Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Tracey E on September 12, 2019, 07:32:59 AM
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Hi everyone, at the moment I'm taking 1.5 pumps of Estrodrial daily and experiencing horrendous palpitations. 😟 With this I'm also getting excessive wind, reflux and bloating. I know it's not the Utrogestan because I get this when I'm on the Estrogen only part of the cycle. My menopause symptoms seem to be controlled on this dosage too, well all for the palps.
Now should I increase my Estrogel dose or is there an alternative estrogen I could take with less side effects?
Any help greatly appreciated as I'm now thinking of giving up on HRT altogether. 😪
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Hi palpitations are a common symptom of menopause so could be that rather than a side effect of the gel x
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I can't see that wind, reflux and bloating could be dramatically increased by using transdermal HRT? Do you take Utrogestan vaginally or orally and for how long? Have you tried changing your diet to see if someting else is to blame?
Hang in there and hopefully it will settle!
Hurdity x
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I can't see that wind, reflux and bloating could be dramatically increased by using transdermal HRT? Do you take Utrogestan vaginally or orally and for how long? Have you tried changing your diet to see if someting else is to blame?
Hang in there and hopefully it will settle!
Hurdity x
Hi Hurdity, I eat a fairly good diet tbh, I have sent off for a gluten allergy test though just check if all well that way.
I take Utrogestan vaginally for 7 days a month. This produces a bleed in the 10th day.
When I was first going through the menopause I used to get awful palpitations and the doctor told me it was probably due to a drop in my Estrogen. I don't know if these palps are product related or not. I also get palps from the HRT patches too, when I leave them off they go away. Pfft fed up. :-\
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Hi palpitations are a common symptom of menopause so could be that rather than a side effect of the gel x
Hi Dotty, in my Peri stage I used to get them a lot then they seemed to fade away on their own. But since starting HRT post menopausal they've come back and I don't know whether it's because my dose of estrogen is too high or too low. :(1.5 pumps eases my hot flushes so I thought this would be doing the trick.
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Just found this on the internet!
Many women use hormone replacement therapy as an aid against the symptoms of menopause or to otherwise increase estrogen levels. Hormone replacement therapy can compromise the closure of the LES leading to chronic acid reflux and heartburn, a symptom of GERD.
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Hia!
How long have you been on this regime? If it's for not that long your symptoms may decrease or go altogether.
But if it's been a while then as I'm doing now taking a break may help you resolve where the issue is.
Interesting that your Doc says palps are from estrogen. I had palps, I'm peri, had them before taking hrt but after replacing some of my estrogen with 1 pump E gel it resolved. I have however had to stop taking all hrt instructed by Doc, in the last week after 7 months on it as my wind, bloating and diarrhea have been out of control. It's so hard to work out what my body is trying to tell me, with these symptoms, there seems no rhyme or reason to it, I think I've nailed the reason and then I'm wrong. As yet to find the smoking gun.
Wishing you better luck than me in finding the answers, and sorry your suffering these symptoms, the palps are scary but not a symptom that's linked to heart attacks so don't worry too much. x
TD
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Hi Tracy E,
I also used the gel and got severe anxiety/ palpitations using it. I'm sure it was that and not the utrogestan. I say that because I only took the utrogestan 7 days a month and the gel daily and the symptoms I had were continuous.
I ditched the hrt straight away and the symptoms went.
It just affects people in different ways, linked to our own hormone levels etc..
I started on 2 pumps per day but when I started to get the symptoms, I reduced to 1 pump per day, but the symptoms continued to get worse, even on that very low dose.
How long have you been taking it and out of interest, why did you start taking hrt? ie what were your symptoms like before taking hrt and what stage of meno are you at? X
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Hia!
How long have you been on this regime? If it's for not that long your symptoms may decrease or go altogether.
But if it's been a while then as I'm doing now taking a break may help you resolve where the issue is.
Interesting that your Doc says palps are from estrogen. I had palps, I'm peri, had them before taking hrt but after replacing some of my estrogen with 1 pump E gel it resolved. I have however had to stop taking all hrt instructed by Doc, in the last week after 7 months on it as my wind, bloating and diarrhea have been out of control. It's so hard to work out what my body is trying to tell me, with these symptoms, there seems no rhyme or reason to it, I think I've nailed the reason and then I'm wrong. As yet to find the smoking gun.
