Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: Delilah on January 14, 2012, 07:42:06 PM
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Hi all,
New to the site and desperate for some info please :'( I'm 49, married with 4 children and started on HRT last September after a very difficult 10 months of feeling like my life was over. I had the symptoms that most women associate with the menopause and thought very naively that that would be it ??? Then the anxiety attacks/adrenilin rushes started and I honestly thought I was going mad, I just had no idea how bad these can be. I've had days of constant crying and just not knowing what to do with myself. At the moment I'm taking Trisequens HRT and Mirtazapine for the anxiety. I've had a good run of 5 weeks feeling 'normal' and now suddenly have had 5 days of crying, waking with adrenilin at 3am and feeling terrible. After looking through the list of HRT preps I've noticed that mine contains 2mg of Estradiol for 22days of the month but then drops to 1mg for the last 6 days which is during the time I get a period. This has coincided with my 5 days of feeling awful so I'm now thinking of asking my GP to change to Femoston 2/10 which is a constant 2mg Estradiol. Has anyone else been on Trisequens and had this problem and can anyone also let me know how they are getting on with the Femoston 2/10.
I really appreciate any help as I'm sure like everyone else this menopause thing has really turned my life upside down.
Thanks so much for any comments, this site is a godsend.
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:hug: :hug: :hug: & :welcomemm:
Goodness poor you. I'm only on oestrogen as I've had a hysterectomy so don't know much about your HRT. Though sure someone will pop by soon with good advice. You're in the right place. Lots of advice & support.
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I am on Femoston 2/10 and it keeps me on an even keel most of the time but I still have blips now and then with anxiety etc
Smudgesmum x
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Hi Delilah
:welcomemm:
I'm on Femoston 2/10 and doing very well on it. Norethisterone (the prog. in Trisequens) causes problems for some ladies and many seem to find the prog. in Femoston "kinder." I hadn't realised that there was an HRT with different amounts of est. at different times of the month - seems a bit strange. :-\
I'm a bit "odd" as I realised that I felt more anxious when on the est.-only part of my HRT, so my gp put me on the prog.only mini-pill as well and the combination suits me. It also acts as a contraceptive. ;)
I well remember the adrenaline rushes during the night - horrible. :( Pre_HRT, I was getting that every hour but steady est. seems to have sorted them.
I'd say that it's worth trying Femoston and keeping a symptom diary to see how you get on. When I changed to it, I did have a few "blips" during the first couple of months but they settled.
Bette x
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Hi Delilah
Welcome from me too!
I think the Trisequens is designed to mimic the natural cycle a bit more - during the last week of the menstrual cycle the oestrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically so this is what happens on the red tablets. It may just be the progesterone withdrawal giving classic pre-menstrual symptoms that is causing you to feel bad - I would be surprised if the reduction in oestrogen would cause this so quickly, but of course we are all different. The prog reduction will cause symptoms in most women who suffered pms - and to be expected when we are still having a cycle - even though artificially maintained!
If you always feel OK on the white tablets ( the ones with norethisterone) then maybe you are not sensitive to this progestin itself (as many women are - can cause headaches), but just the withdrawal.
As Bette says - worth trying another one and if you feel bad during the prog phase - then that HRT doesn't agree, and if you feel bad after withdrawal as with Trisequens ( ie soon after you start the oestro only - when your bleed will occur) then you'll know it's that ( ie the prog withdrawal). But at least you will then have a constant higher oestro dose - which is good. In our natural cycle the actual oestor levels are much higher than on HRT so it's not as if you will be giving yourtself unnaturally high doses! Many of us would like to use more if we could!
