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[robotwars]

Hi! I just wondered if I could get a little bit of advice before I go back to the doctors yet again! I have now tried 2 different HRT's (prempak and cycloprognova) both have caused me a lot of digestive problems, I do suffer with IBS on and off but when I'm on the HRT it is awfull.
I'm currently not taking anything and the biggest problems seem to be vaginal dryness, recurrent water infections, and my mood is awful, feel so fed up etc, muscular aches and pains, I'm getting one cold after another, not sure if this is connected, and my period is all over the place, last year it was every 2 weeks I was coming on, then I went 3 months with nothing, then I had 4 months in the middle and the last two times I have come on I have only gone 15 days inbetween....... so not sure when i'm due on.
My question is do I try yet another HRT or do I try qlaria or is there something I could take that just addresses the symptoms, I don't seem to be getting any hot flushes at the moment, hope I don't speak to soon! LOL - I just don't know what to do!

[Chocolatechaos]

Maybe you should try a cyclic transdermal hrt. I found that my gut sensitivity was worse with tablet hrt which probably affected the uptake day to day. I switched to patches which are so much better for my ibs

[Jenna]

You could try a vaginal oestrogen treatment (Vagifem or Ovestin/Estriol cream) which would help with the dryness and water infections, but of course it wouldn't control the irregular periods.

[honeybun]

I have a very sensitive digestive system so I am on patches.

They are great because they bypass the liver and don't cause the tummy issues that pills can. They are also thought to be safer for long term use.

If you want to try HRT again I would request patches.


Honeybun
X

[Mary G]

The specialist I see recommends two to three pumps of estrogel every day and then utrogestan 100mg (if you have a womb) for 7 days per month which can be used vaginally for fewer side effects i.e. digestive problems and breast pain.  Might be worth a try!  Good luck.

[CLKD]

Oh poor you, this Trial and Error is so tiring 

I use Ovestin for vaginal atrophy.  2 weeks every night then every 3rd and 6th night keeps symptoms under control.  The water 'infections' are more likely to be atrophy, does your GP send a urine sample to a Lab. for testing, if not they should: that way you won't be given ABs but ought to be offered VA treatment!

Let us know how you get on.

[robotwars]

Thanks for your replies, I have managed to make an appointment with a locom doctor next week, as my surgery doesn't have a lady doctor but she coming for a week, so thought I would try her as the men have been useless! fingers crossed it goes well

[Greenfields]

I had really upset bowels for a month on a tablet form of HRT (Nuvelle Continuous) - it was horrendous.  Also crashing fatigue.

Six weeks ago I saw a fantastic Dr and she took me straight off that medication and put me on Evorel 50 patches (thats the oestrogen bit) and 100mg Utrogestan orally (that's the progesterone bit).

I am SO much better - and while my bowel habits aren't completely normal yet (but that's partly because I'm also recovering from a nervous breakdown) they are a hell of a lot better.

So I second, third and fourth(!) trying a patch if you can as it definitely hasn't upset my stomach as much and, as others have said, because it doesn't have to go through the liver, stomach and bowel discomfort is less.

Wishing you all the luck with the Dr's appointment - if you get no joy, ask for a referral to a menopause clinic if you can. I haven't been to one but if all the Dr's at your practice aren't very knowledgable about menopause it might be your best bet (unless you can afford to go private?).

The other thing you could try is to send a question to Dr Curry on this website - it costs money (I think 25 pounds) - but then when you get her email reply, take it to a Dr at your practice and show it them and insist on being given the recommended medications.

Hugs xxx

[robotwars]

Well I went to see my GP today, not sure what to think, when I arrived she said I had 10 minutes, so what would I like to discuss in our time slot!!!!! Then I just felt rushed!!!!
I said I wanted to try a patch instead of HRT by pill, she then looked in her manual and said she didn't know much about it but would look to see what would be suitable, I suggested what I had learnt from this website, Evorel 50 patch and 100mg utrogestan orally, she then said that she would prefer to give me this and has prescribed Evorel Sequi patches, she said these do the progesterone as well, is this correct....... just wanted to check with you knowledgeable people before I paid for the prescription

[dazned]

Yes it is a patch with both estrogen and progesterone in . Hope you settle well on it as you know there will be a period of adjustment but as this through your skin you shouldn't have the stomach issues.

[Briony]

If, after a few months, things still aren't great, investigate switching to a different patch (assuming she still won't let you have the Utrogestan). Some people - though not all - have found the progesterone in Evorel combi patches to be difficult and have switched to Fem Seven which many find easier to tolerate.

x

[robotwars]

Thanks for your replies, I have put it in the chemist but they don't have any so have to order it in, I'm hoping there are instructions inside the box as doctor hasn't told me when to start or any details of how to use it!

[GeordieGirl]

Well I went to see my GP today, not sure what to think, when I arrived she said I had 10 minutes, so what would I like to discuss in our time slot!!!!! Then I just felt rushed!!!!
I said I wanted to try a patch instead of HRT by pill, she then looked in her manual and said she didn't know much about it but would look to see what would be suitable, I suggested what I had learnt from this website, Evorel 50 patch and 100mg utrogestan orally, she then said that she would prefer to give me this and has prescribed Evorel Sequi patches, she said these do the progesterone as well, is this correct....... just wanted to check with you knowledgeable people before I paid for the prescription

A bit of a random question but why would she "prefer to give you" something if she had already said she didn't know much about it all? What did she base her decision on?

Just curious!

GG x

[robotwars]

I Know! she spent ages looking through her book, showing me the print which I couldn't see without my glasses! LOL

[robotwars]

Hi! I have put my prescription in for Evorel Sequi patches, but the chemist didn't have any, that was last Thursday, today they still don't have them and they are going to call me Monday, my doctor hasn't told me when to start them, was hoping there would be instructions in the box, but I have come on today, so I just wondered if anyone knew when you are suppose to start them in the cycle?