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[Samwardman]

I am new to this site and have joined in the hope I can get some reassurance that things will improve!

I have had months of low mood, low energy, hot flushes (not unbearable), poor sleep, anxiety. I have always been a really upbeat, active person but there are days I don't want to go out! I have a Mirena coil and am now on two pumps of eostrogel a day (I was on one for a month before the doctor suggested going to two). Early days on two pumps but I am desperate to feel "normal" again!

Has anyone else had these symptoms and used the gel with improvement? Should I try a tablet instead?

Any advice welcome! Thank you, Sam

[Dotty]

Hi Sam

Yes, I use Oestrogel, but I didn't see any improvement until I started to use 4 pumps of gel.  I had been on tablets previous to this, but they didn't help me.  Give it time to work.  You should see some improvement within 4 -6 weeks, but it can take up to 3 months to see full improvement. x

[Hurdity]

Hi Samwardman

 

I use patches but hopefully you will be fine with the gel.  If you are one of the women who don't absorb very well from gel then do try Estradot patches - but as Dotty says it's early says so give it time.

Hurdity x

[Samwardman]

Thanks Hurdity! I'm trying the gel in the morning now instead of evening to see if that helps my energy levels during the day x

[CarryWarry]

Hi there!  I have the mirena fitted for HRT purposes recently (about 6 weeks ago) and use 4 pumps of gel and have an Evorel 75 patch too!!!  Getting the right amount of oestrogen is so incredibly important for mood etc.  I feel so much better since I've got the balance right.  I found the gel kicked in VERY FAST - I also read that it only takes 2 weeks to work (on their site I think) so if you're not feeling benefits it might be worth returning to pester the doctor....either to explain that you'd like more gel or to find another solution (patch and gel maybe??).

[Jeana1]

Hello

I am new to this site also but have read so much on it that has helped me and made me ask for help from GP. I am 53 and post meno, have suffered from depression on and off for years, now it seems although as I had terrible PMS it may have been hormonal and I should not have been prescribed AD for years.Had a Mirena years ago to stop heavy periods, it was left in for 7.5 years, had it replaced in February this year but no Estrogen was offered and I didn't know to ask for it. Anyway, had a meltdown 10 months ago and was prescribed various AD's which did not work and actually made things worse! Terrible anxiety and low mood, it was only reading other ladies experiences on this site that made me look adding Estrogel which I have been on for 7 weeks now, started at 2 pumps but went up to 3 pumps on the advice of a private meno specialist (my GP knows nothing about meno/post meno and just says AD's will fix you!) I started to notice a slight improvement in my mood at around week 5, even started doing some voluntarily work and trying to get out of the house more then "crashed" a few days ago, now found out that the last pump I had was a low dose and was given by mistake, hence the low Ostrodial count (198 there weeks ago now 144!) I do think that the correct dose will help in the long term with anxiety and depression, just feeling very sorry for myself today  I am also struggling with bladder issues, frequent peeing, slight ache a the bottom of my tummy and feeling like I have a uti but havn't as had it checked three times at the lab, had AB for three days from Sunday, have an ultra sound on 2nd October, but from what I read on this site it could be helped with Vagifem?

I am having to pay for private telephone consultations with a gyne who specialises in meno as my GP wont refer me and hasn't got the expertise and knowledge required.

I feel that I probably should have started HRT in peri but didn't know anything about mood changes just though it would be hot flushes.

Do you think 3 pumps is enough ? 

Also considering Testosterone, from what I have read on the site it to can help with mood.

I hope I have registered properly and wil be able to work out how to use this site, its so far been really good for me to read posts and hear what other ladies are going through.

Jeana

[CLKD]

Jeana - pre menstrual syndrome is certainly hormonal and starts in the 10-14 days prior to a bleed.  It stops immediately and starts again as hormones alter.  I was advised to eat every 3 hours, 24/7. 

Did the Anti-depressant medication help? Without mine cocktail regime I wouldn't be here. 

As for bladder issues, ask your GP tomorrow 4 either Vagifem or Ovestin, as oestrogen levels drop so the body may dry including the vagina.  Atrophy can irritate the bladder and mimics urine infection-type symptoms really well.  The treatment is used every night for 2-3 weeks then every 3rd and 6th night although some ladies need to use it nightly.

Testosterone isn't given routinely.  Your GP should not refuse you a referral if you live in the UK and you should not be paying for telephone consultations.  Has the Consultant had a face-2-face meeting and examined you?  It is sometimes quicker but some 'experts' don't know much more than GPs!

Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use too.  Browse round!

[Jeana1]

Hi

Thank you for the reply. No I had a terrible time on AD's, well the ones I tried. My anxiety is really bad  What regime are you on if you don't mind me asking? I know what you mean about not being here, I've had some very dark thoughts but still fighting on, although some days I can'r even leave the house with the anxiety! Hard to think I worked all my life in a senior position now I can't work but hopefully will get back to work once this HRT kicks in, I have a Mirena and am now on 3 pumps of Estrogel, seeing some improvements and hoping for more 

My GP will not refer me that's why I am having to use a private on line consultant, I have asked her about Testosterone but she says there is no evidence that it can help with mood which I find odd as ladies on this site have said it has helped their mood. I am post menopause, I'm 53 and having a pretty awful time with the mood problems, I have just started CBT and hoping this will help.