Hurdity x :)
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hi im on elleste solo 2mg plus have the mirena coil fitted which gives me the prog i need,these seem to work well for me,i still have the occasional anxiety attack and adrenalin rush in the early hours but nothing in comparison to the way i was,i like you seriously thought i was going mad,nobody told me it would be like this lol xxx
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Thank you everyone for your kind welcome and advice. I'm actually having a good day today (touch wood) and hopefully this will last now until the end of this next cycle. I've decided to see my GP tomorrow and ask if I can swap to the Femoston 2/10. I'm convinced that its the drop to 1mg of oestrogen thats causing my symptoms to recur. I've kept a diary for the last 3 months and there definitely seems to be a pattern, I'm fine on both the 2mg oestrogen and the oestrogen and progesterone phase, but towards the end of the 1mg oestrogen only I feel like I'm back to square one. I hope changing to a different progesterone doesn't cause any problems. :-\ Nothing seems to be plain sailing with this menopause does it. I was feeling so well I thought I'd cracked it and it definitely knocks you back when all your symptoms reappear. I like to plan ahead and know whats happening in my life not have all these unexpected curve balls being thrown left right and centre. I dont know about the rest of you but its certainly given my confidence a massive knock. I feel like I've aged over night and just don't feel like the same person anymore.
My doctor told me my symptoms were a bit extreme when I first saw him but from what I've read on here there are others who are having just as difficult if not a far worse time of it than I am and there are probably a lot more women out there suffering. I'm amazed how little I knew about something so life changing and how this just doesn't seem to be talked about.
Anyway enough of the self pity, I'll keep up to date and let you all know how I get on. Thanks so much everyone who replied to me I really appreciate the help. :foryou:
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hi delilah, i am also new to this website, readin your post i can sympathise with how u feel especially with the adrenalin rushes and anxiety during the night, im slightly different because i had partial hysterectomy 4 years ago and my symptoms started 12 mths ago , i know what you mean about ageing i compared some photos i had taken at xmas time and back before i had my hysterectomy and i look like ive aged 10 years so much for being in the prime of your life i feel like im ready for the knackers yard lol.
keep smiling :tulips2:
alibongo x
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Hi Alibongo,
Welcome to the site. Are you on any HRT at the moment? I hope you get as much help and laughter from this site as I do. Tx
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Hello Allibongo, meno is the pitts isnt it. Youll get lots of help here x
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Hi Delilah
:)
Stumpy xx
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it does seem like people need several tries at hrt before they find the right one. if this isn't working for you you can only move onwards (and, i hope, upwards). Good luck.
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Good morning to everyone and thanks so much for your replies. I'm going to sound really dramatic now but please can someone tell me theres a light at the end of this tunnel. I feel like I'm back to square one, so much for my positiveness a couple of days ago. I'm back to that terrible feeling of dread first thing in the morning when I wake up, a mad rush for the loo, wretching but not being sick and a feeling of everything being wrong with the world. Does this really get better, is there someone who's been in this boat and is now back to 'normal'? Please tell me this isn't it for the next 5 years or so. As I said I've been on HRT for 4 months and also take Mirtazapine which is an antidepressant for these anxiety attacks and was feeling much better but about a week ago everything went backwards. I dont know whether I'm coming or going. My daughters just told us she's expecting twins and I'm so pleased but this is stopping me feeling like I know I would normally. I need to be on top form for her but I just feel like a wreck. Is it just a matter of waiting for the HRT to really build up or should I be trying other things as well. I'd really appreciate some positive thoughts from anyone. Sorry for rambling :(
Delilah x
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I had all those symptoms (and then some), Delilah and yes, they all went once I'd settled on HRT and two years down the line, I'm feeling great. ;)
The improvement on HRT was gradual, though. Some things improved quickly but things kept improving for at least a year and "blips" became gradually less regular. The emotional symptoms did take longer to go. I had the rushing to the loo and wretching thing and think that it was connected to my (longterm) IBS and the anxiety which I developed with peri.
I do think that it might be worth you trying Femoston 2/10 from what you've said in your other posts.
Bette x
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hi delilah,there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel,just hang on in there,i was exactly the same last year,i was a gibbering wreck,im not 100% yet but im getting there thankfully xxxx
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Hi Delilah,
There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.
I have experienced what you are going through and am now trying a different hrt, which so far,has made me feel like my normal self.
So hang on in there.Sometimes it can take trying different things, for some, not all and you have to give it time to work.
Hard I know.
All the Best and welcome to the forum!
