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[Lex45]

Thought I'd share my meno journey to maybe give hope to others in my position. (Sorry for long post)
I started having symptoms at about 40 and went on HRT at 41ish had a migraine at 43 and was told I had to stop HRT due to increased risk of stroke. What followed was 18 months of hell, not sleeping cos of 8+ flushes during the night (never mind the day) basically nodding off...flushing...nodding off.....blah blah. Tried Prozac, clonidine...spent a fortune on OTC/online stuff NOTHING helped! Referred to local meno clinic and got fed up waiting for appointment (put on waiting list from when they sent letter August, rather than when referred in May so in effect had to wait extra three months) luckily I was able to self fund a private appt with same specialist that I would of seen next January via NHS (by this time I was hardly functioning between working and caring for family,not sleeping and having major loss of confidence at times feeling suicdal despite anti depressants) Any way upshot was consultant didn't feel that migraine was related to HRT as I'd had them on and off over the years and also that as the HRT gel he's prescribed is identical to what body makes and no one was concerned re risk of stroke to block my own oestrogen when I was making it naturally he couldn't see any reason why I couldn't restart HRT!! (Wish I'd paid to see specialist 18mths ago as I've prob spent more than this in stuff that didn't work) Been using oestrogel (£7.20 private script for first one then back to regular GP for further ones and a progesterone every 3 months) for a week and already seeing benefits less intense/frequent flushes, lost a bit of weight, been piling pounds on steadily despite exercising more/eating less skin less spotty and feel like me again!!

[CJ-sleepless]

That is good news - but it makes me so cross that we are made to jump through so many hoops to get the right treatment!! 

[Limpy]

Hi Lex45 - Welcome to MM

Glad you eventually got sorted but it is so tedious the amount of hassle you got.

[Dancinggirl]

Lex45 - welcome to MM
Sadly your story is all too familiar.  Many GPs are simply not up to speed.  The new guidelines are going out soon and the private gynae I have been seeing is doing lectures and talks to GPs to educated them better.
RE: progesterones, I'd try either Utrogestan or Provera as these are better tolerated - info on this site under TREATMENTS. I get some nasty headaches but am finding that using Utrogestan continuously actually stops my headaches.  When I used HRT sequentially the migraine type headaches occurred with the ups and down of using progesterone. It's trial and error I'm afraid but it's worth persevering till you find the right balance.  Isn't is awful that we need to pay to get a life back?
I'm sure your life will be back on track really soon.
Keep us posted.  DG x

[orrla]

Thankfully I had enough sense to register with Meno clinic - if I did not my GP would take me off HRT in no time. Every 3 mnts she goes through a long list of possible effects HRT could have on my health (I am very healthy!) should I continue - and advising me to cut down.

No chance! 

Good news is that in today's Guardian, on a front page, there is this news:

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/oct/19/hrt-to-treat-menopause-is-safe-study

I suggest you to print it, keep it safe in your handbag, and each time GP tries to discourage you show it to him/her!

Good luck! 

[Hurdity]

Hi Lex45

  from me too.

I agree with Dancinggirl. What progesterone have you been given and what dose of gel are you using? Great that you only have to take the prog every 3 months but you might find you eventually might want to do a shorter cycle to get the right dose of oestrogel and want to avoid breakthrough bleeding. Fantastic that you are already feeling better! 

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

Good news is that in today's Guardian, on a front page, there is this news:

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/oct/19/hrt-to-treat-menopause-is-safe-study

I suggest you to print it, keep it safe in your handbag, and each time GP tries to discourage you show it to him/her!

Good luck! 

orrla there is more discussion and more links on this thread proivded by Emma including a news item on this site - glad you found the Guardian one first as it gives the most detailed information we have so far
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/board,16.0.html

The important thing is this study on its own doesn't prove that HRT is sfae but is consistent with the body of data from recent studies which all draw a similar conclusion - that the benefits of HRT outweigh risks and that the risks from the earlier studies  were overstated.

Hurdity x 

[Lex45]

Hi hurdity (and everyone else!) thanks for a warm welcome:) I'm seeing how I go with just one pump of oestrogel for the moment as I haven't taken HRT for 18 mths (I was on cyclo progyna 2mg because after lots of trial and error, reaction to patches etc I found the progesterone in that effected me least) thought I'd try at lowest dose first. Dr said I could increase/decrease it by half a dose by dispensing one pump and using half the amount dispensed, he said not to try to dispense a half pump as its too diff to tell what you get. Got provera 10mg twice a day for 12 days every 3 months to start, but again I can jig it about a bit if I need! The Dr I saw was soo lovely and understanding, willing to figure out what would be best for ME as I'm not great with progesterone, get a bit "grrr"lol and to let me figure out what works best I'll be sent a follow up appt with him at the NHS meno clinic in Jan as well

[orrla]

Lex45, had anyone suggested Mirena to you?

I had very unpleasant side effects from progesterone - Mirena solved that problem. Besides, once fitted you can forget about it for another 4-5 years - body takes how much it needs from it without having to remember about pills, etc. Worth considering?


Thanks Hurdity, I'll have a look.

[Lex45]

Hi Orrla, thanks for the suggestion, I had a mirena for about a year but didn't get on with it cramps and I swear I could feel it when making love!! which was a shame cos no  or with it. Kinda thinking (hoping) I can cope with feeling rough for a week or two a couple of times a year (fingers crossed)  as long as all the other rubbish bits are sorted

[orrla]

   I understand. It is different. 

Good luck with your Meno-jazz! 

[Lex45]

Feeling better every day!!!