Menopause Matters Forum

General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: Louise2010 on December 07, 2017, 09:55:45 AM

Title: Very Confused
Post by: Louise2010 on December 07, 2017, 09:55:45 AM
Hi I'm a Newby so please bear with me.
I'm 47 and just started Evorel Sequi.  I would say I'm peri menopausal with very erratic periods with gaps of 6 months or 3 months.
My symptoms are night sweats, flushes, waking at night, joint aches, anxiety and irritability but because my sleep is disturbed this is all off the scale now ☹️
I exercise every week (circuits and yoga and walk).
When I started on the ‘oestrogen' patch I found I felt slightly better and my sleep was normal in fact most symptoms improved.
However when I started on the ‘progesterone/oestrogen' patch it all went pear shaped.
I haven't slept through the night now for over a week from really bad night sweats and just insomnia. I'm feeling very low.
I don't understand why this is happening as I thought too much oestrogen caused night sweats?
Why is the progesterone patch making me worse than before I started?
(Can't see my doctor for weeks and so have an appointment with another doctor who doesn't know me tomorrow.)
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Dotty on December 07, 2017, 10:05:10 AM
Hi are you on Evorel Conti or Evorel Sequi?
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Louise2010 on December 07, 2017, 10:10:52 AM
Thanks for replying- it's Evorel Sequi. 🙄 I should add another symptom is confusion. Going to modify my first post.
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Dotty on December 07, 2017, 10:21:03 AM
I thought that’s what you meant  . I think it’s low oestrogen that causes night sweats. It could just be that your own hormones and symptoms are breaking through. I’ve been told it takes 3 months for hrt to work although my hot flushes went within 3 weeks xx
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Louise2010 on December 07, 2017, 10:33:06 AM
Ah ok. It's the term oestrogen dominance causing night sweats that confuses me because I thought that meant too much oestrogen?!
It would make sense though if I'm feeling a bit better on the oestrogen.
I guess I need to find a progesterone that is just enough to keep my womb healthy? But doesn't cause me to want to commit murder 🤣
I was always very intolerant to the pill when I was younger so I'm wondering if it's the progesterone that's causing me problems.
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: 4meSons on December 07, 2017, 12:45:43 PM
Hi
From what I've read on here apparently it is the progesterone in evorel sequi that causes a lot of ladies problems. I'm sure someone who knows more will be along soon. An alternative is femseven sequi
Hope this helps x
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Beany12 on December 07, 2017, 01:51:46 PM
I am the same on fem seven sequi patches first 2 weeks was fine took edge off my symptoms but 3 more patches and I'm back to where I started. Not sure if I need higher dosage or change the type. Im going to Docs tomorrow as I have been unable to go to work this week as been so emotional I've not wanted to deal with anyone and so low in mood it's been hard to function. I'll keep you posted but I suggest a further visit to your doc but if they are like mine you need to tell them what you need and I have read so many posts on here and all I can find out is that the dosage may need to be changed. This is a very confusing time hun and it is helping knowing I am not alone so good luck and if i get any useful info from my doc I'll pass it on . big hug x
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: CLKD on December 07, 2017, 03:08:48 PM
Many ladies don't cope with the progesterone part of HRT.  Oestrogen levels drop which causes symptoms.  Read the green banner 'treatments', made notes!
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Louise2010 on December 07, 2017, 05:30:17 PM
Thanks so much ladies. You've made me feel I'm not alone.
I guess it's so tricky because each person is different and reacts differently.
Good luck Beany12 let me know how you get on.
I'm going to see a doctor tomorrow but it's not my usual GP. I'm hoping they will have some knowledge and be able to help me. 🤞🏻
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Louise2010 on December 08, 2017, 12:05:15 PM
Just got back from Doctors and she's prescribed me Fem 7.
I tried to ask for bio identical creams but she suggested a mirena coil which I've heard awful things about.
I don't understand why GPS are so pro coils, and not willing to prescribe bio identical.
Are they more expensive ? Do GPS have a budget? I feel like I'm going round in circles.
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: CLKD on December 08, 2017, 01:22:19 PM
What's the worst that could happen?  Many ladies have had good results with a Mirena, but of course, they don't post on threads  ::) I think that GPs prescribe it because they know that in most cases, it can ease symptoms.  I'm sure that someone with direct experience will be along, or use the search button for 'mirena coil' ?
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Louise2010 on December 08, 2017, 03:04:08 PM
Thank you. I've been searching through for Mirena coil posts.
I think the worst that could happen is I will be feeling like I do now which is (on Evorel Sequi the progesterone patch) close to suicidal, agoraphobic.
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: CLKD on December 08, 2017, 03:31:12 PM
Those feelings can be scary even if one is aware that these may be hormonally driven.

