Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Samade]

I'm new to the forum but been following for a while and I love how everyones opinion is respected and there is no scaremongering which I see on many sites.
I'm 49 and been peri for about 3 years, at the begining I was on fluoxetine for night sweats and low mood but I came off at the begining of the year. I was great until september when the hormonal mood swings raised their ugly head and I felt I was going nuts. I went back to the doctors thinking hrt might be a help but unfortunately due to getting oestrogen provoked dvt they don't want to start me on it unless there is no other choice. So I agreed to try citalopram for a month to start with, I am optimistic as fluoxetine (after a while) was so successful. I'm 7 days in, the physical side effects I can handle but the anxiety is so horrible, I think the tiredness probably doesnt help this although when I get to sleep I sleep quite well.

[Hurdity]

Hi Samade

 

Sorry to hear about your moods and mood swings, as well as the DVT.

When you say it was oestrogen provoked - do you mean it happened while you were taking the pill? The CCP does usually contain very strong synthetic oestrogens which I gather give greater risk of DVT. HRT mostly contains estradiol which is bio-identical with the oestrogen produced in our body so not in the same category of risk. Also patches are preferred in these circumstances.

Do you have any other risks factors for further DVT eg smoking, weight, alcohol, lack of exercise, diet etc? I am sure doctors will have advised you if so to help prevent the chance of it happening again, and perhaps you are on medication too?

From the info on this site HRT is not necessarily out of the question if symptoms become debilitating - but you would need to be referred to a specialist. Here is the info:

Thrombosis
Since HRT is associated with a small increased risk of venous thrombosis, care must be taken when considering HRT use in women with a past or family history of thrombosis. Depending on the indication for HRT and on the cause of the thrombosis, risks and benefits should be assessed. If HRT is to be used, preference would usually be given to the transdermal route (patch or gel) [ref 22]. Specialist advice should be requested. Vaginal estrogen may be used for treatment of vaginal and bladder symptoms.

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/atoz.php#GlossT

Someone posted yesterday about this and I said similar to her.

I can understand your reluctance given your medical history but if the ADs do not agree with you and/or you want to pursue it further then do ask for a referral to a specialist.

Hope you feel better soon

Hurdity x

[Samade]

Hi Hurdity,  I was on the pill at the time and I just took the hospitals word for it that it was oestrogen provoked and my doctors carried that message on. I don't have any other risk factors and I did think patches might be the way forward. However I guess as an ad worked last time hopefully it will again but I am prepared to go back if it doesn't and maybe see one of the senior GPs if I can get an appt. I am only on day 8 so gritting my teeth hoping for side effects to clear soon.
Thanks I didn't know there was a difference in the oestrogens

[Hurdity]

Sounds like HRT is not out of the question then - so yes do pursue this if the ADs don't work - but obviously will need specialist referral, as having had a recent blood clot is one of the contra-indications to HRT. Let us know how you feel

Hurdity x