Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Vicky81 on April 04, 2022, 06:01:10 AM
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Hello all
Could anyone advise if there is a better (less anxiety causing) progesterone that I could take instead of utrogestan?,
If so, how would I use the regime to incorporate my gel pumps?,
Vicky xx
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Perhaps the Mirena coil?
Norethisterone?
Am sure there are others if you research.
I would give the utrogestan some time to settle though, else once again, you are making a change ? :)
Xx
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Hi NAS
I tried the coil a few years back and it was really painful! had to have it removed!!!!
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Hi Vicky, how long have you been on the utrogestan?
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Hi Vicky
I am in the same situation so have had to research it. There is Norithesterone, but I don’t know if that comes in a separate tablet so you would have to ask your doc.
There is Provera that quite a lot of people use.
We chatted about using your Cerazette already, so that’s an option.
The other one is dydrogesterone, which only comes in a tablet, with estrogen, in Femoston but would be worth trying if you struggle to find anything else. I know how difficult it is because I’m in the same situation myself. xx
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Lorna - i have only been on it for 3 nights so far (on a 10 day regime at 100mg) clinic said they gave me low dose and short time to see how i go..
Dawn - i have a call back from my Consultant today so will ask about the options.....thank you xx
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3 nights is no time at all.
You need to give it a good few weeks to settle. If you change progesterone now, you will be even more unclear about where you stand.
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Hi Vicky.
I understand how bad you are feeling and how desperate ! Believe me I do. We are all here for you.
I do think that the danger here is that you are attributing all your symptoms to whatever drug (antiD, oestrogen, utrogestan) you have just started …..and the problem is your anxiety and depression are naturally waxing and waning in the background there so you don’t know what is causing what.
I do understand the temptation (I have just started a new antiD and I’m blaming it on everything at the moment! However if I look back at my diary I could see that last week I was suffering from hot flushes and dizziness too without even taking them yet!)
The placebo and nocebo effects are very powerful. That’s why you need to give these things more time as these effects will wear off and you will be able to see where you stand. So three months with the HRT, six weeks with the antiD.
Have you got yourself on a waiting list for CBT yet ? It’s excellent for anxiety. Really life changing.
Let us know how you get on with the consultant phone call.
Things will get better!
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I agree with Nas a bit of time to see what’s what is the best.
Everyone is so different in their make-up hormonally that sometimes one person can start a regime and it almost instantly fixes their issues, and for another it can take weeks and months for things to adjust slowly. It’s frustrating.
the advice I’ve received has really made a difference when I’ve listened to the ladies on here as they have years of experience at the coal face so to speak. 😁
Maybe if you lower your oestrogen that may allow you to lower the utrogestan to a dose that would keep you safe but have less side effects? Perhaps you could talk with Dr Watson about this today & make it really known to him just how awful ON the regime you’ve been feeling.
Wishing you lots of luck & a big hug 🤗 x
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Thanks to all.
Yes I will let him know. Just home from having another blood test...through medichecks. Will be interesting to see what my levels are one month later. My GP said this morning because of my last level being so high, she was unsure if I'm peri......hmmmm xxx
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Hmm. That’s interesting. You’ve probably said all this on another thread, but why were you put on hrt in the first place?x
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Hi
A female doctor at my work pointed it out ...said it sounded like her. Moody, anxiety,, tearful, severe anger.....so I guessed it could be peri??
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It’s just so hard to make the judgement isn’t it, particularly when everyone varies so much. And especially if you’re having mood symptoms rather than the obvious hot flushes etc. I hope the the doc is able to come up with an answer for once you get your test results back. x
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I know my head is pickled with it all.
Imagine if I'm taking all this and I'm not peri!
I started feeling anxiety about a month after moving into a new flat....never settled there, wasn't sleeping but was still socially going out etc. Then it was health anxiety big time,, running back and to GO hospital .. every scan ...ovaries head the lot. Never had this ever! Then thr frantic really bad anxiety started....couldn't go out ... depression too. Not me at all x
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There definitely sounds like there is a link to moving into the flat etc. I guess if you don’t see any improvement with the hrt when you’ve given it a decent shot, the only way to know will be to come off it and see if things are any worse, or better without it. You could then pursue the mental health route with counselling etc. xx
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Thanks Dawn... .yes il try that xx
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Vicky, Vicky, Vicky! What are we going to do with you?! For me, I'm curious that you have never mentioned classic menopause symptoms of hot flushes (daytime reddening of the skin, feeling heat all over and possibly breaking into a sweat at these times), brain "fog" (concentration, memory, word-finding issues etc) and fatigue. How I wish you would stop listening to colleagues, though. They are going to potentially give you very subjective advice. This is not helpful for anyone! You really must turn to the medical professionals who can be objective and give you the support you need as they are neutrally involved! Please keep trying to engage with gps (requesting an in-person double appointment which you're perfectly entitled to do, taking someone in with you, again as you're entitled to), request a referral to a menopause clinic if needs be, but you may or may not be at that stage, based on the symptoms you seem to feel are your main ones which do not SEEM related to menopause as yet, more to side effects of anti-depressants?
