Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Vicky81 on May 28, 2022, 09:25:05 AM
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Hi all
Well I've got up today feeling awful. Very moody tearful like I've got no hope . My head feels so heavy too.
My oestrogen has gone from 679 to 623 to 325 since April 5th.
My clinic secretary said that I should listen to the consultant and go back to the 75mg.
Wondering what you lovelies think I should do?, I have the 75 patches here ....
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Surely this is too little oestrogen causing this right?
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You just aren’t giving any of your Hrt doses a chance Vicky. Your body can’t know whether it’s coming or going.
Why did you drop down to 50 from 75?
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Hi nas yes you could be right. I dropped down because I was getting side effects...maybe I was too much of a wuss and shoukd have stuck it out....
So thus week just gone I've been ok at work,, not teary but I guess flat mood. But I haven't felt like I do today for a good few weeks ...
I could always go back to 75 and ride out the side effects?, what you think? Xx
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Just to note also- I'm not due my period so it can't be that....
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Your consultant needs to decipher whether your symptoms are due to low oestrogen. If they are, either the dose needs upping or a different delivery method is required.
You’ve experienced a huge drop in oestrogen levels, so that won’t be helping I’m sure.
If it’s something else causing the low mood, then that also needs addressing.
It’s very hard to fathom out this journey I’m afraid. But whatever you do, don’t keep chopping and changing as it’s lethal!
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Vicky. My estrogen is about 325...and I was told that's fine for my age.
As you know, I'm trying an alternative route of adding in only prog. I do believe my symptoms are estrogen spikes.
Not suggesting yours are the same, but I'm pointing out your estrogen level is similar to mine. Clearly we all respond differently, but that doesn't look like low estrogen to me.
I think Nas is right. You need to set yourself a timescale and ride it out.
I get you. I'm totally guilty of this yo yoing too. Its absolutely awful when in the midst of a bad episode. You just want a solution, so try a new dose etc... But I do think consistency of dose is the key xx
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It can take 6-8 months B4 the uptake of HRT treatment is 'felt'. Hormones are after all cyclical during our menstruating years, as oestrogen levels fall the body may require adjustment. Swapping won't help your body . It won't know if it's flying a bike or riding a kite ;).
The secretary is correct. If you are seeing a menopause specialist then giving the prescription recommended a chance is important. HRT isn't a cure. It can ease symptoms but won't happen overnight: after all, the body doesn't get where it is suddenly unless there has been surgical intervention.
keeping a mood/food/symptom diary may be of use
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Nas- thank you for replying. I font think there's anything else causing the bad moods and tears as nothing has happened in my life- all fine. I live where I work, partner great, no money worries etc. So I just think its hormones....I just do not know whether I'm too low now ...and go up?
Crispy- hope you don't mind me asking but how old are yiu?, and are you in peri?, I'm 41 and peri x
CLKD- thanks 4 your message hun. I guess the secretary could be right ...hmmmm. and I always keep a journal....have done since January. I just feel bad today but was fine last week. But not brilliant. But today I feel so low.
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Hi Vicky am I right in thinking that you were on a tablet hrt ? x
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I started on femoston 2/10 way back in January. Then a private clinic put me on the gels . They said I wasn't absorbing too well so now the patches xxx
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If Femoston 2/10 wasn’t helping you’ll probably need a 75 patch as the tablet is roughly equivalent to a 50 patch x
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Thank yiu dotty so much xxxx
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Of course medical secretaries might be 'right', we don't simply sit typing case notes all day ::). We learns a lot, we does . We often get asked to check with consultants which we are able to do when we can tie them down ....... which means finding case notes, getting the Dr to read and make comment.
That takes time in a busy day. What does your journal tell you? Nothing is solved overnight.
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Hi
Journal says that i gave been ok last week, bit low but not like today at all xx
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Hi vicky yes, I'm peri. I'm 46 now. Been having issues for 5 years. X
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You do need to be patient with the hrt and give any change the full three months. I know it's difficult. How about your antidepressant? Is that in need of tweaking?
Taz x
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Hi nas I know ...its just because I sem to have just dipped. .my clinic told me 75mg. Hmm
I may try that again as my oestrogen has infact dropped quite quickly over the month.
I've been on sertraline since Jan and didn't really want to chanfe this at the min as would be too many changes?
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You also need to remember that , as you are still in peri, you’re oestrogen will fluctuate so blood tests won’t really help you . x
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Hi dotty yeah true....uugghh nightmare xxx
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So frustrating trying different things out. I feel for you, I'm doing the same and wish there were faster answers x
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I know. What are you using? X
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Hi Vicky,
I’m so sorry to hear you’re still having problems, though personally, I do think you should still stick to the 50 as you didn’t get on with the 75 or the 100 and felt terrible on both of those, but your clinic is the best one to advise you. It could also be your progestorone that isn’t right for you, as the side effects from that could be what’s causing the issues you have. I know you take breaks from that, but it is still in your body.
