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Menopause

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Original poster

Started HRT yesterday.

78 replies

PritiPatelsMaker · 08/07/2022 07:00

How long is it likely to be till I stop mainlining chocolate and generally acting like a psychopath? Or does that just continue?

OP posts:
funnelfanjo · 29/07/2022 13:25

@jbee1979 I’m glad my post helped. I’m still feeling very positive about it, the brain fog has almost all gone now. This was the main reason I wanted to try HRT so anything else is cherry on top.

it’s also had an unexpected positive impact on my digestive system in that the constipation that crept in over the last few years has gone.

the only negative thing is that I’ve had a couple of migraine-aura attacks. This isn’t new or unusual for me, and my cycle was a trigger for them in the past. Luckily as I’ve aged I only tend to get visual aura and feel a bit unwell, and not the dreadful headache and nausea I got as a teenager.

FayeGovan · 06/08/2022 23:29

This thread has made my mind up. Im phoning my gp on monday. I need this stuff. But why are some people on just the patches and others are on a combination of stuff? I cant figure it out.

Original poster
PritiPatelsMaker · 07/08/2022 21:57

@FayeGovan I found the patches really good but had a couple of side affects, nothing you should worry about as I have an unusual genetic condition.

OP posts:
funnelfanjo · 08/08/2022 00:22

FayeGovan · 06/08/2022 23:29

This thread has made my mind up. Im phoning my gp on monday. I need this stuff. But why are some people on just the patches and others are on a combination of stuff? I cant figure it out.

It depends on what suits you. For me, I have a family history of stroke via both my parents. The tablet form of HRT has a slightly higher increased risk of stroke compared to the patches, and the gel supply is erratic in my area. So we agreed that I would start on patches and see how it goes, and if I need “topping up” with oestrogen at my 3 month review, the gel may be suitable to do so to see what levels work best.

I would also add (as I’ve said elsewhere on another thread), don’t default to your gp - ask who specialises in menopause at your practice. At my doctors surgery, there is a practice nurse that does menopause reviews - who was recommended to me by the nurse that did my smear test! We discussed my health in general and menopause symptoms. She also asked what I already knew and if I’d done my own research and the conversation went from there. We agreed HRT was warranted and after discussing the various options she then asked my gp to issue the prescription. I was really impressed by the approach.

DinkyDaisy · 08/08/2022 07:29

I'm on sequential Tablets/ Femoston 1/10. Been on about 9 months now. My main symptoms anxiety, poor sleep and, brain fog. Sleep much better, anxiety has had edge taken off and I think brain fog improved but not disappeared.
Do sometimes worry about being on pills but will discuss at my annual review.
Am 56. Was still having periods at 55 hence not continuous. Another thing to discuss at review though...

FayeGovan · 08/08/2022 08:08

Thats good advice , I'll ask for a menopause specialist if there is one

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 08/08/2022 08:14

I have found my people!!! Hello ladies. Mind if I join?

I'm on Day 4 of oestrogen gel and progesterone tablets.

Yesterday was the first day for months that I haven't cried at kittens/cups of tea/random objects and I slept through last night for the first time in about a year.

I'm not expecting this to be an instant fix by any means, and I want my libido back! But it's a positive start.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 08/08/2022 08:16

Oh, I"m 48 and perimenopausal (still have the occasional flash period, which is a joy as always unexpected; I have to carry a spare pare of knickers and loads of tampons in my handbag).

Original poster
PritiPatelsMaker · 08/08/2022 08:30

Hello @GreenFingersWouldBeHandy!

So glad you got a proper night's sleep, that must have been such a relief Wink

OP posts:
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 08/08/2022 09:43

@PritiPatelsMaker

Hi! It's too early to tell if down to the HRT the but my God do I feel better for a good night's sleep!

And I have chocolate in the fridge... hope you're doing OK. x

Lacdepassy · 08/08/2022 22:21

I'm 4 days in on eleve 50 patches. I'm 49 and the only symptoms I have is the incredible hot flushes, it's relentless. Every 45 mins i look like a sweaty tomato. My periods have stopped for 3 months which is really not like me as I've had a clockwork 22 day cycle for 35 years

Night time is the worse, I wake up regularly, strip off and have to go and splash water over my face/neck/chest and tummy and then go back to lie down and let it evaporate off.