Wishing you better luck than me in finding the answers, and sorry your suffering these symptoms, the palps are scary but not a symptom that's linked to heart attacks so don't worry too much. x
TD
Hi TD, are you now post menopausal? Apparently estrogen given during HRT can disrupt the digestive system. I have a friend who's a doctor and they told me that this disruption (acid reflux and bloating) can trigger the vagus nerve. This can then cause the palpitations. Which would explain why the palps get worse around meal times. I really don't know what the solution is. I am seriously contemplating coming off HRR altogether. :(
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Hi Tracy E,
I also used the gel and got severe anxiety/ palpitations using it. I'm sure it was that and not the utrogestan. I say that because I only took the utrogestan 7 days a month and the gel daily and the symptoms I had were continuous.
I ditched the hrt straight away and the symptoms went.
It just affects people in different ways, linked to our own hormone levels etc..
I started on 2 pumps per day but when I started to get the symptoms, I reduced to 1 pump per day, but the symptoms continued to get worse, even on that very low dose.
How long have you been taking it and out of interest, why did you start taking hrt? ie what were your symptoms like before taking hrt and what stage of meno are you at? X
Hi Jari, I've been on the Prof Studds 7 day regime since March 2019 and I'm post menopausal. My symptoms were hot flushes, eczema and VA. My mum had Osteoprosis and I was worried I might develop that in the future.
I really don't want the VA back or the hot flushes but I can see no light at the end of the tunnel resolvement wise.
I've upped my Estrogel today to two pumps, in a last ditched effort to help. Maybe it's the fact that I'm not taking progesterone every day that's causing the problem. I'm should be having a Mirena fitted shortly but I need my estrogen balanced before I do that.. Pfft.. ::)
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I had palps when my oestrogen was low. But if you are anxious, you can get them too. What a minefield all of this is!
Hi Birdy, I don't feel anxious though, they come one when I'm relaxed watching the telly or they wake me in the middle of the night when I'm asleep. :(
I've upped the estrogel to two pumps today to see if it helps. Are you still getting palpitations ?
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Hi Tracey,
Have you had these palpitations since taking hrt or has it only recently started. Mine started just a couple of weeks into taking it..
There's no way I could have carried on taking it, because I literally couldn't breathe after 2 months.
I know the flushes can be quite distressing and that's why I raced for hrt in the first place, but I'm pleased to say, my flushes are getting less and less. My gp told me that for the majority of ladies she sees, the flushes etc do start to fade and for most, these symptoms have all gone after 2 years.
My worry with taking hrt, is that we don't therefore know how our “ natural menopause†would be doing, because the hrt masks that.
Do you take supplements and get some good exercise? Drinking plenty of water to keep body hydrated? X
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Ps Tracey, I've recently had a bone scan as I was curious to see how my skeleton was.
My results were normal for hips but borderline osteopenia for spine. No meds recommended. The consultant said just keep on with good diet and walking exercise is good for bone health. She said my calcium etc was good levels from blood test, but I decided to get calcium supplements anyway.
She said she would have prescribed calcium if I needed it.
If you're concerned about your bone health, I would definitely recommend asking your gp for a dexa scan. X
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Hi Jari, I've not had palps on this regime until two weeks ago but then I did drop the Estrogel dose to try and achieve the lowest possible input. I used to get palpitations all the time on Evorel Conti patches that's why I changed HRT.
See if it was just the hot flushes I would probably cope coming off it. But I have VA as well so I don't want to get back to the point I was with that prior to HRT. :( My sister still has hot flushes at 70 years of age, I'm only 56...
I get plenty of excersise two crazy dogs to walk every day. I only eat fish and veg so no meat in my diet at all. I take multi vits, magnesium and cod liver oil tablets. I should drink more water though.
