Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: purdey on December 07, 2015, 11:58:28 AM
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Hi I would really appreciate some advise re which HRT is best for anxiety in Peri and to avoid triggering PMT…...
I have suffered with anxiety due to major life stresses throughout different times in my life …..but had been saying to my doctor for about the last year that I'd really noticed a peak in anxiety symptoms just prior to my period and that this anxiety felt different, physiological rather than psychological…... got really bad in October along with
Insomnia/ sudden excruciating indigestion/ tight chest and heart palpitations/jittery inside/ weakness in my arms/ headaches ( had these the last year) … fluctuating/ heavier periods / no sign of hot flushes!!
After much debate with my doctor that it wasn't my usual anxiety she agreed to try me on HRT Evorel Conti 50 on the 10th Novemeber … she had previously done blood tests twice in the year to say i was Peri but very early Peri.
At first it was great…within 5-7 days most of my symptoms had gone and I was feeling joyful for the first time in forever.
Then Day 12 started with PMT like symptoms which grew, ( I had terrible PMT when younger and have avoided it for years as on evening primrose and vitamins )
Grumpy / Cramping / Bloated/ Headachy/ Nausea/ sudden pain in my right breast for one day ( not sore as have taken Evening primrose oil for years )
it was all better than having anxiety!!
Day 16 …got one day of sudden anxiety in the morning which went
Then day 23+24….Insomnia came back and the dreaded anxiety started to grow along with slight nausea and headaches ever since and yday and today have been awful :-(
Please if anyone can help me as i feel like I'm going doolally….My QUESTIONS are :
I got a bit concerned after reading the forum and menopause matters advise posts that I shouldn't be on Conti…can anyone else educate me on this please?
Anyway I went back to the docs this morning and asked if I could try an Oestrogen only patch along with Utrogestran to see if it is the Progesterone is causing my PMT symptoms and bringing back the anxiety.
Does anyone have any knowledge of anxiety and whether Progesterone would cause anxiety or which hormone drop / increase is causing this?
Also doc has put me on Utrogestran 200mg for 12 days out of my cycle so that i have a natural bleed….is this the best option if it is the Progesterone affecting me?
Thank you so much if you've taken the time to read this much much appreciated!
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Hi and welcome to MM
I think you have asked for the best combination to try. Oestrogen, as either patch of gel, with Utrogestan 200mg for 12 days per month is a very good option. Especially as you are still early peri you will need the 200mg for the 12 days. Don't look for problems with the Utro(progesterone) part of this regime as it is a natural, more gentle, type of progesterone so you may actually feel really good on it (I feel great when taking it!!!). Many of us find its when they stop taking the Utrogestan just before the bleed starts that they suffer a couple of days of PMT!!! You must remember that you would probably get far worse PMT, sore breasts and cramps etc. without HRT and it is unrealistic to expect to feel good all the time especially when in the peri meno when your own hormones will be fluctuating in the background.
What dose of oestrogen have you been given? If it's a 50mg patch I would cut this in half to start with as you may only need a small dose in this early peri stage. You can then increase the amount over the next few weeks or months. If you have the gel( which makes dose control far easier) then stick with one pump per day for a few weeks.
Do try some Mindful Meditation alongside the HRT to help control anxiety and help you to enjoy the good days.
As your own hormones subside over time the HRT will take over and gradually you should feel more in balance - though this depends on how long you are in the peri stage.
DG x
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Hello @Dancinggirl
I'm not an expert but I just wanted to extend a welcome and say hello.
AuntyBiz xx
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Hi Purdey,like you I am also a newbie,just joined today,i am also after advice regarding Hrt for anxiety.
My story is that my periods been messing around few years,went months without one beginning of the year,then they returned,always light with lots of clots,usually got a migraine around the time it appeared,bloated,tired ect.
I started not sleeping well,waking few times a night,started noticing that heart seemed to miss beats followed by a large beat,only noticed at night or when relaxed,mentioned to a friend who said a symptom of peri,so I carried on as usual.ive also got dry eye.or dry everything I think.
