Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Kate50 on February 17, 2016, 07:04:27 AM
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Not quite 2 weeks of seeing Prof Studd and feeling disappointed! First four days things seemed fine sleeping better etc. Then started with palpitations after quite a few days I rang him and he didn't seem to be interested. Just said oh they will get better and I said I haven't had them since starting on oestrogen back in September and I can't sleep when I get them ?? He didn't seem to know how to handle it and just said after me prompting him oh put it up to 3 pumps! I explained my sensitivity and could it be Testosterone and yet again didn't want to know and anyway put it up and now feel worse! So I ask the question could you have too much oestrogen? The patches and pills didn't seem enough and apparently this builds up? I know there are people for and against Prof Studd and at the moment feel disappointed in his lack of care and wanting to listen.
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Oh and I forgot to say I have now got a constant taste of metal in my mouth which I know is to do with too much oestrogen.
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Hi Kate, I'm sure some of the more knowledgeable ladies will be along to help.
But I can only speak from my experience.
I've been on HRT since December and started in one pump oestrogel alongside mirena coil for the progestogen.
I was advised to try two pumps in January, which I did, within a week I felt awful, jittery, yet lethargic, withdrawn and mood swings, and anxiety.
I persevered for another two weeks with little improvement, so have now reduced to one pump again, feeling much better. I definitely think I'm sensitive to oestrogen.
Hope you get sorted on a regime that works for you xx
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Sadly we've heard similar stories from other women Kate50
I have been seeing a lovely gynae privately who specialises in the meno and he insisted I started on one pump per day for 2 weeks and then increase to 2 pumps per day, therefore building things gradually so the body can adjust - this really makes sense to me. Increasing so early to 3 pumps per day, to me, seems wrong but I am no expert. I think it is very early days and palpations do happen when first on any HRT and should settle. Sore breasts, tingling around our lady parts, even headaches, aches and pains are also typical side effects when starting any HRT but my gynae describes this as the body welcoming the hormones and adjusting so one has to be patient.
I would stick with your 2 pumps per day - maybe split the dose, so use one morning and one evening so you don't get so much of a hit??? You will probably find you are fine within a couple of weeks. DG x
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Hi Kate50
Hope you feel better and things improve. I have written before saying I saw Prof Studd 2 years ago. I had that strange metallic taste at the back of my throat when I started the gel. I couldn't get on with that HRT regime, but I tried for quite a few months. He wasn't very helpful to me when I had to phone him a couple of times. It used to take him weeks to get back to me!
best wishes
Vickypk
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Oh dear, his bedside manner does seem lacking despite his brilliance. It's the main reason I am going to see Annie Evans and not Studd.
I do agree with DG that suddenly hitting your system with 3 pumps will be a shock. Studd days this will probably make you feel worse before you feel better, bit like a rough early pregnancy.
Makes much more sense to introduce the oestrogen steadily.
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Hi Thanks for your replies.
I haven't taken any today so far and I'm starting to feel a bit better! Maybe too much was the problem in the first place? 2 pumps a day. Definitely gonna have to take this steady bloody hormones coming back as a man or a dog! Trying to read up on all posts on this and realised I posted in wrong bit! Duh
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Kate50, Professor Studd can be a bit gruff at times andhe is difficult to get hold on my phone/email. I also think you should try splitting your Oestrogel dose to 1 pump every 12 hours to get an even dose. I started doing this in order to avoid the dip in the afternoon which brought on silent migraines during my Utrogestan cycle and so far, it seems to be working and I do it all the time, not just while on the Utrogestan. Patches and pills didn't work for me either and I have found that the gel worker better by far.
I think you can take too much oestrogen and it can make some women feel jitterly and cause sleeping difficulties particularly if too much is taken before going to bed at night. It can take a long time to get the dose right but give the split dose a try and see if you get an improvement.
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Yes thanks will try it
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Oh well been awake since 2.30 and didn't go to bed till 11.30 I didn't have any gel yesterday and felt better but cos I woke up I thought well maybe it's worn off so put a pump on and within half hour palpitations so no sleep now! May have gone back off if not had it. I'm not sure how this is gonna work any ideas anyone? This wad my trouble with patches I took it all in one go and then they didn't work. How do I get a continuous flow if I spike like this? Like this my VA is terrible at least on pills VA was under control just had bad headache! and didn't sleep properly arghh! Oh my lord had one full nights sleep the other night it was bliss and I thought its working???!!! My friend has no ovaries and she doesn't get the ups and downs ovary removal is starting to look good zzzzzz
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Hi Kate50.
Hope you are feeling better this morning. I've been through all of that not being able to sleep. I had terrible VA for years, was in so much pain. Let me know how you get on. Vickypk x
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So sorry that you are feeling awful. I agree about the metallic taste, I had it at the beginning of my pregnancies so it makes sense that it is due to oestrogen. Do you take progesterone too?