I'll see how two pumps of gel goes for a while and take it from there X
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Hi Tracey e
I'm not sure I'f I already asked you this but have u suffered thinning hair since being on the estrogel I know u take utrogestan for 7 days but I'm on the gel 2 pumps and my scalp hair has thinned dramatically and not sure if it's the gel or just low estrogen but I had ovaries removed 5 years ago and have only been taking HRT for 9 months and prior to starting HRT I didn't have hairloss so HRT I believe has triggered it x
I'm wondering wether to swap to a patch as my estrogen levels suggest I'm not obsorbing the gel very well .
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Hi Tracey e
I'm not sure I'f I already asked you this but have u suffered thinning hair since being on the estrogel I know u take utrogestan for 7 days but I'm on the gel 2 pumps and my scalp hair has thinned dramatically and not sure if it's the gel or just low estrogen but I had ovaries removed 5 years ago and have only been taking HRT for 9 months and prior to starting HRT I didn't have hairloss so HRT I believe has triggered it x
I'm wondering wether to swap to a patch as my estrogen levels suggest I'm not obsorbing the gel very well .
Hi Sammie, yes I have a bit, it does say that Estrogel can cause this though. I'm still hoping once I get a Mirena fitted I'll have a better balance of progesterone. I had levonorgestrel in my contraceptive pill and seemed ok on it (no hair loss)
Sammie maybe the patch would be better for you. I got palpitations on that too ( Evorel Conti). Don't think I had much hair loss on it though. X :)
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I have a couple of totally unscientific theories re palpitations:
- I definitely get them when hiatus hernia and reflux are playing up, also do chest ****les. I know not to worry though as it is the acid and stomach pushing up that causes them.
- If you are low in ovarian oestrogen your body will try to get it from your adrenalines instead which causes the rushes and palpitations, hrt should sort this, it has for me.
- When we get hot and flushy we get vasodilation, raised veins etc as our body pushes blood to the surface of our skin to cool down, this again causes palpitations and dizziness. Hrt again has really helped me with this as my veins always used to look like the hulk!
You could always pop to your doctors for an ecg / blood pressure test to put your mind at rest. X
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I have a couple of totally unscientific theories re palpitations:
- I definitely get them when hiatus hernia and reflux are playing up, also do chest ****les. I know not to worry though as it is the acid and stomach pushing up that causes them.
- If you are low in ovarian oestrogen your body will try to get it from your adrenalines instead which causes the rushes and palpitations, hrt should sort this, it has for me.
- When we get hot and flushy we get vasodilation, raised veins etc as our body pushes blood to the surface of our skin to cool down, this again causes palpitations and dizziness. Hrt again has really helped me with this as my veins always used to look like the hulk!
You could always pop to your doctors for an ecg / blood pressure test to put your mind at rest. X
Hi Bobidy,
I totally agree with you, it is the acid causing some of them. I never suffered from acid indigestion before starting HRT and when I stop taking the Estrogel the symptons dissipate. So maybe the estrogen is somehow causing the acid? I've had ecg's in the past and they found nothing amiss.
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There is lots you can do to help with the reflux so you can avoid those horrible tablets. I'm quite successful with the following. Sorry if I'm telling you things you already know:
Cut down/out caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, citrus, deadly nightshade veg (tomatoes, aubergines), carbonated drinks, chocolate.
Don't eat at least 2 hours before bed.
Don't lie or slouch after eating.
Don't drink liquid straight after eating.
Don't take supplements, meds, painkillers on an empty stomach (unless meds say so).
NSAIDS, Tranexamic Acid, Mefalonic Acids, antibiotics are terrible for the stomach.
An occasional teaspoon of Gaviscon before bed will usually sort it out, don't drink afterwards.
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Forgot to say that I've recently read Liz Earle's Menopause and gut health books (when did I become this woman !?!) and there was something interesting in there that said sometimes it isn't too much stomach acid that is the problem but too little. That had never occurred to me. But apparently as we get older and go through this shitty menopause (my words not hers) it does really affect our stomachs too. She suggested a teaspoon on apple cider vinegar half an hour before eating a meal to help with the digestion process. It is an acquired taste, but I'm giving that a go too.
Your doctor will try to prescribe tablets but these can cause problems with vitamin and mineral absorption and when you stop them it can make the acid problem worse (it did for me). Best to try lifestyle changes first if possible.