Anyway got to about September time and I experienced a very heavy period,heaviest in years,it hung around with spotting for few weeks,im sure from this point something changed.one day onway home from shopping.in the car,hubby driving,i had a weird turn,felt breathless,think palpitations,i think I panicked also,felt awful.another day it happened while on a dog walk,both times it went away after a while,when home,but then had a whole day with palps on and off,ended up A+E,told heart ok,sent home,see dr.
DR booked me for a 24hr monitor,also gave me propranolol for the palpitations,i couldn't take much as get to low blood pressure,made me feel yuk,so I didn't go out much at all,and anxiety seems to of pounced on me big time,i had anxious times here and there but now im anxious about everything that was normal for me,i try to do things like dog walk,pop quickly in a small shop,a short car ride(going in car is hard,i feel so annoyed,i just get anxious).
Waiting for results of monitor now,then if ok think Dr try me on HRT,hence why I interested in your post purdey,as I don't want anymore anxiousness,but hopefully something that helps it.
So if anyone has any advice that could help me as well as purdey I would be very grateful,as I think this is worst time of my life so far.
sorry if long post.
Dolly64
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Purdey, I am no expert on hrt, but from what I have read here sounds like you are on right track, wish you well.
Dolly64, you could be me :( I never got my palpatations looked at as was too scared, but this was how I started out - I just thought I was going nuts, put up with it for years. In short I changed GP's twice and have just been lucky enough to find one to finally help me. You can try the Omega 7 for dry eyes/skin etc often helps. For the rest its a 'good' gp visit, I got oestrogen cream and AD's for anxiety and depression... as I let it go on far too long, dont make the same mistake I did and go for quality of life NOW we do not deserve to continue to suffer when there is no need.
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Hello purdey and dolly4 and a warm welcome to you both.
There are many HRT experts on the forum though sadly I'm not one of them!
I just wanted to say that your experiences will be familiar to many and this is certainly a very challenging time in our lives. The good news is that we are here to help and support each other which makes this whole menopause madness a lot more bearable in my opinion!
Please keep posting and sending hugs.
K.
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Hi sadlynda,yes I really want to get myself sorted,im pushing myself to do things,ive made a appointment with a councellor,dr said may help,although that's weeks away yet,waiting list :(.Wonder if Hrt will help,some seem to be helped with anxiety but just worried in case makes it worse,if I try and doesn't then I will have to try another route.Evidently the beta blocker I take helps people but has to be higher dose and I cant take more.
It shocked me how things change so quickly.
Hope you are now feeling better with the right tabs.
Hi Kathleen,thankyou for the welcome.I can totally see that this is a very helpful forum and it helps you see that even though we feel singled out with our problems that we are just one of many,all suffering because of our misbehaving hormones.Thanks for the hug,much appreciated.
Dolly
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Hello and :welcomemm:
I dont think it will necessarily make it worse per se but it can be a fine juggling trick too find the correct balance of hrt to suit you and unfortunately it takes time to settle down too. This time of year is stressful enough in itself so that sadly wont help matters much either. I personally have found it didnt help my anxiety,palps,etc and took an AD alongside my hrt,however everyone is different.
Hope you find something that suits you and that you settle down soon.
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Thank you all so much for all your advise...im so happy to have found this forum.
dancinggirl its good to hear that you have no problems with the Utrogestran it gives me hope. Can i ask did you ever suffer with bad PMT before? I havent had it for years fue to vitamins and e primrose but then it sounds right what you're saying about our own horm nes fluctuating wildly in the background! Im on the 50 oestrogel as thats what was in the Evorel Conti patches and apart from dizziness and nausea in the first fe days seemed fine after that.....do you know what symptoms would i get if i had too much oestrogel in my system ?
Sorry to hear about your problems with anxiety too ( sorry im on phone and cant scroll to see your name and have terrible memory! Your pattern sounds like mine. Even though have suffered with anxiety this is nothing like ive had before it consumes every part of me and i feel for you as the heart palps are horrific ( i too am going for a heart monitor but im convinced now from reading tgis forum that it is peri causing it!!) i try to tell myself that it will pass when its happening now and just let it do its thing as i now know it cant kill me!! Also ive been seeing an accupuncturist and that has helped a bit as does yoga and walking the anxiety out....have you tried yoga?
