on to mention my journey with oestrogen only transdermal HRT.   I am 63 and had a hysterectomy 14 years ago.  Ovaries were left but were removed around 4 years ago.   I remained on my HRT and have no issues with that.  I am someone who benefitted hugely from it.  Various other health issues that I won't delve into too much, simply because it's complex and I'm pretty on top of it, but I have CFS/ME.  I am sensitive to almost every type of medication/herbal remedy/ supplements.  Not allergies per se, but just sensitivities that manifest as sneezing, itching, etc etc.   I had changed from Estradot (or Evorel) patches to oestrogen.  Can't remember why... think I fancied a change.   However I seemed to have worse sensitivities to the gel.   I get confused with timelines as I have so many auto immune illnesses but basically I decided to stop using the HRT as I only used a tiny amount anyway.  Within 6 months I crashed and was aching every day, had pains in my finger joints... hot flushes with a vengeance and sweats.   A fabulous Professor of rheumatology I was lucky enough to see a few months ago, and who consulted me in a holistic way (amazing physician!), rather than just focussing on one thing, discussed my HRT and said that it could be that I was sensitive to the other carrier ingredients in the gel and as I was back to being depressed and not sleeping at all, perhaps I should try (amongst other things he discussed with me) using patches again.    I was a bit reluctant but thought I would give it a go.   I kid you not, within a week of using Evorel 25mcg patches, I had colour back in my face, felt lighter in mood, my hair stopped falling out and my skin had a glow.    Unfortunately though I have the fluid retention back (which I always had) and thinking I might cut the patches in half.     I think I will be one of the women who stay on low oestrogen forever.  I certainly felt like an old lady when I was off of it.   

[Hurdity]

Hi Hoffgrad

Your post got missed.

Good to hear your update and glad you feel better now you are back on patches again. Yes you may stay on low oestrogen forever if no health conditions which mean it is not advised - and you are one of the lucky ones that, due to having had a hysterectomy, you don't need to take a progestogen. This is one of the perennial issues with those of us still with wombs but on long term HRT - far from ideal.

Have you had thyroid tested re the CFS etc - because underactive thyroid can cause this? Ditto testosterone. As you've also had your ovaries removed low T could be a factor and a small amount of replacement may well help, and you could find your CFS disappears or vastly diminishes. Just a thought - because it seems that once women are diagnosed with CFS/ME the focus is on treatment, and less of the holistic thinking you were talking about - which should look at what might be causing these symptoms as your enlightened professor did when s/he suggested retsarting HRT. There is a lot still to understand about women's hormones!

Sorry to hear about the fluid retention and wondering what could be causing that? Have you had other conditions ruled out?

All the best and hope you continue to feel well

Hurdity x