Can't take HRT. Tips please

[Happyheartlovelife]

So. I'm about 4 years into peri menopause....I'm 41. (My mother was 39 when she went i to full Blown menopause. It's genetic apparently)

I can't take HRT. I have a severe blood clotting disorder and focal and hemiplegic migraines which mean I'm not allowed to take oestrogen. So HRT is off the books (unless anyone can think of one they could give me?!?!? Though I've recently seen a gyne dr and he said he wouldn't be happy with my history of blood clots to give me any type of HRT).

Is there anyone who went through menopause without HRT who didn't have a fucking shitty time?

I'm finding it increasingly difficult to go through this and it brings me to tears to think I might have another 6 years of this.

My advice is that see another specialist who is a menopause specialist- not all gynaes are specialists in menopause.

Your GP could refer you to the Chelsea and Westminster menopause Clinic (London)- they treat women from all over the UK. Nick Panay is the lead consultant there. My own consultant is of an equal calibre and experience and I would recommend him if private care is an option for you at all. (First appts are £300-ish and reviews half, roughly.)

It's not as black and white as you have been told and modern estrogen as a patch or gel may be okay for you as they do not raise the risk of blood clots- this is in the NICE guidance pinned top of these threads.

I really would pursue this because if you go into early menopause (before 45) your bones are very much at risk in later life without using HRT.

www.chelwest.nhs.uk/services/womens-health-services/gynaecology-services/menopause-and-pms-clinics

It appears the clinic is closed for the moment but this link might not be up to date.

The BMS website has a list under Specialists of drs who they regard as trained in menopause.

You said you didn't want another 6 years of feeling how you are.

Symptoms do not necessarily stop at 50.

Many women have symptoms for many years once their periods are over.

You could try some natural remedies. I took a compound called Maca for years and it stopped my hot flushes. PM me if you want to know more.

@JinglingHellsBells

My advice is that see another specialist who is a menopause specialist- not all gynaes are specialists in menopause.

Your GP could refer you to the Chelsea and Westminster menopause Clinic (London)- they treat women from all over the UK. Nick Panay is the lead consultant there. My own consultant is of an equal calibre and experience and I would recommend him if private care is an option for you at all. (First appts are £300-ish and reviews half, roughly.)

It's not as black and white as you have been told and modern estrogen as a patch or gel may be okay for you as they do not raise the risk of blood clots- this is in the NICE guidance pinned top of these threads.

I really would pursue this because if you go into early menopause (before 45) your bones are very much at risk in later life without using HRT.

It's not just the clots though. It's the focal mirgraines. Sadly I've had over 10 blood clots too. Strokes. Pulmory embolisms. I've had clots in my stomach. DVT. I had a right sided stroke. Left sided stroke.

I can't have any type of oestrogen. Never have. My haematologist who is the best in this country told me when I had my first clot at 22.

I'm sorry to hear t.hat
@Happyheartlovelife.

If you'd posted all of that in your first post I'd not have given the advice I did. It wasn't clear you'd had strokes etc etc. or that you had such a severe history.

I guess you need to look at alternatives and maybe consult a good herbalist or try acupuncture.

and still see a consultant on menopause perhaps as they can give prescribed drugs that help hot flushes for women who can't have hrt.

you did ask if anyone knew a gynae who might give you hrt. :)

Sorry for the multiple posts.

for the record, migraines of any sort do not prevent women using hrt. This has cropped up on this forum a few times and the Migraine Trust makes it very clear that HRT is okay for women with migraine.

I did say it was severe

No. I meant did anyone know of any HRT that didn’t have oestrogen in it

It’s not migraines though. It’s focal and hemipletic
migraines.

@Happyheartlovelife
I'm watching this with interest as I'm in a similar position to you re: clotting disorder (multiple clots, so on anti-coags which contributed to a brain haemorrhage ). My GP also told me I couldn't take HRT, I insisted seeing a gynae who told me the same - I must absolutely never take oestrogen in any form (including HRT).

I'm 51, well into menopause territory and would love to take HRT . Even many of the natural alternatives are a no-go, as when you look at possible side effects clotting is often mentioned....

I can relate to your frustration!

There is a lot you can do to manage symptoms - in no particular order: cold water swimming, cutting out caffeine, drinking loads of water, cutting out alcohol, keeping weight at sensible healthy level for you, regular exercise so you sleep well. Mediation, yoga etc to help with mood and anxiety. Good diet with loads of good quality protein and veg pos with vitamins too eg b12, calcium and iron.

I do most of that and still need hrt so it’s not easy but all of that will help 👍

Eating low carb has helped me a lot, bread and sugary things turn me into a total Cookie Monster and I have absolutely no control over my appetite.

Walking is a lifesaver and yoga helps. I use hypnosis on YouTube at night to help me get off to sleep but if I can’t sleep for any reason I get up and catch up on tv rather than lie there getting fed up.

You need to not get anxious about anxiety, it’s hormones making you feel like that and acknowledging that does help.

Eat a good unprocessed low carb diet and try not to rely on alcohol to help you relax. Exercise every day even if it’s a half hour walk just to clear the cobwebs. Be kind to yourself and try every day to have a moment of just appreciating something good. It’s so easy to get stuck in a downward spiral when your hormones are a mess.

Ahh. Lovely. Thanks ladies!!

I can’t eat. Due to a neurological issue. So I can’t do anything diet either. Which is rubbish (I have a feeding tube) nor can I drink. So don’t have caffeine anyway. Poop. I’m going to try cold water swimming though!

@Gumbo. Yes. It’s rubbish. My endocrine and heamotolagst and gyne all told me the same thing. Clotting problems are not to be messed with. Even a small clot can kill you if it’s in the brain. If you ever need someone to chat too. I’m always here! ❤️

@Okbutnotgreat
I like yoga and do a lot of walking! So glad that’s good. Plus I don’t drink alcohol. So that’s good too!

I do mindfulness. Have done that and meditation for many years now. Which I love. I don’t suffer with anxiety about anything. Even my health weirdly! So that’s good.

What are the main symptoms you are struggling for?

Sleep: There's Amitriptyline.

Night sweat, hit flushes: Clonidine.

Anxiety: various antidepressants.

Of course, all these could have interactions with your current medication and conditions, so would need to discuss with your GP.

'natural' remedies, are red clover and 5htp, however these can have similar impact than meds so again, you'd need to consult your GP.

I think mainly it's the sweating and mood issues.

I already take amytriptalyne

If sweat, you might want to see if you try Clonidine. It helps about an1/4 of women so worth trying if not incompatible with your treatment.

I've found that A Vogel Menoforce sage tablets really help with my hot flushes. I notice if I forget to take them, even at this time of year, which I've been hoping would cool me down a bit(unfortunately not!)

Thanks ladies! I'll tell me gyne about those tablets. He's pretty good

And lovely. I'll try all this. The swimming yoga and sage. Got it. Thank you

I took Clonidine for hot flushes and beta blockers to prevent migraines.

Sage complex from Victoria health is a fantastic, life-changing supplement. The guy who owns the company is brilliant aswell. He's an incredibly knowledgeable pharmacist and if you email him, he'll be able to advise you on whether it's suitable for you to take.