Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: GypsyRoseLee on July 13, 2017, 07:07:05 PM
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Hello All :)
I haven't been around much these last few months, mainly because I feel I have finally turned a corner and seem to have 'recovered' from my hellish peri menopause. In the last 3 months I've only had a small handful of days where I've had the dread anxiety/depression - and the rest of the time I have felt great.
It has been such a horrible, horrible (nearly 4) years for me since the misery started, which resulted in a virtual breakdown last year for a couple of months where I had to be signed off work & ended up under the Crisis Team for several sessions for Heaven's sake. I've been steadily improving since last Autumn, and I now really feel 98% back to normal. I still have to pinch myself that it is *over* at last. Just about ;)
I am still faithfully using 4 pumps + testim gel + Utrogestan 100mg on days 1-7. And for the last 2 months I have barely had any withdrawl bleed. Just the tiniest bit of spotting for 2 days. Prof Studd has assured me that I'm barely bleeding because the Utro is doing its job. But I'm inclined to think that maybe my cycle has now virtually shut down. I'm nearly 47, and none of my close female relatives has lasted this long still having periods.
I now have an excellent (youngish male) GP who fully supports Prof Studd's diagnosis and I have finally found an excellent local pharmacy that can source the proper, Besins UK pack, Estrogel for me and NOT the inferior, re-packaged, parallel import Oestrodose which I kept being fobbed off with.
So, there's my story. A happy ending hopefully. I hope this gives some hope to all the lovely ladies on here who feel like their hormonal anxiety and depression is with them forever.
Now, for my question - I fly on holiday soon, and I'm paranoid about my luggage getting lost and my vital, vital HRT with it. Can I travel with my pump pack and my testim gel in my hand luggage? Does anyone know?
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Ring the Travel Agency or Air Line you are with in the morning? I would also take a copy of my prescription with me in hand luggage too.
So lovely to hear that you are now well :foryou: :tulips2: :tulips: I can't tell you how pleased I am on your behalf and well done on the GP! Don't let us know where you are, or he will be over-whelmed - unless he wants a full time job with menopausal ladies? ;)
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I agree totally with CLKD, I'm so delighted to read your post GypsyRoseLee. Well done you, you deserve a peaceful ride into meno!
I took a letter from my doc and a copy of my repeat meds list when flying but also checked with the airlines. Whatever you do investigate throughly before travelling, the last thing you need is to have it confiscated at security! Ring the airport, they may be able to advise. I had to travel with needles too (migraine meds) which often caused a bit of a hoo-hah!
Once again congratulations, thrilled to bits for you! :foryou:
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Glad you're well GRL, so pleased for you + your story helps others who are struggling x
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Thank you [smile] You have held my hand through out the last 4 years and I couldn't have done it without this wonderful forum. If I hadn't stumbled across you guys I would never have realised what was happening to me, nor found my way to Prof Studd's door.
Taking my script with me is a good idea. Might ask my GP about him providing me with a letter.
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What a lovely update :-)
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Thank you Shortie. I'm actually going to Portugal, so I wonder if they stock it in their pharmacies?
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Hello sparkle
You have all been so patient and understanding with me all those times when I thought I was losing the plot.
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If it's to hand, you won't have to traipse around pharmacies ;-)
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Hello All :)
I haven't been around much these last few months, mainly because I feel I have finally turned a corner and seem to have 'recovered' from my hellish peri menopause. In the last 3 months I've only had a small handful of days where I've had the dread anxiety/depression - and the rest of the time I have felt great.
It has been such a horrible, horrible (nearly 4) years for me since the misery started, which resulted in a virtual breakdown last year for a couple of months where I had to be signed off work & ended up under the Crisis Team for several sessions for Heaven's sake. I've been steadily improving since last Autumn, and I now really feel 98% back to normal. I still have to pinch myself that it is *over* at last. Just about ;)
I am still faithfully using 4 pumps + testim gel + Utrogestan 100mg on days 1-7. And for the last 2 months I have barely had any withdrawl bleed. Just the tiniest bit of spotting for 2 days. Prof Studd has assured me that I'm barely bleeding because the Utro is doing its job. But I'm inclined to think that maybe my cycle has now virtually shut down. I'm nearly 47, and none of my close female relatives has lasted this long still having periods.
I now have an excellent (youngish male) GP who fully supports Prof Studd's diagnosis and I have finally found an excellent local pharmacy that can source the proper, Besins UK pack, Estrogel for me and NOT the inferior, re-packaged, parallel import Oestrodose which I kept being fobbed off with.
So, there's my story. A happy ending hopefully. I hope this gives some hope to all the lovely ladies on here who feel like their hormonal anxiety and depression is with them forever.
Now, for my question - I fly on holiday soon, and I'm paranoid about my luggage getting lost and my vital, vital HRT with it. Can I travel with my pump pack and my testim gel in my hand luggage? Does anyone know?
I flew last month hand luggage only so my gel was in there. I also had a copy of my prescription as the aviation authority says you should. But, it does have name address etc on side of gel so thst would probably be enough. As it goes nobody even glanced at my toiletries bag. Anyway, even though the gel bottle is big it only contains 80ml I think which is less thst the 100ml per item max you can take (1000 ml liquids allowed in total but each item must not exceed 100ml)
So good to hear your success story. Now go have a wonderful time x
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Delighted for you gypsy xxx have a great holiday x
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It is lovely hearing success stories. GRL I am so happy you feel better & have a great holiday Xxxxx
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GRL, thanks for updating us on your progress, that is fantastic news, I am so pleased Professor Studd's regime has worked out for you and your story is a great inspiration for other women. It seems that the 4 pumps of gel really does work for anxiety and depression and definitely worth persevering with even it is it sometimes difficult at first.
