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[Pollyanna]

Made the decision today to continue in half dose Tib.

Yesterday which was only day 4, I was like a zombie and so bloated. Had hardly nothing to eat but really full feeling.

I certainly don't feel the energy kicking in yet, and feel my emotions are blunted. 

Paradoxically though. I was unable to sleep and so last night I took two phenergan. Wow, they're good aren't they?

Probably only 1 needed.

I know some women take half dose Tibolone but, does this offer enough protection to bones and still provide the same benefits that a full dose does?

[Annie0710]

Hmmm first off only take 1 phenergan ! It's good stuff !

1/2 Tibolone, I tried this and it helped to start with but my joints became very stiff and almost painful so not sure about bone protection, you may need to look the product up or google your question, also after a while the night sweats were creeping in increasing in intensity so I stopped as it became apparent it wasn't enough oestrogen

[Pollyanna]

Hi Annie

Yes....it sure is powerful stuff. To funny as the pharmisist was the one who suggested 2.  I told her why I was taking it and she was very familiar with Tibolone causing insomnia in the beginning.

Went to Boots first of all but they said they don't stick them anymore. I know that they are s prescription drug too of course.
Anyway, I was in Bristol and went I. To one of those v helpful independent chemists, so was lucky to get them there.

Interesting what you say about Tib doseage. I think I must have read every bit of Googled info (scientific data), but it's inconsistent.

Think I'll do 1/2 until my body gets used to it, and then try a full pill.

You just want to make sure you're doing what's best for your body, don't you.
No bloating today, so that's a good thing.

I intend to start going to the gym too. I've been lazy with exercise.

[Annie0710]

It's always worth a try with Tibolone I think

I got my phenergan from Boots, told her I use antihistamines every day anyway but need it to get me off to sleep at night.  Now I'm on oestrogel I drop off much easier fortunately x

[Pollyanna]

So Annie....sorry if I've forgotten what you may have already said.... it's difficult remembering everyone's story, even though I'm interesteted.    Did you trial Tibolone, but then go back to Oestrogel and testosterone gel?   

If so, did you get the testosterone gel on private prescription?  My GP wouldn't give it to me.  Said it wasn't available to NHS any more, although of course I know you can get this if you go to one of the private endocrinologists.  I just don't want to go back down that 'expensive' route again.

I'm dopey as anything today re the 2 phenergan I took last night.  That'll serve me right. 

[Annie0710]

I was on estradot patches before Tibolone along with Testim gel (gp asked an NHS gynae for advice and they said go with either 1) Tibolone or 2) oestrogen and testosterone.  I chose #2 but then changed to Tibolone.  As there's supply issues a lot on estradot I decided to try oestrogel and the last testosterone gel I was given was Tostran and I prefer that x

[ClumpyClaire]

Hi,

I've been on Tibolone for one week. I take 1 daily, then 2 alternate days. Since last Wednesday my stomach has bloated so much that nothing fits round my stomach.
This is now my 5th HRT treatment. Early days I guess, but I feel terrible. I've noticed aches and pains have started again (hip and low back pain)
My mood has sunk rock bottom, anxiety at an all time low. To be honest, been struggling since starting HRT. Can't seem to find anything that suits. Would try holistic, but haven't a clue what works either, if at all.
I'm 49, I've been in menopause since 2015. Perimenopause since 41.
I'm hoping Tibolone will help, will wait and see. Very tearful, no energy...I'm not depressed. My Dr wants to put me on antidepressants.

Thanks for reading x

[Pollyanna]

Hi Annie..... Thank you for clearing that up.  Although.... are you back on oestrogen and Tostran, or did you stick to Tibolone.  God, my brain is awful right now.   

What's odd is that my GP asked about testosterone gel for me, and I was told that it wasn't possible to get this on the NHS.  It's really frustrating with my surgery as there isn't one GP there who knows anything much about menopause.  One of the young female GP's is so condescending that I've no idea why she's a doctor.  Where are you located in the UK?  You seem to have a good doctor. 

I've just tried to make a phone appointment in order to ask some questions but there's no one available to help.  I even suggested that I email my questions to the surgery and perhaps someone there could help, rather than just looking in their Mims directory.  I could do that.   

ClumpyClaire, I'm confused about how you take your Tibolone.  1 per day and then 2 on alternate days?   Why don't you just take 1 per day?   

Today I'm not bloated at all (this is Day 5 for me), but I have awful brain fog... which is why I'm not understanding anything.. ha. 

I am so lethargic still (not at all like me), and the lethargy is also making me feel depressed and tearful.  I'm guessing that this is the progesterone in the Tibolone.    Progesterone does that to me.   Mind you, my body hasn't been making it's own for so many years now since menopause and hysterectomy (9 years) so I'm hoping that this is just my body adjusting to it.  Otherwise I wouldn't have the energy or motivation to do anything.   

