Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: ACS2010 on April 07, 2024, 06:01:50 PM
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Hi everyone
Newbie here who is feeling confused, frustrated and pretty down. I’m 50 and for the first time ever I’ve not had a period for over 60 days. Coming at the same time as this I’ve been hit with horrendous eye and facial eczema for the first time in my life, to the point my the skin around my eyes is raging red and swollen as well as itchy red patches on chin and around lips. I also have red itching sore split skin around my labia and bottom :'(. My GP is vague and distant and so far has prescribed weak 0.5 hydrocortisone cream for my face which solves it virtually in hours, however it comes back if I stop using it. I also know the risky side effects as I’m a huge Googler due to health anxiety. GP also prescribed Canesten HC for downstairs which helped but the soreness came back at the end of the course and my thrush swab was negative. I’m wondering if this is all actually related to menopause and at my next precious GP appointment I should ask about HRT to try and help as well as alternative treatments for the eczema such as TCIs as opposed to risky steroids. I’m so down, and its so hard to get doctors appointments quickly. I’m a teacher who needs to be well to do my job and am also battling a chronic uti condition. My hubbie works away a lot and doesn’t really understand and I don’t really have close friends nearby to talk to. Anybody else have any similar experiences/cures that they can share. TIA
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Have replied in your other thread.
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Hi there!
Sorry to hear you're having a tough time.
I can only go from my experience so i dont know if this is at all helpful... (coincidentally, I am also a 50 year old teacher!) I started taking hrt a couple of years ago, no 'typical' symptoms, but did get this horrible itchy skin, my face became suddenly sensitive and rashy and suddenly allergic to things I'd been happy with for years. I did also get some cracking in my labia.
Anyway, very quickly after starting hrt (oestrogel* and utrogestan) my skin became normal again - no more dry irritated face... I have never had a crack 'downstairs' since taking it. Can't promise it will work for you, but it really helped me.
I can't say it's been an easy journey - I hate taking Utrogestan and Oestrogel doesn't seem to be the same product it once was, so I would recommend Sandrena or a patch for oestrogen. There have been a lot of ups and downs, but even at my worst, it was better than before I took HRT. So if you are able to try it, I definitely think it's worth a go.
Good luck x
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Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and support. It seems like it’s definitely worth me exploring this with my doctor so I’ll give it a go, though I find its like talking to a wall sometimes. Different doctor every time I speak to them who don’t seem to really care as long as they’ve moved you on from the surgery >:(. I always said I would definitely never give HRT a go and “power through” but now I’m there I’m eating my words as it’s got to be better than this rubbish. Thanks again.
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Hi What you describe about the skin splitting and being sore happens to me once a month when my estrogen is really low. It improves with a bit of sudocream and as my estrogen rises but it's really horrible, especially around the bum crack so you have my sympathies.
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I feel for you, horrible isn’t it. I’ve had it brewing for a while looking back and I did find sudocrem helped a bit. But now it’s front as well as back I’m feeling a bit out of control and thinking it might be time to get the bigger guns out. I had terrible acne in my mid 20s which was all hormone related which the pill sorted out so I’m thinking this all might need a similar approach of dealing with hormones. I hope you don’t feel too sore at the moment.
By the way, its lovely to get this support, helps knowing there are others out there who understand ❤️
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I think the problem is that sudo cream heals it, but also dries the area more. But sylk and yesvm (other vaginal moisturisers I've used) don't do the healing bit and sting like hell when applying. So I'd keep sudocream to a minimum and look at possibly topical based estrogen to dealing with the root cause, if you don't want systemic hrt. That's what I should do really, then perhaps it wouldn't split in the first place. I could increase my systemic hrt as only on one pump but don't want to do that either.
Ita okay atm thanks as I'm mid cycle and my estrogen hasn't dropped yet. It's end of cycle and when my bleed is tailing off that is the problem for me.
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Hi ACS2010,
I've recently cured a problem with face excema by stopping using cetraben as a moisturiser and starting to use Abido cream instead. You can get this on amazon if you type in "Abido PureStar Herbal skin heal Original". I'm also using dermol 500 to wash my face as well. I started this regime after advice from a friend who's always suffered with excema on her whole face and body. Her advice was that anything water based doesn't help as it can dry the skin, so you need something oil based to add hydration.
I was using Eumovate to keep the problem at bay but since changing routine I've solved it in around 5 days.
Also, and I'm sure you know this, drink as much water as you can to keep yourself hydrated through day and night.
Best of luck, I feel for you xx
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Hi Penguin,
Yes it’s a viscious cycle, isn’t it, and I agree the vaginal moisturisers do sting don’t they (I’ve tried a few). Went with Sudocrem this morning as I’m quite sore and it feels a bit more comfortable at the moment. Maybe until I get the HRT decisions made I’ll try and experiment a bit and interchange them a bit to heal and then moisturise. I think if I could have a period and reset a bit I might feel better, but that is beyond my control I’m afraid.