After 5 days of being on HRT the palps went so do try the HRT. Also i am taking a high dose of magnesium which helps regulate the heart and nervous system which might be worth trying, i dont know if it was that or the HRT but i started sleeping better. Theres some great info on panic attacks and how to cope on organisations like anxiety uk or might be called no more panic ...i will check fir you later when on my laptop.Really hope you get sorted...from what ive read on here from other wonderful women there will be light at the end of the tunnel hang in there
We certainly draw the short straw in life but then again it is wonderful how supportive women are imagine being a man and going through this lol
Thanks again for all your help dont know what i would do without this forum....😊
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Sadlynda sorry to hear that you too suffered.....can i ask what oestrogen cream you are on and are you taking progesterone? Also which AD did your doc give you?
I am AD adverse as the thought of the side effects scares me, though did use Anitryptilene for a few years on low dose for my IBS but had to come off them start of this year due to something else going on and stupidly didnt go back on them, im thinking once have got to grips with HRT might go back on them as they did help a bit with anxiety and sleep!
Hope you are feeling good now and it is working for you...do you still get palps?
DancingGirl do you know if oral utrogestran has an agfect on people who have IBS?
Thanks again X
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Thanks for the welcome Dazned,yes not a good time of year to get this problem,just hoping I can get it sorted or at least improved soon.
Hi purdey,i agree with you,this forum is so helpful,all helping each other with advice and knowledge.
Glad you having the heart monitor,always best to get checked,im still awaiting my results,which is why dr hasn't started me on hrt yet.I am worried about starting it as like a lot of ladies on here I don't take meds well,even painkillers can upset my stomach,so think will ask for a patch and utrogestan and hope dr lets me.
I havnt tried yoga,id like to but where I am there isn't any classes ,I suppose I could look online for some easy instructions,if anyone knows of a site let me know please.Im trying to get out for a walk every day,push myself to do something,try to ignore the anxiety feelings but I cant do supermarkets again yet,and travelling in the car is a bad one,hubby takes me for a drive every day,havnt got far yet,im trying.IM waiting for a councelling appointment,dont know if that will help.
I started taking Menopace supplement yesterday,has vitamins and soya in,unsure if can take that when having hrt.
Hope the Hrt you are taking purdey works for you,keep us informed.How old are you if you don't mind me asking,im 51 on Wednesday.
dolly.
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Hi purdey
Firstly, yes I did have a certain amount of PMT though I went on the pill due to very bad periods pains at the age of 17 and I think this controlled any PMT. I did get PND after my first baby which was quite nasty and I have had bouts of bad depression over the years. Like you, I would be concerned about ADs and in fact when I was prescribed them by my GP at one stage, my pharmacist (who was great and knew I had young children at the time) printed off all the side effects and stressed I should read them carefully before deciding to take them. I opted for CBT/counselling therapy instead which I think has given me strategies to cope better since.
As for IBS and Utrogestan - I have suffered on and off with digestive problems during stressful times and in fact we have Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis in the family so sensitive guts are in the genes - because I have such a sensitive bladder I decided that using Utro vaginally wouldn't be a good idea so have always used it orally. One must take Utro on an empty stomach and I thought this would be a problem but I have got into a routine of having a good supper no later than 8pm and taking the Utro about 10-10.30pm(I apply the Oestrogel at the same time) and not only do I sleep better but my digestive system seems to have really settled. I was opening my bowels 2-4 times a day but now only one or 2 times per day which is a great improvement. The other plus for me is that I'm not getting the horrid headaches I had before when on synthetic progesterone - in fact my headaches were really bad when I wasn't taking any HRT!!! I'm not having to take so many pain killers as well so generally my health has improved - I think mainly because I get better quality sleep and the Utro seems to have a calming effect.
