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Author Topic: Elleste Duet  (Read 1600 times)

AliGail

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Elleste Duet
« on: February 20, 2017, 09:10:57 PM »

Hi I'm new but would really appreciate some advice. I had a sub total hysterectomy 18 months ago at 49 years old. I kept my cervix and Ovaries. Not surprisingly I entered the menopause last summer with hot flushes and sleep disturbance but other than that no other sysmptoms however they got gradually worse to the extent that I asked the doctor about HRT. Now because I still have my Cervix it was suggested that I try Elleste Duet for 3 months and if no bleed then I could go onto Elleste Solo. The white tablets very quickly stopped the flushes. However the green tablets send me into a very low mood crying bad tempered and not at all myself ( normally upbeat, positive energetic etc) . So asked Dr if I could come off after only a month as no bleed but appparently I need to go for another two...I was not very happy so my Dr said at a push I could just take the green ones for a few days and if no bleed come off them? What do you think I should do?
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samweller161

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Re: Elleste Duet
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2017, 09:45:03 AM »

Hi AliGail and welcome.  My daughter in law went through exactly the same as you, she tried Elleste Duet 1 but it wasn't strong enough so then went up to 2mg and is now fine.  You do need to stay on for 3 months at least as many of the symptoms calm down but it takes a while.  The green tablets are the progesterone I think and some ladies do have issues with it - somebody else more knowledgeable will come along soon!  remember, a lot of GPs are not clued up properly so you could probably do with either a menopause specialist or another of the ladies here to properly advise you

SP x
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Hurdity

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  • Posts: 13801
Re: Elleste Duet
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2017, 03:43:47 PM »

Hi Aligail

 :welcomemm:

Yes the advice on this website is what you have been given from your knowledgeable GP (!) - that in some cases some of the uterus lining has been retained with the cervix. Here is what it says:

Sub-total hysterectomy

If the main part of the uterus has been removed but the cervix retained, it is currently uncertain whether HRT can be given in the form of estrogen only or estrogen combined with progestogen. The slight concern of using estrogen only, is that there may be some of the cells of the lining of the uterus in the cervical canal which could become thickened from the estrogen. This thickening can be prevented by adding in progestogen. To find out if progestogen is required, it may be suggested to use estrogen combined with cyclical progestogen for 3 months after your operation. If there is monthly bleeding in this time, it means that cells are present which are responding to the hormones so estrogen and progestogen should be used thereafter. (These hormones can however be given together continuously to avoid monthly bleeding). If there is no bleeding in the first 3 months, then estrogen can be given on its own thereafter.


http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/aftermeno.php

The good news is that you only have to put up with it for a little while and then you can take oestrogen only for ever - the prospect of which most of us on here would rejoice at! Any bleed you would get would be most likely to occur after you stopped taking them so fingers crossed :)

Hurdity x
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AliGail

  • Guest
Re: Elleste Duet
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2017, 08:47:29 PM »

Thanks both of you. My GP slightly reluctantly has said that I only need to try the green ones for a few more days this month and if no bleed can come off and just take the estrogen forever ! Yeh ! But I'm not sure what the risk is if the cervical canal becomes thickened??? as suggested on the site? 
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Hurdity

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  • Posts: 13801
Re: Elleste Duet
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2017, 11:00:33 PM »

The cervical canal could only become thickened by oestrogen if some of these cells were left behind after the operation and it sounds like this is unusual. If it did become thickened then the cells behave just like the endometrium (womb) lining and after a course of progestogen (or two) the lining would change and break down - as the extract below explained. If there is no bleeding then you have no uterus lining cells in your cervical canal. I don't remember anyone ever reporting having a bleed after such treatment and in fact I don't think all doctors are quite as vigilant - many women are just given oestrogen only from the outset!

As I said the bleed would normally happen AFTER you stop the green pills, if it was going to happen ( ie if any cells from the uterus remained).

Hope all will be well for you :)

Hurdity x
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AliGail

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Re: Elleste Duet
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2017, 09:27:16 PM »

Thanks Hurdity. It sounds as my GP might be being over cautious especially as the risk of a thickened lining easily resolved with progesterone.  It also doesn't make a lot of sense to just take a few more green ones so I think I'll revert to the Elleste Solo which was my original prescription before my GP got worried!
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