Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: fultime on February 03, 2015, 12:48:38 PM
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:'(After cutting down slowly to half a kliovance a day for the past year I have started to feel ill again, waking up feeling giddy tired generally unwell, neck pain, lethargy, night sweats, flushes, disorientation especially in shops and depressed. This is my 3rd time over 10 years or more trying to get off it, without it my quality of life becomes non existent. I am 60 and have a review on medication in April with my Doctor I know she will say I have to stop because of my age but if it means feeling so terrible I might as well not be here. Why oh why do I suffer like this when all my similar aged friends sailed through easily and all seem full of health and vitality. I know my Husband and family must get sick of me being sick
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Sorry that you are having problems. I would bring my appt forwards and ask my GP for advice or ring for a telephone appt.? Do you know exactly which dosage eases symptoms? Tell your GP that you must have some form of treatment which works otherwise ……..
Have a read of the menus, left of screen or do a 'search' for the product to see how other ladies have fared?
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I'm 59 this year & I too have tried to come off HRT over the past 5 years or so. I felt so rough at one time my HRT was increased, but made me jittery. Most recent attempt was a few weeks back. After 3 weeks sweats were returning with a vengeance! So back on it again. I'd fight for life quality & I intend to do so if I'm still on it next year. Maybe your friends are still on HRT fultime.
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It helps hearing that, none of my friends needed Hrt I wish I knew the answer to that. I have gone back on full dose but it will take time again to improve how I feel. Not sure re dose because I think it stays in the body awhile before you start to feel withdrawal. Kliovance is very low dose anyway 1mg.
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Hi fultime - the latest guidelines do say that as long as you are fully aware of the risk and provided there aren't any health issues, continuing HRT beyond 60 is fine. You may need to ask to see a gynaecologist (prossibly privately) to be able to continue as most GPs are reluctant to allow women to continue beyond 60 but there are many of us who intend to use HRT for as long as possible.
You may need to move to a low dose transdermal regime e.g. Oestrogen in gel or patch form with Utrogestan fro the progesterone - this is deemed to carry fewer risks by many particularly post 60. DG x
PS I am nearly 59 and have just gone back on HRT after a one year break - feeling so much better now.
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Hi
as DancingGirl has pointed out there is no need to stop at 60.
Even if you had conditions like high blood pressure for example, as long as your being treated for that other condition, then there should be no argument if you want to continue.
As others have mentioned its best to be on the lowest dose but only if that does not affect your quality of life. If you drop to a lower dose and the symptoms return then thats wrong for you and just remain at the dose that works.
There is also good information thats in the following youtube url posted earlier by Emma.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZSztD9p4co&list=PLAjwoYuItHS-4jvjL6gJgM7o-vpr0PVk6&index=4
This mentions taking after 60 and also the benefits and no increased breast cancer risk profile (even after 5 years usage) for certain HRT solutions.
Hope that helps and all the best with your next steps.
:-*
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Let us know how you get on! Your body obviously needs hormonal support in order for you to feel well. Which bit of quality don't GPs understand :-\ ……… :tulips2:
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Thanks all x
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You are welcome!
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Hi fultime
Lowest effective dose is the key.
I am 61 and have been on HRT for 8 years - and I have only ever used transdermal HRT which as Dancinggirl says is recommended for older women who want to continue with HRT post 60.
You should not have to see anyone privately for this to continue but if your GP tries to insist that you stop perhaps find another doc in the practice who is familiar with the latest recommendations and prescribing guidelines? In the meantime do read up as much as you can about this!
Hurdity x
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Or send an e-mail to Dr Currie ;)
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Hi thought I would join in on his thread.
I was advised to reduce my HRT by a Gyne consultant. This I am doing by going down to 3 pumps of gel instead of 4 age just 56. I was doing ok but this last week symptoms have returned with a vengeance.
Since the northisterone withdrawal which was Sunday I have been so bad esp at night, night sweats adrenalin rush, panic etc. All day I feel lightheaded. I wonder if I should try a patch just to confirm if its because I have become sensetised to the gel after 3 years.
If so should I ask for 75 or 50 patch??? I just want to feel better :(
W
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Hi warick01 I have used Oestrogel for many years and haven't noticed any problems. I believe it is possibly the best way to get a consistent dose. I know many women love the patches but when I tried them I found I got a surge in the first day or so and then it tailed off quite quickly so I felt I wasn't getting a consistent dose. I'm sure this effect varies from women to women.
Do you split the doses, so use 2 pumps in the morning and one at night or vice versa? Perhaps you really need the 4 pumps per day? I'm 58 and recently went back on HRT - I was told to use 2 pumps per day but I've now dropped it down to 1.5 pumps each morning and that amount is controlling my symptoms. I know in the past that when I tried a high dose of oestrogen I got similar symptoms to a lack of oestrogen - so felt sweaty, anxious and agitated. At your age maybe your own hormones have now bottomed out and you need to adjust to slightly less oestrogen. DG x
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I switched from gel to patches a few years back. I was on oestrogel 2 pumps. After referral to meno clinic, consultant said as 2 pumps wasn't enough I could go up to 3 or change to patches. She thought patches would be best. Estradot 50 was equivalent of 3 pumps. However, I soon found that the 50 was too much & 37.5 was much better. Not sure if that helps.
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Hi warwick
I've answered on your other thread but I'm like cubagirl - I find patches have given me a consistent dose always - but we each have our preferences!
Personally I would wait until the norethisterone has completely cleared from your system - it gave me severe hypoglycaemia symptoms after I came off it (sweaty, shaky, clammy, light-headed, irritable, desperate for sugar) -when I shouldn't have been really hungry.
Once it's cleared you will know whether the effects have perisisted and whether you need to adjust your oestrogen dose.
I have almost only ever used a 50 mcg patch since starting HRT and this control my symptoms perfectly and I am well post-menopause (61). I wonder if we experience a resumption of symptoms whatever dose we are used to and if we try to reduce that? Ideally a 50 mcg patch should suit you at your age/stage but reducing from a high dose of gel may cause some temporary return of flushes?
Hurdity x
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Hi Hurdity
I have apt with my GP on Thursday to ask if I can try 50mc Everal patch. This way I am reducing which the consultant advised.
I just have this feeling that the oestrogel is not absorbing as it well as when I started 3 years ago. I have read this can happen as the body becomes sensitised and therefore does not absorb well.
I will keep you updated ;)
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Hi fulltime, I notice you mention disentoriation especially in shops sounds a bit like what im getting I feel like im going to keel over, I had it before I went on hrt and again now Im off is that how you feel? x