Hi everyone
It's been a while since I posted on here, and I was never a 'pro' anyway. So.. apologies if this is on the wrong thread or whatever you call them. As I say, I'm not that au fait with forums.
I've been unwell recently... convinced it's hormonal (again). I'm 58, had a TVH ten years ago and since then, I've been on Estradot and more recently oestrogel. A year or so ago, after speaking to someone at the Oxford John Radcliffe menopause clinic, I was trialled on T Gel and prior to that, Tibolone. Obviously we are all different and for me, Tibolone and T gel seemed to benefit in some ways, but what I found intolerable, was an increase in neck pain and insomnia that nothing seemed to be able to help. Believe me, I was on a tiny amount.
I gave up on the T gel and carried on just using my oestrogel, and it's been over a year since any contact with the menopause clinic. Recently I've had the most awful crash in energy and generally very unwell. I've had all kinds of tests done by my GP and yes, thyroid is fine and everything else is 'normal'. I feel convinced it's hormonal again. Grrrr. The specialist nurse at the clinic has left and I am due to have a telephone appointment with a Dr Barber, next week. She asked me to have my bloods done, so she can see the results prior to our consultation.
I've just had the blood test results and my oestradiol seems very low again, at 114. Like all of you ladies on here, who are on HRT, I do my research too. Obviously only invested in clinical facts. It would appear that Dr Studd advises that post menopausal women do best if they are up to 800. That seems very high (to me), but obviously I'm not the expert. If ever I had tried to increase my oestrogen, by gel or patch, I get so much fluid retention and cellulite. I'm usually very slim (always been) and so being unable to do up my clothes is unusual.
Some doctors say that 'too much' oestrogen causes fluid retention, and some say 'not enough' does this. Argh!!!! It really does drive you mad, doesn't it?
I"m also getting achy legs again, and it's mainly at night and when I wake up, that they hurt.
Just wondered, those ladies who are using oestrogen only, and are post menopausal.... what do you find is your ideal dose? I know, of course we are all different. I wondering if i've been using too little for too long.
Hope this is clear. I'm usually very articulate, but I've got the old brain fog, badly today.
H xx