I know what you mean about depression.   I'm sure you know yourself very well anyway, but sometimes hormone imbalance can cause depression... for all ages.   Well, in fact it is a very common thing.   This is why Professor Studd suggests a high dose of oestrogen, to some women.   I'll admit that for me, using oestrogen only for 9 years did help me feel more energised and alive, but the price was anxiety.  All I had was oestrogen and i started developing male hair growth on my chin.   The hair on my head was thinning and breaking off too.   It's so tricky trying to get the balance. 

What I have noticed after only 1 week on Tibolone is that I don't have to pluck the chin hair... it's reduced magically. 

Oh and it's only my opinion and experience, but sometimes a very low dose of an SSRI can be really helpful.  You may well be a bit depressed but it's being caused by the HRT not being right for you. 

I paid an awful lot of money (wasted) on a private menopause clinic in London that specialise in 'compounded' bio-identical hormone therapy.  I wanted to give it a go as I believed that I needed a little bit of progesterone, and testosterone to go with the oestrogen only that I'd had for years.    I still believe that to be the case which is why I'm trailing Tibolone. 

The one thing that the lovely doctor at Marion Gluck clinic did say to me, that made entire sense, is that even if a woman has had a hysterectomy, she will still benefit from progesterone.  We are not only a uterus after all, she said.  Progesterone helps hair and other major organs too.   I would agree with that.

The best thing we can all do I think, is educate ourselves, and read real empirical evidence as well as share our experiences.  That's why this website is terrific. 

It saddens me to think that there were so many women of my mother and grandmothers generation who never benefitted from HRT.  My grandmother lived until her 100th year, but the poor woman was miserable for most of her post menopause years due to depression, hot flushes and developed a dowagers hump due to bad bone health. 

[Sooze]

For those who have recently started Tibolone what time are you taking it?  I've found a massive difference in how I feel depending on when I take it. After 4pm and I couldn't sleep and more anxious before bed than taking early. Settled on 2.30-3.30pm for a while now. Taking earlier in the day didn't suit either.
Just a thought.
S

[Pollyanna]

I know I'm only 5 days in but I am taking it in the morning.  Around 9ish.   Although today I didn't wake up until 11am!!!  Most odd. 

Is it important to take it at exactly the same time every day? 

[ClumpyClaire]

What's odd is that my GP asked about testosterone gel for me, and I was told that it wasn't possible to get this on the NHS.  It's really frustrating with my surgery as there isn't one GP there who knows anything much about menopause.  One of the young female GP's is so condescending that I've no idea why she's a doctor.

   - Have you heard of the Menopause Clinic at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford?  I didn't know, until my condescending Dr let it slip, she looked so shocked that she mentioned it!  So now I'm with them, have been since the beginning of this year.   

ClumpyClaire, I'm confused about how you take your Tibolone.  1 per day and then 2 on alternate days?   Why don't you just take 1 per day?

- Sorry, bad explanation. Wasnt in a good place the other day when I wrote my post. I would take 1 on Monday, and 2 on Tuesday, 1 on Wednesday and so on....

I started Tib on Monday 26th June, by Wednesday my stomach has swollen so much I looked pregnant from under my boobs to the pubic area, with the feeling of fullness and really not wanting to eat. By Wednesday night I had bad (felt like) intestinal indigestion (hard to explain) I thought it was because I hadn't eaten, so I took a small bite of food and the pain was awful, same if I take a sip of water.  So by Monday 3rd I got an emergency appointment with my Dr. She sat there and really gave me no words of wisdom, didnt check me over, just said, you're under the menopause clinic, suggest you go back to them (both ladies are on holiday - hence why I didn't call them first) her passing comment was, it is the side effect of Tib.

I understand there will be side effects to medication and I also know NO woman is the same. But this is my 5th HRT medication since 2016. I didnt take anything in 2015 when my periods stopped as I was very worried about HRT as my mum died at 58 of breast cancer and spent that year with crippling painful joints and hands (like carpal tunnel syndrome)

I also understand that this isn't me either. I was always gung ho at everything, now I have to push myself just to walk my dogs or go to work. My anxiety goes up and down, Im also guessing that corresponds with whatever my own natural hormones are doing...I suppose I still have some?!  I have a partner, who NOW understands. But I can see what it's doing to him and that brings me down. I only went on Tib because I hear that the plus side of this is you "can" get your sex drive back. Right now, I can't be arsed...what would I rather do...have a cheese sandwich or a smooch with my partner...cheese sandwich! And I'm not even keen on cheese! 

I didnt take my Tib yesterday, thought to myself I don't need to take anything...I'll go back to just natural me.  But after reading more posts I think I should try at least one or half of one a day....just to keep the Wolf from the door....so to speak.

Im only 5ft 2 and have only ever weighed a small amount, but since being on HRT Ive gained a stone. With me being on Tib, will my weight increase further? I sure hope not, as someone has already asked if I'm pregnant??

Oh and it's only my opinion and experience, but sometimes a very low dose of an SSRI can be really helpful.