As for your blood test for estradiol, as others have said, your are fluctuating in peri, so you can’t take too much notice, however, those results aren’t actually too bad, though I know it’s not what you want to hear. For me, in post meno, I was only 112 nmo/L on a 50 patch after 3/4 months and I bet I’m under 200 on the 75 that I’ve been on for past 6 months, but I do feel better, though I’m sure it could still improve. It’s all about how you feel and your symptoms really, although it is still too early for you as you haven’t been on HRT for very long yet.
I hope today has been better for you.
Teresa
X
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Awww thanks Teresa! Yes I know. Going to speak to clinic Tomorrow xx
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Hi Vicky,
Ask them about the progestorone….honestly, I do wonder if it’s that still….
Teresa
Xx
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Hi Teresa....hmmm not sure as I haven't taken that since 1st may- 10th....I could mention it? Xx
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Hope your clinic call goes well today Vicky. I really hope you get some relief soon.
I am having blood tests today (ordered by NHS consultant). I don’t see the point myself but ….he’s the boss after all! I am 46, still have strong cycle (though irregular and weird!). It’s the fluctuations I hate so much. At the moment I am day 5 and feeling rubbish (as I normally do at this time in cycle) so at least my oestrogen will be at its lowest (and most stable) when I have the bloods done. I can have one month feeling fine and the next month rocky as hell at the moment. I am kind of looking forward to actual menopause as maybe at least the huge fluctuations will go and my body can get used to what it’s got. Could be years hence though.
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Hi VL - Hope your blood tests go ok...
Yes its up and down isnt it! hope we all find relief soon xxxx
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Blood tests for estradiol with peri fluctuations are pretty useless. Symptoms are key at this stage of peri hell.
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Thanks floo hope you're doing ok?, xx
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Hi Floo, yes I know! However it was the consultant at the NHS menopause clinic that asked for them so I thought I’d better go along. They are day 5 so I should get minimum oestrogen and FSH numbers (or thereabouts) at least. Also testosterone and SHBG (have I got those letters the right way round?) :-)
“Luckily” I get hot flushes and irregular (though not missing-yet) periods so there’s never been any argument that I am def in peri.
I’ll get the results in a week so there may be some interest there. Consultant hasn’t made an appointment to follow up with me yet … should be in next couple of months I imagine.
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Hi,
I’m literally reading all about this stuff all the time at the minute. I’ve had a rough ride with hrt so far ( I have POI) and I’ve figured out that unstable estrogen is the only reason I get side effects (not the dose necessarily). I stopped doing my own thing (messing with it) and did as my doc told me lol. I’ve also found that a conti regime is working well for me (in terms of avoiding lots of fluctuations). After a month on a low dose the side effects I had dissipated. Utrogestan made me feel lousy and so tired I could have cried, but after 3 weeks on it that lifted. I have been instructed to increase the dose of estrogen very slowly, which also seems to be working for me (1/4 patch increase at a time from my initial dose). I am on my first increase at the min and have had a resurgence of side effects (which do scare me at times) but after the first month I have faith they will dissipate after a while. I think my point is, bouncing around with different hormones is going to make anyone feel terrible…as well as affect a multitude of other systems in your body-eg. at the minute I eat every 2-3 hours otherwise I feel sick which I’m guessing is related to my body finding it’s feet again in some system (remember estrogen affects a lot). Be gentle with yourself. Our poor bodies are being put through a lot. I hope this is of some help :)
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Aww thanks kat....yeah makes alot of sense xxx
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Kat36 great post :'(
I'm currently in a different boat as I'm just trying progesterone for my peri synptoms. I too yoyod with doses fir the first 3 months. It was dreadful. Like you, I thi k it's the estrogen fluctuations that cause me problems...im trying to dampen them with prog.
Then I took it right down to a really low dose - where I have sat for 2 full cycles. The first was horrific, the second not as bad. I now think I need to increase.
Like you, I've found consistency of dose is key. It's hard when going through initial side affects - but your post is so helpful to try and grasp that it doesn't last forever. And, in fact, I think the side affects last longer when we chop and change.
These are long slow months (and days) when trying to adjust, but I really think your post says a lot.
Hopefully for Vicky too, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
We're with you through this Vicky. Xx
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Aww thanks Crispy...lots of love xxxx
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@crispychick I think our bodies know when we need an increase (not necessarily on a generic timeline).
I get the whole dampening with progesterone thing. Taking the constant progesterone for me helps temper that wild party estrogen seems to enjoy in my body whenever it gets an increased dose.
I hope you find the optimal dose that works for you :)