Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: Blue Kingfisher on July 19, 2016, 08:16:57 PM
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Hello everyone,
It's great to find a forum that I can ask questions & hopefully get advice from >:D >:D >:D
I'm 47 years old & have been suffering with perimenopausal symptoms for a few years now. I'm also hypothyroid & have developed multiple food intolerances which doesn't really help my situation. I had a child fairly late in life (she is 6 now) & I've been trying to get well ever since she was born.
I went to see a doctor who specialises in bio-identical hormones & they insisted I was oestrogen dominant (which I absolutely wasn't by the way) who just told me to persevere with the progesterone only regime. This made me very ill & took a good few months to correct.
Ive recently tried conventional HRT in the form of tablets & these made me feel dreadful over a short time. It's just not something I can 'push through', it feels inherently wrong in my body.
I have a choice of either doing nothing or seeing a gyne. My symptoms are debilitating. I can't work, am exhausted all the time (I often absolutely HAVE to sleep in the day, particularly around the time of my period) & suffer a lot with nausea & headaches. I used to be very energetic & upbeat but now I'm a complete party pooper & often feel like I hate everyone & everything!?! I don't particularly like myself at the moment!
I have zero libido (would not blame my husband for having an affair or leaving me to be honest) & the bond I have with my lovely little daughter is threatened because I'm just so impatient & well, horrible!
Anyway, you've got to laugh! And I sure there are many many women out there who have it far far worse than I do.
I'm ploying with the idea that Professor Studd might be an option for me. I've looked over his website & he stance on progesterone being required at more infrequent levels than oestrogen strikes a chord with me. I have tried combination therapy of oestrogel & natural progesterone cream on my own but encountered terrible side effects with the progesterone cream. I naughtily tried the oestrogel on its own for a week or so & felt better. Anyway, I got too lost doing this on my own so did nothing thing for a while until I felt I HAD to try something again. Unfortunately it didn't work though but I now know that the HRT tablets certainly do not suit me either. I'm exetermely sensitive to lactose for a kick off & didn't realise the tablets contained this!
I'd love to hear from anyone who has seen Proessor Studd or indeed any other recommendations.
Thank you so much for reading & sorry this message went on for too long!
X
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Hi Blue Kingfisher
:welcomemm:
You will find plenty of Prof Studd devotees on here who will sing his praises! He is undoubtedly eminent in his field and has done a huge amount of pioneering research.
However you should not need to see him in order to get the bio-identical HRT you are seeking. Unfortunately it sounds as if you've been to see one of the private doctors who practice "Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy" - there was a thread on this recently. This practice is rife in America as well as Oz but less so here. It is a complete con - as is the oestrogen dominance thing which is a ploy to sell progesterone cream.
It is true that progesterone declines during peri-menopause - but that is due to anovulatory cycles (no ovulation). In some women taking progesterone for the second half of the cycle will regulate the periods and bleeding but on its own will not deal with menopausal symptoms. When oestrogen declines you need oestrogen!
Bio-identical hormones are available on NHS as part of conventional HRT - not as compounded creams.
Bio-identical oestrogen is estradiol - in the form of pills patches or gel - all listed here: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/treatafter.php All are bio-identical except for the PRE types which are made from horse urine.
Bio-identical progesterone (the same as your natural progesterone - but in a capsule instead of a cream) is available in micronised form as utrogestan: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/to_progestogens.php .
Progesterone cream is not strong enough to protect the uterus and is not licensed for this purpose.
I don't know where you are based but do some reading around the subject, decide what you want and go back to your GP and ask for - tablet, patch or gel oestrogen - depending on your preference, along with progesterone. It is best to start with the licensed dose of progesterone to make sure it is sufficient to shed your womb lining ( depending on your oestrogen dose) but if you turn out to be intolerant then discuss with your doc reducing the length of time you take it - but you would need an endometrial scan regularly.
You haven't said what your periods are doing - which will give an indication of where you are on the journey.
