How to start convo with doc re potential depression

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

I'm not coping at all at the moment. Been on HRT for over a year but clearly not on the right one yet. Have had severe insomnia for over a year and I think it's leading to depression. Have had no enthusiasm for Christmas at all which is not like me. Can't be arsed with my job any more, which I used to love. Can't really be arsed with anything much any more and feeling no enthusiasm for life. Did a depression/anxiety questionnaire online and scored 14 out of 24. Husband thinks I need help; it's affecting our marriage. I just don't even know how to begin to explain this to a GP - I feel so overwhelmed. But I need to be taken seriously as I just want to feel better.

Any advice from people who have been in a similar position would be much appreciated. Need to make an appointment in the morning and just the thought of doing that is worrying me.

There are two ways to use this.
Your dr has given you the continuous regime.
The sequential regime is 12 days out of 28.
If you want to use continuous that's fine, but just be mindful that it may cause low mood as a side effect and can be sedating.

This is the patient leaflet that goes in the pack of Utrogestan.
It says you can use it either of the ways described.

www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/352/smpc

I have copied and pasted the relevant section in that leaflet here for you.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

In women receiving estrogen replacement therapy there is an increased risk of endometrial cancer which can be countered by progesterone administration.

The recommended dose is 200 mg daily at bedtime, for twelve days in the last half of each therapeutic cycle (beginning on Day 15 of the cycle and ending on Day 26). Withdrawal bleeding may occur in the following week.

Alternatively 100 mg can be given at bedtime from Day 1 to Day 25 of each therapeutic cycle, withdrawal bleeding being less with this treatment schedule.

Your dr seems unaware of the options .

Ok so I'm doing 100mg on day 1 to 25 so I think that makes sense

Ok I've re-read what you've said and I get it now. I'm going to try with the 25 days out of 28 and see how I get in. The Dr did give both options, so I can switch if needed.

Sorry....this stuff is confusing!

I'm more confused than you! You wrote that the dr didn't give you both options, only the 100mg daily one. Now, after I've posted the leaflet info you say she did give both.

Aaaaargh!

Anyway- hope it works. :)

Sorry.....she did give me both options but I understood them to both be sequential - my mistake.

Hi all,

For those who are interested I just wanted to give you a quick update having been on my new hormones for a week. I'm now using oestogen gel, coupled with progesterone tablets 25 days out of 28.

I hope I'm not speaking too soon when I say I feel like a new woman! The black dog has completely lifted from my shoulders and my mental health and anxiety is so much better. Plus I'm sleeping better for the first time in over a year. I have a firm theory that the Norethisterone in my previous combined HRT was causing low mood, plus I've had a nasty rash on my face for about 3 months which is now clearing up having come off the combined HRT.

I just wanted to share this with you to highlight that if you feel that your current medication is not right for you, do not hesitate to go back to your GP and challenge them.

Reading this with interest.For 3 years I had rosacea anxiety and crippling joint pains.No one mentioned meno I even had morning sickness type nausea.and dizzy spells.
The did one blood.test and more recently prescribed ADs all against NICE guidelines.This year the flushes exhaustion depression really kicked in!!
I started on estradot while awaiting a new mirena.Then I was put on everol conti.After a.few low days this has been a lifechanger.All symptoms have gone.
Bizarrely after years of winter depression this has been my best!!.Good luck and I hope the sertraline works😊
If not to back to the GP and get more help.

Confused....I never said I was on sertraline!