Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Goosieloosie on October 25, 2015, 09:32:09 PM
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Hello there all, I'm new here, well I've been more of a reader for a couple of years now but I need some advice... finally I'd had enough and went to my GP a few days ago to discuss HRT, she was a young locum DR who was more than happy to prescribe for me (a couple of years ago I saw a regular lady GP who said they only prescribe HRT if you're having hot flashes..which at the time I wasn't :-\ ) anyway I still don't really have hot flashes or night sweats but I am very hot ALL of the time, I have the air con on in the car even in this winter weather & a fan in bedroom going all night. I am very weepy (it's beyond ridiculous how easily I can cry) as well as anxious & have terrible mood swings like permanent PMT so I decided I'd had enough & could've kissed the young DR when she prescribed Evorel Conti patches for me, though initially she has just given me a months supply, is this normal as it doesn't seem very long to me to get adjusted?? I am 53 (will be 54 in 3 weeks) and it's been 14 months since I had a period, now this is what I am worried about...reading through the leaflet it actually says you're not to have had a period for 18 months?? Will this be ok? I went ahead & put my first patch on anyway yesterday as I'm so eager to feel better but now I'm worried about those extra 4 months?? Hope it's ok to carry on :( Also how long does it take to feel the effects/feel better with the Evorel patch? I don't feel any different as yet though I did have a few period like cramps in the few hours after I'd put it on?? Thank You ladies for any advice :)
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I don't have any knowledge of your HRT - sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon- but just wanted to say sorry you have had such difficulty getting help and hope the patches help you now. Although a month's supply does seem a ridiculously short amount.
BTW, I would ALWAYS tell a GP I am having hot flushes if you want to be taken seriously - it's the only symptom many of them seem to acknowledge! I had about 30 and hot flushes were the one that bothered me least, but it was only when I mentioned that I was taken seriously!
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You are fine taking at your age and the fact you haven't had a period for over a year. The year is really the magic number for most doctors.
Don't be surprised if you get some like cramp and spotting for a few months. It can take a while to settle. That certainly happened to me .....so don't panic. You need to give it time.
I find this patch very successful.
Good luck and I hope you feel much better very soon.
Let us know.
Honeybun
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Hi Goosieloosie
I'm 58 and have been using Everol Conti for about 3 months. Yes I only got one month's supply of patches from my GP and then had to go back. I also had some cramping and headaches in the first month, but all okay now. I hope this helpful to you.
Vickypk
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Thank you all for replying so quickly, I will most certainly keep you informed of how I'm getting on, I'm relieved to know it's fine to carry on even though it hasn't been 18 months since my last period. Here's hoping the patches suit me & work asap as I'm desperate to feel 'normal' again :'(
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Hi Goosieloosie - welcome to the forum.
Your query has made me check out the guidelines re this patch which I've used in the past. I'm sure that it used to read "at least a year since last period" but you are right in that it now says "Six months post meno - eighteen months since last period". https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/15326 and again from the patient information leaflet https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/PIL.2893.latest.pdf Has anyone else noted this change?
I'm sure that due to your age it will be ok but you might wish to check with your GP or pharmacist as I'm not sure when the guidelines changed or why? The other patch available is FemSeven Conti and this states twelve months since last period http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/womens-health/medicines/femseven-conti.html
Very puzzling!
Taz x :welcomemm:
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Thank you for that Taz, yes it is very puzzling and confusing, would be interesting to know if anyone else has been told 12 or 18 months??
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There are other members on here who have been put on a conti HRT at the age of 53ish even though they are still experiencing periods so I can't see that these few months will make much difference to you but I'm sure someone else will be along soon with more technical info.
Taz x