I have an ultra sound on 2nd October to check my bladder and all around that area but will ask about Vagifem or Ovestin although like I mentioned my GP just thinks anti depressants will solve all my issues, cant be due to post menopause!!!!!

I am new to this site so didn't know I had a reply, sorry for not responding sooner, I'll have to have a good look at how it all works and find my way around it.

Jeana

[Charlie62]

Hi samwardman
I am new to this site too & although I am not on the same hrt that you are on, so can't advise you, but I have the same feelings as you. I'm normally an upbeat person who likes to socialise & im usually the one bolstering other people up so to feel so low, anxious & depressed at times is so alien to me. Hopefully with all the good advise on here we will get through it

[Hurdity]

Hi Jeana1

 

The best clue as to whether you are deficient in testosterone is low libido (unless this is caused by ADs or oral oestrogen), and when it gets worse it also can lead to muscle aches and unaccustomed fatigue especially after exercise, as well as depressive feelings or lethargy. It is not usually tested for in women (on NHS) except after supplementation because the test is not accurate for women. The (private) gynae I saw did not test for T levels for this reason and went by symptoms and then a trial of low dose T for a few months (she then retired!).

In the first instance you need to get your oestrogen levels up and this alone could help with mood and libido.

Hurdity x

[Jeana1]

Hello Hurdity

I am useless with this site, have not worked it all out yet! but I will.

An update, I had a scan, bladder area and all round that neck of the woods! internal and external, all fine. I seen the consultant a couple of weeks ago and he said my estrogen was 260 but my FSH was very slightly high so to up my Estrogel to 4 pumps which i did, i am now having jittery feelings and a really thick head, I emailed Dr Karen Morton on Menopause Health Matters who I had been a subscription with and was speaking to before I finally got to see the consultant (this is because I don't see the consultant again until february) she has suggested I go back to 3 pumps and try Utrogestan, I currently have a Mirena coil.

She said to take the Utrogestan orally and continuously, I am 53 and post meno, my anxiety had got better on 3 pumps and the Mirena but unfortunately its back, along with low mood, she said there is new evidence that Utrogestan can help with mood. Don't know what I should do as dont want to get on the wrong side of my consultant and change without his knowledge but dont think I can wait until february to see if things improve, Do you think 3 pumps and Utrogestan would be a good experiment to try? Dr Morton said I could have the Mirena removed if I found this combination helped.

P.S She said 100mg of Utrogestan

[Jeana1]

Hi

I wondered if anyone can help with my previous post above. Still suffering low mood and anxiety, still using 4 pumps og estrogel and have a mirena, have the consultant on wednesday this week, should I ask to try a different form of HRT, could the mirena be causing my low mood and anxiety? Been on this regime for 9 months now.

Hurdity - What do you take, I am nearly 54 and post meno.

[Perinowpost]

Jeana1

I had to have the Mirena removed after 6 months because of negative side effects which never got any better. These included: persistent flat mood, quashed libido an bloating/weight gain. All resolved within 48 hours of having it removed, it was like having a curtain lifted x

[Jeana1]

Hi Birdy and Perinowpost

Thank you both so much for your replies, I am just so low at present and just don't know where to turn, I will speak to the gynae at my appointment on wednesday and ask if if the mirena could be making my mood worse, I started HRT to help with anxiety but although initially I felt some relief after a few months i have gone down hill again.
I have spent the last 18 months in a bad way regarding mood (had a meltdown) I tried various antidepressants which made things worse due to severe bad reactions to them, spent months getting off them and I am  ow doing a slow Diazepam taper (was given diazepam for anxiety 14 months ago and not told how bad it would be to get off them) so I am wondering if the diazepam withdrawal is making things worse.

I too have no libido (non existent!) some bloating and sometimes feel nausea when I wake up which clears after a couple of hours, constantly being told its my anxiety as test have all be fine.

My consultant is nice but he's a bit sharpe and always in a rush, I will ask him about Utrogestin and see what he says, sometimes feel like I have no choices and he is in control of everything.

I worked my whole life then boom hit rock bottom and haven't worked for 18 months, (I am nearly 54 and was a pretty strong person before all of this), I go to CBT and do everything to help my mod but feel like something just isn't right with the HRT I am currently using, I hope he makes a change for me and I can find some peace!

I sometimes feel that I would benefit from non continuous progesterone because I get that"due on feeling" but of course no bleed, I assume due to the mirena and my age, it might be a release to have that break in the progesterone part of the cycle?

I read everything on this forum, it has been very helpful for me and I thank all you ladies for being so ope about your problems and finding solutions, it gives me hope that I will eventually get my life back and not be stuck in the house alone not seeing friends ect and maybe in fact hopefully get back into work again.

Thank you!

[Perinowpost]

Jeana1

You have a right to advocate for yourself, don't be fobbed off but state (respectfully of course) what YOU would like.  The Mirena is great if it works for you (and it does for many), unfortunately there is a small percentage of women (of which I am one of them) who are particularly sensitive when it comes to hormones and hormonal fluctuations.

Unfortunately getting hrt right can be trial and error but don't give up you can make changes and I'm sure you'll benefit when you do.  Incidentally the rebound effect on my libido when I had my Mirena removed was extraordinary, I was like a 25 year old for a few weeks.

Let us know how you go on, wishing you luck xx