Help before gynae appointment please

[fatimamansions]

I've two quick questions and would really appreciate any information on either as Dr Google is giving me wildly different answers!

Is it spikes/fluctuations/a low in oestrogen that causes the palpitations, adrenaline surges and insomnia?

And what does a woman do about asking for HRT or the pill when she doesn't appear to tolerate progesterone? I had a terrible reaction to Cerazette a few years ago and stopped it within a month, after which all the agitation, low mood and aggression disappeared?

[PollyPerky]

Vasomotor symptoms (flushes and sweats) are usually caused by erratic levels of oestrogen. No one really knows why this happens but the idea seems to be that our internal thermostats go haywire. Adrenaline surges - in all honesty, I don't know what these are. Women in peri talk about them but I think they are mis-named. Adrenaline is produced in a flight/ flight situation so maybe women are describing anxiety? Or palpitations? I don't honestly think that whatever the symptoms are, they are caused by adrenaline.

HRT is not the same as the CCP. The doses are much lower for a start. There are 3 types of synthetic progestogen and 1 body identical (micronised progesterone). The idea is to find a type of HRT with one that suits you!

HTH.

[fatimamansions]

Thanks PollyPerky.

When I say adrenaline rush I mean I'm being woken at night, and random times during the day, with crazy palpitations which end up with me slightly warm and slightly sweaty. Is that a hot flash? I'm not hot, there's no burning up, just speedy thumping heart for no reason. Waking at 5am wide awake for the day feeling like I've been plugged in but I'm wired but tired.
It's not anxiety though, been there in the distant past and this isn't it.

Thanks too for the info on progesterone. I may face an argument over Mirena, I don't want it, so good to know about different progesterone.

[PollyPerky]

You're describing a hot flush.

I'm using HRT and I still wake maybe twice a night often feeling wide awake. That's insomnia! It's been especially bad lately with the light mornings- 4am waking has been 'normal for some time though I do drift back off.
Might just be old age though!

Hope you get on okay.

[fatimamansions]

Oh thanks! I thought a hot flush was something else entirely!
I've had the odd burning up sweaty thing on occasion (usually during my period) maybe 3/4 times a year. Now that's gone to be replaced by serious palps with no burning up.

I'm to hear I might be stuck with the crap sleep and early waking though. I'm barely functioning at work since this kicked in about six weeks ago. There's no way I can keep things going as they are if the sleep/waking doesn't improve. Just can't get back to sleep once I wake past 4am.

[PollyPerky]

My understanding of a hot flush (!) is that it can occur without too much sweating but can happen along with anxiety, fast heart beat and a 'feeling of doom' before it happens.

I've not had this myself. BUT palpitations are a known symptom of peri so maybe that's what you have- but you also mentioned feeling slightly warm and sweaty. Anyway...it doesn't really matter because the treatment- HRT- is the same.

My sleep has improved by 80-90% on HRT but it's not what it was in my 20s or 30s. I do wake up to 2-3 times night on some nights which is a PITA but I usually go back to sleep . It's certainly far better than before HRT.

Are you cutting back on caffeine, booze ( don't drink in the evening) and getting some exercise most days?

[fatimamansions]

Thanks again.
I haven't had any alcohol for three months, knocked the one coffee a day on the head but I do drink 2/3 cups of tea. Two litres of water a day, magnesium, B vitamins, fish oils.
I haven't had the energy to go to the gym lately, working 45 hours a week on little sleep. But I'll start making more effort to do that ....