Now I am not saying this will all happen with you - we are all different, you are peri meno and using Utro in a sequential regime so there may be ups and downs. Unfortunately many women who are seriously progesterone intolerant, quite rightly, share their experiences on MM and their stories can sound very frightening but one mustn't forget all the up sides of HRT, nor must one expect it to be a cure all.
I would stick with the 50mg patch and see how it goes. I found just one pump of Oestrogel ( which is a bit lower that 50mg patch) was good for me in early peri - higher doses gave me headaches - don't look for problems though, just let your body welcome the hormones - there may be sore breasts and odd sensations but my gynae describes this as the body waking up - which I think is a nice way of describing the settling in side effects.
You have opted for a good regime so "go for it girl". Dg x
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HI Dolly64,
Thank you for your kind words....I'm 47 and in Peri. i'm feeling really nervous about getting this right but i suppose it's just trial and error and patience and getting good advise.
glad you are managing to push yourself through the anxiety, that's really important not to give in as it just makes it feel even bigger if you lock yourself away I have been there many years ago!...the CBT should help, it did for me. I do a gentle yoga called Dru Yoga, they have an online shop for DVDs which i do at home very easy to follow and definitely helps to calm me ...and if i do it every day, it feels preventative! I will try and find that link for you in a min for the anxiety help but wanted to reply first.
Feel free to keep talking X
Hi Dancing Girl, thanks for sharing what you have been through...that's really helpful to know that you have had similar issues with digestive problems and with depression ,though i've never had children so don't know if i would have had PND, that sounds horrible. It's good to hear that your regime has worked for you. Hopefully it will work better for me too. Are you in full menopause ? Do you know what are the symptoms of progesterone intolerance? I'm so new to all this it feels like there's so much to get my head round!!
I'm feeling a bit down about the whole HRT thing at the moment as today my hairdresser made me feel like I was making the wrong choice when i told her...she thinks I am only delaying the inevitable by taking HRT and that i'm taking it too early and will only have to face all the symptoms when I have to come off it after the maximum 5 years i can be on it ....is this true?? thanks again for being so open much appreciated. X
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Hi purdey
Just to say :welcomemm: from me too!
I presume you have been given Evorel 50 patches not oestrogel, to go with the utrogestan? I am on this combo - well at least Estradot 50 patches which are similar. I am on a longer cycle as I am well post-meno so hardly any of my own hormones!
As a matter of interest - what was your cycle doing before you started the HRT - has it been irregular for some time ie skipping periods or was it at the getting closer together stage? I ask because you mentioned no hot flushes which is usually a sign of hormones decreasing. The increased pms often happenes before peri-menopause when hormonal changes begin but periods are still regular - it did with me - but I didn't know this was what it was!! I got terrible pre-menstrual migraines, floods of tears, increasing breast pain and weird low blood sugar feelings in the second half of my cycle. My hot flushes didn't start until periods had stopped for a few months.
Anyway do hope you feel better soon and your symptoms lessen so that you can cope with them :)
Hurdity x
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Hi dolly64
:welcomemm:
There are two welcome threads going on here so thought I would answer you separately!
Re the extra heart beats - that's very common and sounds like ectopic heart beats - is that what it was said that you had? I have had these - in pregnancy they came on and had to go and see a heart specialist but all was OK. I still get them now and again especially if too much caffeine.
What a pity they gave you beta-blockers before considering HRT! Palpitations are a common symptom of menopause and if you are thinking about HRT then this is a better solution - if it eliminates the palpitations. I would not want to take them if there was nothing actually wrong with my heart for the same reason as you are cautious - that they decrease blood pressure so that coming off them could be tricky. My BP is also quite low. I can see you want to wait for your results just to check all is OK first though :) . Do you have any other symptoms eg flushes or sweats or are you on any medication which might mean you don't experience these?
Anyway do hope everything is OK heartwise and then that you are successful in obtaining the HRT of your choice - if you want to go down this route.
Hurdity x
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HI Hurdity,
Thanks for your welcome :) I've seen some of your posts and they've been very useful.