Libido can be helped with testosterone although some women find initially oestrogen helps ( if this is deficient). The recent NICE Guidelines on menopause do suggest GPs may prescribe this off licence for low libido but I think this will depend on the practice. However a GP should refer you to a specialists if they lack the expertise.
By all means go and see Prof Studd but he's not the only gyane out there and he's very expensive/London based.
Hope this helps and good luck :)
Hurdity x
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Hi Hurdity & thank you so much for your reply & great advice :)
My periods are all over the place i.e. the last three cycles have been 90 days followed by 25 days followed by 50 days. What does that mean do you think?! I've no idea where I am in terms of the journey :o
I will take a look at all the links you included regarding the bio-identical HRT, thank you so much for those :)
Regarding seeing Professor Studd....I might start a general thread (as opposed to a 'newbie' one) to dig a bit deeper on this as I'd really appreciate hearing from a few people who've been to see him. I think its VERY interesting that you feel it not imperative to see him & that I can obtain the goods from a GP. This now leaves me wondering if Prof. Studd follows the same treatment routine (type of medication, application frequency etc) for everyone (or at least in the first instance) or whether he offers tailored advice in accordance with medical history, age/stage, symptoms etc.
I tried doing things on my own & got nowhere but I totally appreciate the point you are making & I absolutely do not want to pay out for something I really don't have to so again, THANK YOU massively for bringing this to my attention. I had no idea you could get this goods on the NHS! I also appreciate you pointing out that I haven't actually even tried proper progesterone yet (bit of a revelation to me!)......so I'm jumping the gun by presuming I'm progesterone intolerant. Those darn ODM (Oestrogen Dominant Mafia) have a lot to answer for! >:(
I think I need to understand more about exactly WHAT Prof Studd offers before I decide on my next move. Right now I'm still licking my wounds from taking HRT tablets with lactose & equine urine in them! :-\
I'm based in South Oxfordshire (on the borders of Berkshire). Its pretty easy for me to get into London (I'm only a 5 min cycle ride from the train station & it takes less than an hour on the train)
Thank you again Hurdity......you've already opened my eyes to options that I didn't know existed :o
Thank you x
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Hi Blue Kingfisher. Have you asked to be referred to a menopause clinic. There is a good one at The Women's Centre based at John Radcliffe in Oxford. Might be worth a try?
Taz x
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Blue Kingfisher - it depends on the strength of the progesterone cream you were given but if it was compounded at the high dose needed to protect the womb ( and there is no standardisation of this) then a lot of it would have got into your system leading to the side effects you experienced. If you use micronised progesterone (Utrogestan) then although unlicensed to be used in this way in UK, many of use use it vaginally to minimise systemic absorption - (my GP is happy with this). There are usually some side effects because progesterone is a sedative but the main thing is to protect your womb and be able to function while taking it!
So - you may or may not be progesterone intolerant! I think most of us are to a greater or lesser degree ie feel generally worse during the second half of their natural menstrual cycle than after our period has finished, up to ovulation.
Your first port of call, having read about all of this is the best GP in your practice - that you have found out is sympathetic to women in menopause and is knowledgeable about HRT - and then if no joy as Taz says you can ask to be referred to an NHS menopause clinic - and still go along armed with your knowledge and what you would like to try - with your reasons. Great that there is one so close to you :)
Good luck and keep us posted.