Mood, brain fog is all ok.

Still not having any improvement from the HRT. I was hoping for an immediate effect 😥

FayeGovan · 08/08/2022 23:15

Ive got an appointment soon with menopause specialist. Thanks for recommendation @funnelfanjo

Original poster
PritiPatelsMaker · 21/08/2022 16:51

Just thought I'd pop back to see how everyone is doing? It's been about 6 weeks and brain fog and mood swings are definitely much better.

Still gaining weight though but I doubt that's the HRT, it will be the amount of chocolate and wine I was shovelling in before starting the HRT Grin

OP posts:
FayeGovan · 21/08/2022 20:24

I started it this week, am hoping it helps my moods, anxiety and bladder.

FayeGovan · 21/08/2022 20:25

Weight gain is a side effect i was told. Bloody typical, isn't it..

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 22/08/2022 04:23

@PritiPatelsMaker Haha me too! Hope it’s going ok.

Leons · 22/08/2022 16:54

I’m new to this thread.
I think I’ve learned more from this one thread then in the conversation I had with GP this morning. I’m 51, no period for 6 months, going through hot flushes, brain fog, tiredness, feel like I’ve been hit by a bus, tingling sensation (that’s been awful), dry eyes (basically putting everything down to menopause) and nightmares.
My gp went from saying that only if I’m really struggling with life would it be necessary to start on HRT, I thought I was about to be fobbed off, to then just writing prescription for tablet and gel without much more of a discussion. This was over a phone consultation. Is it odd that I wasn’t called in for blood tests?
I have picked up the prescription and wondering whether to start it or not, as GP made me doubt whether I shld be taking it but at same wrote the prescription and said to review in 2 months (thankfully chemist had enough because GP also warned me off the shortage).
I about to read all the info and think I will start tomorrow.

Afterfire · 22/08/2022 17:01

NICE guidelines state that if a woman is of menopausal age and having symptoms then no blood tests are necessary before starting HRT. They are only done in women under 45 to exclude other conditions. Blood tests for hormone levels / menopause are frequently unreliable as the levels fluctuate so much.

ThingInTheAttic · 22/08/2022 17:05

Afterfire beat me to it, so I will just echo what she said. Blood tests aren't needed as they're often not reliable because our hormone levels fluctuate day to day. It's best to just go by your symptoms. I've never had any blood tests to determine whether I'm menopausal, I've been on hrt for 4 years, purely going on my symptoms.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 22/08/2022 17:13

You don't need a blood test if you have all those symptoms.

Sounds like you're on the same regimen to me. I've found that putting the gel on in the morning then taking the tablet in the evening works best for me. Around the same time each day.

Also read the leaflets that come with them both.

ThingInTheAttic · 22/08/2022 17:15

I forgot to add, your GP is incorrect to say you should only need HRT if you're 'really struggling with life'. Why? HRT is an effective treatment for hormone deficiency, the same as any other hormone deficiency, so why should women have to be at their wits end before they are 'allowed' it? If you had an underactive thyroid, would the GP say 'oh, I'm sorry but your symptoms aren't that bad, so you don't really need Thyroxine'.

Modern body-identical HRT is very safe and actually has several important health benefits. So much so, that many menopause experts now feel that every woman going through peri/menopause, whether she has symptoms or not, should take it. It would save the NHS a fortune in treatments for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and several more. It's just a shame that so many GPs are not at all up to date on modern HRT research.

Leons · 22/08/2022 17:52

Thanks all. Im going to start tomorrow. And I will check in and let you know how I’m doing too.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 22/08/2022 23:02

Hi @Leons good luck tomorrow and keep in touch!

Skilpie · 23/08/2022 12:24

Hello!

I'm looking for advice. My GP put me on HRT- combo patches. Starred today as I sat with them for 2 days contemplating putting it on as I am terrified they will cause cancer! I have put it on as the flushes, brain fog, anxiety, mood is just too much. Did you all feel like this too or am I just insane? I do feel like I'm insane of I'm honest.

funnelfanjo · 23/08/2022 13:54

You’re in control - you can always take the patch off at any time. My menopause symptoms started to get better within 12 hours, the only negative was i felt a little dizzy the first couple of days. I presume you’re going back to the GP for a review and see how you get on at some point?