Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: CATBAT on November 25, 2021, 08:25:18 AM
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Okay here we go stupid question I think .
I’ve just about finished my two week loading and then move on to twice weekly my question is will I continue to see improvements on the twice weekly dosage or does it get to a peek at two weeks and then you just stay at that level on the maintenance dose ? . I’m about 90% there I think but still get irritated bladder later in the day ?
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Its a wait and see situation as the vagifem takes a long time to work, 18 weeks I read, but you seem to be doing well if you say 90% improvement.
It wasn't working for me using 2 tabs a week and was then told to use every day, I have also just started to use Ovesten too as an added help.
See how it goes and if you're not happy ask to increase your dosage, up to you :)
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Thanks Gracie .. so there’s still hope of further improvements.!! I think I caught it earlier than some before it got too bad
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Hi catbat: use as much as you need to feel comfortable. My GP prescribed Vagifem daily for life but I have been able to decrease to 5x a week. The old Vagifem was 25 vs 10 mg. and I understand most women were doing quite well on that dosage. The manufacturers decreased the dosage to 10 and those same women found the lower dose was not enough hence the 5x a week. Hope this makes sense.
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Nothing is stupid on here!
One may need to use it more than occasionally, some ladies require it nightly. If symptoms return then up to alternate nights 2 C how you feel. It's Trial and Error.
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You may also need to insert both Vagifem and Ovestin. If your lucky enough to have a great doctor who will let you use both. It was a game changer for me. I use Vagifem the most but 2 nights a week I will insert Ovestin internally instead of Vagifem.
It’s all about finding what works for you. And a good external moisturiser is needed to, I use Yes VM and Olive and Bee. Once again it about finding a moisturiser that works for you.
Good luck
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Hi spoke to the Dr today who advised using Vagifem everyday for 6 weeks, any thoughts people ? I mainly have bladder irritation as a symptom does this sound like a sensible plan ?
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It sounds like a sensible plan to me.
Lyncola's comment about getting Ovestin sounds interesting.
Something else to consider - Estriol cream to use externally.
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Yep. Get those appropriate vagifem pessaries up there ASAP. One mid morning, then begin every night for as long as it takes. Well done your GP ! :medal: Have a lookC at the 'sylc' and 'yes' websites, moisturisers can help too.
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Yes, it sounds a sensible plan to me. I initially did a 4 week load and then a couple of times a year do another 2 week reload.
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Thanks Haydo .. did it work ? I’m a bit of an impatient worrier !!
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Fingers crossed.. but not legs ;D
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Yes it did work in relation to my irritated bladder and the soreness/dryness internally, but it did take some months. I haven’t had a UTI since using it though. Mine was particularly bad, so I was told, and I did have severe soreness and irritation externally also, and with the two things combined was hardly able to walk. This has also mainly settled now with using ovestin and a moisturiser externally, although I do still have some sore days. I use vagifem every 3 days and sometimes pop an extra one in and, as I said, I do a 2 week reload every few months, with my doctor’s approval. If you’ve got a 90% improvement already then you should be fine. Make sure you drink plenty of water as well.
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...... and take pain relief regularly for a couple of days ;-)
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You really are a great bunch of ladies this whole thing has really got me down but I have hope now that this will get better
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Catbat trust me...we have ALL been there. You are definitely not alone. Like the other ladies mentioned, vagifem takes a long time to work. As Haydo mentioned, for the most part you can get comfortable but you need to maintain it. Even after 2 years (6 months daily now down to 5x a week), I still have moments of soreness but much, MUCH more manageable.
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16 weeks in (I think) using Vagifem since being diagnosed with VA and its turning into a journey of trial and error.
For no reason whatsoever I had a flare up yesterday, that's when you start to do funny things, me anyway, I crushed a Vagifem tablet using warm water and Slyk moisturiser and turned it into a paste and rubbed well in on the outside.
Today feeling a lot better and will try using Ovestin again (didn't suit me first time I used it) because using a pestle and mortar was hard work, those Vagifem tablets are darn hard, no wonder they don't dissolve in some women!
I hope in the future I can laugh at what I got up to living with this awful condition, one day!!
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Thanks to a switched on GP ( male) I think I have caught this early hoping for some good results soon
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Hello all . I’m having a low day and doubting myself and symptoms ( I have health anxiety so not unsual for me) still Vagifeming every day but internal soreness persists … been 3 weeks and losing hope
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It can take several weeks to ease symptoms. Some ladies require two pessaries occasionally as well as moisturisers on the outer areas. Have a lookC at 'sylc' and 'yes' websites: I use KY Jelly on the labia if they begin to itch as well as 'ovestin' inside and out. It's Trial and Error. It's about getting the regime 'right' to suit you. When I get the need2P I take 2 'nurofen' 3 times a day for a couple of days; to ease that nip as the spincter closes off the urine flow.
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Thanks CKLD . I suppose I’m just doubting if it is VA has I have no external issues . But when I sit down it feels like I being squashed internally if that makes sense …
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Yep. 4 me it was like razor blades :o up there. Sometimes the skin is so thin it can split which adds to the 'ouch' feelings! Keep up with the treatment. Take pain relief if necessary.
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I did a lot of research on Vagifem and it can take a very long time to feel any benefits. I've read 18 weeks to feel any improvement, patience is the key here.
I am just beginning to feel so much better after approximately four months using Vagifem alongside Novestin which I apply locally.
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As others have said it can take weeks/months but you just have to persevere. If you give up you will just be back to square one and have to start over. It will make a difference, but you just have to give it time. We’ve all been there - the frustration of not knowing if the vagifem is working, should you try something different etc. Keep going with it, don’t get disheartened and you’ll start to notice a difference eventually.
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Keep with it CATBAT :)
I am almost a year with treatment and it becomes manageable. The first stages did feel a long time but it is a steady recovery to what I can manage.
With best wishes.
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Thanks all . It’s so annoying always having your vagina in your mind !!
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Loving your sense of humour ;) 8)
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I crushed a Vagifem tablet using warm water and Slyk moisturiser and turned it into a paste and rubbed well in on the outside.
Love your resourcefulness Gracie ! the americans have Estradiol in a cream maybe we should be pushing for that here.
Thankfully I don't have to crush another Vagifem tablet. After reading advice on here I can now use Estradiol (Novestin) cream mixed with a small amount of Sylk moisturiser and its working brilliantly just rubbed in on the outside. I would highly recommend using the cream alongside the Vagifem tablet.
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Sorry for the confusion, my dyslexia trips me up a lot sometimes!
I am using Ovestin cream each night, just a small amount mixed with a small amount of Sylk moisturiser applied on the outside and the effects have been amazing, someone on here said its a game changer and she is absolutely right.
I insert the Vagifem tablet every morning, four months on I am at last feeling the benefits of the treatments.
Hope that's clearer :)
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Is it a tablet or pessary - clear as mud this VA treatment ::). What ever works ?