Yes sorry meant to say Oestrogen in the form of Estraderm 50 MX.
My periods had become closer together sometimes, irregular pattern, heavier and longer. The PMS wasn't too bad as i have been on evening primrose and Multivits for years but the anxiety peaking before my periods was becoming an issue the last year as were headaches and then October , sleeplessness, heart palps, indigestion which led me to believe there was a pattern related to hormones and my blood test said i was in early peri. I was put on beta blockers back in September too, but was actually going through something stressful , I came off them when I started getting heart palps and anxiety as weirdly thought it was them at first but maybe it was the peri?? I was getting weird hunger for some time but hadn't thought this was meno! and emotions all over the place but then i have been under a lot of stress the last 3 years so it's hard to unravel which is which!!
NO hot flushes....but i've read not everyone necessarily gets them...is that true? or do I have them to look forward to too?? Do you think I'm starting HRT too early then if i haven't got flushes
was wonderen if you know any of the answers to my questions to DancingGirl in my previous post......there's so much to get my head round it's really good to talk to others who've been through it and understand about peri and meno...but i get that in the end we are all different in how we react
Do you know what are the symptoms of progesterone intolerance are? I'm so new to all this it feels like there's so much to get my head round!!
I'm feeling a bit down about the whole HRT thing at the moment as today my hairdresser made me feel like I was making the wrong choice when i told her...she thinks I am only delaying the inevitable by taking HRT and that i'm taking it too early and will only have to face all the symptoms when I have to come off it ,after the maximum 5 years i can be on it, is this true??
Thanks so much for your help X
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HI again Hurdity...
Just thought do you know anything about Oestrogen doses?...
do you think my doc started me on too high a dose of Oestrogen...originally she put me on Evorel Conti 50. saying it was the lowest dose, so that's why my doc gave me the Estraderm 50 ....should i swap to 25 or 37.5 ?
Can i overdo the Oestrogen, especially if this is only early Peri and I might need more later on? what would be the symptoms of having too much Oestrogen?
Sorry if I'm bombarding you with questions just so desperate to get this right!!
thanX
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Hi purdey,thanks for your reply.The gentle yoga sounds interesting,will look that up later.Its definitely made me not feel so sorry for myself joining this forum as its clear their is so many of us suffering because of our hormones.Like you ive been wondering if I should do Hrt or not,worrying of side effects,im awful like that.Im interested to see advice that you are given regarding some of your questions as id like to know also.Im trying to be positive,keeping busy,so I don't over think.Hoping you get some more good advice soon.x
Hi Hurdity,thanks for the welcome.yes I was having hot episodes during the night mostly,sometimes seemed to co inside with the missed beats or palps.Ive had my periods messing me about on and off few years,lighter,heavier,short,long,late,early.usually a once a month migraine,either just before,sometimes during period.was getting very bloated and sore,hurting breasts.Dont know if connected but had also started suffering reflux.Actually ive had this other strange symptom which is weird,problems with my sense of smell,started going back years,but wasn't all the time,just occassionly,now its happening a lot of the time-I get a nasty smell that just stays around,like up my nose,for ages at a time,sometimes its after ive smelt a strong perfume,deoderant,petrol,ect,other times it just seems to appear.im also affected other ways with smells like perfumes,deoderants,i cant wear any at the moment,get headaches if somebody near me has strong smells on them,would be interested if anybody else experiences anything like this,or im just weird :o.
You seem very clued up with all this and its good to have somebody to help with advice or suggestions when us newbies havnt got much to go on,so thankyou. :).
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thanks dolly64,
hope we both get some more advise as its so helpful isn't it! You are doing so great....i am an over thinker too which doesn't help!! i think it also comes with wanting to be well informed and make good decisions as like you i am usually medication adverse! i found a good exercise for anxiety on the forum here's a copy and paste as can't work out how to share!..........
Here's the exercise my hynotherapist taught me last year to help me with anxiety and panic attacks. Think it's a NLP exercise as she was also qualified in that.I found it very helpful although haven't needed to use it for a while. Bear with me as will be a bit long-winded to explain.
