Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: scumspawn on April 06, 2016, 03:53:35 PM
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Hi
I'm 48 and haven't had a period for a couple of years. The Dr suggested I have a FSH blood test (not needed according to NICE guidelines) so I came off the pill (Loestren 20, a combined pill) which I was really happy on for 2 weeks so they could test it.
Since that 2 weeks off the pill (which was not fun, no sleep, crying one day, furious the next) I'm 4 weeks back on the pill and I have no control over my temperature at all, hot one minute, freezing the next, no sweats but it's impossible to sleep through. I'm a single parent to an autistic child, I'm also self employed. I seriously need to sleep to be able to cope with life stuff.
The dr wants to put me onto HRT which would be an even lower dose of oestragen than the pill. I understand it's safer, even though I'm low risk for everything and I've over a year until I'm 50 but I don't understand how I can cope on a lower dose if I'm finding this dose hard work.
I've read so much I can't read any more, it all seems to say that I need to try different types of HRT to see what works best. I just want this over and done with.
I've put on over a stone in the last year, some of it is because when I'm really tired all I want is carbs and sugar, I can't think to eat properly. Some of it has to be menopause fat - I was going to the gym 3 times a week and had almost totally cut out wheat and sugar for half of last year and none of it shifted. I'm beyond caring that much about my size but I'm confused as to what is going on - are the fat cells storing or making oestragen?
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Hi and welcome to MM scum spawn
HRt is different to The Pill - the hormones these days are more natural, will reduce your meno symptoms and protect your heart and bones for the long term. HRt comes in different doses so you start on a low dose and increase dosage if your meno symptoms are not reduced. Look under TREATMENTS at the top of this page to find out more. Do try something like Femoston 1/10 first as the progesterone is often better tolerated. It seems your GP is a bit more 'on the ball' than most which is good to hear.
Weight gain is common once we hit meno but to be frank one simply needs to eat less as we get older!!! It's a good idea to get your thyroid function checked as well as weight gain and lack of temperature control can be an indicator that the thyroid isn't working properly - the thyroid often starts to play up at the same time as the meno!!!! Once on HRT you may find you have more energy again so can get more exercise. Get going on the HRT and see how you go - I bet you will feel better. It is trial and error with HRT but do be patient - it can take 3-6 months before you feel restored. Keep us posted. Dg x
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I've just got back from the Dr, she has prescribed me Elleste Duet Conti but I'm going to give them 3 weeks and see her again then.
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sorry, was multitasking, didn't get a chance to say thank you Dancinggirl!
My Thyroid is fine, I lift weights most days and run sometimes, when it's not raining. I walk most days too.
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scumspawn - I wonder why the GP gave you a conti HRT??!!! You may still be peri eo and even then it's a good idea to start with sequi HRT to se whether the progesterone suits you. 3 weeks is not enough to see if the Ellest Duet suits you - you need to try at least 3 months really. You will get some bleeding fro the first 3-6 monthson a conti regime so do expect this to happen. If you get PMT type symptoms then try Femoston 1/10 sequi next - you will get a more predictable monthly bleed which many of us refer (even in post meno). Dg x
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I haven't had a period in 2 years at least, the last real one I remember was 3 years ago then they tailed off pretty quickly - and I had a FSH blood test, we are pretty sure I am past the peri stage.
do you think I'm likely to bleed again? It's a 28 day pill, no gaps
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scumspawn - it will be very unusual not to get some spotting and/or bleeding when starting any HRT for the first 3-6 months as this will be your uterus waking up and adjusting to the hormones. On a conti regime any erratic bleeding should settle down and stop within the 3-6 months. Do read the info leaflet. You may do really well on Elleste - so see who it goes - GPs always give this one first as it is the cheapest!!!!. You will probably find you are sleeping better within a couple of weeks. DG x
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even though I was on the pill for the last few years? Sometimes I took a week off (it was a 21 day pill) sometimes I had packets back to back, no bleeding at all.