Firstly, we need to know who prescribed, not suggested, Setraline and who is medically monitoring this?
Then, if I understand you correctly, you are now on your fourth, maybe fifth type of antidepressant. Over what period of time have these swaps taken place?
What was the trigger for taking them and did a gp prescribe and monitor them?
Did Studd know you were on Setraline when they prescribed the full spectrum of sex hormones at your first session, upping them after only a week at your request?
In my view, I'd say please, STOP listening to and acting on the "advice" of colleagues. They may be in psychiatry and psychology fields of expertise, but that is the culture of your workplace which is separate from and different to the nature of your personal wellbeing and life away from work?
I'm just very confused by everything and very concerned for you in what seems like a very random approach to your health and wellbeing. I don't know what else to say or how to say it. I'm sorry. I feel I can only offer an opinion, based on what you are telling us.
Why not try an e-mail to Dr. Currie on here? She might be able to give you specific, specialist advice and recommendations?
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Oh Vicky81, I wish I could help.
I have been on my peri meno journey for a couple of years and the super hardest part is sticking to the regime and giving it a good three months to settle before making any adjustments. I know how hard this is when every day is a struggle, it feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
On two occasions I have been at the very end of my tether with symptoms, I do think it’s slightly easier for me tho as I work from home and so I can carry on with ‘life’ by just rolling down the stairs in my pyjamas, minimum effort required!
I have emailed Dr Currie twice for advice when I was at the end of those tethers. On both occasions she gave good advice but I waited until the end of my cycle before making the adjustments and on both occasions I started to feel better before implementing the changes!
As an example, utrogestan initially left me feeling completely ZOMBIED. Zero energy, no get up and go etc, low mood, I was about to try an alternative regime on Dr Curries advice when everything just settled down without making the changes.
I really hope you find some answers soon. Perhaps Dr Currie is worth a try?
Ali x
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Postmeno- heck....I know what to do with me! Sorry my other symptoms are sweats at night, hair coming out in the brush, completely change of character....along with the anxiety etc. That's what prompted me to look into peri.
Yes Dr Watson knows that I'm on sertraline. The reason I'm on my 4th one is because GP just kept trying me on different ones.
I also keep forgetting things...
The GP knows all my timeliness and that sertraline was recommended to me. They are fine with it. They also give me diazepam if I need it too.
Alibeau- thanks. I didn't realise that the utrogestan settles down...I'm ok in the day but upon waking my anxiety seems worse! Xx
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Alibeau- thanks. I didn't realise that the utrogestan settles down...I'm ok in the day but upon waking my anxiety seems worse! Xx
Well I didn't think it would settle down either but it did, thanks goodness! I also have what I call an anxious chest on waking. Not always and I can't seem to pin it down to any type of pattern. Sat at my desk today my chest is feeling very achy/fizzy/anxious, really not nice and it has not settled down at all like it usually does but I have learned to accept that certain days it will pass and others it won't and so I just try to accept that I can't fix everything and go with the flow.
Perhaps some ladies do find a 'cure all' but for me it has been a case of accepting it's going to be tricky to balance everything, just trying to find the best solution and accepting the not so good days for what they are. This is a new phase of my life and sadly there is no magic wand that can magic away all my symptoms, they are up and down and I have learnt to accept this for the most part!!!!
Take good care, hang in there and I hope you find some relief v soon.
Ali x
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Vicky, hair coming out can be stress. The other things like sweating at night, general anxiety and change of character can be side effects of anti-depressants. Can you remember how frequently they were changed? Thanks.
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Anxiety is definitely worse in the morning for a lot of women. Before I’m up, my heart is pounding and stomach churning, which is why I jump out of bed, get dressed and drive to work quick! I know I’m not on enough Oestrogen though.
I think your peri anxiety could be compounded by the stresses and strains of moving flat? I can imagine your job is pretty tough going too? All these things, with fluctuating hormones, can get the better of us.
Is the HRT helping with everything other than the anxiety?
I think that women need to also accept that HRT isn’t going to fix all symptoms. Sometimes we need to accept that as we age, we feel differently about certain aspects of life.
Your symptoms could be attributed to general stress, bearing in mind that your Oestrogen is high?
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Postmeno- all the symptoms I had were well before I started the AD'S. But because my moods and anxiety were so bad, my GP kept giving me AD'S. Xx
Nas- I'm the same! Jump up straight away!
