Just started HRT....feeling a bit apprehensive

[dmarchionna]

Hi....I've just started Prempro (0.3/1.5) two days ago and am hoping that it will be the solution to the menopausal issues I've been having for the last two years...my primary symptoms have been anxiety, dizziness/feeling unsteady, some night sweats (although not often or severe), "foggy head" sensation, fatigue, insomnia...I'm sure there are others, but they escape me at the moment (add memory loss to the list!)...at any rate, I've had a BUNCH of medical tests done to rule out anything sinister, and am doing my best to accept that it's "just" menopause (my OB/GYN has confirmed that I am, in fact, menopausal)...I've tried a few anti-depressants, but none worked for me (they made me feel the same symptoms I was already feeling, but more so, if that makes sense)...I dabbled with Ativan for a while, but became nervous about continued use and dependency/withdrawal issues, so stopped....I don't want to say that HRT is my last resort (because what if it doesn't work?), but am almost at my wits' end....it's been such a long and sometimes lonely two years...and it's caused me to have sometimes severe health anxiety as I'm always worried that my symptoms point to something terminal...has anyone else had similar symptoms and did HRT help? I just want to feel like my old self again :(

[pinkfrocks]

Are you in the US or the UK?

Prempo is one of the old fashioned types of HRT made with horses urine ( CEE - conjugated equine oestrogen) and is not the first choice in the UK amongst drs who know a bit about HRT. It may give you worse side effects and have higher risks for cancer etc.

I think you ought to go back to your dr and ask for the more modern type of HRT made with bio identical oestrogen ( Estrodiol) and which is in many patches and gel.

If you look at the website Menopause Matters there is a section which lists all types of HRT and you can see the types of hormones used in each.

[dmarchionna]

Thanks for the response, Pinkfrocks.....I'll do some research and consider talking to my doctor about other options (not sure why she decided upon this particular formulation)....I'm in the US.

[pinkfrocks]

CEE have always been used in the US more than the UK.

[Scotchmincepie]

I had many similar symptoms to you and found that HRT made a huge difference - once I got the right one - I'm on Qlaira which is really a contraceptive.

No more dizzy spells, it controlled the crying, rage and deep misery. I feel more like me. Even the libido has come back. I'm probably as normal as I've ever been. And I never want to stop taking it - ever.

^HRT type estrogen containing pill

A new combined pill, Qlaira is now available which contains natural estradiol valerate as the estrogen component, rather than the synthetic estrogen ethinylestradiol. Ethinylestradiol is the usual component of the combined pill whereas estradiol valerate is an HRT type estrogen. This is a useful option for women in the perimenopause when it should control menopausal symptoms while providing contraception and good control of bleeding.^

[Scotchmincepie]

Also don't underestimate the menopause, yes it's a perfectly natural thing to happen to your body, but each woman't reaction to it is going to be different.

Mine shocked me with how strongly it affected me. Also I was relatively young so no contemparys to compare notes with. Have a google of perimenopause symptoms.

[Marylou62]

Oh ladies I am so with you...I feel I'm just coming out of a horrible few years...I LOVED HRT from the 1st tablet...stopped night sweats in their tracks but had to stop last month because of a DVT...HRT linked I was told...I was gutted ...but it has not been as bad as I thought...it has coincided with starting work full time and I can honestly say even with the risks I would have it again...I took it for 18 months after spending a fortune on alternatives..black cohosh, isoflavones etc which unfortunately didn't work for me...I was lost, depressed, isolated myself from friend because I was sick of my whinging whining moaning voice...it took over my life for a while but hope this is the start of a new era....I was told it didn't last forever, this feeling...and couldn't/didn't believe it...but hope I am through the other side now...I don't want to feel like that again!