Hurdity x
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Hi there
I'm 41 and peri and I've seen Studd for nearly a year now and had 3 appointments with him and many emails! I am an absolute devotee and can't recommend him enough, he has changed my life. My symptoms may have been different to you but I'm very happy to share them and my experiences with you.....so I saw him for crippling pmt, I have 2 boys and had pnd after my no 2 boy who is just 2.5 now. I was running on anxiety, depressed, lost loads of weight, couldn't sleep well and then my pmt was so debahiltating, o really wanted to crawl into a corner and die :( My GP told me I could have either the pill or a mirena, the mirena sent me mad, I had it removed on 48 hours. So I saw Studd as there was no mention or offer of hrt. Studd diagnosed progesterone intolerance and also I have osteopenia, my ostrogen lovely were v low too. He put me on 3 pumps of gel, 7 days of utro X 100 mg and testim (testosterone). I think he more or less starts everyone on this although I've seen others on a variation of this. However he's worked with me to tweak this and find the perfect dose. I'm now on 2 pumps of gel and my ostrogen levels have gone from around 180 to nearly 700, I'm using a tiny blob of testim and the progesterone we are working on as for me this is the biggest issue as I struggle with even the 7 days. He's asked my GP to refer me for a hyster to be rid of progesterone for good and I see her on Friday. I guess in short I've found him delightful and life changing
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Hit go too soon!!!
Yes found him brilliant and he will really work with you to get the right formula. You have to be patient and give it time though. Ive read quite a few negative things on here too about his style but I've never had a problem, he's always been attentive and genuinely cares.
Hope that helps x
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Hi Niamh,
Good to hear your positive story & that you are doing much better now. It's so horrible when you have little ones to look after on top of everything else!
Taz - thanks for mentioning the Oxford clinic but I've decided to book an appointment with the Prof. Studd clinic.
As you say Niamh, he is booked up until Oct. I have therefore booked an appointment with Michael Savvas who is Prof. Studd trained & the secretary said he will work to the same ethos as Studd but I can see him a lot sooner as Studd is booked up. I have an appointment on Friday 19th August.
I hope I've done the right thing by not waiting to see Studd himself...?
Are there any blood tests I could get done in advance by my GP does anyone know?
X
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It literally was hell at times and my poor babies had such a miserable mum but I can't tell you good I feel now :) they still drive me nuts tho 😂
I'm sure you've done the right thing don't worry and you can always see Studd if things aren't going as you'd like.
Studd does a full set of blood tests each time but it's about £300 I think you could ask your GP, I always just get him to do them as easier.....
Nx
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hi Blue Kingfisher, I can't comment on the HRT side of things but you say you are hypothyroid. When were your levels last checked and how often are they checked? My thyroid levels fluctuated wildly after my daughter was born and took over 18 months to settle down properly. that was 30 years ago but they also became quite unstable at the menopause. Don't put it all down to oestrogen/progesterone, make sure your thyroxine levels are correct for you now. Good luck and hope you soon start to feel better.
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Wow, Professor Studd is very booked and obviously in demand.
Blue Kingfisher, well done for making the appointment with Michael Savvas, I have just been reading his website and he sounds very good, definitely go for it! He has trained with Studd and as long as he uses his prescription methods (i.e. does not over prescribe the progesterone part of HRT) then I think he could be a very good alternative. Please do let us know how you get on, it would be great to get feedback about another hormone/menopause specialist and lots of women reading MM then have another option.
You might want to get a full set of blood tests from your doctor before your appointment. This is what Freckles did and it saved her a lot of money. Do make sure you have the full set of hormones (FSH, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone are a must and try and get a DHEA test) and also have the full set of thyroid tests.
I really hope this works out for you and that you get the help and the HRT you need.
Niamh, I'm so pleased to hear that you are feeling so much better.
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Thanks Mary G for outlining the tests, I will request these from my GP & see what he says. I think I've made the right decision now too :)
Will let you know how I get on!
X
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Ooo! Actually, I've just thought of something actually to do with getting the blood tests done.....
I only managed 16 days on Elleste Duet as felt so much worse on them but took my last dose on 16th July.....I'm just wondering if I had blood tests done too early that the result might be slightly skewed if there's still some Estelle Duet floating around in my body.
Is is advisable to be off HRT for a minimum time frame before getting an accurate blood test?
My appointment is on Friday 19th with the Gyne which is just over a month after stopping the HRT. I'm keen to get the tests done I advance to save on cash but not if they won't give the most accurate picture......
