Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: MissD67 on August 23, 2017, 09:04:37 PM
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So, I was initially prescribed evorel sequi conti/50 patches, but the progesterone part made me feel like I was constantly premenstrual and actually increased my symptoms.
A couple of weeks ago I was given Femoston tablets to take. I feel terrible. So much so that I'm finding this post so difficult to write. I can't bring myself to do anything and feel like I just don't care about anything. My state of mind is so low and my whole being feels like it can't get any worse - mentally and physically.
Prior to taking HRT I was suffering from night sweats, dry vagina, and anxiety, but nothing as bad as this big black cloud that is currently engulfing me. I can't cope with anything and often spend my days (I'm currently on school holidays) hiding in bed and crying. I have to force myself to go out with my family.:-( I wish I'd never started to take HRT. I've made an appointment with my GP for Friday and I'm going to ask about stopping taking it. I was watching A.Vogel videos on YouTube and she recommends magnesium. Any thoughts on this?
Sorry to moan. I'm so glad you guys are here to listen. x
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I stopped for blood tests for a week and then went back on it. I thought it was the progesterone causing me to feel terrible, but it turned out to be the estrogen gel. How were you without it?
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Oh and I haven't mentioned the stupid things I keep doing. I'm sure I'm developing dementia...my mam had it from her mid fifties.
I keep blanking out mid conversation and my family are starting to comment and ask if I'm okay. I bumped into a girl who has been a student in the class I work in for the last year. I just could not think of her name, something that would not bother me because I can bluff through it usually, but my autistic son asked me who she was and I had to say, someone I work with. So embarrassing.
Last week we were on holiday and visited the Beatle's museum. I turned towards a corridor and told my son to be careful of the big step. I then tried to step over it before coming to my senses and realising I was trying to step into a mirror with a black bit at the base. I was absolutely mortified. :'(
The other day I was in the car, parked up and looking at my phone. I yelped in horror as the car started to move and frantically checked the gear stick. It was then I realised it was the car beside me that was moving.
I'm sure I'll find all of this funny one day. :-\
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I stopped for blood tests for a week and then went back on it. I thought it was the progesterone causing me to feel terrible, but it turned out to be the estrogen gel. How were you without it?
Hi Katia. I didn't actually have a break. I stopped the patches on the Friday and started the tablets on the Saturday. I felt fine on the oestrogen part of the patches, so the doctor thought I was reacting badly to the progesterone.
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It is not suiting you! This is a huge change probably caused by the regime you have been prescribed.
Maybe keep a mood/food/symptom diary so that you have something concrete to take 2 your appt.? There are many methods of HRT delivery. Perhaps decide which symptom you would like to ease first?
Let us know how you get on.
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Thanks CLKD. Will do. I actually feel a bit more positive today. I've downloaded the Active 10 app and forced myself out for a brisk 10 minute walk. I need to stop wallowing and help myself.
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HI MissD67 I could have written your post 4 weeks ago. I had bad anxiety and sleeplessness ( I am 47) went on HRT and it got worse, a lot worse. My brain was a mush, couldn't find the right words, fuzzy thinking. I felt almost paranoid; a very extreme version of the anxiety I had before. Called GP and they took me off the HRT straight away. Four weeks off it and I feel back to the old me; still get anxious around a week before me period but the awful fear and fuzzyness is much better. I get the impression that there is a huge range of HRT so I wish I had done more research and questioning before I jumped onto it. The doctor even said it could be my hormones are too high not too low so the HRT just made things worse. It is a minefield. I would say really try and find a GP you can talk too (female one over 40!), even if it means changing practises. She also said if the side effects are worse than the original problem then stop taking it. Maybe ask for a phone consultation to talk things over. I take 40mg proprananol now and try to stay busy and outside. Belive me the muddled words and doing stupid things comes with the hormones and anxiety. You worry about it and it gets worse.
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MissD - you wallow! If you feel poorly then wallow!
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I've posted my own on this and I feel suicidal literally and I've fought back for years against that only for 2 weeks on femoston to put me back I am so low so I'm not continuing I can't feel like this on top of no sleep. I'm going to get the oestrogel/utrogestan regime but presume I don't start that until day one of my next period? Does anyone know if it's any better oestrogen wise in oestrogel and the femoston is still the oestrigen pill and it's made things ten times worse
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Have a :bighug:
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Hi MissD67
Sorry to hear about your problems with finding the right HRT. I'm wondering where you are in menopause ie what your periods were doing before you started? There are other types - if you want a combi HRT patch then there is Femseven which seems to be better tolerated. Otherwise if tablets don't suit you then you can try oestrogen patches ( or gel) with separate progesterone (or a synthetic one called Provera) and then you can adjust the dose of either one to suit.
You do have to expect to experience some side effects initially - so may have to feel worse (in some respects) before feeling better overall - although flushes and sweats should disappear fairly soon.
Great that you are taking steps to help yourself and have a positive outlook - walking is brilliant for that!
