Just started HRT

[anotherdisaster]

I have just started Evorel Sequi (combined patches) last week so no side effects or changes yet. After reading many threads on here I now feel even more hopeless about things than ever.
I had no idea of some of the horrendous side effects from taking this - makes me wonder if there is even any benefit to taking it. Possible headaches, heavy bleeds, bloating, weight gain etc. These are all things I'm trying to get rid of!
Low mood and anxiety are really the worst symptoms for me. I was also told on a previous post that I should be trying HRT and not anti-depressants. But then I read other threads where people are also taking these as well as HRT for those specific symptoms.

I was actually feeling quite positive and hopeful starting HRT but now I don't.

Don’t worry about anyone else, everyone is different. See how YOU get on and if no side effects then that’s a good start. It is recommended to try HRT for 3 months as any side effects can resolve by then and you will know if it is working for you or if adjustments need to be made. X

Also they say I’d anxiety is new in peri then it is hormone related the HRT is best action but everyone’s situation is different. I have always suffered with Anxiety and as a result been on antidepressants for many years but in Peri I noticed my anxiety was so much worse. I have been on HRT for 6 weeks
and have started to notice my anxiety is so much better and no change to antidepressants.

I've just switched to sequi patches. We're all different and it's definitely worth a try. I'm no expert about HRT, but my GP said there are different things to try or strength changed if it's not suitable for some reason.

Did you get the hot flushes? It helped with mine very quickly. It hasn't helped at all with insomnia, but slightly for anxiety and I have more energy. I have put on weight in the chest area but that could just be peri menopause. I don't have so many headaches either!
It's still early days, but at the moment I don't think I would like to manage without it.

Thank you! I know everyone is different but it just made me feel a bit deflated to think it might not help me. I will keep going until I know for sure.
@fernn no hot flushes yet. My main symptoms have been low mood, anxiety, irregular and painful periods, itchy skin and more headaches.

I had new anxiety and depression earlier this year, as well as ongoing issue with brain fog, insomnia, joint pains, heavy bleeding, a huge increase in migraines and night sweats. I started HRT in March and everything has gone. Everything. I feel better now than I have done for about 5 years, since peri set in properly. Stick with it and within a few weeks you’ll know whether or not your symptoms are all caused by peri and responsive to HRT. I resisted it for years because of multiple risk factors but when it got to the stage where I couldn’t work due to the anxiety and depression, I knew it was the only answer. And it was! I have got my life back. Good luck with finding what works for you.

@EbiRaisukaree wow I'm so happy its worked so well for you. I may not for me, but its nice to hear it can work really well! fingers crossed.

Do come back and tell us. We might be able to help with tweaks and additional things you can add in to improve things for you.

I will - thank you

@anotherdisaster i’m just 2 weeks in on evorel sequi. I’ve used the progesterone patch for the first time today. I’d say I have had a positive experience so far- the anxiety has diminished a bit, my palpitations have pretty much stopped, the fluttering and trembling feeling I was having has gone. My bladder isn’t as sensitive and therefore I’m not waking in the night for a wee. Plus my generalised aches and pains seem to have reduced.
I must admit I have been anxious about the progesterone side as all the side effects seemed to be exactly the things I was trying to avoid, so I was dreading it getting worse not better. But we’ll see. The oestrogen weeks were good enough that I’m prepared to ride out the other weeks a bit to see what happens, and I have just promised myself that I’ll give it time.

I hope you get on ok. Good luck

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I hope your symptoms continue to improve!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/menopause/4876635-is-there-a-general-chat-thread-for-peri-sufferers-waiting-to-start-hrt?page=3&reply=129004449

this is my chat thread about it if you want to join us?

Hey lovely
your post has given me hope
ive also suffered from anxiety most of my adult life but noticed that last 2 years have had bouts of rally bad anxiety and endless crying as well as panic attacks
alao been on anti anxiety meds for years and thinking of trying hrt before raising meds
I have high estrogen, prolactin and a few other out of balance hormones
so you think hrt is the way?

I’m so sorry to hear that. How old are you? Do you have any other menopause symptoms? My doctor didn’t question it because I’m 47 and have multiple symptoms. I think if you’re younger and/or don’t have lots of symptoms they can sometimes be reluctant.

Hi @anotherdisaster how did you get on?