Any idea on this anyone?? 8)
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Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I would go ahead with the blood tests but make sure you tell Dr. Savvas when you last took the oestrogen, I dount you will have that much left in your system by them anyway but obviously he needs to know.
Don't forget to ask if he can write to you doctor with his recommended prescription, that way, you should be able to get it on the NHS and it will save you money.
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Hi Blue Kingfisher
I had my bloods done on the NHS before seeing John Studd (on the very sensible advice of Mary G!) for which I'm grateful as it didn't occur to me.
I asked for oestrogen, testosterone, FSH and progesterone and got the printouts to take with me to see Studd. I also have Hashimoto's disease and am on thyroxine although my T4 levels have been stable for years, so asked for a copy of my last T4 test too.
I told the GP receptionist I was seeing someone privately and that they had requested these blood tests- to my amazement they arranged those! I was told they don't do DHEA tests routinely on the NHS.
The NHS have also just done my blood tests again prior to me seeing Studd in 2 weeks for my first 3 month check up, I think because they have prescribed for me on the NHS.
Pleased I did get the tests done, as my oestrogen level was just 72! Lower than most men's. Even though I was on Femoston1/10 and had been for years.
It confirmed for me that most of my problems were due to lack of oestrogen and that for me personally, Femoston was totally clinically ineffective, made me feel like a walking, over anxious zombie and unlikely to protect from future osteoporosis, and other problems due to lack of the right HRT, etc.
Anyway, my oestrogen levels are now, after 3 months on Studd's regime are now 900 and I feel better than I have done for years using Femoston.
Re costs at Studd's clinic- I was informed that for routine hormone tests it's £250, but for the all singing, all dancing test (hormones, vitamin levels, cholesterol, iron, etc., etc.) it's £300.
So do get the tests done on the NHS if you can re your hormones.
Studd also composed a letter in front of me to my GP (and sent me a copy) requesting I was prescribed his regime. They did, including Testim gel (testosterone) which some women have trouble getting, and without my GP bothering to see me.
Using Utrogestan (progesterone) tablets, 100mg for seven days a month, vaginally, really works for me. I get a regular bleed each month and with minimal side effects, compared to using Femoston, where I got nothing re a bleed but all the side effects.
Hope your appointment goes well- be patient though. I was advised to wait 3 months to notice a difference, although I did notice a shift in mood after about a week/10 days.
Sorry for the long post!
Let us know how it goes?
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Thanks for all your advice Freckles. I'm going to request the tests from my GP!
Will let you know how I get on at the appointment. It's 19th August & counting down the days!
X
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Hi everyone
I've just joined and this subject is very helpful. I am on Evorel 50patches and 14 days of utrogestan. I've been on HRT for 4 months. My doctor is not helpful at all,she makes me feel like I'm being a nuisance. I don't know what's wrong. I'm all jittery,buzzing body,terribly anxious and no sleep. I wondered who the best type of person would be for me to see or any advice from anyone would be great x
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Hi Michelle46,
i will post a synopsis of my visit so you can see how I get on. Your GP doesn't sound very helpful at all & clearly what you need is "help" - it's terribly frustrating!
I'm sure some more helpful ladies will offer some words of wisdom in the meantime as I'm just starting out on this rocky road!
X
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Hi Michelle 46 :welcomemm:
What you have been perscribed seems like a good starting regime,if you have a good read around here you will see that its all very trial and error and what suits one wont always suit another. Try and stay positive and bear in mind it will take a while to work try at least two cycles. Also it wont necessarily "fix" everything ,the main thing is you should feel better most of the time not all of the time ;). Its called the change for a reason so some adjustment of mindset is required too. Good luck.
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Michelle46, I wonder if it would be worth your having a blood test to make sure you are getting enough oestrogen out of the patch? I found my levels were way too low on the 50mcg patch and I was not getting anything like enough oestrogen from it. Could this be your problem?
You are taking a lot of progesterone for that dose of patch and I wonder if your ratios are out? Are you taking it orally or vaginally and 100mg or 200mg? Utrogestan is far more effective at lining clearance when used vaginally and it also has fewer side effects so that is also worth bearing in mind.
