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[Peacegirl]

Hi,
I'm sorry that I haven't been here for a while  - kept meaning to come back and give support because it was the amazing support and advice on here that helped me get sorted out. It's been going so well (far from perfect  - some symptoms - but I've been able to function much better) and I've been distracted trying to do all the things I couldn't do while debilitated with symptoms for two years (applying for jobs, arranging a wedding, family, decorating). I'm going to share some positive experiences and support on other threads today though to make up for my lack of input 

I'm so grateful for the respite I've had, but unfortunately after 18 months, I now feel I need more more oestrogen. For 18 months plus I've been taking Femoston-conti 1/5 (with a top-up of 1/2 an evorel 50 patch a week because I was still getting horrendous symptoms on the Femoston alone), all under the supervision of meno specialist. As I said I've been doing ok but for the past couple of months all my previous symptoms are showing up intermittently. They get better when I up the oestrogen but obviously I'm not keen to do this if it's risky. Usually if the oestrogen goes too high I get breakthrough bleeding and insomnia and this has happened occasionally as the patches seem unreliable (I had one complete batch that did nothing).
My questions are:
Is Femoston 2/5 with half an evorel 50 patch a week a high dose?
Any ideas on what I can ask for now? I'm going to ask to be referred back to the meno specialist but I find it more productive to go with a bit of a plan.
Can I just get a blood test to check my oestrogen levels are acceptable - therefore putting the doctor/specialists mind at rest?

I really hope this is coherent I'm having a week of major brain fog!

Thanks

Ps I'm 59/post meno and recently have gained 2 stone-ish - all my own doing  and I don't get on with Utrogestan capsules - too strong for me!

[Hurdity]

Sorry to hear things aren't going too well at  the moment re the HRT.

1 mg oral oestrogen is a low dose and adding another half patch - itself low dose - probably makes you medium dose - but how you absorb the oestrogen is quite individual. If your hot flushes and night sweats are returning then this indicates that oestrogen is not high enough - especially if you are post-menopausal.

If you are having head fog then this might be down to the continuous progestogen - although you are adding more oestrogen which sometimes counteracts the negative effects of prog (sometimes!).

The only other alternative combi product is to take something lie Kliofem or Elleste Duet conti - which are 2 mg estradiol but a different progestogen - sometimes not so well tolerated as Femoston.

However if you didn't mind having a withdrawal bleed you could try Femoston 2/10 if this one suits you otherwise.

Failing that you could go for separate oestrogen and progestogen so stay with the patches and then take a separate progestogen - which would have to be Provera if you don't like Utrogesatan (although this can be used vaginally), either cyclically or continuously. All the different types are listed under the Treatments Menu ( HRT preparations).

Blood tests are unnecessary - if you are getting flusheas and sweats then the dose is too low. Other symptoms might be helped by tweaking/changing HRT type/dose as I suggested above.

Re your weight gain - I'm sure you know this - but setting onto a path to lose this weight (2 stone is a lot to gain) is the best thing you can do for your future health as you approach 60 and will reduce your risks of all sorts fo health problems later on - whatever you decide to do about HRT. It may also help with some of your symptoms too!

Good luck and let us know what you decide and how you get on!

Hurdity x

[Peacegirl]

Thank you so much for taking time to reply. Ive totally taken on board your comments about weight and im getting past the denial - have started exercise etc.

Very useful info about what to try next hrt-wise. Thank you so much.

🙏



 

Sorry to hear things aren't going too well at  the moment re the HRT.

1 mg oral oestrogen is a low dose and adding another half patch - itself low dose - probably makes you medium dose - but how you absorb the oestrogen is quite individual. If your hot flushes and night sweats are returning then this indicates that oestrogen is not high enough - especially if you are post-menopausal.

If you are having head fog then this might be down to the continuous progestogen - although you are adding more oestrogen which sometimes counteracts the negative effects of prog (sometimes!).

The only other alternative combi product is to take something lie Kliofem or Elleste Duet conti - which are 2 mg estradiol but a different progestogen - sometimes not so well tolerated as Femoston.

However if you didn't mind having a withdrawal bleed you could try Femoston 2/10 if this one suits you otherwise.

Failing that you could go for separate oestrogen and progestogen so stay with the patches and then take a separate progestogen - which would have to be Provera if you don't like Utrogesatan (although this can be used vaginally), either cyclically or continuously. All the different types are listed under the Treatments Menu ( HRT preparations).

Blood tests are unnecessary - if you are getting flusheas and sweats then the dose is too low. Other symptoms might be helped by tweaking/changing HRT type/dose as I suggested above.

Re your weight gain - I'm sure you know this - but setting onto a path to lose this weight (2 stone is a lot to gain) is the best thing you can do for your future health as you approach 60 and will reduce your risks of all sorts fo health problems later on - whatever you decide to do about HRT. It may also help with some of your symptoms too!

Good luck and let us know what you decide and how you get on!

Hurdity x