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Forgot to say that I've recently read Liz Earle's Menopause and gut health books (when did I become this woman !?!) and there was something interesting in there that said sometimes it isn't too much stomach acid that is the problem but too little. That had never occurred to me. But apparently as we get older and go through this shitty menopause (my words not hers) it does really affect our stomachs too. She suggested a teaspoon on apple cider vinegar half an hour before eating a meal to help with the digestion process. It is an acquired taste, but I'm giving that a go too.
Your doctor will try to prescribe tablets but these can cause problems with vitamin and mineral absorption and when you stop them it can make the acid problem worse (it did for me). Best to try lifestyle changes first if possible.
Thanks for that info, really useful. :)
I tried apple cider vinegar yesterday, 1 teaspoon in a glass of water it seemed to help. I don't know whether I've got low or high stomach acid, how can you tell the difference? I just know I'm belching all the time and it seems to trigger the palps..
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Hi Tracey e
As I'm only on estrogel do you think an Imbalance between estrogen and progesterone could be causing my hairloss rather then the estrogel itself ?
When u take your utrogestan do u have worse shedding ?
Have you tried a patch at all ?
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Interesting Birdy, I'll give that a try x
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Hi Tracey e
As I'm only on estrogel do you think an Imbalance between estrogen and progesterone could be causing my hairloss rather then the estrogel itself ?
When u take your utrogestan do u have worse shedding ?
Have you tried a patch at all ?
I think my hair loss dose increase slightly on the Utrogestan phase yes. I have tried patches but the palps were worse on them (Evorel Conti). However Femseven I loved but unfortunately not in production at the moment. :(
Thanks for all the info on the acid tests Birdy much appreciated. :)
Countrygirl (vagus nerve) something is triggering this in me, pretty sure it's my constant wind.
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Well having upped to 2 pumps of Estrogel my palpitations appear to have disappeared. Yipeeee!!! :bouncing:
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Yey, that's great. It really does make you realise how lack of oestrogen affects all the body doesn't it.
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That's good news Tracey! :)
Keep posting how it's going! X
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Well I've had a pretty dire weekend of palpitations, indigestion (gastric bloating), so I've come off the Estrogel yesterday. Pretty sure it was causing all these issues. :(
Are there any other Estrogen alternatives out there or are they all pretty much the same compounds?
Thinking of going back on topical Estrogen via the vaginal route coz taking Estrogen any other way seems screw me up. Don't understand why it's taken so long for the side effects to show, maybe it was the gradual build up of Estrogen in my body.
Cold turkey for me as the side effects of Estrogel are just too much for me. :-\
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Hia Tracey!
Sorry that you're still suffering. We are in it together, you and me.
I'm a bit further down the line as stopped all hrt almost 2 weeks ago cold turkey(started in Feb this year)after having mega bloating and loose stools. Did this under Docs instruction. I'm peri age 52 to answer your previous question. Doc told me to stop hrt inclu vagifem for 2 weeks and kind of reverse engineer back on to see what scausing it. I still have my symptoms so not sure what I'll do next. Have to report to Doc soon and see what he says.
Good luck with stopping hrt, hopefully you'll be feeling like yourself soon. x
TD
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Please do let us know how you feel after stopping the estrogel tracey.
Xx
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Hi Turkish & Jmargaret, well today is my third day off Estrogel still have the palpitations although they don't seem to be as bad. Bloating well this is a weird one, I feel like a balloon that's being slowly let down.. :o
I'm going to the doctors today to see what they suggest, I need to get something topical to keep the VA at bay. I woke up this morning in a slight sweat but nothing too severe at the moment.
How do you feel Turkish?
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Hi tracey e..and turkish d
Glad to know your ok tracey. How are you doing Tirkish D? Please tell
Me - 4 weeks 3 pumps gel only now (adding utro on 25th and as a sequi) and still feel flat and poo. Had a left side eyeside headache constant (maybe a teeny bit of respite but not much) so definitely feeling estrogel causing it....im at a loss as to what to do. Felt off all weekend saturday a bit lightheaded and clammy and this headache but yesterday progressed across forehead....i was actually sick last night. This morn as i woke and its back to its left side. So in general im not doing good. Dont feel right. This morn i was tempted to leave the gel...to hell with it all....but thought give one more day and sorry i did. Oh i dont know..sick of the whole rigmarole now....and so many questions..