Dyan X
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Hi Delilah
So very sorry to hear of your rotten experiences. Although I've not had that particular HRT the feeling really ill and panicky is very familiar - and I promise you you can survive it and it will get better.
Sounds as though you feel very pressured, sadly there is no magic wand to make us all feel better (I wish!) we all just have to work through the options and (worst bit) give it time to work. I think the waiting is actually the worst bit as we all hope these rotten symtoms will pass quickly.
The news of grandchildren is very exciting (I have 2 little ones) but you sound as though you are adding pressure to yourself. I am sure your daughter thinks you are the best mum in the world and she would not want you to feel such additional pressure on her behalf.
Be kind to yourself and try to find a way to relax from all the pressures you see around you, making time for yourself is not selfish - keep posting so we can all support you. Keep seeing your doctor so you can discuss how you feel. I have just started a new HRT and signs are good at the moment (I am trying not to get too excited just in case!) so you see things can get better and others on this site can reassure you too.
lots of hugs sue
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Oh thank you all so much, I'm sitting here crying reading your supportive replies. Its hard to believe that you're going to feel any better when your stuck in the middle of it and I'm not the most patient person when it comes to feeling unwell.
Sorry to ask yet more questions but i've switched to the Femoston 2/10 now and am wondering if switching from one HRT to another causes any problems. Also what do I look out for with progesterone withdrawal just in case thats whats causing these blips?
Northernlass - I'm afraid the pressure is probably of my own making. Hubby and children have all been wonderful and constantly telling me not to worry and that they can cope but I just want to get back to normal and do all the things that I've always done. I know I should stop trying to manage when I cant but its what keeps me going - the thought of getting my life back! I'm not working at the moment, I just couldn't cope with night shifts and early mornings, so thankfully we can manage without my financial input but it does give me more time to dwell on things and believe me I'm very good at dwelling!
I hope all works well for you on your new HRT, please let me know how you get on and how long it takes for you to feel that this new one works for you. I'm not sure how long I should give it before I should be expecting to see long term lasting results. How long would you say to give a new HRT before deciding if its working or not? Sorry if I'm rambling, my thoughts are all over the place, I probably shouldn't post on here until I'm a bit calmer.
Dyan - Thank you so much for your support also, which HRT are you now trying and how long would you say it took before you felt it worked for you? Its hard to think you could be waiting months to see if something works only to have to change to a different product and start all over again.
Bette and darklady - thank you so much also, just knowing others have been in exactly the same position (sadly) helps to keep me going. Right now a year seems such a long time though. I feel like I'm wishing my life away just to get back to normal.
I'm so sorry this isn't a very positive post, I hope I'm not worrying others with all this negativity. I hope to look back at this and wonder who this woman was. :-\
Thanks so much everyone.
Delilah x
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Hi Delilah
Sorry to hear of your terrible experiences. Although I've not had that particular HRT I've had the feeling really ill, awful hot flushes and feeling panicky and out of control.
I got to the point when really all I wanted to do was to crawl away and end it all. I felt that over the last 2 years or so I'd aged about 10 and felt a complete and utter waste of space.
I just kept on and on at my doctor who is dead against HRT and kept giving me non hormonal treatment (none of which worked). Eventually he gave in and I've been on Kliogest for 6 months now. First of all the hot flushes starting easing off, what a relief, just to feel a bit normal again! The other symptoms are slower to leave such as feeling "out of control" emotionally etc. but things are getting better I'm sure, just very slowly.
When I think of how my poor Mum suffered for 40 years, she was never offered HRT. I think we're lucky that help is out there for us. It just takes a while to find the right type.
You can survive it and it will get better!
:hug: :bighug:
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Thank you annifanny
I empathise completely with the crawling away, so glad that you are past that and starting to feel better. The physical symptoms for me haven't been so bad, its the emotions and anxiety that are really pulling me down. My mother in law also went through it with no help at all, I just cant imagine how she coped. I dont think I'd be here now if I didn't think that there is help and the support from my wonderful family and ladies on here.
Please let me know how you get on, take care.
