Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Dfergu on August 16, 2018, 02:59:34 PM
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Hi All,
This is my first time posting on menopause matters - I find it so informative & reassuring so i wanted to ask has anybody else had a bad time when first starting HRT? I'm 45 peri-menopausal and just had an endometrial ablation due to bleeding which brought me close to needing a transfusion. When they tested my bloods they said that I had the levels they would expect of a POST menopausal lady? Anyway about 3 weeks ago I braved starting HRT as I have developed anxiety amongst other physical symptoms since starting the peri-menopause and I've got to say other than having a little more energy I have felt pretty rubbish - more so today even :-(
My HRT regime is Estrogel 2 pumps and I'm supposed to start utrogestan too but as I started the HRT mid cycle I was going to start this next cycle?
I was also prescribed Testogel (1 pump every other day) but figured the junior gynae must have got this wrong (she was very unsure on a few things and had to keep going in asking the consultant) after reading lots of stories on here I used a pea sixed amount the night before last in addition to my gel but as i say i have just felt worse? :-(((
Any advice or support would be massively appreciated ladies :-)
p.s sorry for the poor grammar I am typing this in a rush before I nip out.
Thank you for your time anybody that reads this andy manages to provide some guidance on why I may feel like this.:-(
x
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HORMONES >:( ::)
:welcomemm: I think it takes a while for the body to adjust to hormone intervention, after all, she is trying to slow down - a drop in oestrogen can cause the body to become dry: inside and out as well as muscles may become lax - aches and pains.
Browse round. Make notes.
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Thank you for that CLKD - that's given me the encouragement I need to bear with it a while longer :)
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When I feel ill I want a 'cure' yesterday ::) ;D
Do you keep a diary of symptoms?
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Welcome to MM, Dfergu!
It is important to stabilise your estrogen (with progesterone) first before adding any testosterone into the mix. Very likely, you will be converting any testosterone into estrogen if your levels are very low (the body is clever that way)!
You really need 3 months of a stable E/P regime before adding in the T. I hope this helps? I would of hoped your young gynae. might gave known this! xxxx
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Thank you Tempest I did wonder if I should get stable on the estrogen before adding the testosterone? So that's really made things a bit clearer for me - I'm terrified of starting the Utrogestan if I'm honest as they had me on norethisterone right before my ablation and it made my anxiety horrendous :( xxx
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Would that be the progesterone causing anxiety?
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Hi CLKD
Yes it's the progesterone that increases my anxiety :-\
Xx
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Hi Dfergu
In answer to your question no I felt better within a couple of hours of going on my current hrt regime (evorel 50) I'll never forget it, it was like a lightbulb moment for me after suffering peri symptoms for so long. It shows me once you're on the right regime how good it can be. However, I've always struggled with the progesterone component (and still do really). As the others have said I wouldn't add the T until you've got O & P stabilised, that way you have a better idea of what's what. Hope this helps x
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I'm three weeks into evorel and I really I don't think I feel any different. Still have good and bad days with stomach and dizziness. Head's not too bad but that part of the cycle is yet to come. Maybe it's because I've started on half a patch. Part of me wonders if there's any medication actually in the patches! Or perhaps my symptoms aren't related to low estrogen (which seems unlikely given that I'm 56 and still have irregular periods)
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Hi Ladies,
Thank you for your responses I'm starting to wonder too if it's HRT I actually need? :(
xx
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Keep going. You can't start wondering about coming off it at this stage. Some people have an easy ride. The rest of us don't. I have recently switched to Estrogel from a compounded cream that had stopped working. My levels are very low. I felt lovely the first day but I haven't felt good since. I expect my depleted body is trying to work out where to put the unusual hormone at the moment. You need to give any new HRT 3 months before reviewing and tweaking with your GP. Leave the testosterone in the cupboard for now and concentrate on the other two. I think you are right to give your body time and to take the progesterone at the point you suggested. This will give you a run of days on the oestrogen alone, which you probably need.
Have you been given Utrogestan for the progesterone part? If so, and if you are worried about it, don't swallow it, just push the capsule as high up your vagina as you can reach. I was worried about it. I'm fine with it this way.
Hormone treatment, especially for those who have become very depleted, is a slow and long process. Believe me, I have hypothyroidism brought on my menopause to deal with at the same time. Another long, slow and very unwell making process!
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I just want to chip in that in the few years I have been in peri my moods / anxiety have been very up and down no matter what regime I am on. All the GPs I have seen refuse to test my hormones yet I have been told my various GPs that my feel so anxious/weepy/mad because my levels could me too high/too low or that it is the swings of them in itself that effects it. Also that is could be blood sugar/cortisone rather than the hormones themselves. I have gone from crying at the GP thinking I was going mad ( I would have eaten raw horse testicles on the spot if prescribed) To pretty well and fine (out of the house / sunny day / distracted) within the week. All I heva learnt is that if I can bear to hang in there for a week things will change.
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Oh Roseneath ............. ;).