A lot of women don't feel as good as they either could or should on HRT and this is usually because they are not getting enough oestrogen or they are taking too much progesterone which cancels out the positive effects of the oestrogen. Before I switched to my current regime, I felt half baked and not quite there with the overwhelming feeling that there must be something better out there.
If you did seek the advice of Professor Studd, he would probably prescribe 2-3 pumps of Oestrogel everyday, 7 days of Utrogestan vaginally every month and possibly daily testosterone - this is the regime I use and it is brilliant and I feel very good indeed. I imagine Dr. Michael Savvas would prescribe something very similar.
The menopause and HRT is a specialised area of medicine and if feel you could do better and you can afford it, I think it would be worth seeking the advice of an expert and finding a more a tailor made regime - one size does not fit all with HRT and some women tolerate progesterone better than others and this must be taken into account. You will probably be on HRT for years so it's important to get it right as soon as you can.
Blue Kingfisher, good luck with your appointment!
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Thankyou Mary
That has been very helpful. I take 200mg of utrogestan for 14 days of the month. I'm not sure if this is right for me,I feel all wired. I will ask about the gel and also another form of progesterone. I will go once more and see if she is helpful. She has been terrible and has made me feel like a hypochondriac. She is happy enough with giving me antidepressants which I don't think is the answer. When I asked about testing my blood re the estrogen level she said it's pointless! After changing to the gel the next step is a specialist in this field. Thanks so much x
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Thanks dazned. I appreciate your advice x
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Hi Michelle46
I've been away so just wanted to say :welcomemm: !
Also you may not necessarily need to change to gel? You haven't said where you are in menopause and how old you are? Your doc is quite right - you don't need to have oestrogen tested - if you are over 45 and your cycle is becoming erratic as well as having symptoms, then this is sufficient to diagnose you as menopausal and to prescribe HRT.
The other thing is that 14 days of Utrogestan is actually more than the licensed dose - which is this amount for 12 days per month and under doctor's supervision can be reduced to 10 days. You may have been given this amount due to heavy bleeding though?
If you are still early in peri-menopause then your own cycle could be kicking in and causing some of these symptoms too - it is difficult to get things right when you are peri! Some women find using the CCP Qlaira is helpful in early peri-menopause because it contains estradiol (the same oestrogen as in HRT), suppresses the cycle and so prevents the major hormonal fluctuations of peri-menopause, and only has 2 tablet free days.
You should not need to see a specialist at the moment - as you are already being prescribed separate oestrogen and progesterone so may need tweaking or perhaps change to the pill I suggested?
Do tell us where you are in menopause and how old you are?
Hurdity x
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Hi Michelle46
I'd also suggest asking your GP for blood tests to determine your levels of oestrogen, testosterone, progesterone and FSH.
At least that way, as Mary G pointed out, you will know if there is an imbalance on your hormone levels and whether or not your current HRT levels are in sync or not.
I finally did ask for this, after being on Femoston 1/10 for years ,which did nothing for me at all (after the first 6 months) other than turning me into an anxious walking zombie, with no energy,no motivation and with skin like a crocodile and eyes resembling two dead oysters).
Mt blood tests found my oestrogen levels were just 72! Lower than most men's!
I also was offered antidepressants instead of HRT but I knew that wasn't the answer as I intuitively knew it was lack of oestrogen that was the primary problem and I was right.
I then did masses of research as I knew nothing about HRT, and ended up seeing Studd. His regime has changed my life and was the best £300 I have ever spent. Changed my life in 3 months.
The transdermal HRT gels work so well for me and are a safer and more effective option than HRT tablets, with minimal side effects, as compared to the tablets often prescribed by GP's who often lack knowledge of effective HRT regimes.
If your GP is really unhelpful (as mine was and still is) I'd suggest a tailor made option from a specialist might be a very worthwhile investment, especially at the peri menopausal stage, if you are at that stage, to consider.
