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[Ddq1971]

Hi all, I'm new to this page but I've read so many of your experiences, and would like some advice, if possible.
I'm 54 and have been on Evorel patches continuously for 4 years. I have a mirena coil (my third one now) which was put in to help with my extremely heavy periods. The first one didn't settle and kept causing BV so I had a break and tried again. The second was great and I had it changed to this one 2 years ago. On my previous mirena, I had approx 2 'bleeds' a year but they were very light and lasted about 3 days. Since my new coil I've had nothing, not even after insertion. I have no idea if I'm now in menopause or not!
I started on the Evorel 25 patches and then went to 50 as my GP said 25 is too low. My main symptoms have always been with moods/headaches and not sleeping. Occasionally I get a sweat or flushed face but nothing terrible. My GP then suggested increasing to 75 patches but made me aware that I might become estrogen dominant. Over the coming months, my breasts ballooned and I felt pregnant so I reduced back to 50 patches. Over the last year I've felt odd. My moods are terrible. One day I wake up feeling ok, the next day I feel like the world has ended. I'm reclusive, hate mixing in large groups and prefer to stay home (I also work from home). I do feel low, but I don't want to take antidepressants as I know this is all hormonal. The other strange symptom I've had is constipation. I've had IBS for over 30 years but was aways the opposite with toilet dashes. It's got so bad that my GP referred me for a CT and colonoscopy, which were clear but I cannot understand why everything has slowed right down.

Anyway, I decided last week that I'm reducing my evorel down to 25 and might even try to come off it now. I'm not sure if hormones are my friend at the moment and I'm envious of friends who have not needed it, and all seem happier than me! So far, I've just had a banging headache and feel a bit tearful but I'm hoping that this will settle and I'll start to feel a bit more human.
I'm sorry for the long post and I'm hoping that some of you have experienced similar and are willing to share your meno journey 😊

[CLKD]

   we are all willing to share.

Headaches may increase during peri menopause, are they debilitating or background?  Keeping well hydrated can help.

hOpefully some1 will be along about reducing HRT. 

How is your diet overall? The National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome advised me in the 1990s to eat every 3 hours to stop those energy dips = mood swings.  MayB have a lookC at the website.  Even though you have been on the Mirena your ovaries may be active enough to cause these symptoms.  I found eating every 3 hours, 24/7 hard work initially but suffered with sudden nausea and panic attacks if I didn't keep to a regime.

My puppy soon learned that after she went out to P around 3.00 a.m. that there were biscuits by the bed  . My way of helping those energy levels.  Slow release food stuffs too: oats, bananas, dried fruits plus keeping hydrated was important 4 me.

Let us know how you get on!

[CLKD]

Do read the bladders issues and vaginal atrophy threads, 4warned is 4armed ;-)

[DottyD68]

Hi Ddq1971,

Sorry to hear you feel so rubbish. I can relate to a lot of what you say. I am 56 and been on this "journey" for 10 years apx. Reluctantly started HRT 3.5 years ago. Unfortunately it has not been the answer to all my woes despite having changed regimes, doses and applications during that time in an attempt to find the right balance. I think due to the focus that HRT has had in the media there is a high expectation that HRT will resolve everything, but in my opinion it is not as straightforward as that and balancing fluctuating hormones is difficult for some people. I envy the ladies who slap on a patch and away they go.

Like you I found too much HRT caused large swollen breasts, weight gain and other new smptoms that I didn't previously have. So for me less is more. I can get by on a minimal dose but it still hasn't resolved anxiety (which I never had previously) so I am now reluctantly considering trying ADs in addition just to see if they do help. Too much oestrogen and my anxiety went through the roof. It doesn't help that I have external stress being the main family carer for a mother with alzheimers - I can't blame that on the menopause.

Hopefully you will find the right combination/balance of meds with a bit of tweaking. The only advice I can give is the hang in there and take one day at a time. X

[CLKD]

DottyD68 - which AD has been prescribed?  I take escitalopram plus have a dedicated anti-anxiety when floored.

[DottyD68]

Nothing yet. Been waiting for my GP face to face appointment which are like gold dust and during which I will be asked "why did you want a GP appointment?" 

[CLKD]

We have no problems with our surgery  ........ we can see a GP within 24 hours for something urgent, a Nurse Practitioner the same day or it's to see our GP 3 weeks later for something non urgent.

[DottyD68]

Trying to get an appointment adds to the stress. The econsult form encourages you to consider going down several other routes before you've even filled the form out. And once you've filled it in there is no guarantee you get to see a GP. They usually suggest a prescribing pharmacist.

[CLKD]

I go straight to the desk and speak to the receptionist.  Years ago our HA changed their computer system and the new 1 won't accept my details  so they have to put up with my face across the counter  .  There is also a note that we can no longer order medication over the phone, however I have found out by scrolling their website that 1 can ring after 5.00 p.m. 

My problem then would be if we were away in an emergency, in that I take meds with me but if we had to stay longer than expected  . 

Do U live a long way from the surgery?  My other argument with all these insistence on using computer systems is that many still do not want to be involved with such arrangements.

[DottyD68]

It makes no difference if you go in person. The receptionist will tell you to do an econsult. I have heard them tell elderly people (who do not have access to the internet) to do the same. I think it is terrible.

[CLKD]

It is terrible.  There doesn't seem to be any flexibility  .  A note to your MP ? ;-)