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Oh CDLK.....I know, I know you are going to tell me that just a single horse testicle will give me my RDA of testosterone. Right?..... ;)
As long as it comes with a side of sweet chilli sauce you can put me down for a large one.
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Apologies....CLKD...it is my dyslexia kicking in. I need an acronym for you.
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That is my what-ever-that-long-word you used ;D
I live near a Vet Surgery that deals entirely with horses ;). DH makes a good chilly dressing .........
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If my husband keeps up his moaning and groaning at the state of the nation I won't need your vet thanks CLKD ; just a pair of shears and a deep fat fryer.....on a more positive note I feel relatively ' great' today; a far way from how I felt 7 days ago. Have started taking a daily Multi Vit & Vit D & Magnesium plus snacking on fruit and nuts throughout the day. Also had two nights of 8 hours with only one toilet/snoring break which makes a huge difference.
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Hi I'm desperate hope someone can advise. I've been on utrogestron 100 and estrogel gel for three weeks. After a week and s half the anxiety set in and it's awful. Feel so bad. I have to work full time (in mental health ironically ) I have small children and I can't cope with this. I thought HRT would help but I feel worse. I was anxious before due to meno symptoms but this is off the chart now. X
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Twinmummy. This is exactly what happened to me. (I was put on Elleste Duet - I felt like I was going mad, almost poisoned , within 48 hours of taking. Nightmares, worst panic I have had had the like since) I could urge you to contact your GP (ask for a phone back) or any GP at the practise who you think could advise you and you can be open with. My GP told me to come of it straight away and has (now) suggested a different route for me. Don't second guess or try to ' tough it out' - tell them you need a call back asap. But to reassure you you will feel better and it is hard to see this when you are in a panic. It is not an uncommon reaction for some people and I wish I had had some type of warning about this as I had the impression that all my troubles would subside once I had started it. But go by you GP advice rather than try and second guess it.
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Sorry you are feeling bad Twinmummy, anxieties terrible. I have always been a chronic worrier and luckily I aren't any worse now that before which is just as well really. I'm feeling rubbish atm, with nausea and stomach problems. This is my first month of evorel sequi and I don't think I feel any different, equally as bad as before, not worse though. Though head is ok so far (I daren't even say it).
Is it usual for women to feel as if the HRT isn't having any effect whatsoever?
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Hi ladies sorry I haven't been responding for a few days not been too good at all? Woke last night after 3 days of using Utrogestan (vaginally) absolutely drenched in sweat and my heart rate going mental all night :-(((
I'm absolutely gutted as I hoped and prayed that HRT was going to be the magic wand that gave me at least a little of myself back but doesn't seem to be at the minute?
I am going to try & persevere for at least 3 months in case it's just my body adjusting?
Sorry to hear about the ladies who are still suffering and thank you to the other ladies for your valuable advice xxx
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The body doesn't usually get where it is suddenly so when it's given HRT it takes a while to adjust. Bugga ........
Twinmummy - Progesterone can cause a lot of problems. Maybe put the product name into the search box on here to find out how others have managed? then start a thread of your own so that you don't get 'lost'.
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Hi Ladies - back again :)
I have just had My Oestradiol levels checked and the receptionist said that they are normal yet when I asked what level they were at I was informed that it was 1169? Surely this is quite high? Does anybody have and ideas as to what theirs were whilst using EstroGel and if this is actually ‘normal' as advised?
Thanks in advance for any advice :) xxx
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Where do you put the Oestrogel? If you apply it to your arms, it could distort the result as that is where they are taking the blood sample from. It is best not to use it for 8 hours before having bloods done.
JP x
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I too have suffered a massive increase in anxiety after starting oestrogel and utrogestan and I am convinced it is caused by HRT as anxiety only became the main issue since starting HRT in April - before that low mood and physical symptoms were main concern. I am experimenting with the dose of oestrogen and have gone right down to 1 pump every other day - already I have noted I do get a sudden rise in physical anxiety sensations 2-3 hours after applying the gel, which fades across the following 12 hours, but only been doing this a few days so can't yet establish a pattern (although I have a hunch oestrogen is causing the anxious feeling already because when on Femoston I was more anxious when on the oestrogen only tablet). However, I am also sure the oestrogen has helped to alleviate my mood as I am getting more things done and experiencing more enjoyment and interest in stuff. I will add the utrogestan part in after a couple of weeks and again monitor anxiety levels as it could be both that contribute. If it doesn't settle over 3 months despite me tweaking the regime I will ask to change onto a different HRT when I see specialist. Already tried Femoston 2/10 which was good for some of the time, but anxiety really bad overall, however, it maybe I should have tried 1/10.
The problem is taking HRT for perimenopause requires a clear head and a plan, both which are in short supply currently because of the HRT and perimenopause!
Rosenheath - Great advice about hanging in there, and can I borrow your shears ;D
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Hi Joaniepat,
I normally alternate and can't recall if I had put it on my arm or the inside of my thigh that day? So could be that?
X
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I guess it could be, if it was a day you put it on your arm. Perhaps someone else will come along with other ideas about high serum oestrogen levels.
JP x