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Hi Kate, just wanted to add my two penny's worth . As a fellow sufferer of Va I empathise with your plight, I sincerely hope you find your groove Kate .
❤️❤️❤️ Ss x
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Vickypk....you say VA for years as if it has now gone ? or at least better than it was? what has helps you ?
Kate50 I am with Dr Annie Evans and 10 weeks in now , the first two weeks I couldn't stop crying and was exhausted felt sick ,that has all passed and I think I am turning the corner I whisper as I also have/had awful VA which yesterday for the first time I was pain free will it last who knows ?
I am on 1mg sandrena and the Estring and utrogestin 7 days a month. I hope with time to not use the Estring and just use vagifem , so I am not sure if I have started on the same dose as you re the difference between the pump and sandrena.
I am 49 and still have 28 day periods but as Dr Annie said some ladies need the lot, as it's all to do with collegen which local for some doesn't get deep enough into the layers. Dr Annie is the opposite re Prof Studd and bed side manners, I only need to see her once and then it's phone consults.
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Hi ladies thanks for your replies only just woke up! Good job I dont work.
I had been free from the VA when taking pills so was surprised when it came straight back. I think it seems to spike when I have it and then not get to the parts required. The pill route was just giving me headaches and I still didn't sleep well and wanted to take a bigger dose but couldn't with headaches.
Vickypk you use patches but they just wore off for me and then within 24 hrs of progesterone kicking in the palpitations were back. Hadn't had those either since starting in September.
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My best advice, Kate50, would be to continue with Oestrogel but just use one pump in the morning for a couple of weeks and then increase to 2 pumps - dividing the two doses between boring and bedtime so you get an even dose. The headaches could well be the fluctuation in oestrogen levels so you need to have that stable. The palpitations will probably settle so you do need to persevere - I know they are annoying but they are not dangerous and you need to try some Mindful Meditiation to help control the anxiety you get when these palpitation happen. Now I'm off HRT my palpitations have returned and particularly at night when I've got up to pee - I lie very still and take steady even breaths and concentrate on something lovely and they then pass more quickly. If you keep chopping an changing doses etc. you will never find a balance. You could try leaving out the testosterone as this is not vital at this stage - add it back in after a few weeks when you are feeling more settled.
Re the VA: do try some vaginal moisturiser - even Sylk can make things more comfortable.
At this stage you really need to hold fast and stick to a regime or you won't know what works and what doesn't. It will take a few weeks for the oestrogen to do it's magic for the VA - I alway think applying the gel to the inner thighs helps to get it where it is needed but don't start applying it to your gentials!!!!. Strangely I found the Utro taken orally helped my VA as well!!!! DG x
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Hi the palpitations wore off so will take it steady. Already stopped testosterone cos wanted to see what was causing palpitations. I use aconite to quash palpitations it works really well. I use vagifem but had got to the stage of not having to use it so will have to start again. On the times I took progesterone I noticed it helped VA
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Hi Maryjane - Yes the VA has completely gone now. I used vagifem, estrogen creams for years and none of them made any difference. I always had bad burning pain every day and blood in the urine. The HRT patches took all that away.
Hi Kate50 - Glad you are a bit better. Yes that's right I use the patches. I have said a few times I tried so hard to use Prof Studd's recommended regime. Especially after all that money I spent on it! I have still got a few tubes oft the testosterone gel I use sometimes.
Best wishes
Vickypk x
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I have just started a thread about using Utrogestan as I thought it would be beneficial to share everyones experiences with it. It does seem to bring different issues and isn't always the best option!!! DG xxx
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Hi Kate
I too see Prof studd and it's not been plain sailing! I see him for slightly different reasons to you, I'm 41 and had crippling pmt including horrific sleep problems so i understand that one! I had PND and im prog intolerant. I saw him in oct and my best advice is give it time, 2 weeks is so early I called him after 2 weeks as my sleep was awful and he just said stick with it. I felt disappointed too but did carry on and it passed. He can be tricky but he can also be excellent. I'm now on 2 pumps the 3 was too much for me, I use utro 7 days vaginally and I can just about bear it and the testim which ive just reduced only as its given me some acne on my back! He's tweaked things a few times some times been helpful other times not! Ive learnt its trial and error but also that for me personally his regime is the best. I considered changing consultant but I think they give me the same thing. I do wish he was more approachable at times but I do also trust his view and advice. I wish you all the best it's not an easy road x
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Btw I got palpitations on 3 pumps but fine on 2 x
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Niamah
Thanks for your reply it's made me feel more hopeful. I'm gonna stick with one and see if I can increase to two when palpitations settle down. Tried testosterone today its fine. I think I spike when it goes in so hope this will settle. I feel ok today. God I miss decent sleep though and wearing jeans! Achy as well but have just traded a back massage for a hand job later with the DH lol! :boobs: