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[Lou44]

Hi Hurdity

Thanks for the info. I know I would be better on transdermals but I was so ill when I tried them that I am loathe to risk going back there. Particularly the gels, I didn't absorb them properly and got into a right mess.

I just said to Annie, that the last few days I've reduced Progynova to 1mg morning and 1mg evening despite my specialist telling me to go up to 4mg per day if necessary to get rid of the joint pains. I may be wrong and next few weeks will tell, but I think she may be wrong and I actually need less!  I've even lost a couple of pounds easily in a few days since I reduced. I'm starting to think it was too high E that was causing pains but it's early days.

I'm with a gynae specialist now and she's open to testosterone - the only thing is that as I'm on orals, I don't think it would work, I think it gets mopped up/converted to E with orals to do with SHBG or something??

If the joint pains and stiffness can be reduced, that'll be a good start. Then would need to sort out hair loss, energy, libido etc somehow after.

I'm just wondering if other ladies are suffering and taking more and more E and not getting rid of pains and actually it may be worth them trying reducing rather than increasing.

thanks again x

[Annie0710]

Hi Lou

I last took Tibolone Monday night, and this morning I used 1 pump oestrogel to see how I get on

About 6 weeks ago I started halving the Tibolone as the jitteriness was getting too much and night sweats were getting worse, which I could actually live with but the joint pain and stiffness was dragging me down and I was having too many highs and lows mood wise.  I literally could change within minutes then back again, nothing sinister but just waves.  Dry mouth comes on after lunchtime right until next day, dry eye no change really, just through the night still

I just can't seem to tolerate high doses of oestrogen yet it seems my body is crying out for it

So I'll give oestrogel a try then after that who knows if it doesn't work. 

Hope yours works out, Tibolone started so well for me x

[Hurdity]

Hi Lou44

Did you not get on with patches either? Some women get on better with these than gel as you just stick the patch on and provided it is well stuck and no creams etc on skin, it can give a consistent dose. It is so much an individual response so perhaps give them a try again. Re the oral oestrogens and SHBG - yes I had read that too - and thanks for reminding me as I had forgotten (there is so much to all of this isn't there?). From what I gather I think testosterone binds preferentially to SHBG (and estradiol less so) so yes if you increase SHBG you will reduce free T. The endocrine control of all this I imagine is complex!

If you can try patch oestrogen ( or gel) now that you don't have to take progesterone and concentrate on getting our levels up then hopefully the addition of a little T might hopefully help.  I think blood tests can be beneficial for women in your position ( ie total hyster + BSO) to check that you are absorbing the oestrogen, if you are still getting symptoms.

It may be that when you first started trying to replace oestrogen soon after your op - your body was still adjusting to the drastic changes that took place - and if you try again - it may work better this time? However from reading others' experiences it can be tricky getting the right balance after surgical menopause.

Good luck anyway and let us know what you decide.

Hurdity x

[Lou44]

Thanks Hurdity and sorry for delayed reply.

I never got on with patches but then I couldn't get them to stick consistently either!

I'm thinking of getting some blood tests privately as NHS won't do them.

It certainly challenging...two years on and no further forward!

Will feedback if I try anything else.

Thanks again.

[Sandy1]

Hi Ladies

I go in for my hysterectomy on the 8th June, so i have one week left. I'm trying to positive about it all and hope to feel much better afterwards but reading some of your stories i am now worried about it. 

I am 55, still having periods but they are slowing down now. I have a large uterus with fibroids which has been causing heavy bleeding. I have also been suffering from migraines for many years, which i know just has to be hormone related.

I also have recurring bladder issues, with the dip stick thing saying there is large blood and protein in my urine. But when they send away the sample they can't grow bacteria so they tell me i don't have an infection...... Well i know something is going on 

and last month after a scan i was told that i had inflamed diverticulitis.

I swear, there should be hazard tape around my bottom half of my body!  Caution Do Not Enter--- Danger! 

My hopes are that after the hysterectomy things will settle down and i feel better.

Please someone give me some positive news about all of the mono/hysterectomy stuff 

[Claireylou]

Hi sandy,

I had a total hysterectomy last Friday and as soon as I came round from surgery I knew I'd done the right thing. Felt better almost instantly. Worst part of it all was the waiting. Watch out for wind pains, I found them more painful than anything else. Lots of peppermint tea has helped mine.