.ie.could 3 pumps be too high (although felt same on 2..flat and no change) could i jist need the progesterone asap as not had any alongside estro for 4 weeks now, could it jusy not be for me...questions questions and 0 answers. Got a gp appt next week.....shes fab but wont know as much as you lot..bit inwas going to ask her to take bloods see if we can get some ideas as to where levels are if its even possible. I dont know.....feel so lost. Have done since bloody started !
Im.glad tracey you are seeing some settlinng of palps and bloating.... TD would love to hear how you are...and of course im always open to receive any thoughts or advice x
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Hi Jm, I feel for you I really do. I never thought taking Estrogen would make me feel so ill. :( I don't know whether it's the particular estrogen or ingredient in the gel or patches that my body just doesn't like. I read on the web yesterday that sometimes estrogen taken during HRT can cause GERD which I think I have at the moment. Just hoping my tummy returns to normal soon. I've also noticed on my thighs little pockets of fat, which I never had before taking HRT. :( Also I had incredibly achey feet, ankles, lower limbs and fingers first thing in the morning.
Jm I can't advise you on dosage, I was on a relatively low dose and still suffered side effects. I'm I'm pretty sure nausea is one of the contraindications of estrogel, however I would have a chat with your doctor to see what they suggest. Big hugsss. X
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Hia girls!
It's been 11 days after stopping hrt(was on it for 6 months prior, 1 pump o gel)
First the pro's, I've had good energy still, and firm boobs so that's a bonus right!
Cons. Hot flushing a little in the day and at night more so, keep being woken by the rising heat inside of me.
Dry mouth which wakes me up too. More tearful and sensitive. And P'eed off with my poo situ.
This weeks theory for the turbulent tummy is an increase in food sensitivity caused by the onset of peri menopause. I am a pescatarian so the other food groups are what I'm focusing on dropping to test this. Atm it's wheat and milk off the menu. Sugar will be the last thing to go trust.
Apparently sudden onset of all sorts of allergies are not uncommon when in peri and meno. If this is what I have, then hrt is supposed to help with this so I could have been doing the exact opposite of what was required to help. If it works I'd be ecstatic....the milkybars are on me! (cz I can't have milk....meh!)
Looking back in the MM archives I found an article Dotty posted on allergies during meno. Link under here. A belated thanks to our Dotty for that!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5992159/Experts-report-rise-women-developing-hay-fever-asthma-food-intolerance-middle-age.html
TD
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Hi ladies. I'm sorry to add my woes to this thread but I had to change my HRT 2 years ago due the one I was on being discontinued. I've tried various regimes - pills, gel and patches and all have given me digestive problems. I really believe it's the oestrogen as I feel the same when taking oestrogen only as when adding in the prog. I was on my previous HRT tablets for about 12 years and never had these problems so I'm finding it all very confusing and upsetting. I've tried all sorts of pills and potions and diets to try to alleviate the discomfort but nothing has really helped. I don't know what the answer is except keep trying different HRTs in the hope we will find something that doesn't have these awful side effects.
Wishing you lots of luck.
Rosie63 xx
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Hi Hurdity, I eat a fairly good diet tbh, I have sent off for a gluten allergy test though just check if all well that way.
I'm not sure that gluten allergy test will necessarily show up anything if it is the test for actual coeliac disease? There are different types of problems with gluten - coelics are unable to digest gluten - here is some info. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/
However there can also be non coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and there has been some research on this related to FODMAPs ( Google this if you haven't come across them!).
You may be sensitive to gluten ( but which might not show up on a test) or foods high in FODMAPs. What I don't understand is how individuals can become sensitive later in life when once they were not - and it could be connected with hormones, mnenopause and HRT (I haven't read enough about it).