And I thought thst....became my oestrogen was high last time ... I thought maybe I'm not?? But...today, a month later I had another blood test... so well see what resukt of this is! Xxx
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I agree with Nas in that I used to think that HRT would be a panacea, a cure-all, make me feel like I was 25 again etc. Now I’m slowly and painfully starting to realise that it probably won’t be the case for me,certainly at least not now while I am undergoing huge peri fluctuations. Even if I do find that magic dose I am still undergoing a huge life change and that has ramifications mentally and physically. The best I am hoping for at the moment is that I can get my symptoms bearable and still live a good life while this transition happens. And maybe come out if it wiser and happier! One day!So yes I am trying to embrace the good days and be kind to myself and accepting on the bad days.
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Sorry I meant I agree with Alibeau’s post really
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Hello Vicky81
I completely sympathise with you and your efforts to get back to some normality. I have been guilty of fiddling with my HRT at times though curiously never my AD but that may be next lol.
As far as I know none of the ladies on this forum are medically qualified but we are able to share our experiences and offer advice which is fabulous. Similarly your colleagues can offer their particular expertise so I don't blame you for talking to everyone you think may help you.
If the need arises and you do want to suggest another type of progesterone I was given Cyclogest by my meno clinic a few months ago. It is a 200mcg pessary that is used by fertility clinics but for the menopause we are asked to cut it in half and insert every other night. Just a little nugget of information that you may want to store away for the future lol.
Take care and please keep us updated. Like many ladies I am struggling to find a balance and if we can help each other it's win, win!
K.
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Awww thsnk you all.
VL- wise words...its hard isn't it though?,
Kathleen- thank you 4 the supportive message,, yes tweaking your AD maybe beneficial? I haven't had any side effects from sertraline yet!
Thanks 4 the advice about the progesterone....il keep it in mind! Xxxx
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My GP said this morning because of my last level being so high, she was unsure if I'm peri......hmmmm xxx
For a medical opinion would it be worth asking your GP on that basis when she would have advised adding in hormones for you ? Would she have waited for you to settle more on a level of sertraline first anyway ?
I've been following your threads Vicky as my daughter is taking sertraline and at an age when she could possibly be peri also but will get there at some point anyway. Her triggers are changes of some sort and stress hence the sertraline. The GP reckons she is not peri at the moment so she is sticking with the sertraline to find a level that helps best for now.
Although you have been proactive and gone private, which we are prepared to do at some point if necessary, i do wonder if they have your best interests at the moment ? If you pay something has to be given in return.
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Hi minusminnie
You have a point. I had another blood test yesterday through medichecks...a hormone one. Shoukd get results by Thursday. My GP said she wants to see the results of this along with my previous results from studd which was 1625! Estrogen.
I will let u know.
Could you tell me bit more about your daughter? Age? Has she anxiety?
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Sorry- 1615
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Good to hear your GP is doing that.
Afraid those numbers don't mean much to me as i wasn't monitored in such a way at my peri stage. That's all something i need to learn about so i can't comment there.
My daughter is early 40s and yes.
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Hi i will private message you....xx
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have woke up this morning full of anxiety. and my head feels fuzzy/bit woozy....is this due to Utrogestan?
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Hi Vicky,
I think Utrogestan can make you feel like that. I have certainly had a swimmy head. Anxiety can also make you feel like that too. I suspect it’s a combination of the HRT and Anxiety.
Your Dr may be happy to prescribe some diazepam which will help ease the anxiety. It can help whilst your body is getting used to the AD. But can’t be used long term.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is good for anxiety too. Just helps change thought patterns.
It seems like Anxiety is your main symptom, it is totally overwhelming and when it appears out of the blue, it’s really hard to process. Just try and think of it as a feeling that will pass and don’t pay it any attention!
Xx
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Aww Sarah hello!!!
Thanks so much. Just at work and i feel out of it, groggy, spacey...my etes are not in focus!
I have got the DR from my clinic (Dr Savvas) going to call me in here....i dont want this Utrogestan ! Bloody making me feel dizzy! and to add...i even placed it vaginally at 4pm yesterday to see if that would make the side effects the next morning even less....BUT NO! Woke up with MORE anxiety and the symptoms as above. I am going to see if he will let me do every other night. or change it completely? xx
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Yes it’s due to utrogestan Vicky81, all classic symptoms. I also get the blurred vision with it too, it will go once you stop taking it although withdrawal symptoms take a few days x
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Hello I just had a consultation today with one of Professor Studd's previous colleagues. I have the same problems he said take it only for 7 days in a month 100mg by mouth! So he has said dont take anymore now until 1 May but carry on with 4 x pumps Oestrogel. Obs, this is based on me and my history but thought I would share. I have paid a fortune in trying to get help :o
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Hi who did you speak to?
I am with Studd clinic and waiting for a call from Dr Savvas.
Vicky xx
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Update- just had a call from Dr Watson at my clinic. Told him the issues and side effects.
He said for me to put another pump of gel on at night thr same time I take utrogestan.
He also said in some women these side effects do wear off over the months??
Also I have been having horrible lower back pain/ache for days now