I start my HRT today, bit nervous but I'm looking forward to this new chapter.

Please, don't be scared. I was petrified but it's not as bad as what your imagination is telling you.

If you have any questions I'd be happy to help.

Lots of love xxx

[Hurdity]

All the best with your op Sandy1 - are you keeping your ovaries?

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

Hope it works out for you Claireylou! Look forward to hearing how you get on with the HRT. I can't remember if you kept your ovaries or not? Whatever happens, your body has been through a major op and your hormones will be in turmoil for a while, so take it easy on yourself!

Hurdity x

[Claireylou]

Thanks Hurdity. Unfortunately my ovaries had to go too so I'm straight into surgical menopause. Put my first patch on today so keeping everything crossed 

[Sandy1]

Hi sandy,

I had a total hysterectomy last Friday and as soon as I came round from surgery I knew I'd done the right thing. Felt better almost instantly. Worst part of it all was the waiting. Watch out for wind pains, I found them more painful than anything else. Lots of peppermint tea has helped mine.

I start my HRT today, bit nervous but I'm looking forward to this new chapter.

Please, don't be scared. I was petrified but it's not as bad as what your imagination is telling you.

If you have any questions I'd be happy to help.

Lots of love xxx

Thanks so much for that Claire, it's really good to hear some positive and from someone who has just had it done.    I will be having my ovaries out too so not sure how that will or will not affect me. 

Did you doc give you HRT patches before you went into hospital or did you visit doc so soon after your op?
I'm also looking forward to a new chapter and it would be lovely if i had company along the road. 

Hurdity  the ovaries are also being taken out

And today i started another period, it's like it wants to give me one last kick before it gets whipped away!! 

[Claireylou]

Hi sandy, my consultant gave me my patches whilst I was in hospital. She wanted me to wait a clear 5 days before I started using them, I think she wanted my levels to bottom out before I started them. Put my first one on yesterday and so far no problems. The only difference I felt after my op and before I started my patches was a slight increase in hot flushes and night sweats.

I really do feel that this is the right thing for my body. Yes I'm a bit sore and tired but once my strength is back I'm going to start living again 

Are you having keyhole surgery or a more traditional route xxx ?

[Sandy1]

Glad to hear you're not experiencing to much horrible issues at the moment Claire 

I will be getting cut open in the traditional way, my uterus is to big for keyhole surgery    Did you have keyhole surgery? I believe it's a bit easier to recover from that. I wasn't given the option it was just 'Nope, not possible'

I wonder if i will get patches in the hospital, i doubt it. I have lived most of my life in Scotland but am now in Australia and it's not the same here. It's harder to find a good Doctor and if you do they move on to somewhere else and you never see them again.

I'm going into this with a positive attitude and i hope that it all goes to plan, even if there are difficult times ahead it can't be much worse than the last few years. 

[Claireylou]

Sandy a positive attitude is half the battle. As I was going into theatre, I kept telling myself how much better I'd feel afterwards, new chapter etc and I really do think it helps with recovery. I was very lucky to have keyhole surgery. The recovery time is a little quicker but as long as you're sensible you'll do alright.

Could you maybe get in to see a doc before your surgery to discuss HRT? If not then I'm sure you'll see your consultant on the morning of surgery to discuss.

If you can't sort HRT before surgery I wouldn't worry to much, you can get sorted after surgery when you're feeling well enough.

You are going to be just fine, the waiting is the worst bit. I promise xxx 

[Lou44]

Good luck to you both Claire and Sandy...despite some of us having difficulties balancing hrt, the surgery really does help with all the other stuff. Just take it easy and don't rush things.  I always seemed to have issues with hormones but I'm sure most women do well once they find the right hrt. X

[Lou44]

CALLING ALL LADIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH PATCHES.

I haven't had great experience with patches, tried Estraderm but that was before surgery to try and suppress cycle. After surgery almost 2 years ago, I tried Estradot and got into a right mess hormonally as it didn't stick well.

Please could you share your experiences of the best you have found, whether you find them more stable than tablets and which are the best at sticking. I wondered if a reservoir type would stick better but am unsure which brand this would be in the UK?

Thanks