Delilah x
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Hello Allibongo, meno is the pitts isnt it. Youll get lots of help here x
hi jj
your right meno is the pitts, oh the joys of being a woman ;)
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Delilah, they suggest trying each new type of hRT for 3 months. When I changed to Femoston recently, I felt "ok" during those 3 months but not as good as I had on my previous HRT (but nowhere near as bad as pre-HRT!) Things improved gradually and now, in my 6th month, I feel as good as before I changed.
Bette x
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Its really sad there are so many of us having a rough time of it, i wonder how many ladies are suffering without any help at all :(
I think when your feeling really really down with the symptoms it helps to read members posts (who have been on this site for a number of years) and you can see the progress that they have made, you are more than likely able to find someone who has same symptoms as you and same treatment that you may be trying. :)
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Hi Delilah
I had a sneaky suspicion you were the source of your pressure but didn't like to say so. I went through the same thing and ended up very ill indeed until I listened to my lovely husband and family. So let go of your need to rush around and organise - your family love you for more than that and will continue to love you no matter what. So take your foot off the pressure peddle and try to learn what makes you more relaxed - it varies in all of us - I myself do not favour pounding away at the gym as stress release but each to their own ;D
I have been told by my doctor I need to really try HRT for 3 months before I can say if it really is right for me. My own worry is that I'll start to bleed again, I finished my periods in 2004 and had HRT in 2005 that thickened the lining of my womb which is not good. It's taken me ages to go back and try again and I'm kicking myself for what now appears to be a martyr complex. ::)
Hang on in there Delilah, post as often as you need to, there always appears to be a lovely lady on alert to help out. I bless the day I found this site.
hugs and hankies
sue x
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Hello Allibongo, meno is the pitts isnt it. Youll get lots of help here x
hi jj
your not joking, sick of feeling sick all the time and the anxiety is horrid, have been felling better reading everyones posts, elps knowing i'm not alone and i came come on to the forum to speak to woman suffering the same menopause hell
alibongo :foryou:
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Hi Alibongo,
Welcome to the site. Are you on any HRT at the moment? I hope you get as much help and laughter from this site as I do. Tx
hi yebony
thanks for your reply, im not on hrt at the moment but going back to dr to see if he will finally give it to me, great website with lots of :thankyou: lovely ladies to chat to and we have all got one thing in common the bloody menopause ahhh lol
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Hi Northernlass,
I'm so sorry for not replying straight away, I've had a terrible few days and just couldn't face anything, sometimes reading about all the different symptoms that can happen with menopause frightens me to death. I think swapping to the new HRT has caused one of those 'blips' and I've felt almost as bad as I did before starting anything. Just been reading about internal tremors, which I'm also experiencing again and thought I'd seen the last of! Someone suggested holding your breath then slowly letting it out as a help and believe it or not its working, tremors in my left side and down my arm seem to ease. At least its another symptom that definitely appears to be common to meno :o
My gosh Sue you've been going through all this for a long time haven't you or am I being naive and hoping its going to be over quicker than I think?
This is whats so worrying and what I find difficult to accept that this might be how my life is going to be for a very long time, frightens the living daylights out of me to be honest. Hope you're having a good day today.
Take care
Delilah x
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Hi Delilah
I could go on and on about these horid symptoms. I never new the meno would be as bad as this.....
I could cope with some symptoms like hot flushes but the anxiety, and adrenalyn rush in the middle of the night for me was the worst.
I would wake sweating, hot dred feeling in my tummy and had compulsive thoughts. I really thought I was going to be sectioned.
I have suffered for 3 years but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel..... thank goodness. Have tried many HRT preps but feel its starting to settle I am 53 next week and I was thinking today about symptoms started around the age of 48. Too scared to try to reduce my HRT though.
Good luck
W
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Hi delilah,
Im new to the site and was reading 1 of your posts and it said you had breathing
problems,was wondering if you still had them and how you got through it.Ive been
having breathing problems too and like you ive had xrays and bloods and they say
they are normal.Im finding this horrendous to deal with and just wondered if yours
was put down to the menopause.Any advice you could give would be great.
Thanxs
Lorraine x