Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Annie58]

I hope someone can give me some advice.  Initially I took Prempak C but changed to Premique following bleeding problems and was managing fine after the inital first couple of months adjustment.  I have not had natural periods for about 18 months or so and I'm 57 years old.  I was still getting hot at night but not to the extent I was prior to HRT (full blown sweats etc).
The problem now is that none of my local chemists can get Premique as there is a manafacturing problem so I was advised to return to my GP for a different preparation.
I was changed to Elleste Duet 1mg.  I know that I have to give myself time to adjust but I'm finding that I am more emotional now and getting warmer at night so struggling with disturbed sleep.  I am now at Day 23 and no sign of a bleed which the instructions tell me that I may get.  I am not complaining about that though as I certainly didn't want periods again as I suspect I may have had fibroids.
I am having my doubts as to whether my GP has given me an appropriate substitute.  I am due to go back in a week or so but wanted to know if I should give the Elleste longer or ask for an alternative.  To be honest, if it goes on like this I would rather just come off HRT altogether but I'm in the middle of moving house so could do without any additional stress.
Has anyone else had to change HRT due to the Premique problems?
Thanks in advance if anyone can help.

[Hurdity]

Hi Annie58

I think this also happened to someone else recently? I remember reading the same situation?

As you are post-menopausal then you don't need to be on a cyclical HRT, so I am not sure why your doc gave you Elleste Duet - if it is the cyclical type? If you don't want a bleed and you think you might have fibroids (are you being investigated for these) then at your age you should have been changed from Premique to Elleste Duet conti.

Both Premique comes in two doses but ED conti in only one. If you were on Premique low dose - there isn't an equivalent ED conti low dose although there are preparations. What dose Premique were you on and what dose Elleste have you been given?

Most women get the bleed after Day 28 ie after they have stopped the combi pills and started a new packet, although some women get their withdrawal bleed earlier.

I would suggest if you don't want a bleed you would be better off on a continuous combined HRT so I would finish the packet and then go back to the doc. All the preparations for post-menopause are listed here: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/postmeno.php

Changing from the Prem- type HRT to the Estradiol based ones will cause some side effects as your body adjusts to a different type of oestrogen.

Hope this helps 

Hurdity x

[Annie58]

Thank you for your reply. I was confused as to why I had been put on HRT with a bleed at my age.  I'll go back and try to see the GP who specialises in Gyne issues since the GP I saw before sat looking at a reference book. She knew that I wasn't having periods as she told me to start the pack straight away "as I didn't have periods".
The Premique I was taking was the low dose and my previous GP (now retired) was reluctant to increase the dose due to the "risks" although I do not smoke, do not have high BP and have no family history of cancer etc. He was the same GP who fobbed me off for several years when I complained of the very heavy periods so I didn't ever go through tests for fibroids.  All I know is that it is wonderful not having periods!  Thanks again Hurdity.

[Annie58]

I forgot to add that it is the 1mg dose of Elleste Duet that was prescribed.  The GP seemed to think that taking this would improve my night time waking due to the heat, but this seems to have worsened but I do know I have to give things a chance to settle down.

[SevenOfNine]

I've been on Premique Low Dose for about 8 years (at 53, now 61) & have almost never taken the full pill.  For past 3 years or so I've been taking 1/3 per day & it pretty much kept flushes at bay (easy to divide with a sharp knife as it's oval shaped).

Cannot get the Premique & GP told me he'd switch the prescription for something else if I had not luck getting any before my last 3 weeks of 1/3 tabs runs out.  He did mention Femoston Conti Low Dose - though it does have 'different' ingredients so I wanted to research it a bit before switching.  On Monday I'm going to change the prescription for that........then I'm going to take only 1/2 a tablet & see how I get on.

I was a relatively active member here all those years ago but not so much for some time given that I had stabilised on low doses of HRT (albeit the one made from horse urine!).  I did learn relatively quickly to do my own research on what was out there, then stand my ground with the doctor to get it.  I often wonder if their choices are led by price.

[Taz2]

Hi SevenOfNine - welcome back!!

I'd just like to say that it is advisable for women over 60 to be on patch HRT and not pill. This type of HRT has a lower stroke risk for over sixties.

Taz x 

[SevenOfNine]

Hello Taz, thanks.  Good point, I'd forgotten all about the patch option.  I wonder if the ingredients are spread across the whole of the bit next to the skin?  Already plotting how I can lower the dose further by cutting it up. 

I saw a locum this time to get my repeat HRT prescription - he said if I make my dose any lower with my inventive use of a chopping board & carving knife, I might as well just SNIFF the tablets then throw them in the bin!

[Taz2]

I cut mine in half, on the advice of the menopause clinic, for a year but then had to up the dose as half a patch didn't fix the flushes.

Taz x

[Annie58]

A quick update, I am going back to see the GP this morning, this time one who specialises in Gyne matters.  I'm going to ask for the Elleste conti as I can't see why I should be on the mixed dose at my age.