Hello
I need to change my HRT. I have a lot going on with thyroid and possible adrenal issues (recent test results looks like there is less risk of Addison's disease as there might have been suspected a few weeks ago). But my HRT is, I think, now causing me issues I need to resolve. I have been on bioidentical compounded creams for a few years. I currently have a 3 in 1 pump so can't separate any of the hormones out. It's a continuous regime. I know you all hate these creams on here, but bear with me. I'm up for a change now.
Recently I have been feeling even more bloated than ever (given thyroid weight gain + menopause that's saying something). My fingers, wrists, ankles, stomach are full of water! I look like someone inflated me. I feel like I'm about to start a period (each morning when I wake I'm sore and full feeling, but it goes off when I apply the cream in the morning. It can come back later and again goes with the evening pump). I did actually have a small bleed last week but got no relief from it. That was the first bleed in many months. There is a minuscule amount of spotting happening very rarely. I really feel like I need a good period and start again.
Other symptoms; getting suddenly hot now and then (could be thyroid related but could be sex hormones). Very low mood suddenly sweeping in. Feeling close to tears often but not actually crying. All my joints hurt, and my thigh muscles hurt and are weak, I am walking like an old women (could be thyroid but could be sex hormones). I am exhausted and I can't concentrate or motivate myself at all. I can't even remember what sex felt like.
It anything it's the awful bloating and the emotional rollercoaster that makes me think it's sex hormones.
I have never tried sequential HRT. I was started on continuous 3 years ago from nothing. I don't know how I would feel on oestrogen alone so can't tell if the problems I have are progesterone related. To be honest, I've never got much resolution from HRT. My specialist did try me on Estrogel and progesterone cream but the estrogel seemed to be too strong and I'd cry and shake very soon after applying it. Perhaps it wasn't strong enough as I started on 1/2 pump a day and ended up on 1. She tried me on 25 and later 50 patches and progesterone cream. I felt good on patches for a while but then seemed to get overwhelmed with them and would feel better very quickly if I removed the patch for a day. I tried 3 Utrogestan tablets orally over 3 nights at one point and felt suicidal and had to stop. BUT I had also increased my patch to whatever comes after the 50 patch so I don't know if that reaction of itchy, exhausted, desperate, inability to pee and suicidal thoughts were to do with the extra oestrogen or the sudden Utrogestan.
The one constant has been daily progesterone cream and daily testosterone cream.
I don't know whether to ask to try a cycle; if so with what? I'm quite terrified of Utrogestan at this point.
Or should I have a Mirena fitted and try adding oestrogen to it? (if so, what type?). I had one a few years back for BC and after the first 3 months I was OK on it, a bit bloated but OK mentally. Bloating has been a longstanding problem in my adult years.
What do you all think?