From what I gather from posts on MM, not all specialists in the NHS offer up to date HRT treatment. It can make a huge difference in getting the right HRT treatment at an early stage, especially for preventing long term health problems. I didn't know I had osteopenia in my left hip until I saw Studd and had a bone density scan. That accounted for my aches and pains there but I know I would have never had that assessment done on the NHS until I had the onset of osteoarthritis. My GP told me to get an osteopath from Yellow Pages!
See Studd's web site just for information of being peri menopausal and having a history of reproductive depression, etc., and how the right HRT can assist individuals.
Make lots of notes from knowledgeable posters (like Mary G and others) and online sources and go back to your GP. Read the NICE guidelines too; AD's are not considered the first option for treatment for hormonal problems any more. They are popular because they are dirt cheap to prescribe and in my opinion, just fob women off with genuine hormonal related problems. Ditto tablet based HRT treatments.
Good luck and keep us updated? x
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Hello regarding Professor Studd and his consultations/treatment. . Can any one kindly shed a light on roughly how much a consultation and treatments for bio identical hormones may cost (peri menopause)
Many thanks
Ellie xx
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Hi Ellie80
:welcomemm:
You should be able to do a search. There are plenty of Studd patients on here. He is quite expensive I gather (including the blood tests). Don't forget you can get these "bio-identical hormones" mostly on the NHS - at least oestrogen and progesterone, and sometimes testosterone if you need it, and depending on the area. There are also many other cheaper gynaecologists that can help you, and of course the NHS menopause clinics if your GP will not. This should be your first port of call (GP). Do tell us about yourself and where you are in menopause - I would suggest starting a new thread and then you will get more replies.
Hurdity x
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Hello Ellie, welcome to the forum.
if you're interested in seeing Prof Studd, you could give his office a call. I feel sure his secretary will be very happy to run through the costs with you which will then allow you to see if it suits you.
All good wishes to you x
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:welcomemm:
Giving Prof Studd a call sounds like a great idea. I'm not sure but I think I've read that he will do a telephone consultation. Someone who has seen him will be along soon I'm sure.
Mrs Brown
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Flying visit here for posting here on MM but I saw Studd for the first time last year- changed my life for the better, to say the least!
Best £350 I have ever spent. Then (as it was then last year) £250 after a 3 month check up and then a yearly check after that at about £250.00
Not that expensive IMO for hugely improved mental and physical health ( in my case within a few weeks)
I had crap advice from my 12 year old GP who decided I needed antidepressant medication, when I knew it was due to my very low oestrogen levels as I was "too old" at 55!
Totally contrary to current NICE guidelines.
It (antidepressant meds) are cheap after all and apparently it's what's 12 year old or equally inexperienced GP prescribe due to lack of up to date knowledge
Anti-depressant medication is NOT going to help if the problems are fundamentally due to hormone deficiencies.
Also most GP's are very ignorant of the treatment options for the menopause, even specialist NHS menopause centres.
I would suggest the following:
1. Ring Studd's clinic for costs
2. Get your hormones (at least oestrogen, progesterone, FSH and testosterone levels ) blood tests done on the NHS at your GP surgery before you see Studd.
About a week or two before seeing him so you have the results before seeing him. I did that and have done it twice since then.
You are saving the NHS a lot of money by seeing him privately
That saves your money getting them privately compared with at Studd's clinic. I did that and he was quite happy to accept the results.
3. It's NOT accurate to suggest that Studd's routine is easily prescribed on the NHS. That's not always correct.
Usually IMO experience GP's are clueless and prescribe the cheapest version but often least effective HRT options ( e.g. tablets).
4. Once you have seen Studd, he will write to your GP with your prescription, and copy you into the letter
5. I now get all my Studd prescriptions on the NHS.
There is no guarantee you will get Studd's prescriptions on the NHS (due to ignorance by some GPs) but I have found that someone with Studd's extensive clinical and research experience (he set up the first HRT clinics in the UK) tends to be accepted.
