Side effects

[Vickie1972]

Morning ladies,

I started taking Elleste Duet this week and the only physical side effect I seem to be having is a kind of sinusitis aching across my face.

However, emotionally I feel like Mike Tyson on a bad day. I seriously feel that I could lash out at my partner. You know how we all put up with little quirky things normally because we love them? Everything is now irritating me to death and I am saying things that I've previously hidden due to this kind of inner rage that I feel.

He has been an absolute star too so doesn't deserve any of this. Is this normal? Will it settle down?

The tablets come with a long list of side effects but they don't mention acting like an angry lunatic having an epic tantrum.

[PollyPerky]

It is most likely the Norethisterone, which can cause PMS type symptoms.
There is no rule about using conti HRT post menopause. (assume you are 12 months without a natural period?) You can use sequi which is likely to give you a bleed ( a false period ) but many of us find this preferable than taking progestogens daily due to their side effects. Many of us who start on HRT start with a sequi regime (only 2 weeks of 2 hormones in a 4-week cycle). This means you can easily work out which of the 2 hormones is not right for you in terms of dosage or type. You should give all HRT 3 months trial before swapping but if it gets unbearable go back to GP and ask for a sequi type.

[Tessticklesyourfancy]

Hi OP, I've started elleste duet too this week. My main reason for going on HRT was mood swings, felt out of control at times, the GP warned me that ellesete could make my moods worse at first, I'm only on day four but I'm feeling ok so fingers crossed. Hope your feeling better on them soon

[Vickie1972]

Hi ladies,

Thanks for your replies. I think I need to swot up a bit on all the different options and the terminology.

Tess - we must have started taking it on the same day - Thursday? I'm glad to report no temper tantrums today, though every other ailment is still here - achey joints, hot flushes etc..

I had read posts where some people felt a difference within a day or two but I guess I might have been a tad optimistic to hope I could be one of those lucky ones.

I do have every intention of completing the full three months though - it's just good to get reassurance that the bumps in the road are normal and nothing too much to worry about.

[Tessticklesyourfancy]

Yes Thursday for me too. Still having night sweats but my mood is better although DP thought I'd improved after making the doctors appointment
Hopefully we will both do well on it

[Vickie1972]

Morning ladies,

Thought I'd come back and see how things are for you Tess? I've been OK so far.. My vile mood settled after a couple of days and my partner has commented on my better temperament lately! The hot flushes really were at a minimum on the white tablets but they seem to have returned now I'm on the green tablets - I'm not too worried yet as I'm just putting it down to my body getting used to the HRT.

One thing I did want to comment on was the vivid dreams I've been having while taking the green ones - exceptionally vivid - thankfully they've been nice dreams so far!

Hope you're doing OK too Tess. :)

[Vickie1972]

Hello again,

I've finished my first packet today and I'm pleased to report no major side effects to the progesterone tablets.

I've not yet started my period but my body is giving me the tell-tale signs that it's not far away.

I have to admit to being ever so slightly disappointed with the results so far, but that's probably more to do with my expectation than actual reality.

Certainly, my mood is miles better by far, the morning aches are lessened and the hot flushes are almost banished. I think I clung too much hope to the reports that people felt amazing within a week of taking HRT..

That said, I realise it's still early days - I've said from the start that I would give it the full three months before looking for another answer.

So on the whole, it's a positive result so far, but just not the 'ooooomphatic' result I might have wished for!

[LuluandtheNightshade]

If after 3 months your flushes haven't disappeared completely and you are on the 1 mg dose then there is always the 2 mg in that same preparation.

[Vickie1972]

Ahh yes Lulu, that's definitely worth bearing in mind, thank you. I'd forgot there was a higher dose available.

Still no sign of my period yet though - and I'm on day three of my second packet. I keep 'feeling' that it's starting but there's nothing there when I check. :o/

[LuluandtheNightshade]

Some women don't get a bleed even on cyclical HRT ( I reas the figure may be around 15%) - especially the low dose types and if they are post-menopausal or nearly so. It happened to me when I was about 4 years post-meno so I then lengthened the cycle (with doc approval).

[LuluandtheNightshade]

read !!

[Vickie1972]

Hello,

Just thought I'd update this thread....

Well, I did six months on the 1mg tablets - they stopped the hot flushes and the 'run over by a truck' feeling every morning but I still felt a bit bleurgh... No interest in sex at all and still quite anxious and snappy at times.

So at my 6 month review my GP increased the doseage to 2mg - and my sex drive seems to be returning, much to the delight of my amazing patient supportive partner - and me!

I still feel a bit anxious (for no reason) and I feel like I'm on my best behaviour at work all the time (my snappiness was commented on at my annual review) but all good so far.

The only downside to both the 1mg and 2mg I'm finding is chinny whiskers...pluck pluck pluck!!