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[menomate]

Hi everyone

Can someone tell me what the difference is between all the different types of HRT.  How does a doctor decide which to prescribe?  It seems everyone on here is on something different.  I have just started on femoston 1/10mg but can't seem to find anyone else on this and was just wondering if anyone has been or is on it?  I have only been taking it since Wednesday but already feel so different -is this possible?

I would love to hear your comments.

Love Julie xx

[amyjean]

Hi, got to say I cannot cope much longer with the flushes and night sweats and everything else. Really feel like getting HRT implant done . I have been on HRT for 23yrs started age 32 went on shock change after having hysterectomy 29yrs old, both ovarys removed 32yrs . Have been off HRT for 2 yrs specialist was worried said i was high risk for breast cancer . I thought well shouldnt think i will get any problems now after all iam 59yrs old . Wrong how wrong i was I have had full blown symtoms sleepless nights, cramps, pain in joints, worst of all Hot flushes and night sweats. dont think doctor will give me any hrt and so i dont know how i am to cope . After going on the forum and reading some of your messages i know i am not a lone .

Amyjean

[flutterby]

Hi Amyjean

Sorry you are having a horrible time 
I am 55 was on Prempak for nearly 7 years and I am now on Tibolone for 10 weeks, which is not working as well as the Prempak did for sweats and flushes.
Was the specialist just basing her concerns for breast cancer on the length of time you were on HRT.  Some schools of thought, do not put much emphasis on counting the years on HRT up to 50 ( the 'usual' menopause age ). If you do think of HRT again I personally wouldn't go down the implant route. Is there a menopause clinic you could be refered to?
There are other alternatives - natural progesterone cream for one, but of course like HRT they don't work for every one.
Here's hoping you find something that brings relief soon.

Love Flutterby

[KAT]

Hi Amyjean

I've been on HRT for 13 years and am the same age as you.  Until now my GP has always been very pro HRT but a new GP I saw a couple of weeks ago tried to pursuade me to come off it - however, I'm desperately hanging onto it.  When I first started meno symptons I was prescribed Prempak C and almost immediately I felt wonderful - end of symptons and I'm still that way.  I really don't want to let go when its working so well on every front and having considered the risks Im convinced the benefits outweigh them for me.

The problem with the medical profession is their views vary so much and its not easy to know what to do for the best.  As Flutterby suggests, perhaps there is a menopause clinic within reach of you.  You need to understand the risks so that you can make an informed choice.

Quality of life is so important so I hope you find a solution that suits you.

Love Kat

[Libby Babe]

I have been thinking about this a lot over the last few days and I have decided that taking HRT has been the best thing I have done in a long, long time.  I don't think I realised how bad I was feeling - it is only now because I am feeling SO MUCH MORE LIKE MY OLD SELF AGAIN, that I realise that I have been down in the dumps for a long time, certainly due to my fluctuating hormones and the onset of the menopause 2/3 years ago.

Even little things like setting off some fireworks in the garden last night for my daughter felt good, whereas last year it was something I went along with just for her and got absolutely nothing out of it but last night it was different - I actually enjoyed it.  It was the same when we went on holiday at the end of October, it was such a pleasant experience, unlike my summer holiday which was an absolute nightmare from start to finish, it just seemed like hard work.

I know there are risks in taking HRT.  In fact, I went to see my rheumotologist a few weeks ago and she is running tests to check on my bloods as I have had positive diagnosis of lupus anticoagulant and antiphospholid antibodies in the past and this puts me in a slightly higher risk category for blood clots, etc. than someone without.  If they come back positive this time (and they were negative in February) she is going to put me on a low dose of Aspirin.

Even with all this, I can't imagine how I would cope with life without my HRT now and I have only been on it for 3 months but I feel like a completely different person.  I have my bad days now and again but they are not anything like as frequent as they used to be and I am coping with what life is throwing at me at the moment much better.

Sorry to ramble but this has been on my mind for a few days now and I wanted to share it with you all.

Libby
x

[newstart]

Hi Libby

Thanks for posting your positive message about HRT.  If it feels to you that it's the best thing that you have done for yourself for a long time, then it will be. 

It seems to me that, the physical benefits of HRT are felt almost immediately for many people and there should also be a huge benefit from the 'feel good' factor that we get from knowing we have done something good for ourselves. 

Unfortunately, many of us (and I include myself here) have been so terrified by the reporting of research results that despite the fact that meno symptoms have eased we still struggle to feel good about our choice.

