I think some of you already know my story....
I had a hysterectomy aged 36, and bilateral salpingo oopherectomy in April 2015 aged 46. I went over a year without any HRT at all as at each follow up (every 3 months) my surgeon insisted 'you will be fine. I'm not giving you HRT'. There was no family or personal history why HRT couldn't be prescribed, this was just his preference! I have been under his care for over a decade for complex gynaecological problems and have had many surgeries under his care and previously since the age of 22 - I trusted his judgement but can't believe I was so naive!!!
I managed ok despite having had the classic 'hormone crash' about 8 weeks after my surgery until January 2016 when I was hit with the most awful depression - and the joint pain was unbelievable! I could hardly climb the stairs. Curiously, I never had any hot flushes up to that time though!
I went to see my GP and asked for assistance with HRT, but was offered antidepressants instead. In despair, I tried 3 different SSRI's - each had horrible side effects and I KNEW it was HRT I needed! I then decided to refer myself to the local Sandyford Menopause Clinic who were very helpful and tried to help by prescribing Estrogel.
It became very apparent that my body was having a tough time adjusting/responding to HRT and the Consultant there thought that my estrogen receptors had down regulated. I then went back to my GP and asked as per her advice to be referred to a Menopause Clinic at one of our hospitals, but instead they referred me to the local Community Mental Health Team! My husband, in total disgust, then made a complaint to the NHS about my poor treatment and I was referred to a Consultant at Stobhill Hospital. He again prescribed Estrogel, which I did not respond well to and then switched my treatment to a tiny dose of Premarin (0.3mg). We subsequently tried to increase this to 0.625mg but the dizziness was extremely severe so I was switched back to Estrogel despite not feeling at all well on it.
I then subsequently received a referral to Professor Lumsden's Menopause Clinic at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and I am currently under her care. I persevered with the Estrogel, and then it was suggested that I might not be absorbing the gel so was switched to Estradot, titrating doses through 25, 37.5 to 50. This was a total disaster!
I AGAIN had to switch back to Estrogel, and at my last appointment 2 weeks ago it was decided that I am not absorbing transdermal estrogen's and I have now commenced treatment with Tibolone. I have currently been using it for 10 days.
Phew!!! I hope that wasn't too long winded!
This thread is long overdue I think! It would be wonderful if we can all use this as an area where we can support each other and share tips - or generally just have a chat!
Nikki, I don't have an answer for the joint pains I'm afraid! I've just been referred for a DEXA scan - I've previously had spinal surgery so there is particular concern there (I recovered well from that surgery though, which was in 2008. I'm just hoping I don't now have major bone loss in my lumbar spine)!
I know that 'menopausal arthritis' affects many ladies in natural menopause, but I think we should be routinely offered 'baseline' DEXA scans and again 1 year later as our hormone levels drop dramatically following our surgeries and this rapidly affects bone density. It's a travesty that in most cases, the referral for DEXA is only made following a non-trauma fracture!