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[caithness]

Hi just looking for a big of advice and / or reassurance. I’ve been on HRT for about 4 years now. Been on Everol Conti for about 2 years. Initially it seemed to ease most of my symptoms.

In Feb I got a strange feeling in my throat, just uncomfortable not sore. This has persisted ever since, varying in intensity. I went back on omeprazole assuming acid reflux. Then I started getting dizzy spells and nausea. Much worse at night and early hours of morning and wearing off through day. Went to urgent care when it got bad and they stuck me on Betahistine and referred me to ENT.

I went there today. He did a few simple tests and said I don’t have vertigo. So stop taking pills as they are likely to be making me feel worse. He refused to look in my throat, I told him it was making me anxious and he said that was the problem.

He had referred for a hearing test as I have ringing in my ears at night. And he’s sending me back to GP.

I’m really hoping not taking the Betahistine will improve things. But currently struggling to eat as I feel nauseous and I’m so anxious.

I’ve taken steps to sort out some counselling as I recognise a pattern with the health anxiety, which is awful. But as Docs appointments are so hard to come by I’m not sure what to do next. No one seems to want to discuss any possible connections to menopause/ HRT.

[CLKD]

Why R your GP appts difficult to get, is there not an on-line triage system?

Dizziness can be due to low oestrogen I believe. 

How is your diet overall?  I've had Omeprazolol for years which helps the reflux, however I've altered my diet over the last 2-3 years.  Hidden sugars: i.e. in chocolate/drinks, [beet] sugar in tea = an annoying clearing of throat cough; I found that croissants, scones and shop bought cake made me bloated ........ those symptoms have, in general, eased.

Low oestrogen may be causing the tinnitus of which we have several threads here, getting a hearing test at least will tick that box. My ears feel bunged up all the while, occasionally I can wriggle and they clear.  Mine noises seem to be behind my head  and DH can't hear it!

U may require a hike in the HRT, what R your periods up to?  Take a list to your various appts.

[LittleClaire]

Hi Caithness,

What is the feeling you describe in your throat? Is it dry? I would have a dry throat like I could feel something there when I swallowed bit when I increased my HRT patch from 50 to 75, I don’t get it as much now so I presume it was a low oestrogen symptom. It used to feel difficult swallowing at times I even persuaded my GP to refer me for an ultrasound on my neck as I was convinced I had swollen glands but all was fine and nothing wrong. Perhaps it was a side effect of peri anxiety. Magnesium Glycinate supplements twice a day have helped me also. Hope you’re okay x

[bombsh3ll]

I am sorry you're dealing with this.

I would actually put in a written complaint to the ENT department regarding the refusal to examine your throat when you were presenting with throat symptoms and specifically asked them to do so.

Dismissing symptoms as anxiety without even the most cursory examination of the affected area is egregiously poor clinical practice and often rooted in misogyny as this outcome tends to occur far more often when women interact with the healthcare system than men.

It is natural to feel worried and concerned when experiencing health issues, this is not "anxiety" as such and should not be pathologised. It is a normal and intelligent human response.

Certainly if you believe there is a hormonal component it is reasonable to try individualising your hormone therapy - 50mcg is a very low dose.

[caithness]

Thank you for your replies. Our surgery doesn’t have online triage yet, it’s being launched soon.

I’m so upset with the ENT yesterday so will consider complaining. My referral had not been done properly so it’s been a wait and then to just be dismissed is awful. He was only interested in whether I had vertigo or not, removed the tablets and threw me out (what it felt like)


I’ve had a dreadful night permanently dizzy and feeling sick. Fell like I’ve not slept at all but must have dozed a bit.


My diet has not been been great since the nausea, I can’t face anything. Just eat small portions of bland stuff when I can. I will try and consider what I can do.

Been dry heaving this morning, not actually sick. I feel really scared and have told work I can’t go in. Will call docs at 8pm but sure they’ll say nothing available go to Urgent Care Centre….

[CLKD]

I had dry heaving when my anxiety was high.  Is there an online triage system?  GPs have to by Law provide for their patients.  MayB ask to see a Nurse Practitioner as they often have more time to spend with patients.


Could U have a nerve in the back of your neck that is causing the dizzyness?  How is your pillow? 

