Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: SLUC on August 03, 2024, 08:43:52 PM
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Hello. Advice needed please.
I had POF in my early twenties and am now 45. Been on HRT for over 10 years and a year ago switched to a continuous HRT with no bleeds. Femoston-conti 1mg/5mg which has worked really well for me. The last 4 weeks I feel like I have lost it… crippling anxiety, dizziness, heart palpitations, jelly legs, headaches, scared of my own shadow. Also had a random 3 day bleed this weekend. My question is can HRT just suddenly stop working. I know I am probably on a low dose for someone with POF and it may need adjusting. Just hoping this anxiety will end soon.
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Hi
Sorry to hear your suffering so much.
Anxiety is the pits, suffer myself with it, altho since switching from femosten conti, which I was on for years, it isn't as bad, I'm on estrogel & utrogestion now.
I didn't absorb the prog in the femosten and started bleeding, had biopsy done, all OK.
Id say you maybe need a higher dose now, and hopefully it'll sort all your symptoms for you.
I've certainly noticed a difference in mine, it's not perfect, but that's life. 🤷♀️
Hang in there, and hopefully you'll feel better soon.
Xx
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Anxiety can be eased by HRT - however, if U are really suffering then your GP has access to dedicated anti-anxiety medications. Propranolol helped ease the early morning surges, I took Propranolol successfully for many years. Short course of Valium to give you some breathing space ........
Do make an appt with your GP or Nurse Practitioner - who is overseeing your HRT?
:bighug:
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I think you should see your gp anyway because of the bleeding. It sounds like oestrogen deficiency to me and it's normal to need more as your own production declines. What confuses me is why it would happen now. Unless you've still been producing some yourself, just not enough to ovulate? Did the bleed feel like a period?
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Thanks for your replies ladies. Because of the POF I have a yearly telephone call from the NHS Menopause Specialist which to be honest is a bit of waste of time. I have seen a Specialist privately and she is great so will book another appointment with her I think. I had a ultersound about 8 weeks ago and everything was ok. Felt like I have been doing so well this last year and this has come out of no where! Private specialist did say a year ago that I am on a low dose for someone my age and I should increase so this might be my body telling I need too!
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It could B your own hormonal fluctuations, better to get a chat with the Specialist. Let us know how you get on!
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Any improvement?
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Is your smear test up to date?
If so and you had a normal lining scan 8 weeks earlier I would not be concerned about the bleed.
Has anything happened to reduce your absorption of the HRT this past few weeks. This could explain both the anxiety symptoms and the bleed. Eg missed doses, vomiting/diarrhea, new medication, change of diet?
I would consider 1mg estradiol a low dose for someone in your situation, especially as it sounds as if you initially went years with untreated POI?
You should also ask for a DEXA scan if you haven't had one. I'd try the NHS for this first.
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Hello, yes smear up to date and normal lining 8weeks ago.
No missed tablets.
Dexa up to date… had one last year and all normal.
The Doctor originally wanted to put me on a higher dose but I was reluctant. I think it may have come to the point that what I am on is just not enough anymore?
NHS is year wait to speak to a specialist in my area so will have to go private.
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Why were you reluctant? Do U keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress?
With some regimes GPs suggest a hike in dose which can overwhelm the body so slowly slowly might work better as the body uptakes the extra hormone.
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I just don’t like having to take medication especially HRT as I worry about the cancer risk. But after all these years and because of the POF and all the Doctors I have spoken to over the years I totally understand that for me and my situation the benefits far out weigh the risks.
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Thank you so much will have a look. Blood test to check Thyroid all ok. It really is awful. Will definitely be booking an appointment this week.
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SLUC - if U R hungry do you. not eat? If you were prescribed heart medication or insulin for daily use as a diabetic :-\. Everything that we do has a risk. Quality of Life is important too. When I was first prescribed anti-depressant meds I wanted to know why I was suffering with depression and did wonder how long I would require treatment: 4 me it's for Life. Similar to the VA treatment ::)
Because it may take a while to find an HRT regime that suits it is important to begin soon rather than later. We forget that treatment is replacing the oestrogen our bodies are losing = all kinds of symptoms.
It is suggested that a regime should be used for 3-4 months to allow the body to uptake replacement.