You're going to be using 3 senses - sight (peripheral vision), hearing and touch. You can say it aloud but I always found doing it silently worked. It gets better with practice but it's the "doing" of it that's important not being good at it. If you lose the thread at any point, just start again.
Sit or lie comfortably and fix your gaze on a certain object. Start by noticing what you can see in your peripheral vision.
Here's an example of what you might say to yourself:-
I can see -
My tea mug on the table
The computer keyboard
A book
I can hear -
The hum of the computer
The wind in the trees
A car engine
I can feel -
My left forearm resting on the table
My bottom on the chair
My right big toe touching the inside of my slipper
I can see -
A picture on the wall
The wardrobe
I can hear -
The radio downstairs
The dog snoring
I can feel -
My left thigh pressing into the table
My tongue touching tne inside of my lower teeth
I can see -
The headphones on the desk
I can hear -
My breathing
I can feel -
My left thumb touching my index finger.
That's it! It takes a lot of concentration which is probably why it works. I find it gets harder to find the words as you go on - it's like your brain (and breathing) slow down and I suppose that's why it's relaxing. I used to do it lying in bed sometimes or even in the car (as a passenger!) Because my house is very quiet, I sometimes had to repeat the same sounds but that's not a problem. The "feel" one is fascinating as you're not moving and have to notice tiny sensations. My hypno said one of her clients used to go to the loos at work and do it if she was struggling.
Hope it helps - please give it a go. Even sitting here thinking about it and typing this out, I can feel myself "slowing down.
Bette x
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Thanks purdey, perhaps that is a good exercise to do when I feel anxious in the car,travelling in the car is an area I need to work on more.i used to love going for drive somewhere with hubby,i cant drive myself,never got around to taking a test years ago.I wasn't very good at it ::).
Thanks again,and hope we both get sorted ,as well as all the other ladies on here.
dolly.
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Hi again purdey
I'm losing track a bit with two welcomes going on ....
Not sure what you are still asking and where you are! Maybe have a read of this article about peri-menopause on this site which will help explain what's going on in your body:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/article-perils-of-the-perimenopause.php
It's true that not everyone gets hot flushes - but also it is more usual to get them when periods are skipped although some women are unfortunate enough to get them when periods are still regular and I presume are responding to the extreme fluctuations that begin to occur. Also there is a problem with defintion re peri-menopause - the medical definition as used by NICE is when periods start to get irregular and when periods become closer together is part of the late reproductive stage - however hormones have started changing then so presumably give rise to some symptoms. Also not everyone fits neatly into the definitions! If your doc has prescribed HRT then just carry on and see if it makes you feel better, and don't over analyse it - but try to find out as much as you can by reading the info this site (tabs at the top).
Re the progesterone intolerance - extreme prog intolerance is quite rare but mild intolerance very common. Also many women are fine with their own progesterone (apart from usual bloating, breast pain etc) but react to the synthetic progestogens. Most women expect to have some form of pms when they change from the combi patches or pills to the oestrogen only ie just before the bleed - just as in their own cycle. Hope I'm not repeating what's already been said - there is a lot to read through!
Hurdity x
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Hi Hurdity,
Thanks for replying, sorry its got a bit confusing. What you say makes sense about Peri and flushing.
I went back to the docs yesterday as although she swapped me from Evirel Conti to an oestrogen only patch and Uterogestran , she had left me on the 50 dose. As im only starting Peri and reading all the advise on here to start low , i was concerned that some of my symptoms might be too much oestrogen , so im tapering down to Estradot 37.5 on Friday for two change of patches then moving to 25 after that.
Also she has agreed i can go and see a specialist as i would feel happier speaking to someone with more knowleadge , especially considering she prescribed wrong hrt to start with and also my symptoms don't fit her definition of peri and she had questions whether i was far enough into Peri to warrant HRT, though she took on board that last month i had pretty much instant symptom relief with in a week. I have so many questions myself that both doctors don't seem to be able to answer very well either!!