The reason I mention this is I also had gut problems - a lot of belching and burping, wind, stomach gurgling and discomfort etc. Went to the doc who felt my tum and did some general blood tests (not gluten tests or anything like that) - all seemed normal. She said no alarm bells were ringing and suggested I try dietary changes - first gluten free and then if no better then low FODMAP diet. I took one look at the latter and thought it was far too fiddly but I have been very low or no gluten ever since and there has been a huge improvement. My use of indigestion tabs has reduced drastically as has discomfort so I'm going on with it. I have been on HRT for many years so it's not related to that but just seems to have got worse in recent months - why I don't know.
Juist a thought - it might be easier to try this than to have to go without HRT if the oestrogel is otherwise suiting and benefitting you?
Hurdity x
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For Rosie. :)
Estrogen, Hormone Replacement Therapy and Acid Reflux
In hormone replacement therapy, estrogen, along with other hormones, is given during menopause or afterward. Such treatments can help minimize symptoms like hot flashes or vaginal dryness. It also helps prevent bone loss, which can occur due to the sharp drop in estrogen after menopause. Unfortunately, the supplemental estrogen received when undergoing hormone replacement therapy, along with another hormone called progesterone, may also lead to acid reflux. Some research suggests that this may be due to relaxation of the LES, though other mechanisms are possible. According to a 2008 study in the "Journal of the American Medical Association," the risk of GERD symptoms increased with the dose and the duration of estrogen use.
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Hi hurdity
I have some experience with fodmap foods
I have IBS and sensitivity to gluten and wheat and possibly dairy too though still have small amount of dairy being skimmed milk and cheese once week I also have slow transit constipation and lazy bowel and as I suffer with constipation I have to have low fodmap foods and it does help to a degree in that the pain bloating etc goes but I don't go to toilet more often as low fodmap foods don't contain huge amounts of fibre but if you suffer with diarrhea then u need to have high fodmap foods to bulk the stool I have low fodmap to soften stools.
Hope this helps
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Along the lines of G sensitivity, this video from Dr Renee(a perfect name for gut discussions)on gluten sensitivity is a good one.
N ow where did I put my Rennie tablets...wink!
Link under here.
https://youtu.be/UN3An7KgJBs
TD
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Hi Tracey
Yes ive an appt next week on 26th but its what to do in the meantime as this migraine is making me feel ill.
My doc is fab but i know she wont really know but we see. I amhoping ove maybe a virus hence how bad felt weekend and today and it will pass. time only tell eh. My dilemma is whether to hang on a few more days and see if all eases or stop the gel as of tomorrow morning. Ill sleep on it. Today i received a new bopk Menopause manual by the great dr louise newson and so far the benefits of estrogen seem so good....confuses you more eh when you feel like this! X
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Yeah it does, but hey we're not all the same and what's food for one maybe poison to another. I've been to the doctors today and she was really good.Got bloods on Wednesday and an ECG Friday to make sure all is well. She wouldn't give me any further HRT not even topical for VA until results are back. So I'll have to wait another week or so for the results. She did mention a referral to the menopause clinic as I appear to be a complex case but said the waiting list is quite long :(
Haven't felt too bad today without the estrogen, so I'll just have to wait and see. Hope you feel better soon Jm. X
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Sometimes birdy it just gets a case of enough is enough..in my case anyway. Still early days i know and only the start of a long trial and error path but stopping the gel surely cant make me feel any bloody worse than i do already, or perhaps how tracey may feel, but i do know what you mean hence me still applying it each morning (then questioning later why i did!). Dont suppose youve any thoughts..ie...should i reduce gel again see if headache subsides? (Just when i think gel.poss too high i realise ive got my coccyx soreness still there and achy knee joints as well as feeling like ive a virus - or could have one!!) Its this headache thats doing it though, feel like im a puppet on a string to it - it owns me. Bloody debilitating it is and no tabs touching so im not taking anymore para or ibopr!
Not sure what to comment on traceys doctor stopping stuff.....but hope you feel ok tracey and not worse for the sudden stopping. Do keep us posted!
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You did say this in earlier post birdy. Health risks? This obviously worrys me so another thing to worry about.