How do U feel when getting up from a sitting position?  I fully understand the not able to eat  .  The government of the day has told the public that they will be banning this 'trying to get through at 8.00 a.m.' ! 

Keep hydrated if U R unable to eat.  Banana,s dried fruit, toast, pancakes all help when I'm ill.

[dangermouse]

Sounds similar to my perimenopause. For me it was oestrogen surges, causing high cortisol (that can give the weird throat feeling from upward surges). I also went through the whole vertigo, BPV, acid reflux, ‘oh you just need to go home and stop worrying’ nonsense at A&E.

It could be that your HRT is either adding to the surges or, not controlling them enough, like the combined pill would - although even that cannot deal with the stronger peaks.

Phosphatidylserine can be helpful for bringing cortisol down which is often what causes the nausea and upward surges. Wish I had known that in peri.

Also avoid any phytoestrogens (herbs or teas) as they can aggravate this.

Everyone is different in how long this phase will last, some friends had the nausea part for a few months, I had it for several years and am still very sensitive to oestrogen.

[caithness]

Thanks ladies, I’ve an appointment with an Advanced Nurse Practitioner at 2pm. I’m going to take some notes.

I do think there’s a whole heap of anxiety mixed up in this but so wary of mentioning it to a healt professional for fear of them dismissing the symptoms and telling me to “just stop worrying”. The balance is so difficult isn’t it.


Interesting to think about the retro gem, how did you work out if it was poorly controlled or not needed?

[CLKD]

Lay it on thick and don't mention anxiety.  "I need your advice on X, Y, Z" ;-). Let us know how y ou get on.

[caithness]

I saw the nurse practitioner on Tuesday. She can’t discuss HRT but did help me make an appointment with  a GP for that which is next week.

She did a couple more blood tests, Vit D and an inflammation marker. Bit D has come back slightly low but other one normal. So all blood tests I’ve had recently have been normal except I have low white blood cells but they have always been low on every test I’ve had and docs not concerned.

The nurse said that I should take Prochlorperazine if it helps and prescribed me more. But ENT man said dont take so I’m feeling uncertain about that. I’ve taken it in the past with good effects.

I’ve not been to work this week, yesterday I felt considerably better as the day went on and I managed to eat ok.

But last night was dreadful yet again. Lightheadness/dizziness as soon as I lay down. Tense shoulders. I’ve barely slept. Threw up stomach acid about 4am. Feeling rubbish now. I’m going to get up and try and crack on with my day. I love my job and my colleagues and hope it will be a distraction. But I can’t cope with many more nights/mornings like this and I don’t know what to do next!

[CLKD]

Your ENT Consultant seemed dismissive and your Nurse Practitioner suggested medication which I would try.  U R now back with your GP Surgery .  Let us know how you get on.  I always get better by evening as anxiety levels drop off so if U can graze during the day and keep hydrated, that's OK. 

[caithness]

I have now seen a GP and been referred for an MRI to check nothing is being missed. Still feeling rubbish. Nighttime’s are awful. I’ve tried Sleepeeze the last two nights which has got me some more settled sleep for about 5-6 hours but still awake and dizzy at 4am!

Doctor said we could try increasing HRT if “you are having symptoms”. I said well I’m having the symptoms I’ve described dizziness, sleeplessness, weird throat thing and high anxiety. She agreed but still seemed to not think it was meno as no hot flushes.

So I now have a prescription for Everol 75 patches and she’s said to take the Utrogestan 100mg every day and scrap the 3 day break. I’ve not had a bleed for around 12 months.


I ought to be happy and yet here o am worrying about upping it and whether I’ll feel worse, I can’t cope with worse!

[CLKD]

75 may B a bit high if your hormones are fluctuating.  Hopefully some1 will be along with advice, do put the product name into the search box to read threads; make notes ;-)

[sheila99]

Was anxiety one of your meno symptoms? If it is I would definitely increase. You'd be surprised how many doctos STILL only recognise flushes and irregular cycles as meno symptoms (soapbox moment  ). Insomnia is a well known meno symptom too. Presumably an inner ear problem has been ruled out? As that can cause dizziness, tinnitus and nausea.

[caithness]

Yes anxiety is a biggie. I’m off work today again. Little sleep, really dizzy and now a weird tension feeling across the top of my head. I’m not able to eat properly and just feel generally terrible. I’ve put a 75 patch on so will see if that helps