I get ALL my prescriptions on the NHS as prescribed by Studd.
Even if I didn't I get those (prescriptions) on the NHS I'd buy them privately - the change in my psychological symptoms has been amazing.
I realise when I saw him £350 might be expensive and a lower similar price for a yearly check up- and I am far from well off.
But to me the improvement in my quality of life has been amazing and I doubt if I would have experienced that level of expertise on the NHS. On the contrary.
Up to you of course, so contact his clinic and Google him. For me it so worth the money.
Some NHS specialists do private work but I gather that there is a longer wait.
Do email me if you want further info
Hope the above helps xx
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Hey Freckles, good to see you here, shame you don't post more frequently, you're missed!! Hope you remain well and happy xx
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Demands of older parents being ill, ElizabethRose, plus the usual crap of working full time!
Been very demanding of my time for past few months.
Not sure my posts and SOH was always appreciated by some on MM, but hey ho!
Certainly well and happy due to Studd's regime of HRT! Still think his regime is life changing- well, was for me!
I was in bad place before that due to my crap GP and lack of adequate HRT, so anything I recommend for women to make an informed decision I hope is helpful.
I found the whole subject of HRT, the variations of attitudes, opinions in the NHS and on this website site initially confusing.
So for any newbies here read around this site and get as much information/views as possible, and Google too..
Information is key and not from reliable as recited from "official sources" like the NHS, etc.
Will post when I can. xx
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Sorry to hear about your folks Freckles but so pleased to hear all is still going really well for you HRT wise. Mary G was such a wonderful support, she seems also to be thriving on her regime. Gives hope to lots of other ladies out there!
Stay well and do pop in and post when you can. You are a valuable contributor and we miss your tell it as it is attitude - so refreshing!! xx
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Folks are slowly improving thanks Elizabethrose, but still have long term health problems, which is time consuming.
I'm doing really well on Studd's regime, compared to what I was offered on the NHS (Femoston, which was worked for two years when I was peri menopausal but was ineffective for me when I hit the menopause, then offered anti-depressants as an alternative, which I refused).
On a positive note, I gave all my house plants my left over Femoston tablets and they really perked up! So Femoston has some effective uses not previously considered!
I don't get a chance to post often on MM but I am always willing to provide information on Studd and/or his treatment regime.
If only to dispel possible misinformation out there about his costs, his treatment regime, etc.
Not only does the Estrogel gel and Testim gel really work (for me) but I thank God he prescribes progesterone at half the amount for half the time compared with current NHS guidelines (he prescribes 100mg for 7 days a month, which works). I'm progesterone intolerant and feel a bit of a dip in mood on the progesterone aspect- goodness knows how's I'd feel on the NHS dose.
No wonder lots of women give up HRT because of the side effects of progesterone the NHS recommend.
Moan over!
Hope to be back posting soon.
Freckles x
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On a positive note, I gave all my house plants my left over Femoston tablets and they really perked up! So Femoston has some effective uses not previously considered!
;D ;D ;D Maybe I should stick my patches on some of mine.
Glad you're doing well on your new regime.
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Hi there
I don't have advice for all your issues but I do sympathise greatly. Some of your symptoms matched mine - exhaustion etc. I wonder if you too might be suffering from a vitamin D deficiency? Getting that corrected has helped me avoid afternoon naps and definitely helped boost my energy and pleasantness.
Sounds like you have a lot on your hands - and if you can maybe try to adopt the fake it til you make it with your nearest and dearest. Just being kind and saying something loving (even if you are stretching the truth about how you feel at that moment) can go a long way to keeping the relationships sweet.
Take care :)
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I saw a menopause specialist from this site and she recommended mega Vita D capsules daily - I take about 5000mg. It does help with fatigue although I am actually very fond of "the power nap" and will have one at weekends as I work full time in the week (so no chance of snoozing under the desk). An hour max and it doesn't stop me sleeping at night either.
Hang in there xxxx