Feeling weird at start of HRT

[bingowingsmcgee]

Did anyone else feel a bit strange when you started Hrt? I'm about ten days in, having progesterone 100mg tablet at night and 2 pumps of estrogen gel in the mornings. The prog tablet makes me sleepy, which is great at night, but I have this weird feeling all day, of being completely unwilling to do anything. Like I feel physically absolutely fine, not tired or anything, but mentally shut down and completely unmotivated. I wouldn't say I feel low, just flat, iyswim. Just wondering if anyone has experienced this? Hoping it will settle down.

Bumping

Hello may I join? I've also just started and on day 4 of the progesterone. It has dampened down the anxiety but like you I am wading through glue and I'm also getting headaches. I hope this will settle...

Please do Maytheforth! I'm sorry you're feeling so sluggish, but also glad to not be alone!

Yes the progesterone is weird. I love that it makes me sleep like a baby, but then it flattens me. I hope it's just a matter of waiting it out. I have to take it solidly for 24 days and then have four days off (presumably to bleed). Really struggling even to get dressed!

How are you doing now?

I went out hillwalking today so that blew a few cobwebs away but I'm still feeling like I could sleep for a week.

Are you taking progesterone continuously? I only have to take it 14 days a month ('only')!!

Firmly in bed, having already napped. The gp kindly emailed me back and said that there is a 'different kind' of progesterone I can try, or I can take double the dose for only 12 days per cycle. I gonna give it another couple of weeks and see if it settles. Good for you re the hill walking!

@bingowingsmcgee how are you today?

I'm having a bad day, feeling really low and got horrible digestive issues (sorry tmi) hope you are faring better.

Is it Utrogestan?

I took it continuously when I first started HRT. It made me feel spaced out during the day so my (private menopause) GP told me to take it vaginally, every other day. This is apparently how they take in on the continent. It's not licenced like this in the UK so GPs might be reluctant to advise you to do this. I didn't have problems with the daytime torpor after I switched, but now have a Mirena coil instead, as this seems to work better on my rather idiosyncratic endometrium.

Yes utrogestan

I've only been taking one tablet (supposed to take 2) and I'm still feeling grim

I suppose on the plus side this may well indicate that some of the MH issues I've been having might be hormonal

Perhaps have a look on Menopause Matters forums or on the Balance app operated by menopause doctor, Louise Newson? A lot of people have posted about Utrogestan.

If you're only ten days in, it's probably too early to judge how it's going to go for you. HRT can take a month or so to settle: that's been my experience with a couple of changes over the 19 months or so I've been taking it, anyway.

Thanks

I'm about 18 days in as I've started the utrogestan bit.

I'm not feeling the love for it so far... how long do you give it? A lot of people seem to have had miracle results in days...

If you're only ten days in, it's probably too early to judge how it's going to go for you. HRT can take a month or so to settle: that's been my experience with a couple of changes over the 19 months or so I've been taking it, anyway.

Well I've done some reading and I think I'm going to give it the full 3 months before I change anything. Fingers crossed I can drag some get up and go from my boots!

Yes me too. I have to say the last couple of days haven't been so bad energy wise. I've heard it mentioned that you can take the utragestan vaginally (!) instead of orally and it cuts down on the side effects

Yeah I believe that's the approach they take on the continent. Not sure my gp will be on board with it

Hello all, just wondered if your ultrogestan sleepiness has subsided yet? I’ve just started it and I feel like a zombie!

Hello can I join in please? I started the utrogestan on Sunday. Instructions were a bit vague. Don't know how I'm supposed to judge when the second half of my cycle is...I don't think I have a cycle. Just no bleeding for ages then a period every two weeks. Anyway,I just decided taking it on days 1-14 of the month would be easier.

I have needed naps but then I feel like this most of the time anyway. I haven't noticed any difference with any of it so far and been taking the gel for about a week or more.

I'm due a review after 2 months to see how it's going

Hello Mumteedum I’m hoping the zombie feeling subsides! I’ll keep u posted...

Ha. .as I say. .I feel like a permanent zombie so if that changes it's working I guess. Hope you feel better soon@Jules36912 and everyone.

I mainly started taking it because of joint pain, feeling exhausted, nausea and waking up at night. Not had hot flushes although ironically wondering if I've started with those in the last week since taking it. I periodically just feel boiling.

I’m on patches and they’re brilliant

HI are the patches for both hormones? 😊

Hello all, well I’ve managed a week with utrogestan and oestrogen gel but I may be the only person who finds oestrogen gives me jittery anxiety 🤦‍♀️ I have read that it is supposed to make you feel good but alas not for me! I’ve had much more energy but feel really weird and wired, so I’m not sure whether to persevere or give up, or if patches would be better for me...

I don't feel any better. I have had more hot spells and waking at night than before. I'm going to try it until September then review.

Sorry you don’t feel any better. I feel worse tbh which is frustrating as I’ve heard so many positive things about HRT. I hope it settles down for you soon

I know.i think there is such positivity around her, it does feel disappointing. Hope it gets better for you too