My doctor is going to have fun with me on Thursday I think!
Stay well.
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Hi Alex2024
Thanks for the advice. The pharmacist originally gave me Cetreben at the very beginning when this started but it did nothing, worse if anything, so the doctor said stop it.
I’ll give your advice a try as I think it’s worth a go. I’m going out to Boots later as well as doing an Amazon order so I’ll see if I can pick these up.
I drink for England because of the chronic uti, so I’ll keep that up.
Really appreciate your support 😊
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Hi Alex2024
Just did a bit of reading and it seems Abido could contain some Clobetasol Propionate which is a steroid, hence why it works wonders. See this website https://www.naturaljem.com/product/abido-cream/
I wanted to let you know so you can use with care and research it a little just so you’re informed, think I might give that one a miss for the moment but I will try an emollient to wash my face as I do find that quite drying generally.
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Hi,
You are obviously dry!
What creams are you using? soaps? Washing powder etc.
Tried hot water, simple soap, and plenty of moisturizing cream for eczema all over straight after shower on wet skin, face, feet, the lot? For me, one that works best have Urea in them. Try Balneum cream! ? and antihistamine..? Who knows..
Dermatology, from my experience is like black magic. Keep it simple and see!
Best!
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I used to get eczema and I found the only thing that cleared it was coconut oil based creams like faith in nature fragrance free lotion and weleda white mallow cream. Once the skin is broken it difficult to heal. I found that keeping the area covered with a layer of cream eventually healed the skin. Also I found washing slightly less frequently therefore not washing the oils away all the time have the skin chance to heal. I found hydrocortisone cream and e45 didn’t work and liquid paraffin based creams inflamed the skin more. I don’t know a lot about the this but I suspect low oestrogen may be the root cause. Before I started HRT my skin got really dry and now I’m on HRT it’s back to normal.
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Thanks for your replies. Sudocrem has made me feel a little more comfortable downstairs but there’s still an issue rumbling away. Feel like it’s a juggling game with face cream, I went to Boots and came out empty handed as it was just so overwhelming on what to buy. I don’t have a lot of money to throw around. Although I hate it, I”m terrified of having to stop the steroid cream again in a couple of days as I looked horrific last time. I’m just counting the days/hours I can get that GP back on the phone on Thursday afternoon. I hardly slept a wink last night with all the worry about this, finding it hard to concentrate on anything and my appetite is non-existent. My hormones are definitely playing havoc with me, I hope they give me some HRT to try without too much of a fight.
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Hi, I get it.
You can get moisturizing cream on prescription! If your gp does not want, ask for referral to dermatologist! And use this hydrocortisone until it clears, don't worry. Drink water, 2l/day min.
Waiting times are long, but..
Best!
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Thank you Orrla, your supportive message is really appreciated ❤️. I’m a huge worrier by nature so knowing there are others out there who can support is invaluable. I anticipate the dermatologist wait to be long but in the meantime hoping the GP can help with the HRT a little bit faster. The sooner I start healing the better, I have a 78 year old Dad and a 14 year old son I need to be there for, and right now I’m no good to either of them. I know there are lots of ladies on here feeling like they’re under water so hopefully we can all support each other as we go through this rubbish.
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I hope you get sorted soon. The creams I mentioned were the only thing that worked for me despite trying every other cream like e45. When they are on offer they are just as cheap if not cheaper than ones in Boots. If you are registered for the Patient Access newsletter the latest one lists several natural remedies for eczema with coconut oil being at the top. You can get a big jar of extra virgin from Aldi cheaply. Also it mentions colloidal oatmeal. You can get a really big pump bottle from botanica Health for about £14. The trouble is the NHS prescribes emollients based on liquid paraffin which can be inflammatory whereas coconut oil is anti inflammatory.
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Thanks Katherine, I appreciate it. Seems nuts that they prescribe something with an ingredient that’s inflammatory to try and help an inflammatory condition! Though it might explain why Cetreben just made it worse, not better, my cheeks seemed to flare up bright pink and get drier when I was using this, even though they aren’t really involved in my current problems. Hence it chucked that one into the “no” pile quite quickly!
