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[brads]

Hi , I'm new to this forum but I am hoping you guys can offer some advice.

I'm 51 and still have periods. Without HRT I am miserable, exhausted , angry, bad tempered, no get up and go, joint aches, poor sleep, the list goes on. In desperation I went to the gp 18 months ago and prescribed femeston (low dose) after a couple of months I felt great. Good mood, energised etc back to my old self. I must have been suffering for years?

After a couple of months all the symptoms returned. Gp prescribed a higher dose femeston. Made no difference. Back to GP and prescribed low dose Elleste duet. Again felt fantastic for a few months 9except indegeston) then all the symptoms started again plus my periods began to last 10 days.

Back to Gp. The GP didn't believe that HRT can work then not work. Blood tests didn't show anything (didn't do hormones because I was taking HRT) and prescribed  Tridestra. I had a really heavy 10 day bleed starting about day 30ish. I'm now on about day  60 and my breasts are sore and I feel like another period is due. On top of that I feel miserable and exhausted and all the other symptoms.

I just don't know where to turn. The gps I have seen don't seem to know much about menopause and HRT. I felt annoyed that the gp didn't believe that the HRT was not working as if I was making it up. If I go back to Gp before the end of this 3 month pack of Tridestra they will probably say I haven't given it long enough but the symptoms are getting worse not better.

Can HRT work then stop working? Could it be something to do with absorption of tablets? On top of this my libido has been zilch for years. Could I be lacking in Testosterone?

 


 

[CLKD]

 

[CLKD]

It can vary between ladies, certainly if the body produces more/less of their own hormones, then yes, uptake of HRT can vary.

Browse round.  Make notes.  Your GP sounds dismissive - a problem across the UK  . 

As oestrogen levels drop so muscles may become lax = aches and pains which an Over The Counter medication should ease.  As oestrogen levels the body becomes dry: inside and out; nostrils, deep in the ears, skin, vagina - for which there are 2 specific HRT treatments as well as using gentle products to keep the whole vagina moist and supple, inside and out.

Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful to take to the GP.  Or you could 'search' on here to see if there is a higher dose Femeston?

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM - this does sound a bit of a mystery!!! If you are still peri meno (which you probably are) unfortunately your own hormones will be fluctuating in the background and this could well explain why you find the HRT works for a while and then symptoms return - however, you have tried an increased dose and this has still not been enough??!!! From what you are describing, I would say that your own hormones are fluctuating so this will give the impression that the HRT isn't working.
Why should all these HRTs only work for a couple of months? The hormonal fluctuations is one aspect but if you have been chopping and changing this might also cause more issues - it generally takes at least 3 months for any HRT to do it's magic.  They should have checked your oestrogen levels as, when on HRT, this would show whether you are absorbing the HRT properly or not - so, if the oestrogen level was low then this would indicate you are not absorbing the HRT.

I assume the blood test they did was for thyroid function???  If the thyroid is not working properly then can explain flushes etc.

You might want to consider having a Mirena fitted and then have oestrogen alongside as either pills, patch or Oestrogel.  The Mirena will protect the womb lining and should eventually stop all bleeding and you can then use as much oestrogen as you need to control flushes. There have been a small number of ladies posting on this site recently reporting that they don't absorb hormones well - so some women clearly do have problems.

Here is the info from this site about the Mirena:
Mirena is a levonorgestrel (type of progestogen) releasing system which sits inside the womb, gradually releasing the progestogen into the womb. It is licensed in the UK and Ireland as a contraceptive agent, for treatment of heavy periods and, from August 2004, also for the progestogen component of HRT. It can be used in both the perimenopause and postmenopause and it is particularly useful for:

Persistent progestogenic side effects from systemic HRT despite changes in type and route of progestogen.
When contraception is required along with HRT in the perimenopause.
When withdrawal bleeds on sequential HRT are heavy, after investigation if indicated. (see WHEN TO BE REFERRED )
With Mirena in place, systemic estrogen alone can be taken as the Mirena provides adequate protection of the womb lining and the estrogen dose and route can be tailored to meet the individual's needs.

Progestogenic absorption throughout the body is minimal so reducing progestogenic side effects. The effect of Mirena on the womb lining can significantly reduce bleeding and when used as part of an HRT regimen, in time, 30 to 60% of women have no bleeding at all. Although Mirena used for contraception is licensed for 5 years, the license for use for the progestogen part of HRT is currently 4 years.
Price: £88.00

All the info on the various HRT options are listed under TREATMENTs at the top of this page. It's worth printing out theses details to discuss with your GP.  DG x

[brads]

Sorry, I meant to say that I was also put on a higher dose Femeston  which made no difference. Would a gel be absorbed any easier or is it because my hormones are still kicking in?

[CLKD]

Probably your own hormones over-riding the HRT? 

[brads]

My thyroid function was tested TSH 1.98 if that makes sense. The report stated normal.

[CLKD]

Sometimes 'normal' isn't enough to keep a lady feeling 'good' though but GPs are reluctant to give medication.  I think you could ask to see an endocrinologist? I am sure someone will put me right 

[Dandelion22]

Hi, I am nearly 54 with regular periods but have lots of symptoms ie shoulder pain, joint pain, acid reflux, recurring breast cysts, the list goes on.  My symptoms seem to be worse during the two weeks between periods and then ease off but don't completely disappear.  I haven't found my GP's very much help, I have had much better advice from this forum from ladies who are going or have gone through the same thing.  If my symptoms get worse as I get closer to menopause I definitely would consider seeing an endocrinologist who is a specialist in this area.  My hormones seem uncontrollable and the few treatments I have tried for various symptoms just don't seem to work.  I do sympathise with you, every day something can be different and you just don't know where you are.  I hope you can find some support, maybe a lady doctor would be more sympathetic?

[Hurdity]

Hi brads

  from me too.

If you don't have any other symptoms of underactive thyroid ( feeling cold, weight gain, feeling excessively tired), with that low reading of TSH - it's all fine.

I agree with Dancinggirl that it may be better in your case to try a transdermal oestrogen (patch or gel) where delivery may be more consistent and not subject to the vagaries of your digestive system, along with a Mirena coil.

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

 

[Menomale]

Hi brads and welcome!

I'm sorry you're feeling that bad, it's the perimenopausal roller coaster, your own ovaries screaming they don't want to die!

I am in the same boat, will be 51 soon, it seems that 51 is the magic turning point number, to what exactly we don't know. It varies from woman to woman.

I have tried two types of HRT since last August and I decided to quit and endure my hot flushes, sweats, moods, anxiety, rage.. until I finally get my 12 month period-FREE!!!! I can tell you that I feel better, I have been doing exams to know what my uterus, ovaries, breasts, lumps, fibroids, polyps are up to. If I'm cleared to try HRT again I will IF benefits outweight costs/risks and IF I can't manage symptoms otherwise.

I'm sorry I can't be of much help but the ladies have already given you a good picture of how to handle the situation. I just want to reassure you that you're not alone and if you need a chat when feeling low or want to share thoughts/info, I'm all ears.

 

[Susan MacKenzie]

Have you tried taking magnesium? I have found it has helped with the panic, anxiety and flushes. Perhaps if you try it alongside the hrt you will find some relief.