Tracey - maybe have a look into as to why birdy said there isnt a need just to stop VA treatment as a bit more info may help x
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I stopped the Estrogel myself because over the last three weeks I've felt so I'll. I'm feeling so much better today, yes I did have one night sweat last night but that's nothing compared to horrendous bouts of palpitations and bloating to the point of not being able to eat. :(
I wasn't on topical Estrogen just Estrogel and Utrogestan Birdy.
I think the doctor wanted to clear the Estrogen from my system, to run some blood tests to make sure nothing else was causing the symptons, such as thyroid etc. I can totally understand that.
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Glad you feel a bit better tracey. Ive woken same o same o...left eye side migraine. How many pumps were you on? X
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Glad you feel a bit better tracey. Ive woken same o same o...left eye side migraine. How many pumps were you on? X
Jm migranes are a side effect of Estrogel. I would make an appointment to see your doctor if they are persisting. Did you suffer from mgranes prior to taking Estrogel? I had three ocular migranes whilst I was on it and alarm bells rang for me then. I've never had a migraine before ever.
I was on two pumps, just upped from 1.5 as my hot flushes were coming back. X
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HI again Trace - yes ive an appt next wednesday so just over another week! I did used to suffer from what i can only describe as left side eye pain and man it used to be bad..lasted days and I mean awful then I got pregnant with my son and i recall i was a few months and had once that i just couldnt take any more and went to a specialist that same day who couldnt do much as i was preg but said sounded like sinus pressure type headache and like eye pressure pain (eyes all fine by the way) then....after my son was born (nearly 14yrs ago!!) didnt seem to get them !!! Was a miracle .But slowly over the years i may get one now and again but not for weeks on end !! I was on 2 pumps and upped to 3 three weeks back as felt flat and soöoo fatigued..i did, looking back in my diary have a few 'normal' headaches when started but put it down to just body adjusting and reacting etc, but this one seems to be constant and same place - left side of eye where used to be! This weekend though from saturday onwards I have felt unwell...almost virusey....and this morn my lower back and hips feel achy..whole body does actually. Still havent put gel on this morn...yet. aaargh..what to do. So fed up. Part of me saying....i could poss have a coincidental virus and blaming it on the gel, part if me thinking it could ALL be the gel. At such a loss.x
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Big hugggs, :bighug: If these severe migranes started whilst taking Estrogel then the Estrogen might be causing them. I can only speak for myself when I say the negatives for me were out numbering the pro's. Maybe a few weeks down the line I'll regret coming off it, I don't know. It just seemed the right thing for me to do as I was feeling so poorly Jm. Why don't you book an emergency same day appointment at your doctors to get seen quicker? X
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I know! Its so hard isnt it Tracey as so much goes on. Also I do sort of get the importance of us women getting estrogen and i also feel with me theres been a missing link somewhere hormone wise for a loooong time. My docs dont do emergency appts but i will ring now see if any cancellations. They do have same day open access but i wont go to any other doc except the one i do as she knows me and my history and tbh shes the only one i would trust!! (Still havent applied my gel yet hahaha - laughing as i type as its becoming funny sort of haha) x
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JMargaret
Sorry the peg didn't work for you!
I didn't take my HRT yesterday, I was a bit fluttery in the chest yesterday afternoon. So this will be day 2 for me no HRT. I'm not sure how long it takes to leave your system after you've only been on it a month. I spoke to a pharmacist in the afternoon to check it was ok to just stop them and he said yes, but you may get a return of symptoms you had before. so I'm kind of waiting for a headache.......
I've decided I'm going to try doing things without. Hope you feel better soon my dear x
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Hi Hurdity, I eat a fairly good diet tbh, I have sent off for a gluten allergy test though just check if all well that way.
I'm not sure that gluten allergy test will necessarily show up anything if it is the test for actual coeliac disease? There are different types of problems with gluten - coelics are unable to digest gluten - here is some info. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/
However there can also be non coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and there has been some research on this related to FODMAPs ( Google this if you haven't come across them!).
You may be sensitive to gluten ( but which might not show up on a test) or foods high in FODMAPs. What I don't understand is how individuals can become sensitive later in life when once they were not - and it could be connected with hormones, mnenopause and HRT (I haven't read enough about it).