Like you, Libby, I have decided to feel positive about taking HRT - I started two months ago - in the last couple of weeks two people have told me (1) that I am like a different person, much more confident and with a personality (2) that I look ten years younger. (Well, I did that day! 

It's when other people make comments like that that you realise what the effects of HRT are.

Good luck, Libby.

Patricia

[chrissy16]

Hi

Yes I agree, when I was taking HRT I had more energy, no aching bones and muscles, no incontinence, no depression, I also looked 10 years younger, had good hair and skin.  What the hell is going on with the doctors today.  My doctor took me off because I was "too old" at 59.  I felt great on it and had a good sex drive etc.  I now am suffering..............

Chris

[newstart]

Hi Chrissy

I really sympathise with you - I am just thanking my lucky stars that I feel OK at the moment.

A while ago I read about this really low dose HRT - apparently Jane Seymour the actress went on to it - she's been interviewed loads of times about taking HRT.  She's said that she couldn't stop it altogether but she has gone on to a very low dose. 

I'm on Premique 0.625/10 MG but I think this other stuff is lower than that.

I wonder if anyone knows anything about this?

Patricia

[claire41]

Well after thinking i was going out my mind last january, i had a blood test and was put on HRT fem7 sequi Patch. Initially it was fine
i had a bleed as promised, which was a great relief i used to love my periods, i felt more able to cope during menstration,, strange but true...the bleeding then stopped, urhhh. now after god knows how many months worth of patches, my hot flushes have returned and my depression and anxiety has got worse again.
Just as you think its safe to come out your shell, something makes you hide away again.
satrted menopause age 41 now 43 and the prospect of feeling like this for next ten years is well freaking me out, how come my mother and my maternal grandmother went thru their change in a year and had no hot flushes symptoms at all after that, surely i should follow them??  should i have had another blood test from doctor by now? should my hormone levels be regularly checked or something or do i just keep applying patches and till someone notices me??


claire

[sarah bird]

Hi Claire41,

Sorry don't have any experience of taking HRT but from what you have said it sounds like its not actually benefiting you at the moment. 

There are lots of ladies on here who have taken various forms of HRT so I'm sure someone will come along soon who'll be more help than I am.( eg there are lots of different ones to try) . I would say though that a trip back to the doctor sounds like a good idea ...haven't you had any kind of follow up to see how you are doing ?

As for the blood tests .......they don't really tell you much actually . Apparently your hormone levels can fluctuate from one day to the next so you don't get an accurate picture from a one off test anyway.

hope you soon get some help

love, Sarah b x

[Forgetful]

Hi

I took kliovance for 6 months (am surgically menopausal due to endometriosis) and had to stop taking it as my liver function was affected, I also had stomach ulcer symptoms so am taking omeprazole for that now. My GP has suggested I stay off the HRT for the time being and maybe discuss the patch when the stomach ulcer has healed.  I have been put off HRT by this experience, and am not sure what to do next. I am taking fish oil tablets (omega 3, 6 and 9) and Confiance which is quite high in B vitamins.

Anyway am glad I found this site, it was recommended to me by the menopause clinic.

Forgetful

[annlet]

Hi everyone, I have now been within the menopause for 2 years plus, hot flushes, poor concentration, mood swings etc, unfortunatly 28 years ago I was the victim of a hit and run accident and suffered a DVT as part of a major pelvic trauma and now all these years on I can not take HRT ( unless any one knows different ) my mum has taken HRT for 20 + years ( yes 20 ) and now at 75 still has the energy and drive of a teenager, sometimes life becomes too hard to bear ( I also have diagnosed CFS ) but hopefully one day the dreadful symptons will go and I can have my life back, would I take HRT and live for today.....oh yes.

[Taz2]

Hi Annlet - welcome to the forum. You will find lots of support on here.

Have you been told categorically by your gp that you cannot take HRT? Opinions change all the time so it may be worth asking again - a low dose may be ok for you.

Keep posting 

Love Taz x 

[annlet]

Hi Taz,
Yes with having the DVT it was a confirmed no from my GP, but i will keep asking.
Regards
Annlet

[2hot2ofter]

Hi Like LibbyBabe I have started on Elleste Duo 1 mg today.  i will let you know how I find it. I too decided that quality of life was the deciding factor to give it a go.  I will report how I get on when my monthly bleed comes along.  To  be honest my last proper period was in Sept 07 but I have had all the usual "delightful" symptoms that come along every month since... the migraine, feeling nauseus, ratty etc so maybe I wont react too badly.  Will have to see. I'm hoping