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[Sarahjayne93]

Hi everyone

Ive been reading through the posts and its so reassuring that youre all here to lend an ear 

Ive been on 25mg evoril patches changing twice a week and 100mg progesterone every night for a month now.  Im 54 and not had a period for over a year (last one was very minor more like a show than a period).  I also have ulcerative colitis and osteoarthritis so trying to figure out whether my aches and pains and fatigue are due to the menopause or the colitis/arthritis.  I was nervous trying the HRT as i was diagnosed with adenomyosis and couldnt bare that pain too but so far ive had no bleeding (touch wood!).

Anyway, my main questions are as ive not had much of an improvement is it too early to increase the HRT? how long does it take to kick in? and also ive heard Dr Louise Newson talk about taking Testosterone and i wondered if this would help so i asked my menopause nurse about it but she said you cant get it in the UK, is that right?  I have awful light headedness.  Dont know if its because of the HRT or my colitis medication (infliximab), does anyone else have this?

Thanks all!   

[CLKD]

Hi! 

Who is overseeing the ulcerative colitis?  OA is normal wear and tear due to us evolving upright and walking/exercising.  Usually over the counter pain relief should relieve symptoms, taken 20 mins B4 exercise, i.e. mowing the lawn. With your condition U probably need to be wary of anything that may upset the symptoms?

Hopefully some1 will be along about upping the evoril, it mayB wise if U decided to try that route to do it gradually, not all at once, so leaving a few nights B4 each hike?

R U able to describe the lightheadness?  I have a nerve in the back my neck so if I move suddenly I go 'oh!' because I feel off kilter.  R U hydrated enough?

[Sarahjayne93]

Hi CLKD

Im under a gastroenterologist and IBD Nurses for the colitis and rheumatologist for osteo but he wants to put me on methotrexate and ive said no, its far too damaging in other ways.  Unfortunately, with colitis we cant have pain relief such as Ibuprofen as it interferes with the colitis, so all i can have is paracetamol or co-codamol but that makes the light headedness worse because of the codeine.  Ive had steroid injections and pins in my ankle as my joints are so bad but thought if i went down the HRT route this might help.  Light headedness - this is going to sound weird but its like when im up and walking everything feels like im on a boat.  im fine sitting down. i know stress makes it worse too.  Ive had all the tests going, bloods all normal, no colitis flares, BP is normal, iron levels, vitamin D all normal etc etc.  Even had the GP check my ears in case it was that but they said theres a little fluid behind my ear drum but thats not unusual.  Yes keeping my fluids up.

Yes please if anyone has any advise on the Evoril that would be useful! 

[bombsh3ll]

I would make an appointment with a specialist if you can afford it, like Louise Newson's clinic.

Testosterone is prescribed on a very restricted basis within the NHS, often after a lengthy and arduous battle and women are not allowed it for anything to do with our own health or quality of life but only to make us sleep with men.

The 25mcg estradiol patch you are on also doesn't contain much more estradiol than a first class stamp.

[CLKD]

I hate that woozy feeling and it's not 'weird' at all!  It may be a symptom of low oestrogen?   

?? IBD ??  if this refers to irritable bowel disease there are no real reliable investigations etc. which can prove yes/no as each person presents differently.  I've had a nervous gut since age 3, I also have slow transit: I feel like I need to 'go' but the bowel decides otherwise  .  I've had to alter my diet in the last 4/5 years ...........

Why would a rheumatoligst be over seeing osteo arthritis?  If U have rheumatoid arthritis then I could understand it, which is an auto immune condition with flare ups.  Years ago affected joints were injected with gold.  How R your joints on a daily basis?  My friend suffered in cold weather, he spent our Winters in Cyprus or Crete where it's warmer and had no pain at all.  Swimming in warm water also helped [but I would be concerned about critters  ].

Hot and cold alternative bowls to put affected hands into can help too, for a few moments in each bowl. 

[sheila99]

You can get testosterone on the NHS but because there isn't a product available on the NHS that's licensed for women it has to be prescribed by a specialist. You can ask for a referral to an NHS meno clinic who can prescribe it but you may have a long wait (and, as above, it is only prescribed for libido. 25 mg is a very low dose, I started on 50 in peri. Flushes usually go within a couple of weeks, other symptoms can take 3 months.

[Sarahjayne93]

Thanks so much for your replies!  yes think im going to go back to the meno nurse and ask to increase the evoril a little see what happens. 

Yes IBD is what i have (ulcerative colitis), had 2 colonoscopies to diagnose it.  First one back in December 2020 diagnosed it showing moderate to severe UC then another last year when i had another flare.  I have to inject Infliximab every fortnight now so my immune system is low.  UC attacks your joints as well hence the Rheumatologist care but ive held him off for a few years and the need to go on methotrexate as the side effects are horrendous and im not willing to take more medication which is going to have adverse affects on my lungs, liver, hair falling out, seems counter productive to me  (they give you methotrexate in low doses to help with both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis but its effectively a cancer drug so really dont want to start taking it!).  Main joints affected are ankles and knees, steroid injections relieve the pain massively for a few months but then its back.  So thats why i was thinking maybe HRT would help with the joint pain, you know try and tackle it from all angles and see what happens