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I think most mainstream lotions and creams in the shops are based on liquid paraffin now. I get my weleda white mallow cream and lotion from Holland and Barrett and it cost £36 for 6 tubes of cream and a little goes a long way. They were 3 for 2. The faith in nature fragrance free lotion was good, but being a lotion I needed two layers of it. If you do try them let me know how you get on. I found the key is removing your own skin oils as little as possible and keeping cream on all the time. It said in the Patient Access newsletter you can buy colloidal oatmeal powder and put it in your bath water to soothe the skin. Good luck x
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UPDATE
So I spoke to the GP, made the most of my appointment and took half an hour of her time. She has agreed to prescribe Estriol cream for down below as well as HRT using Oestrogen gel and progesterone tablets, so yay!🤞🏻
With the eczema issue though she says she won’t refer me to dermatology yet as she wants to see if the HRT makes a difference first and to continue with whatever moisturiser I’m happy with and steroid cream to manage flares 😭. Not happy with that, but in the interim I made a private dermatologist appointment for 13 May (first one I could get, they are busy people!) so there is light at the end of the tunnel. I stopped my last round of steroid cream 2 days ago and I can already see the redness beginning to descend on my eye 😩. At least I have something to hang onto now and feel like I can move forward.
The GP said I was very well informed though. That’s thanks to this forum, I have had a good read around and have leaned a lot about Menopause and HRT!
Onwards and upwards, will update as and when I have more to add. Stay well everyone 💕
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hi there,
I feel your pain re eczema. I had eczema as a teenager in the 1970's and am 58 now. I now realise I was lucky to get over 40 years eczema free, but it has returned! I have it on my face where it started on my lips (thought it was a fungal infection) and eyes. My doctor was absolutely hopeless and although I have Bupa it was still 4 month wait. I am in Scotland and it can be 18 months for dermatology appt in the NHS. My dentist recommended a private GP in my area that specialised in dermatology. She started me with betnovate and like you it healed beautifully, but came right back after 5 days. I am now using Protopic in the children dose of 0.03% twice a week as maintenance does and so far so good. I also had the eczema on my nipples which was so unbelievably itchy. I was just so shocked that after 40 years since I had eczema very little has changed treatment wise. Proptopic is an immunosuppressant and not steroids. Ultimately nothing is ideal, but I think lesser of the two evils. I have bought every lotion and potion on line saying miracle cure and I would say they are all snake oil sadly. I think if it seems too good to be true it probably is. Hopefully if you can balance your hormones out it will help as I'm guessing my eczema stopped when my periods started. Feel free to message me if you need any help
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I am glad to read this, ASC2010!
I think I had every possible dermatological condition under sun and I can certify that dermatology is like black magic! These conditions are very slow to clear so one needs to be very patient.
In my twenties had my whole face covered in rash, knew every dermatologist in town, and only after ca 5 years found one who knew what it was. It took two years to clear, and it turned out to be digestive issue caused by stress, treatment included tranquilizers.
From that experience I learnt that less is more, meaning that creams should be very simple (used Nivea on face for years after that, until meno), and I wished I knew of eczema moisturizers much earlier.
Boots, as well as Superdrugs, have separate shelves with them, where medicines are. Have a good look there..and check prices on Amazon!
Best wishes!
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Thank you Gracie65, your reply is much appreciated. I feel lucky to get a private appointment so quickly given everything I’ve come across. I’ve heard of Protopic cream, and hopefully if there is no other answer the private dermatologist can prescribe that or something less risky. The GP was contradicting herself a bit by agreeing with me on one hand about steroids around eyes/face but then said to use it for flaring skin on the other 😐.
Hopefully the HRT will help too.
May I ask if you’re in meno now, and if so has this affected your skin differently to beforehand?
Thanks again
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Thank you Orrla. It does seem that the right emollient is very important here, I appreciate I’lll have to experiment a bit but will have a good look and see what I can find. Uggh, this is draining isn’t it.
Thanks for your support, wishing you well.
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Yes, I am in meno and have been taking estrogel and Utrogeston for 7 years. I’m hoping better weather will improve my skin as it is such a damp climate here in west of Scotland which isn’t eczema’s friend. At the minute I shower with cetaphil and use epaderm to cleanse with and also moisturise. I keep my routine very simple now as others have said. I also use cetaphil tinted sun block as a replacement for my foundation to give a little colour and my skin so far seems to like it.
I’m hoping to gradually taper protopic to once a week and try and come off in 4 months to see what happens.
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Hi Alex2024
Just did a bit of reading and it seems Abido could contain some Clobetasol Propionate which is a steroid, hence why it works wonders. See this website https://www.naturaljem.com/product/abido-cream/
EEK!! Thank you!! I didn't know that. I'm stopping it right now!! tbh it has worked really really well for me when Cetraban (which usually works) and eumovate or any other steroid creams just didn't this time.
I've only been using it for around two weeks so even if it did have a tiny bit of Clobetasol Propionate in it I'm sure it will be fine. I had quite bad excema as a child put quite a lot of steroid creams on for a few years which means I'm not as worried as some people might be with using steroid creams as I've never suffered from skin thinning or hair loss.
Happy to report my face excema has now gone so I'm going to test going back to my usual very dull and cheap face moisturiser, so I should be able to switch back now without problems. Mine was definitely a case of stress excema and I'm feeling more relaxed now so it makes sense that it has abated.
Best of luck with your excema and other conditions x