Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Lou44 on August 18, 2015, 02:50:33 PM
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Hi
Are any of you lovely ladies in surgical menopause and taking hrt?
Would you like to share what has/hasnt worked for you? I am 8 weeks post-op and struggling to balance my hormones. I am taking oestrogen only hrt & Vagifem but am suffering with bad joint pains, acid reflux & dry eyes, mouth, everywhere! My levels have increased to 400 but am still getting symptoms of low oestrogen. Very confusing!
Thanks 😀
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Hi Lou44
I just wanted to say :welcomemm: and to acknowledge how your must be feeling as your body has gone through such a shock. I know there are several women on here in your position and I am sure they will be along to share their experience soon. From what they've said it does seem to take some time for the body to acclimatise and for hormones to settle down, as well as to find the right dose and route of oestrogen replacement.
There is also the issue of testosterone which not all docs seem to recognise - there is info on this site here: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/aftermeno.php (scroll down) and here: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/testosterone.php
Hurdity x
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Thanks so much Hurdity & I will take a look at those links.
Yes I figure I need to be patient but it's very hard when surgery is the ultimate to sort everything! 😀
Lou
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I had hysterectomy in my mid 30s. Apart from last few years I've coped well on oestrogen. It takes a while, but my GP was quite quick off the mark with my HRT, so didn't suffer too much.
However, as you'll discover by looking through past posts we're all very different. Hope you get relief soon.
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Thanks Cubagirl. Hope you're not struggling too much now. What type of oestrogen are you taking?
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400 is not high. An implant is good for surgical
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Hi Lou - it can take quite a few tries to find an HRT which suits you. Which type are you on the moment? The advice from Oxford Hospital for surgical menopause says as much - bottom of page 3 http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files%5C120611menopausehysterectomy.pdf
Taz x
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Lancashirelass - what is a safe high level? My gp thought 300 was good. It's not good if I still feel rotten!! Did you try everything else before implants? Did the implant work quickly & how long before it wears off? I can't get then in the south west but have found somewhere in Birmingham that would accept a referral.
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Tazz thanks for the link. I have previously tried patches & gel whilst on zoladex - my oestrogen went below 40 on gel. On 2mg tablets, have been for months now & still suffering. Gp doesn't know what to do as they just think a reading of 400 is sufficient!
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I can't offer HRT advice but I have found acid reflux is helped by chewing a few almonds, honestly. Or gaviscon if that fails. Since I stopped drinking decaf tea and just have hot water my acid and wind issues have much improved. Can you get your doc to give you eye drops. I have some really good thick ones in individual sachets.
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My chap is.fine with a.level of up to 700/800 if i feel well. He wont top me up unless im below 400. I feel vest around 600/700. I reacted to patches, gel was.fine but a faff and i would.never use tablets as they a rre.conjugated hrt no thanks. Implant is convenient works well for me. They do take a few weeks to kick in they accumulate the.more you have usually last 6 months.
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You may find that it's the tablets causing the reflux - I only tried them once (have always preferred patches) and I had heartburn and bowel problems.
Taz x
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Thanks for all the tips.
Lancashirelass - I think I am probably one of those women too who need higher levels to feel well. Sadly the max dose tablets (plant based bio identical) have been the best of a bad bunch for me, gp won't let me go higher than 2mg, but still have the meno symptoms. Some days worse than others & usually symptoms are worse through night & morning as if oestrogen drops off.
I may ask for referral to discuss other options. A lot of nhs hospitals seem to have stopped doing the implant.
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Hi Lou44
Ive been in surgical meno for 18months, was 44 when it happened.
Originally i was on tibolone/livial but wasnt nearly strong enough was having constant flushes etc.
Been on 2 pumps of gel daily for almost a year and have been fine ish. Originally i had utrogestan as well but stopped taking that as i felt better without it. think after surgical meno levels do take time to recover. I cant take any more than 2 pumps dueto BRCA2 mutation so will have to be happy with that.
I have no idea what my levels are, maybe i will ask gp to test it as i am now curious.
Also there is a part of me that thinks we can never truly feel the same as before so we have to accept that. At least i dont have VA and although i dont sleep right thru anymore its probably better than what some women get so i am grateful for that.
hope this helps amswer your question
Linsey x
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Lou44 - you may well achieve higher levels with patches, and I know that there are women on here in your position who take a higher dose than this following surgical menopause. Do also think about the testosterone too and yes hope you manage to get a referral.
Hurdity x
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Thanks Hurdity but I have tried patches & they were even worse. I am going to try testosterone but wanted to sort oestrogen first as I have read that a lot of it converts to oestrogen. Do you know if many ladies have ended up doing well on Premarin - I know it's made from mares wee, not great, but also that it builds up in the system, that sounds good as mine seems to drop off.
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Lindsey, I had my op a month before my 45th Birthday so similar age. What symptoms are you still suffering with? I think I was naive & thought hrt would sort everything! 😀
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Hi Lou44
Can I ask is your forum name and the number related to the age you became meno? Mine is.
