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[Livluvlaf]

Hello everyone, just wanted to introduce myself as I’m new to the site (although I have been reading posts here for many years whilst on my menopause journey). I’m really glad to finally join the conversation - hopefully Hurdity is still around as I found many of her posts incredibly helpful and reassuring over the years!
I’m 56 - no bleeds for 2 plus years.  I’ve tried various hrt regimes and have a truly wonderful Gp who quickly referred me to Chel and west menopause clinic very early on.  My main struggles have been poor emotional control..crying over anything and everything along side intense anxiety and overthinking, awful hot flushes and crashing fatigue and brain fog.  All of this really took its toll on my confidence and led to self doubt in my job which I left many times but I’m fortunate to have very understanding employers who allowed me to return on multiple occasions. All a bit embarrassing 😳 one change that made a big difference was a switch in shift from day shift to night shift as I’ve found that things feel a lot less overwhelming now.
In terms of HRT I’ve previously tried patches but developed unbearable all over itching so was switched to Gel and utrogestan but found the progesterone completely knocked me out! I then stopped hrt for a few months but when all my symptoms returned I was restarted back on the gel and was prescribed northisterone which really improved my energy levels but went on to give me scalp pain and hair loss!! 😭 I’ve recently been prescribed micronised progesterone again, one every day which I find much easier to tolerate if I take around 7am and 2 hrs before breakfast but my scalp is still so sore so I’m thinking should I just stop all treatment for the moment then restart in a few weeks?? I have also found that one pump of gel seems sufficient rather than increasing to up to 4 pumps as was suggested at the meno clinic. 

[CLKD]

 

[Livluvlaf]

Hi, thankyou for the welcome. 
Just wanted to ask..how do you know when it’s time to throw in the towel? I just can’t seem to find the right balance. 

[CLKD]

MayB your own hormones are joining in which may make replacement less calculated.  If the 1 pump is sufficient stick with it.  MayB keeping a mood/food/symptom diary will help chart progress. 

Many have problems with progesterone hopefully some1 will be along with advice otherwise put the product name into the search box: make notes ;-)

Itchy skin may be due to low oestrogen levels which can make the body dry inside and out: skin, scalp, deep in the ears, vagina, between the toes ...... ain't this fun  . Which symptom would you like to ease first?

Some antidepressants can ease flushing.

[Livluvlaf]

Any ideas on what is the most gentlest HRT to take and do you think a lower amount is better as we age? Hot flushes, anxiety/overthinking and low mood are probably the symptoms that bother me most.

[CLKD]

Morning - I believe that, as an anxiety sufferer, this should be dealt with first as it may take effect more quickly than HRT which can be Trial and Error.  Regardless of causation, being rid of anxiety can allow us a Life.  How was the anxiety during your menstruating years, which may tell you whether it is hormonally based .

[Livluvlaf]

To be honest I think I’ve always had some degree of anxiety but it’s just got worse over the years.  I was prescribed propranolol some time back but I’m sure it lowered my heart rate and caused slight breathlessness but it did stop that physical fight or flight feeling. I was always gathering up my stuff and running hence leaving my job on several occasions 🥹
It’s been really hard pretending that I’m ok as I’m sure people don’t understand and it’s difficult to explain what it is that’s bothering me sometimes. I don’t know anyone on HRT and when I’ve discussed it with friends they seem to think it’s only weak or dramatic people that take it….or it’s for vanity purposes to stop the aging process!!! My job can be very stressful at times and I am always able to cope but am always in a constant state of worry.  Then if it’s not work it’s family I worry about and think of things that happened 30 years ago or so and beat myself up about could I have done things better!! It’s never ending although I have got better at trying to distract myself from silly thoughts.

[CLKD]

There are several types of betablocka so it may be worth while discussing this with a Nurse Practitioner. 

Due to your similar experience of others poo-poohing my systems I don't share any more other than with our GP, Dental Surgeon and DH.

I have always said that 4 me it's better to treat the symptoms and then find out causation.  Do you journal, getting it onto paper and away?

I've been known to leave filled shopping trollies B4 fleeing to the car, the promise was that where ever I was in Town, I would got to our car leaving Himself to finish paying.

[Livluvlaf]

I think that’s just it…I will no longer share with those around me because clearly some people just don’t understand!

I find that the oestrogen really helps and makes me a lot more confident but I’ve had such a telling off in the past because I do tend to use it for long periods without the progesterone and obviously we all know what the consequences of that can be.🫣
My last scan showed an endometrium thickness of 3.9mm so I am careful. 

Thanks so much for your response - it truly means a lot as I’ve been feeling quite alone on this journey!

[CLKD]

U R never alone here.  Do U have regular scans, that 3.9mm sounds absolutely fine.  I think sometimes that we have to advocate for our own health depending on how we feel. 

As an aside I've added a warning about a Cadbury product containing nuts which isn't stated on the front of the packet - 3 people have laughed, loudly - others were really rude so I deleted and reposted, with a 'no comment' choice ;-). 

When I had breast treatment in the 1990s I didn't tell my parents for 7 months and his didn't get to know until nearly 11 months after.  That way I had a prognosis with less chance for them to keep nagging, how R u etc.