Anyhow i have an appointment in January. Dolly64 if your doc isn't that good i would insust on seeing a specialist save yourself my headache of getting off to the wrong start!!
Thanks again Hurdity....i am taking a crash course in Peri and there is alot to take in but also very useful, give thanks for all of you wonderful women sharing your exoeriences on here! As usual the people who have to live with this are the real experts!
Hope everyone is getting a good nights sleep....i would have been but my cat woke me up! Off to get my 24 heart monitor in the morning, sure it will be linked to Peri and nothing more!!
X
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I am peri age 49 regular as clockwork periods no hot flushes which unfortunately seem to be the bench mark for peri. What I do have for the last two years is truly awful VA/ bladder issues.usual treatment vagifem or the likes as your told its local nothing else is required.
WELL I went to see Dr Annie Evans last Friday, 5% of ladies peri/meno is all bladder/vagina and local oestrgen is not enough both are required. So already 6 days in problems I didn't even overly notice are sore itchy eyes gone. Itchy shins gone. Aching joints greatly reduced. The last three nights I have not needed to get up for a P ( amazing ). This is the area of much anguish My vestibule/vulva/ urethra are pink not red raw. My labia have thickened up. Lubrication is returning. My internal organs ( womb etc ) feel like they have been lifted up. My P smells fresher. My P stream is stronger. Generally less painful when I wipe myself.
So for the first time in two years I have hope , the area is still irritated but has most definitely improved I can wear pants again. I SO doid not want to go down the HRT route as we are told its , "Natural" this time of our lives I can tell you there is nothing natural about what I have been through, Dr Annie said collegen reduces and can have a huge knock on effect for some through there body, and no so called " expert" knows how we feel and if we should be or should not be in the menopause. I first went to a gynae 2 and a 1/2 years ago know and the first thing I said is this hormones he said oh no your to young take some Noratriptyline for pain, and there began a medical merry go round of spaecialists , I was prescribed vagifem along the way but all said VA doesn't respond to systemic oestrgen. Well IF I carry on improving ALL of the 12 specialists I have seen will be getting a letter politely suggesting they think outside the box once necessary investigations are done. Doctors are scientists who when qualified many of them just stop thinking.
That's my moan and story. If I really do get properly better I shall start a post for others , to hopefully avoid what I have been through as believe me I have been at the very bottom with this, it's really aged me.
I went to see my GP who is lovely , about starting HRT but didn't know a answer to my question so I decided to go and see Dr A to try and avoid the merry go round of trial and error with HRT that ladies seem to get with GPs and see if I could avoid it going to an expert.
Good luck with your quest.
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Hi purdey
hope wearing the monitor goes well for you,and the going to see a specialist.
I went drs yesterday,had been 2wks since had monitor,results not back as can take a month,well where I live anyway,hope yours is quicker.so nothing started for me yet,dr pleased that I am trying push through the anxiety and have contacted the councellor,also staying on the beta blockers for know as think they helping palpitations.looked up the yoga you do and plan to maybe get dvd or book.keep us posted how you get on.
Hi maryjane
this peri menopause leads us a merry dance doesn't it,the amount of things it can affect.Hope you have now got the right treatment for your problems and that everything improves for you.
dolly64
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Hi and welcome,
I am in a similar situation to you - early 40s, still have regular periods, but at times estrogen drops to post menopause levels and other times it's sky high. I get horrible PMT which lasts beyond my period.
I started with 50mcg patches over a year ago, but found - as these top up rather than control your hormones - at times they were making the situation worse. I also hated the feeling I got when the 12 days of Utrogestan stopped, even though I felt fine on it (I agree with DG: dont 'look' for problems with it. Not everyone has issues with this form of progesterone. Take it one day at a time and just see how you feel). The doctors I saw all said at my age I needed something much stronger which would suppress ovulation and keep me more balanced.
I tried a low dose combined pill (Qlaira) which helped massively. I would go as far as to save it was a life changer. However, I stopped it eventually for two reasons - I was affected by the four different doses across the month, and I started getting stomach issues (since been told I have IBS C). I had a brief experiment with a monophasic conventional pill (which was a disaster from day one and made stomach far, far worse) and therefore started to look into a 'nil by mouth' line of treatment.