In some ways I have an easier time as without realising it I was obviously peri meno for a few years prior to BSO in Apr 14. I used to have all sorts of ailments and felt constantly unwell. Since hrt i no longer have the ups and downs that a more natural hrt free cycle gave me. I am less prone to rages and laugh at things that I would have reacted badly to before.
The worst thing is my sex drive has diminished at I feel having just turned 46 that is too young to feel like that. Dont get me wrong we still have a regular sex life and i generally enjoy it but very rarely initiate it.
I feel more tired than i used to and initially after BSO i lost weight but over the past few months i have put on prob half a stone which although i can get away with it, i would prefer not to have it
I still get hot flushes but as i often forget my gel for a couple of days and then get cranky. Husband will ask have you put your gel on? I find alcohol and caffeine make them worse.
I would love to sleep better but then wouldnt most people?
In some ways i feel i have had an easier ride than some ladies on here and gps are generally more agreeable to giving you hrt for surgical meno than supporting women with natural meno.
That said we wont find out the full impact of surgical meno until we stop hrt completely.
I also had a hyster in 2013 due to menstrual issues and have to admit i enjoy not having periods any more.
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Hi Linsey
Yes, I had my op 22 June & turned 45 end of July.
It sounds like you are doing reasonably well. Can you take testosterone or is it too high risk? I actually have some testosterone gel but want to sort oestrogen stuff first. Like you I had many gynae issues & its been going on for 8 years. Started with endometriosis, then fertility treatment (unsuccessful), then I suspect peri & cycles became shorter & only had up to a week of good days per month. Two years ago, accepted I wasn't going to get pregnant so decided to move on & deal with issues. GP said going on the pill would solve everything - ha! Three pills, mirena coil, patches, gels, zoladex & then hysterectomy.
Like you, my emotions & moods are already more stable (without progesterone) I don't suffer too much with sweats & can cope with dryness as can use Vagifem etc. but it's the joint pains which are definitely hormonal as they started with zoladex & eased somewhat when oestrogen levels rose but are back since op.
As for sex drive - zilch! Would help if I felt good in myself as sex life been bad for few years now with me being unwell so was Hoping to get that side of things going again! 😉
My energy is zero too, was hoping this was just as only 8 weeks post op. Testosterone is supposed to be good for that too.
Do you think less sex drive would happen to us all at this age anyway maybe?
Thanks for sharing your experience. I keep wondering about Premarin or implants! Must be a bit patient!
Lou x
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Lou if i were you i would give yourself more time, we had body parts removed and healing internally takes time.
I was 1st apr last year for BSO then went away approx 8wks later to 35degree heat, not the smartest thing ive ever done. However i next went away almost 5 months post op and felt heaps better. See how you are 6 months post op. I can honestly say that i felt twinges etc for a lot longer after my BSO than after my hyster. Both done keyhole by same surgeon in the same hospital and thru same incision points but i felt total recovery took longer after BSO. Maybe because our bodies are dealing with meno as well as healing? Or maybe as my surgeries were not even 11 months apart.
I havent had issues with VA and dont use vagifem but do use a small amount of YES organic water based lube just in case.
I am aware if for any reason gel isnt absorbing i get cranky and feel the urge to pee more, but generally exfoliate inner thighs with a muslin cloth helps absorption. Maybe all in the mind.
I dont know if testosterone would be an option. Im going next wk to see surgeon as im having risk reducing double masectomy and reconstruction within the next month so will ask if BRCa2 women are allowed testoserone. Ŵill prob have to wait until after op.
I am fortunate to have had access to a private gynae who i could email if i want him to change hrt etc and he would write to my gp advising him. I had my hyster due to adenomyosis and bleeding 20days month/ 16 days between bleeds / clots etc. so if necessary i can go back and see him re testosterone as well.
With hindsight a chunk of these symptoms were caused by peri so my hyster was the best thing i done, but unfortunately i had to remove ovaries a short time later.
Most importantly my husband has been amazing throughout these years and i feel lucky to be supported like that.
Onwards and upwards we are still probably healthier than lots of people and should just relax and enjoy life.
Linsey x
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Hi Lou - just wanted to say that I had a vaginal hysterectomy in July 2014 and it is only in the last month that I have felt back to almost normal. I am older than you and retained my ovaries but the actual op does shake the body up. Have you had a look at the uk hysterectomy forum?
Taz x
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Hi Linsey
Good luck with your appointment next week. I didn't realise you had another necessary op coming up so soon. You seem to be coping remarkably well. Really glad you have the good support of your husband.
It must have been a total rollercoaster for you, the last few years & you are inspiring.
I am going to Mallorca on 1st Sept & really can't wait, think it will do me the world of good.
I think when we get in a hrt hole, we can get desperate to try anything, I am going to calm down & if things don't improve, look into a change of tablet or the implant next.
Thanks so much for all your feedback & let me know how everything goes.
Lou x
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Thanks Taz, yes I am looking at hysterectomy uk forum too. Glad you are feeling better x
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Hi Lou
Thank and enjoy your holiday, it will be perfect there at that time, nice short flight.
Plenty hrt and you will be just fine.
X