The reason I mention this is I also had gut problems - a lot of belching and burping, wind, stomach gurgling and discomfort etc. Went to the doc who felt my tum and did some general blood tests (not gluten tests or anything like that) - all seemed normal. She said no alarm bells were ringing and suggested I try dietary changes - first gluten free and then if no better then low FODMAP diet. I took one look at the latter and thought it was far too fiddly but I have been very low or no gluten ever since and there has been a huge improvement. My use of indigestion tabs has reduced drastically as has discomfort so I'm going on with it. I have been on HRT for many years so it's not related to that but just seems to have got worse in recent months - why I don't know.
Juist a thought - it might be easier to try this than to have to go without HRT if the oestrogel is otherwise suiting and benefitting you?
Hurdity x
Hi Hurdity, Sorry I've only just got round to reading your post. Believe me I didn't want to leave off the HRT but the bloating, belching and palpitations were just beyond me. Over the last few days my body seems to have deflated, if that makes sense. My tummy no longer feels distorted and painful and for the first time in three weeks my palps have gone. :)
I really don't know what alternatives there are left me now HRT wise :(
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Hi Mogster - glad yr feeling okay. Yet to apply todays gel....normally rub it in at 8am....still debating!!! X
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Just a quick update, 6 days into going cold turkey with the HRT. Well first of all I feel more energised, no hot flushes during the day just one last night. Bloating going and palpitations are getting less frequent. Morning aches and pains have gone and I've lost 3 lb in weight, guess it was water retention. I feel more alert and wuth it if that makes sense. I've had full bloods done today then an ECG in Friday.
Still wondering whether the flushes will return, I guess only time will tell. :-*
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Hi trace !! Thanks for letting us know! Im.so glad you feel ok. So glad! Im day 2- still a lil under the weather BUT i do think i had a possible virus and my conclusion is this....Ive felt so NOT right the last few weeks on my hrt, (all areas, espec the constant headache that was becoming unbearable) - just the gel - and been in turmoil what to do that I think I missed my intuitions call - and was sent the virus to get my attention!! Thats what im saying anyway to justify my stopping gel! Only time tell with me but i do hope i regain some oomph and energy within a day or so, so can see clearly again and have some clarity at least and re-assess!
Did you feel ok tight away, ie enerrgy etc or has that just come with the days?
So very glad you feel ok! X
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Hi Margaret, tbh I felt better from the second day onwards. I was on such a low dose of Estrogel anyway I don't think it was having much effect, I was having more hot flushes on it than off it. Plus all the other side effects were awful.
How are you feeling today ? Have the headaches eased now and are you still taking your gel?
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Hi Trace...no gel day 2 today. Head has eased yes.....just a smidge of it still lingering. Feel ive a bit of a cold symptoms..but if was virus then poss that so just feel a bit off today, you know like a virus can make you feel...but head easing so seems too much of a coincidence dont you think...that i havent had my gel and head is easing off...after many weeks !!!
I can only wait and see...x
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Hi Trace...no gel day 2 today. Head has eased yes.....just a smidge of it still lingering. Feel ive a bit of a cold symptoms..but if was virus then poss that so just feel a bit off today, you know like a virus can make you feel...but head easing so seems too much of a coincidence dont you think...that i havent had my gel and head is easing off...after many weeks !!!
I can only wait and see...x
Yes it does Margaret, briiliant news though. :) Keep me posted on how you get on. Last night I didn't have an hot flush, so my fingers and toes are crossed that they might have abated. X
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Hi Trace...hope you are still feeling ok and had a good night..no flushes.
I woke and still have headadhe 😓 and dont feel too well, almost flu-ey, so again dont know if i definitely have a virus or just bearing the brunt of the hrt gel. Was worried this morning id been too hasty.in stopping gel but i felt crap anyway so...!
Keep you posted...and you me/us x
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It's early doors yet Margaret, I've no idea how long it takes for HRT to get fully out of our system. Take care and try not to worry. :) X
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It is trace. And yes ill try not worry and just ride out...hard though when got this bloody eye pain type headache. Seemed to ease yesterday pm but back. Vile it is. Also feel tired and flat but maybe expected with a lingering headache eh.
Hope youre still ok love xx