Hurdity x
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Hi Hurdity, I hadn't had a period since February before starting HRT. The last one I had was very light and didn't feel like a period at all. I'll talk to the doctor tomorrow about the different options, but to be honest I don't feel like touching HRT, in any form, again! :-\
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Take a list to the appt. with you?
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Hi Roseneath. Hugs to you. It's not nice is it? I am certain it's fown to the Femoston. I've been on ADs since I lost my brother (which also coincided with the early stages of the peri-menopause). I used to take propanonol for migraines but had to stop when I was diagnosed with an inherited heart condition. I now take Bisprolol(?) and this has really helped with the palpitations. I'm wondering about cognitive therapy.
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I have listed the symptoms in my phone, CLKD. I have to otherwise I can't remember. ??? Thank you for the support, btw. It is much appreciated. x
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Good luck let me know how you get on I've stopped the femoston as like you I'm sure it's at fault. I'm getting the oestrogel gel and utrogestan tomorrow I hope when I speak to my gp but I'm not starting it yet. It'll be at least 3 weeks no doubt til next period but like you it's really scared me.
Hurdity if it is the oestrogen in the femoston that's made us like this should the other bio identicals work differently or affect us differently please say yes (in a good way I mean)
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The different methods of delivery of oestrogen in the different HRT types are absorbed differently. In particular tablets have to be digested and then metabolised by the liver and there is a higher amount of estrone (? I think it is... - sorry can't remember at the mo'). There are also daily "spikes" of the hormones which some women are sensitive to. Women will be affected differently with the different methods and there is also wide variation in the amount of oestrogen that is absorbed.
If the Femoston does not suit you then Estrogel might well be what you are looking for - many women have used this happily for years :) . Personally I swear by patches - I have never ever had a problem with absorption nor symptoms returning ever since I started HRT (except when I have reduced dose or stopped for 3 months) - although I was late peri-menopause, and it has always worked like a charm.
Good luck :)
Hurdity x
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Thank hurdity I've posted on my other post asking about the new hrt my doctor had never heard of it and sad if I use 100mg utrogestan it has to be taken days 1 to 15 it's only the 200mg that can be taken days 15 to 26..in another 2 weeks I'll be posting again to confirm what I do with the gel if it's one pump.in the morning and why 26 day cycle..it's do confusing plus I'm terrified it'll make me ill again.
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Just to update you all, I saw my doctor this morning and she agrees it must be the Femoston. She saw me two weeks ago and so knows that this has been a big change in me. I've now stopped taking them and have to go back in a week to see if stopping them makes a difference. I'm hopeful I can now start to feel normal. :) I don't want to try anything else just yet, or may be not at all. I'm considering starting yoga and meditation to see if that helps. Hope you get sorted Peroxideblader. x
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I'm struggling to find the right one too. It seems to be the estrogen that is the problem for me. Does anyone know how much 1mg of estrogen actually provides in pmol/l within the body?
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Glad she agreed with you my doctor didn't bit I told her I'd stopped and next month I'm having one last attempt at oestrogel and utrogestan and see how I get on I'm so scared but least this time I'm prepared for what could happen to me. Try yoga and meditation sadly it did nothing for me but I couldn't quiet my mind enough
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I'm not trying to push this but I have a free App called Headspace which ha 10 minute MIndfullness on things like Anxiety. This is also one called Calm which has naturemusic and sounds as well as relaxation exercises. I did find them very useful when I had trouble sleeping. I must admit I have lapsed recently and not done it for a while but I need to as it trains you not to panic and to quieten a frantic busy worrying brain. I have found the the end of the month the worse time so for me there is a pattern to it - also when the weather is bad!
I dont think there is a magic fix to this, it is a horrible time of life. I do feel better when busy and with friends as my brain just goes round in depressing loops of worry when I am at home on my own. For me this HRT ramped everything up so the doc thinks my hormones may swing too high which seems logical.
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P.S. I was feeling bad this morning too....on edge and feeling like I cound't cope (we have a guest house.....). I tried I tip I got off tinternet yesterday but a buddhist monk guy. It is very simple but it did take the edge off. You basically just say to yourself ' Breathing In, Breathing Out' as you take some normal breaths but commit to doing it for 15 minutes whilst doing your jobs or whatever you are doing. If your brain wanders just tell it to go back to focusing on the breathing in, breaathing out.
At first it seems a gimmic or you want to give up but it does calm you and give your some space where your head isn't worring in loops. It seems to reset you a bit. Hugs to you Marvellous Menopause Sisters.
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I use the Mindfulness Daily, app, Roseneath. It really does help if you can focus on the breathing techniques they teach you. It prompts you to stop, every once and awhile to take two deep breaths. It calmed me no end after I lost my brother. I'm just getting back into using it daily along with an app call 'Yoga with Candice'.
I'm now four days off Femoston and I feel like my old self! :-) My aches, pains, chronic fatigue, foggy brain, depression -- everything has gone! I feel 100% better. :-)