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scumspawn, give the HRT that you have been prescribed a try but if it doesn't work out, I would suggest your go for the bio identical, transdermal Oestrogel/Utrogestan regime on a cyclical basis. I have found it to be the most effective form of HRT by far and it has far fewer side effects.
Elleste Duet Conti contains norethisterone and many women don't get on with it, myself included. Also, it is in tablet form and I didn't find oral HRT to be very effective but as DG says, GPs always give out cheap stuff first.
I'm sorry that you are having a difficult time and I think you would definitely benefit from HRT, especially as you are so young so please don't be put off if it doesn't work out this time.
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What support do you get for your child? At this 'time' of Life ladies need lots of 'me' time!
I had cold flushes when taking Tamoxifen which would begin across the back of my shoulders and 'flow' down to my waist. I thought I was having 'flu the first time it happened whislt in Hospital, that was after the 3rd dose - I had to stop because it made me SO ill.
Let us know how you get on. Keeping a mood/food diary can be useful too.
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scumspawn - I didn't mean to worry you about spotting or bleeding but I wanted to simply warn you that it is highly likely and is quite normal when first starting conti HRT. HRT is very different from BCP, it contains natural oestrogen that has a different effect and this will stimulate the womb lining at first - HRT makes your body wake up after being hormone deprived. You will start to sleep more soundly, so hopefully be able to cope with life better. Good luck and keep us posted. DG x
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Norethisterone was in my birth control pill, 1mg. Now its the same dose in the hrt. The difference is the bpc has ethinylestradoil 0.02mg, elleste duet has estradoil hemihydrate 2mg. So im getting a higher dose of a different oestragen. I was fine with the progesterone in the bpc.
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scumspawn - it's great if you were OK on the norethisterone - this means you should be fine on Elleste. The difference is the type and amount of oestrogen and this is exactly what you are needing. You will feel your body wake up and welcome this lovely oestrogen and should feel better quite soon. Enjoy. Dg x
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Oh I hope so, these 3am wake up's are killing me.
I don't understand why a higher dose is safer though!
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It's not necessarily a higher dose - HRt has different hormones and you are taking these hormones for different reasons. You are still young and you need to use enough oestrogen to reduce meno symptoms and protect the heart and bones for the long term. Most BCPs are simply to stop you from getting pregnant and the newer style BCPs have a really low dosage generally. When we hit menopause we need more oestrogen to cope with the big drop of natural oestrogen we would normally produce. DG x
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Thanks Dancingirl - it was 0.02mg of the old estradoil now its 2mg of the new type. Both estradiols. I don't understand why the Dr freaked out about me being on the pill if that was a lower dose.
is there a way to acclimatise your body to lower oestragen because this is forever now isn't it?
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HRT isn't forever but some of us do choose use HRT for longer because of the benefits. Once you get into your 60s then there is a small additional risk of developing breast cancer. If you have been given the higher dose of Elleste e.g. 2mg - then this a medium dose for menopause women and at your age may be appropriate. I do think you need to read up all the info on this site to get really clued up about what exactly goes on when we hit the menopause. HRT is not essential but at your age it will be advisable, especially if you are working and coping with stressful stuff.
You are only 48 so it would be good to take HRT until you are at least 53-55. If you use HRT for 5 years in your 50s in post meno then this can protect your heart and bones in the long term. You may find the higher dose is too much and actually choose to try a lower dose - it might have been better to start lower??!! If you choose to continue using HRT into your 60s then it is better to reduce the dosage and switch to transdermal HRT.
When and if you come off HRT then nobody will be able to tell you how long it will take for your body to adjust to the oestrogen deficiency - we are all different. Try not to worry about the future, take each day at a time - just start the HRT and see how you feel. DG x
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Thank you Dancing Girl that is really helpful, I've done so much research my head is reeling! Here's hoping this HRT is a good one for me, I just need to sleep, that's all.
