Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: TJ64 on January 22, 2015, 09:55:43 PM
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Hey everyone, I'm new here and wanted to get some advice from women who understand what I'm going through :)
I've never been on the pill, always suffered with heavy periods, so when I got to 40 and they got heavier and painful I put it down to getting 'old' ??? Used to pass huge clots and listened to my sister who said it was normal for my age. Anyway, walked around like a zombie for almost a year with zero energy, then realised something was wrong when I couldn't put one foot in front of the other to walk ten yards to my door, I wanted to sit on the floor in the middle of a street. Turns out I was severely anaemic and had a fibroid the size of a football, I'd never heard of this before, did loads of research and joined a forum, got lots of good advice and made the decision to have a hysterectomy rather than just having the fibroid removed, huge chance it could grow back and didn't know if it was cancerous and have a risk of spreading, I was lucky I had the op within a week of being diagnosed.
I had a partial hysterectomy, my ovaries were healthy so they left them and I was told I would probably go into menopause earlier, I thought I'd gotten away with it, until I realised, I'd felt depressed and down for months, I got teary for nothing, started having hot flushes, palpitations and found it really difficult to sleep. I went to chat to doctor who did tests and said I was well into Menopause, she advised HRT and I said I would go away and do some research because I'd heard horror stories, as well as good ones, but that 'I felt OK, wasn't that bad'. She told me I'd be surprised the things that would disappear because I haven't made the connection between symptoms and menopause. (sorry to go on)
6 months since my docs appointment and I realise I'm not OK, I have trouble sleeping, I'm still teary for no reason :'(, sex drive is kaput, palpitations, headaches, flushes (not often) and feel like I have no energy, always knackered and feel like I can't be bothered to do things. I think I can also overreact to things and come across very bitchy and moody sometimes, sis has called me a pyscho and guys at work keep saying I've changed, I'm not as chatty and cheerful.
I've been putting off going back to the docs, what I'd really like is some words of wisdom from the ladies on here, is HRT the answer? or is there a recommended alternative, or, do I just live with it? Who knows I could be at the end of it soon?
Thanks in advance
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Hi and welcome to MM TJ64
It's great you have given us your full story as it really helps us to support you. The only thing you have left out is your AGE?
You have had very good advice from your doctor and HRT would definitely be the right thing for you. As you have had a hysterectomy you only need oestrogen which is fab. It's the combined HRT which contains oestrogen and progesterone that tends to bring the side effects and in fact women who have had a hysterectomy are less likely to get breast cancer if they take oestrogen HRT - so you would be reducing your risk of breast cancer, protecting your bones and heart, reducing the risk of vaginal atrophy, bladder problems and your libido could improve as well if you use some oestrogen. It's a bit of a no brainer. If you are in your 40s then it is really important to replace the oestrogen.
Though there are various ways to take oestrogen - pills, patches or Oestrogel - I would recommend you use Oestrogel as you can adjust the amount you use according to your symptoms - you can start low and increase till you feel you have your symptoms under control.
I had a premature menopause and like you I was reluctant to take HRT but my doctor was firm with me and I did as I was told - she was right and probably saved me from long term problems.
REad up all the stuff under the headings to the left of this screen and get back to us with questions. Dg x
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Thank You dancinggirl :)
I had my hysterectomy at 41 I'm now 50, was told about 8 months ago i was right into Menopause. I didn't know it was different if you'd had hysterectomy, that's really useful to know.
I'll read through some of the threads and make a docs appointment to discuss further
:)
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I was mid 30's, now 58, when I had hysterectomy, ovaries stayed but were removed 10 years later. Oestrogel is good, as are patches. I'm currently using Estradot patches.
Definitely worth a visit to your GP. You don't need to suffer.
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Thank you Cubagirl :)
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Hi there :welcomemm: I'm new here too, also hysterectomy and our symptoms etc are very similar. This forum is a goldmine of information you're definitely in the right place - I've discovered so much since I've been here - stuff I'd put down to just getting old I'm now realising are menopausal symptoms! Read lots - just to know you're not alone is worth its weight in gold as far as I'm concerned!!
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Hello TJ64 and welcome to the forum.
Only you can decide how much hormonal upheaval you can tolerate but there is help available if it becomes too much to bear.
I suggest you read the information on this site so that if you want to try HRT you will know what to ask for.
Menopause can be a rough ride for some of us but hopefully you will feel better soon.
Take care and keep posting.
K.
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Hey thanks everyone, much appreciated :)
I went docs today, she told me yes I'd just need oestrogen, told me about pills, cream and patches.
Told me actually any form of HRT increases your risk of breast cancer and because their is family history it's higher, but I should be ok if I go for regular mammograms, apparently we get these from 50 onwards?
She also told me there was an increased risk in developing blood clots, which worried me even more than the above, my blood pressure was a bit higher than normal and she said they'd have to monitor it.
Walked away with 8 weeks worth of patches, one patch a day is all it takes?
To be honest I'm more worried now about clots/blood pressure but have decided to try for the 8 weeks, and if I see no big improvement i'll stop them.
:)
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Hi TJ64
Well done for getting the patches. Do read the instructions about how to use the patches as I think you only need to change these once or possibly twice and week. Hopefully others will be along to advice.
Your blood pressure may have been higher because you were nervous - this is quite common when we go to the doctors as we tend to be anxious. After she told you all the possible (but very small)risks you were bound to feel tense and worried - it's enough to put anyones blood pressure up. Strangely the Doctors rarely warn us about all the horrible side effects that many experience when they first start taking ADs!!!!
The risk of clots is still very small so try not to worry, just let the magic of the oestrogen do it's work and you may well feel calmer and cooler very soon. Just look forward to a better nights sleep which will hopefully start in about 2 weeks time.
What strength patches did she give you? DG x
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Hi TJ64 :welcomemm: from me too.
Glad you've got some patches. If I were you I wouldn't hesitate to take HRT especially as you don't have to take a progestogen. If you look at the information on here, then age 50-60 the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks.
I've been on patches since just under age 54 and I'm now 61. As I still have a womb I do have to take a progestogen.
If you are interested in the latest safety information I can link you to it - or you can do a search as we have posted on this several times. Actually I've just found what I posted recently http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,26631.msg413609.html#msg413609) :
"Heart/circulation problems: risk of clots is associated with oral HRT (tablet) rather than transdermal (ie patch or gel), and probably more with synthetic progestogens. The same paper I mentioned abovie recommends that in "high-risk" individuals who require HRT, transdermal preparations should be used, and a bio-identical ( or nearly so) progesterone.
There is evidence now that HRT commenced early - ie within 10 years of menopause has a beneficial ie protective, rather than adverse effect on the cardio-vascular system.
There is conflicting information about the effect of HRT on stroke risk but it is recommended again that at risk individuals should use transdermal methods of HRT and start under age 60 or within 10 years of menopause.
This is what it says on this site about thrombosis:
Thrombosis
Since HRT is associated with a small increased risk of venous thrombosis, care must be taken when considering HRT use in women with a past or family history of thrombosis. Depending on the indication for HRT and on the cause of the thrombosis, risks and benefits should be assessed. If HRT is to be used, preference would usually be given to the transdermal route (patch or gel) [ref 22]. Specialist advice should be requested. Vaginal estrogen may be used for treatment of vaginal and bladder symptoms.
and about stroke:
Stroke
The incidence of stroke increases in women after the menopause and an association between a protective effect of ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone has been suggested. Similarly, it was thought that the use of HRT reduced the risk of stroke. Although some studies have shown a protective effect, others, including the Women's Health Initiative trial, have shown a small increase in risk of stroke in those women taking HRT. It has been concluded that HRT should not be used for either primary or secondary prevention of stroke. If a woman has had a stroke and is considering treatment for menopausal symptoms, non-hormonal options should be tried first and HRT should only be considered after full discussion with a specialist. "
Most of this was quoted from a paper on women's health and prevention of dieseases after menopause.