Have you considered talking to your GP about appropriate treatment for anxiety and/or depression?  Regardless of whether these are caused by hormones, sometimes appropriate treatments will ease symptoms sooner than HRT.  Some ladies find that they require both HRT and anti-anxiety treatments etc..

I have an emergency 'as necessary' drug for when anxiety over-takes me.  I used Vallium successfully for years, taking 5 or 10mg the evening B4 and Event I was unable to get out of.
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Louise2010 on December 08, 2017, 03:50:36 PM
Hi CLKD
Yes I have had to take anti depressants now for many years. (Its something that unfortunately runs in the family and I won the golden ticket on that one 😄).
It was under control until I started to hit the menopause. However even though i take medication, I exercise regularly, eat well and have a great support network I'm not coping.
So I guess it's a question of being patient until I find the right mix of hrt for me. It's a painfully slow hideous process though especially for my poor husband and daughter 😩🤣x
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Beany12 on December 08, 2017, 03:59:38 PM
Hi LOUISE2010

Doc put me on femoston as the fem seven sequin patches too high a dose and the pogeterone in this one is closer to what we produce and the levongestorgestrel progesterone in the phase 2 patch not agreeing with me. But it's all trial and error from what I can see. I've done a lot of digging about for info on the web to help me have a better understanding.  If this doesn't work doc agreed I should then try mereava coil and oestrogen gel which I'll b happy to try if the femoston doesn't help.  The coil apparently is very low dose and absorbed straight into the womb so not as aggregating to yr system i believe. 

Hope you manage better on the patches better.  I think I read somewhere maybe even on a blog here not sure that bio festivals aren't regulated or tested properly I think but dig around as I thought this but read no proof they work maybe a celeb fad?

My anxiety has been off the scale too panic attacks were my thing years ago had diopothen back then dis think about asking the doc today for more but will exhaust the get first.


Good luck   :bighug:
Beany12 x
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Mindfulmoomins on December 08, 2017, 04:28:10 PM
Hi,

Your story sounds very like mine. I have been on AD's for some years but things have been very well managed and I have felt well for years. I too exercise, eat well and have a very supportive husband, daughter and friends.

I started Evorel Sequi 4 months ago at 43 and at first it helped with my irritability, low mood, itchy skin, fatigue, aches and other peri symtpoms. After a few months however I started to feel really anxious, I stopped sleeping and had some frightening thoughts. I couldn't work either and I love my job even though it is stressful as it's a caring role.

I didn't link the two at first and couldn't understand why I was so anxious.

The Gp has prescribed Amytriptline which I take at night. This helps and I continue with my normal AD. I am also having cbt for anxiety and meditate daily.

It's been a pretty horrible and scary time and my heart goes out to you. I have now been prescribed ultrogestan and estrogel HRT wise which I think are both bio-identical. I am pretty scared about trying progesterone again but hope I will find this one ok.

There is loads of support here so do let us know how you are. Thinking of you and you are not alone. X
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Louise2010 on December 08, 2017, 04:57:52 PM
I hope the femostan helps you Beany. Make sure you let us know.
I know what you mean about the press on bio identicals but there's a Prof Studd (who treated Carol Vorderman successfully) who prescribes them.
It's all so blooming confusing. You'd think my now they'd have sorted out  some way of testing every woman to find out what exactly what type of hrt will be best for her.🤣
So Femostan, is that a tablet or patches?x
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Louise2010 on December 08, 2017, 05:05:19 PM
I'm sorry to hear that Mindfulmoomins. I total get the whole anxiety thing. This forum is a godsend!
I really hope your new hrt helps. Please let me know how you do.
I'm now thinking whether I should even try the new one I've been given and just go back and ask for ultrogestan and oestrogel too as the research I've done in here and the web suggests them worth a try.
I just wish I had a GP that really understood it all. She's lovely but it's not her specialty so I feel like I'm wasting time trying out similar things all the time. X
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: CLKD on December 08, 2017, 08:12:01 PM
GPs are that: GPs - so shouldn't be loathe to send patients to see appropriate Consultants but sadly, that side of the NHS means it comes out f the Practice Budget. 
Title: Re: Very Confused
Post by: Beany12 on December 08, 2017, 08:23:09 PM
It's femoston tablets 1/10 So the low dose and as a newby the first Dr I saw should have advised me to go with but unfortunately she was young and didn't know I think.  My only dilemma now is wether to start the pack on the oestrogen or pick up from the patch I just took off which was end if phase 1 I am due to go on to the progesterone phase. Leaflet says start after progesterone phase if akready on hrt and swapping to this one and with feeling so depressed at the moment not sure what I should do as can't afford more time off wor as not sure if it's the progesterone brining me down or not. The Dr didn't really say I just assumed I should go onto the progesterone phase then I read the leaflet  now confused as don't want to finish patches as too strong ::)
Beany x