CLKD - thanks for asking, I don't get a great deal of support in some respects but in others I do. School is kind of ok, though they need to sort out some stuff and his dad is ok - he has him every other weekend. Working in the holidays is pretty much impossible though and if I wasn't self employed I'd be stuffed.
I really do not get enough time to myself but things are much easier now my son is older and I'm expecting and hoping it will get easier still. At least he has stopped biting people :-)
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Day 4, crying.
I've spent all day on a really good babywearing course - to help with what I do for a living which includes (at the moment) writing descriptions of baby carriers for a client.
I don't actually like babies, or have any interest in them but I've come home and I can't stop crying. I feel like I've lost a bit of my life and the ending is far too near.
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I've come home and I can't stop crying. I feel like ...... the ending is far too near.
:hug: scumspawn.
If it's any help at all, I've had days like this. I really do hope you find it's all hormonal and that these unhappy feelings will pass.
Dulciana x
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Thank you so much, I'm sure it is just hormones, just need them to level out.
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9 hours sleep last night! oh wow!
I'm feeling groggy from too much sleep now, what bliss! This is day 5 of the Ellese Duet Conti
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:ola: Dg x
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day 6 bad sleep, day 7 - 8 hours!
I'm still getting hot flashes but not so unbearable they wake me up, now they are more of a warm comforting patch in the middle of my back.
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Things are gradually improving for you - this is so great. It takes 3-6 months to really feel the full benefits but one usually feels back on track within 6 weeks. Dg x
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update at the end of week 2 of HRT, if my experiences help anyone else - it's elleste duet
sleeping much better, I'm getting at least 6 hours a night now, it's not perfect but it's getting there.
temperature is more regulated
mood is even
I'm a little worried that I'm on ten times the amount of estragen than I was on the contraceptive pill but I'm seeing the dr next week and i might drop the dose of this one. there is one with 1mg instead of 2.
I've a slight tenderness in one boob, otherwise all is ok.
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Update, I'm in the middle of month 3 of Elleste Conte Duet and the hot flushes are well under control. Sleep got good for a bit and life was loads better. Now im kept awake with an upset stomach. I feel like I need to poo all the time. I'm not constipated but even after I've gone my tummy aches. What I eat doesnt make a difference.
This hrt has the same progesterone that my contraceptive pill had and I was fine with that. Im trying cutting the pills in half for a bit to see if that helps.
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The upset tummy may have nothing to do with the HRT. Have a look at your diet and see if you can adjust it to help with this. Buscapan can be helpful, Fennel tea or Peppermint capsules are also good fro digestive issues. DG x
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The hrt is the only new variable. Nothing else has changed in my diet and I've bloated up a dress size since taking it. I've tried adjusting my diet which is pretty good, no processed food, littke wheat, little sugar but everything upsets my tummy now
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Tablet HRT can cause digestive upsets which transdermal HRT tends not to, for obvious reasons. This is in turn may limit the absorption and therefore the effectiveness fo the HRT. Some woman find the continuous progestogens ( as are in conti HRT) causes persistent bloating - and especially the norethisterone in the Elleste Duet conti. Perhaps change to Femoston or a transdermal one such as Evorel (same progestogen though) or Femseven (some report sticking problems as it's kept on for 7 days), or even separate oestrogen patches or gel with progesterone (Utrogestan). Many of us try several types before finding one that we settle on long term.
Also it might be a good idea to consult your doc for persistent stomach upsets - although if it's the HRT tablets then you don't want to end up taking medication for your tum caused by the HRT!
Hurdity x
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Thank you Hurdity. Norethisterone was in my contraceptive pill, same dose too and I was fine with it.
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I've halved the tablets for the past week and no more stomach ache. All ok so far, sleeping well at last too. A bit more hot flush symptoms first thing in the morning but so far that's all. Let's see how next week goes.