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[Mojo-swaptop]

I'm getting a bit fed up.

I started on HRT in May, using 2 pumps of oestrogel and 200mg utrogeston on days 15 - 26. I was on this for 3 28 day cycles. I'm now on evorel sequi, currently in the 4th week (2nd week of the combined patch).

On both the gel and tablets and now the patch I feel that my symptoms have been worse than before I started on HRT. The only thing that seems to have gotten better is my heartburn/indigestion which I hadn't even put down to being a peri symptom.
Everything else, hot flushes, night sweats, irritability, period pains and insomnia have all gotten worse.
 And now to top it off I've started a period a week and a half early, before finishing the combined cycle of the patches.

I know you're supposed to give things time to work but I wouldn't have thought it would make me worse before making me better.

To be quite honest I'm seriously considering giving up HRT altogether to see if things go back to how they were before.

Mojo-swaptop x

[CLKD]

Why not stop to give your body a rest?

As oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax = aches and pains as well as hiatus hernia/heartburn.  Over the Counter meds can help.

Why were you changed from 1 replacement to another 

[flo69]

Hi,
HRT can certainly make you feel worse, although don't expect the GP to believe you, mine didn't, but there are many people here who have said the same. As there are more female doctors in high up positions in older life, I would expect reality to creep in sooner or later, but it hasn't happened yet.

Evorel conti contains quite a harsh progestin, known to cause severe adverse reactions in up tto 20% of women, but it is cheap for the NHS.

Evorel conti isn't bioidentical at all, this is a lie they tell women, my GP explained to me, they lie because women don't understand the dangers of utrogestan

I wasn't allowed utrogestan or oestrogel until over two years into menopause. I had campaigned for it and been told by my GP that she isn't allowed to prescribe them (not true either). When I finally got them from a specialist, I was sooooo very disappointed that after the hype they were just as bad.

Another one to avoid is provera (MPA), it made me go from happy to suicidal in three short days.

I've taken tibolone since I was 53, it is beneficial, despite bleeding a full five days once a month. Like all the other HRTs, it is only licensed for post meno women, but is fine for peri women unless they hope to get pregnant (not much cross over of the two groups imo). Given what I've been told about women not understanding HRT enough to make an informed choice, I'd say the post or peri debate is bullshit as well.

I found blach cohosh more effective than most HRT at making me feel better, if all else fails, but try tibolone.

[Clovie]

I found your post interesting Flo.

i too have been 'lied to' by my GP, you know, the people we are supposed to trust.

my surgery , (they said the whole of my NHS area but I do not believe them) stopped prescribing utrogestan because it was apparently  SOOOOO dangerous for women, even though I explained it was the only progesterone I could tolerate because of progesterone intolerance to synthetic progesterones, and was continuing to be prescribed elsewhere they stuck to their script.
When we dared to ask, given that we had seen that it was so much more expensive than cheap harsh synthetic progesterones, if it was down to cost, we got NO NO NO, It's because it's DANGEROUS!!!    This was only a couple of years ago as well, meanwhile everyone else in nearby areas, all over Scotland were continuing to be prescribed it, let alone the rest of the UK and many parts of the rest of the entire WORLD.
Anyway they cut me off cold turkey. Because they wouldn't prescribe utrogestan they cut my estrogel too.
I had to buy it online at my own cost.
Shocking.

Because we complained to the practice manager about this I feel my surgery dislikes me now, paranoid? maybe, but that is how I am now made to feel. With good reason.
I have an awful relationship with my own GP surgery, just for trying to advocate for myself.

I am still having regular predictable periods and they have never stopped, but because I'm 61 - they flat out do not believe me, even though a scan 2 years ago proved it, that I was menstruating, and nothing has changed since still having periods that are getting lighter and hopefully moving towards finishing.
 Meanwhile, I am being treated as a woman with post menopausal bleeding! Being sent for scans etc which I feel may not be necessary.

Consequently, I have zero trust or faith in my GP surgery

 

[bombsh3ll]

Shout out for the combined pill here if you're under 50!

I take Zoely, (active pills only, skip the placebos) and am period free with none of these issues.

[Mary G]

Utrogestan dangerous?  That's a new one on me.  A lot of women have problems with it, usually because they are taking far too high a dose, but I didn't know that it was considered to be dangerous by some doctors.

Clovie, it's not long until you move so can't you put some of the medical stuff on hold until you join the new scheme so to speak?

[Clovie]

Utrogestan dangerous?  That's a new one on me.  A lot of women have problems with it, usually because they are taking far too high a dose, but I didn't know that it was considered to be dangerous by some doctors.

Clovie, it's not long until you move so can't you put some of the medical stuff on hold until you join the new scheme so to speak?

Dangerous, yes that is definitely what they said, stopped it abruptly. When I queried it was told could absolutely not have it, despite husband and I pointing out that it is being prescribed everywhere else! It was all down to money. They denied it of course, but it must have been. I had to buy both the Estrogel and Utrogestan online and it cost a lot too. Thank god I could afford to. I feel for any ladies not in that position
Never told me when it was 'allowed' again either, something like 2 or 3 years it was casually suggested to me to start using it

Yes, hopefully when we relocate things should be better - that is another great reason for moving to the sunshine!  I understand we must pay for private healthcare at least for the first year after which we may pay to join  'convenio especial' where we are on the Spanish health system, as I understand it.   

[Mary G]

It definitely sounds like they don't want to pay for it which is ridiculous because Utrogestan is not even expensive.  It's unbelievable to think they are even prepared to lie about it. 

You can start using your private healthcare insurance in Spain straightaway unless you have a different type of policy as third country nationals for the visa.  It's definitely worth checking that out.

I wouldn't go into the state system after year unless you absolutely have to because it's not as good as the private insurance system although better than the NHS apparently.  A lot of Spanish people bail out of it and go into the private system because of the excellent screening programmes and zero waiting lists.  We pay about €220 per month for both of us so it's good value and you get the best care.  Their way of operating will help your health anxiety no end ie no waiting around for results. 

[Clovie]

It definitely sounds like they don't want to pay for it which is ridiculous because Utrogestan is not even expensive.  It's unbelievable to think they are even prepared to lie about it. 

You can start using your private healthcare insurance in Spain straightaway unless you have a different type of policy as third country nationals for the visa.  It's definitely worth checking that out.

I wouldn't go into the state system after year unless you absolutely have to because it's not as good as the private insurance system although better than the NHS apparently.  A lot of Spanish people bail out of it and go into the private system because of the excellent screening programmes and zero waiting lists.  We pay about €220 per month for both of us so it's good value and you get the best care.  Their way of operating will help your health anxiety no end ie no waiting around for results.

Ahhh brilliant, thank you Mary, it sounds great. Can't wait
Yes I think the convenio especial works out at around the same as private insurance from what I've been told. of course we've not got that far yet. Soon though!!!
Been working on my Spanish, I'm learning A2 level now, it's getting  harder! 

Sorry Mojo, didn't mean to hijack your thread. Hope you get sorted soon 

[Mojo-swaptop]

Why not stop to give your body a rest?

As oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax = aches and pains as well as hiatus hernia/heartburn.  Over the Counter meds can help.

Why were you changed from 1 replacement to another 

I was switched from oestrogel and utrogeston because it wasn't working for me, so trying the patches to see if I absorb better and if they'll work. So far, it doesn't seem to be so not sure whether to give up or carry on.

To be honest at the moment I am seriously considering giving it a break, but part of me thinks I just need to give it more time.

Mojo-swaptop x

[Mojo-swaptop]

Hi Clovie,
That's ok, and thank you. I really hope you get sorted soon too.
It sounds like you're off to sunnier climes soon so I hope the change of scenery and everything helps you too

Mojo-swaptop x

[Clovie]

Hi Clovie,
That's ok, and thank you. I really hope you get sorted soon too.
It sounds like you're off to sunnier climes soon so I hope the change of scenery and everything helps you too

Mojo-swaptop x

Ahhhh thank you too Mojo

Yes, off to live in Spain.
Yay! I can be miserable and anxious in the sunshine instead! 
(Only joking, but got to laugh eh?  )

For you, if it was me I would try and stick it out for a few months, I know it's hard, but at least then you can tell yourself, and your docs that you persevered  and you never know it might just work for you? I seriously hope you find some relief x

[Mojo-swaptop]

Hi Clovie
Haha yes, definitely got to laugh with all we're going through, we can't lose our sense of humour too 

I think I'll keep at it a bit longer. My GP did say I could go back to see her at the 6 week mark instead of 3 months if I wasn't seeing any improvement so that's another couple of weeks to go, so I'll give it at least til then.
I think I'm just fed up with the whole peri thing at the moment. I feel it's taken over my life and I keep apologising to my hubby for it being so dominant in our lives right now. Thankfully he is very supportive and understanding and puts up with all my moods, even though I  have been awful and shouty at times.

Mojo-swaptop x

[CLKD]

I would make the appt today to be sure that you get the GP that U wish to speak with.

[Clovie]

Hi Clovie
Haha yes, definitely got to laugh with all we're going through, we can't lose our sense of humour too 

I think I'll keep at it a bit longer. My GP did say I could go back to see her at the 6 week mark instead of 3 months if I wasn't seeing any improvement so that's another couple of weeks to go, so I'll give it at least til then.
I think I'm just fed up with the whole peri thing at the moment. I feel it's taken over my life and I keep apologising to my hubby for it being so dominant in our lives right now. Thankfully he is very supportive and understanding and puts up with all my moods, even though I  have been awful and shouty at times.

Mojo-swaptop x

Above bit in bold? SAME!
I could have written those words.
This dominates my bl**dy life, can't shake it off, husband is fabulous but I'm sure I'm trying his patience!  My PMS is getting worse each time as well so he has the joys of that too! 
Goes to do a full time job then comes home and pulls another 8 hour shift with me!  
He really MUST love me, though I can't imagine why!  x