Hello
I have just registered but this forum has been so helpful for me and I thank you all. I hope you can benefit from my experiences...
A bit about me: I am 48 and still having regular periods, now lighter as I had endometrial ablation recently.
I started having hot flushes, insomnia and dryness at 43, and was put on Premarin 0.625mg, very successfully.
By 47 I needed a higher dose due symptoms returning and Premarin was upped to 1.25. This caused a bit of abdominal weight gain but I felt so good otherwise that I tolerated that.
Recently Gynae became edgy about the fact that I was not taking progesterone alongside the Premarin even though I had a regular cycle. I am progesterone intolerant and can't even tolerate the Mirena, or indeed my own natural progesterone. I have always had debilitating PMS and never managed to take the pill. I used the copper coil instead. I tried bio identical Prog cream but I can't tolerate that either. I am terrified of progesterone.
I agreed to try Angeliq (1mg E / 2 mg P) as I appear to tolerate the Drospirenone in it, and I stopped Premarin. All my symptoms returned as the Estrogen dose is so low, and as its a continuous combined, I began to bleed nonstop. I had an ablation and went back to Premarin 1.25. It is still great, and I sleep like a baby on it, but as I am getting older it's not enough somehow.
Note though for all the Progeterone intolerant women out there, Drospirenone is good and Angeliq is a great Postmenopausal continuous combined regime. Definitely worth a try.
My own hormones are diminishing rapidly - I used to swim 3 times a week and had a lot of energy but nowadays all I can manage is work and the sofa. I have lost all muscle tone and gained 10 kg.
GP has now put me on Femoston 2/10 and I was too weak to argue. I started it a week ago and stopped Premarin. Now I can't sleep again! On my 3rd night with no sleep and still working full time in IT - I'm at the end of my tether!
I have never tried Utrogestan, but I am aware of the regime promoted by Prof Studd, and it will be my next port of call if I am intolerant to the Dydrogesterone in Femoston - I hope it won't have to come to that though. I hear Femoston is well tolerated.
Questions:
- How long will it take for the Femoston to build up, and will it ever reach the wonderful levels of the Premarin?
- If not, can't I supplement it with a gel or something to get that Estrogen level high enough for me? It would be great to see an accurate comparison chart of the different forms of Estrogen with equivalent doses. I seem to need a lot of E to function. Ideally a medium dose of Premarin alongside Femoston would be fantastic as Premarin is really good.
- Will a pea sized dollop of Testrim help with energy/muscle tone? I'm happy to get it on the internet if I have to as I am tired to arguing with GP's.
Thanks again,
P