Re taking Oestrogel on holiday, it's no problem because the container is 80 grammes and the restrictions only apply to items over 100 grammes. I take gel in my hand luggage all the time and have never had any problems.
For some reason, Oestrogel is not available in Portugal, I have tried to buy it there several times without success. You can buy other forms of HRT over the counter and without a prescription but not gel.
If you are in the Algarve and either have an emergency or feel like buying some inexpensive Oestrogel, you can go over the border into Ayamonte in Spain and buy it in a pharmacy there. It is an easy drive and I think there is a bus service too.
The Spanish Oestrogel (Oestraclin) now comes with a useful measuring syringe (as opposed to the slide) which clearly marks the dosage from half a pump (very useful) upwards. The syringe can also be used as applicator for placing Utrogestan next to the cervix which is an added bonus.
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Ah that's great news so pleased for you and gives me hope xxx
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I did not realise there was a generic of the gel. I will have to look at mine as I'm not sure I'm getting enough estrogen
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Hello GypsyRoseLee.
It's so lovely to hear from you and learn that you have found a treatment that works for you. You are still young so you have many HRT assisted years ahead of you.
Have lovely holiday and hopefully you'll keep in touch.
Take care.
K.
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Hi Katia
I've done quite a bit of research into this and apparently an awful lot of pharmacies will only order in parallel import versions of the generic brand, because it is cheaper.
I was fine using the Estrogel supplied from Prof Studd's private pharmacy, but when I got a script from my GP for the same product I was given Oestrodose instead. Different packaging, different pump pack. Supposedly the active ingredient was the same but it really didn't seem to be as effective. The gel was also more watery.
I know other ladies on here (Tempest is one) have noticed the same differences.
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Hello MaryG
That's useful to know that it's fine carrying it in your hand luggage. I am so paranoid about it getting lost on holiday I might get DH to carry some and my children ;D
We are nowhere near the border unfortunately. It does seem silly that you can buy it so casually OTC in Spain, but not here.
As to hormonal anxiety/depression both Prof Studd and his colleague (can't remember his name) both said that 3-4 pumps were needed to alleviate depression and anxiety. But whether that's because 4 pumps suppresses hormonal fluctuations which cause anxiety, or whether it gives you the necessary oestrogen boost to improve your mood I don't know?
Last week I had a couple of dodgy days on day 6-7 of taking 100mg Utrogestan, presumably reacting to it? But last month I had no dodgy days at all when taking Utro.
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Hi GypsyRoseLee
Lovely to hear from you and so pleased you are doing well - and in fact it's great when women disappear for this reason - that they no longer need any advice or support because they are doing so well!
It's probably a bit of both (re oestrogen)?
Interesting about your lack of bleed with such a high dose but then we don't know how much is absorbed by each woman - the most important thing is it's working for you :). I get a decent bleed using only 62.5 mcg patch but then i have a longer cycle so that will partly explain it.
Long may it last and have a fantastic holiday - I'd love to go to Portugal. We usually go to Spain! Enjoy the rest of your life post-menopause or at least post- awfulness, if you are not quite at menopause! :)
Hurdity x
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My consultant said to use 3-4 pumps too and that it really is a tiny dose. 4 pumps is 3mg.
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My gel has be sins on it, is written in French and has a translated label on the back
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My consultant said to use 3-4 pumps too and that it really is a tiny dose. 4 pumps is 3mg.
Nothing wrong with using 3-4 pumps if your consultant has suggested this and you need it - after all the general instruction say up to 4 pumps - but it's not a tiny dose though comparatively :-\.
Hurdity x
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Yay, fantastic news! Glad you got there in the end and have a wonderful holiday.
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I just popped back on here and saw your post GRL. I'm absolutely delighted to read it, I really am. Just thrilled for you and I hope you have a wonderful relaxing holiday. - you deserve it! Oh and if you are worried about your estrogel going missing (this was always my greatest fear about going on hols) you could get some Sandrena gel to take in your handbag as a back up? xxxx
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Delighted to read your update GRL.
I haven't been here for a while either, I got some great advice last year. Thankfully I'm doing well too, in my case I needed ADs but they've worked and I'm well on the road back now.
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It's white with a blue swirly logo.
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I am so happy for you it feels like we have
been through the most hellish lows together. It gives me lots of hope and I wish you the best holiday x
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Brilliant news GRL. Go Professor Studd!
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Thanks for all the positive news grl! Hope you have/are having a great time.
Now I'm wondering if I've got the good or the snidely version of estrogel. Can anyone confirm what the good one looks like? :D
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Great to hear from you GRL! You are giving lots of ladies hope and positivity.
All the best and take care!
Have a great holiday xx
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Peacegirl- I'm sending pics to another member of the oestrodose so if you pm me your email I'll send you the pics too. I've used 4 different types of gel so I think I know all of them!
Sx
Fab, that's good of you thanks!
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Hi GRL,
Glad to hear you are feeling so good. I too have anxiety and depression (for three years since menopause) and finally found this forum.
Reading through your posts gives me hope so I want to thank you for posting your update. :)