Hope this helps! :)
Hurdity x
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Thanks all, I got the prescription and my daughter went to pick it up for me, turns out doc had written it down wrong and they wouldn't change it. Have to take it back to docs and get it re-done, just haven't had the time to do it yet. I did think it was a sign I shouldn't take it, but now I'm wondering if I was hasty.
I really need to make the time and go back to the docs, just got lots on at the moment
Thank you all :-*
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TJ64 - don't give up - just phone the GP surgery and tell them the doctor has made a mistake with the prescription - you'll probably e able to just pick it up in a day or so. It is really worth giving some oestrogen a try. DG x
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I'm not surprised by your story of the wrong prescription others have had that too.
Just keep on and don't let that put you off.
What was wrong with it btw?
On the other items see below
Our site admin Emma posted youtube video's of the recent updates on HRT.
Including this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZSztD9p4co&list=PLAjwoYuItHS-4jvjL6gJgM7o-vpr0PVk6&index=4
Have a listen and it will give you more upto date information.
I went docs today, she told me yes I'd just need oestrogen, told me about pills, cream and patches.
Told me actually any form of HRT increases your risk of breast cancer and because their is family history it's higher, but I should be ok if I go for regular mammograms, apparently we get these from 50 onwards?
What a load of rubbish. Recent study's and the WHI one that started all the scares reported "reduced" breast cancer in those on Estrogen only HRT!!
That is "Reduced" over periods beyond 10 years.
This was known at the time of the WHI study but it was buried and not reported at the time.
I'll let you make your own mind up on that one:)
Latest study has shown this on combined types of HRT too as mentioned in the video on youtube.
But your doc is just plain wrong.
Your breast health is affected by whether you've had children, breast fed, exposure to alcohol and other things, not just family history.
She also told me there was an increased risk in developing blood clots, which worried me even more than the above, my blood pressure was a bit higher than normal and she said they'd have to monitor it.
Even with higher blood pressure we can take HRT. As long as the BP is monitored/controlled and your happy you can take HRT.
Most people have a "doc" reaction and have higher reading at surgery due to stress.
This is also part of the Women's Health Initiative study that started all the scares off.
The WHI targeted ladies with an average age of 63. Long past their last period and well into menopause. The also did not use the bio identical estrogen that most HRT now uses.
The older ladies getting the estrogen then started to get these side effects because estrogen is in simple terms trying to repair the damage of "NOT" having estrogen. This includes our circulation and problems with that.
Using HRT before or at the time of your peri/meno is optimum and latest studies show using HRT prior to the end of your peri will actually improve heart, circulation and potential for blood pressure issues later into menopause.
Again Doc is just wrong and out of date.
Walked away with 8 weeks worth of patches, one patch a day is all it takes?
To be honest I'm more worried now about clots/blood pressure but have decided to try for the 8 weeks, and if I see no big improvement i'll stop them.
Again Doc is ...... wrong!
Using patches increases the benefit estrogen gives to your heart, circulations and BP :)
Using patches is best route and highly unlikely to give you anything more than "patch rash" :)
Hope that helps put your mind to rest.
Just enjoy yourself and get better each day :)
:-*
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Bravo peegeetip - great post. DG x
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Thanks, apparently my doc put 8 patches but they come in 12, prescription is getting picked up today ready to start tomorrow.
Just read this article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31439203 links HRT to ovarian cancer.
It is worrying when you talk to doctors and they're ill informed, recently did research myself to find out my son is suffering from REM Sleep Disorder, docs knew nothing about it had to supply them with all the info I'd found on it.
Thanks everyone :)
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Hi TJ64
Hope the patches work for you - what type have you got?
Hurdity x