- Whats SSRI? Sorry, I'm ever so thick when it comes to Menopause..

This website has saved me from many aspects of menopause and HRT and to be honest, I don't come on here enough. Especially, when I'm feeling at a loss. No other friends of mine are going through this, nor family. So I do feel a bit of an "lone woman walking". I used to be a runner, long distance, loved it. My friend said that I should take it up again...what she doesnt understand its the lack of motivation, anxiety & fear that something would happen...the ground would open up and I'd fall, or I'd get bitten by a dog or something terrible would happen whilst I was out. I know that sounds absolutely bonkers and I have to take myself to task and say...stop it Claire, that's ridiculous.

Other than the bloated stomach, indigestion on Tib. I've not noticed anything else, no hair loss, growth....set of balls  Sorry....gotta keep the sense of humour going, or try to....

I've stopped drinking alcohol too, it wasn't helping my state of flux either.

Sorry I'm waffling....thanks for listening.

[Pollyanna]

ClumpyClaire

Grrr, just spent ages writing a post, and then deleted it by mistake.   My brain!!! 

An 'SSRI' is a type of antidepressant.   Stands for 'Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor'.  There are a group of SSRI's, that include Prozac and Sertraline.   Like a lot of drugs, these also are prescribed (in smaller doses) for conditions other than depression.   They have proven to be helpful for Fibromyalgia pain and stiffness as there is a link with low serotonin.   

Reminds me that my mum used to complain of 'Fibrositis'.... its the same thing.  Anyway, occasionally I will take half of a low dose of sertraline and that boost of serotonin helps the pain. It works for me anyway. 


Thank you for the heads up on the menopause clinic.  I will call them today to enquire, and push my surgery to refer me.  Blimey, it's awful that there's no support whatsoever here. 

My continued experience with Tibolone after 8 days.......

yesterday was awful again.  I felt dizzy, dopey, thirsty and dehydrated all day.  I have always had a glass of wine with dinner in the evening but have no tolerance to alcohol with these pills.   A few sips and I feel drunk. 

I look exhausted, dark rings under eyes and very pale.  I went for a bike ride yesterday.  I can usually easily cycle 40 miles but struggled to do a mile and then wanted to sleep.   Can't string a sentence together. 

I'm sleeping brilliantly (not surprising), and I cannot believe how the condition of my hair has improved.  usually I pull a handful out of my hairbrush after blowdrying, but no hair fall whatsoever.  That is fantastic.   

Today, I have taken only half a pill, and will continue to do so, as one pill is too much for me.

I do get concerned that half a pill is offering enough protection for my bones though.  Think I mentioned this a day or so ago. 

I wake up, with aches and pains.   Not sure if this is bones, or fibromyalgia.   When I was on Oestrogen patches, I would increase my dose and that got rid of them.   However.... I had too much unopposed oestrogen in my system.   

Blimey.....so much juggling for us all.

And.... still no libido or good energy.    Haha.... made me laugh, what you said about the cheese sandwich.   I don't have a man in my life right now, but I'd like to test that cheese sandwich/snog hypothesis. 

Yes, you are tiny Claire.  I am 5'6 and weigh 47ks, so I am light too.   This is why I get concerned about bone health. 

Have you had a DEXA (bone) scan?   

[Pollyanna]

PS.   When I said there was no support 'here', in my last post, I meant where I live, NOT this site.   

This site is amazing. xx

[ClumpyClaire]

Hi Pollyanna,

Thanks for the info on SSRI I'll definitely research this further. Glad I could help with the Meno Clinic. After many visits to the Dr initially, I was highly surprised that nothing was out there for woman...after all, we've been on this earth for a very long time! They have every other clinic!  When I had my first consultation with them, (who are lovely by the way) they've been at the JR Hosp since the 70's...who knew!?

I'm sorry that you're feeling so grotty, maybe both of us have to give this Tib sometime to adjust to us and the other HRT that we were on to leave our bodies. So many adjustments to be made and yet I'm so impatient!!!   I've taken one today and although I dont feel any different, maybe next week I'll feel more sprightly and want to shag a tree...that will get the tongues wagging in my village

I haven't had a DEXA but have been advised by my Meno Specialist that even after one year of not taking any HRT, I should be fine...I know that sounds like empty promises, but I feel I haven't done any permanent damage.  The pain in my hands were joints, lost the strength of my hands and have a small lump on my thumb, but then that's me.

Out of 35 symptoms of menopause, I ticked off 34. So having a year of all of them I really dont want to go back to them. Do you suffer from a type of hives (itchy/burning skin) I do...mine started in 2009, just when the hip pain started. I dont pop a antihistamine daily now, maybe once a fortnight. I didn't realise that its a symptom to this to....I mean, how much of this rubbish do we have to take???

I knew what you meant about support...This website has changed me and I really should use it more often, as a learning tool, wellbeing and support other ladies who are going through the same.

Claire x