At the same time I started reading up on PMT and came across this, which I really recommend you read: (Guidelines from the National Association for Pre Menstrual Syndrome)
http://www.pms.org.uk/assets/files/guidelinesfinal60210.pdf
http://nickpanay.com/Papers%20pdf/Managing%20Premenstrual%20Syndorme%20An%20Overview.pdf
Reading this has convinced me to try 100 mcg - 150 mcg patches (still far less oestrogen than in a synthetic contraceptive pill) which will suppress ovulation and keep me with a more even rate of oestrogen - in theory, at least ??? .
Unusually, in my case I would opt for the nearly continuous 100 mg of Utrogestan on days 1-25 to avoid the dip I mentioned, despite still having periods. My GP is happy with this. I'd take this vaginally, as I did before, since I always eat late at night.
I think a number of ladies on here are thinking of trialling a similar approach - mainly younger members still having fairly regular periods who're suffering from extreme fluctuations /PMS rather than more continuously low oestrogen and the different set of 'joys' that can create.
The advice on additional supplements etc is interesting to read too.
Hope what I have said doesnt confuse you ever more - it is very much an alternative hrt/hormonal approach suited to only a small group of ladies, but even just reading the NAPS advice certainly helped for me to see things a different way.
Good luck - hope things work out for you x
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Hi Maryjane,
Thanks for sharing your experience, sorry to hear you had such a bad time getting help...good for you for writing to the docs, i'm amazed how little they know, just glad this website exists and other women are willing to share!
That's interesting to know that symptoms don't have to include hot flushes to be peri...it does seem to be the benchmark for misinformed doctors!!
HiDolly64,
glad to her you found the yoga website ok, hope the dvd helps you. Why is your doc waiting on the heart results before giving you HRT ( sorry if you've already said, this threads getting long to keep up) You are doing great to not give in to the anxiety, i know how hard that is! :-)
Hi Briony,
Thanks for sharing and your advise. yes i'm wondering whether the Oestrogen is helping or not....though i feel a bit better yday evening and today since lowering the oestrogen dose to 37.5, don't know if thats a a coincidence or also because i am on day 4 of my period ...( or is it a bleed now after being on Conti, which was the wrong type of HRT?)
Thanks very much for the articles , i shall keep hold of those just incase i need them , very interesting ideas!
Are you saying you're already on the continuous 100mg Utrogestan or are you thinking of going on this regime? I did wonder whether this would suit me better, but i will wait and see how i get on when i start on the 22nd...not good timing with Christmas coming up but hey ho!!
Thanks for all your advise and supper....hope everyone is having a good day/evening :-)
X
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Hi all,
Hope everyone is coping.
I've started Utrogestran on 15th day of my cycle....5th day now and i'm not really feeling any relief...how long does it take? My anxiety seems to be worse, its really getting me down have had to take valium last couple of days as cant calm heart rate and that makes me more anxious.
Im thinking to go back on Amitriptylene which i was on for IBS but stopped in January......or can anyone recommend a good anti depressant for anxiety. My doc has suggested Sertraline but one of the side effects is anxiety and im nervous to try them. I want something more sedating
Many thanks x
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Hi purdey
sorry to hear you are suffering more anxiety.my cousin takes citalopram for his anxiety and he does well with that,and a friend takes fluoxetine(may of spelt wrong) for mood and anxiety.Hope you can get something to reduce it.I read on here that hrt can cause more anxiety feelings,perhaps after a while it eases off.i must admit that I am debating if I want hrt because of possibly making mine worse,also I get migraines and see that can get worse to.why does everything have to be so hard.
I am still fighting my anxiety feelings,making self go shops,walks ect.Going drs this week get heart monitor results,about flipping time,want to ask for cbt,a coucellor failed to phone me and make appntment,which I intend to complain about.
Hope you get you anxiety sorted soon ,let us know how you get on.
All the best.
dolly64.