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[zen]

Hi

I've been on 3 pumps of estrogen, small blob of testosterone and cyclogest (progesterone) for 7 days every 2 months for several years with very little benefit.

My latest oestradiol result is 143.  I would have expected it to be higher.  I'm still plagued by very low mood, anxiety and mood swings which started with the menopause 10 years ago.

I don't know if I am absorbing the estrogen gel or whether to just give up on HRT.  My mood was fine until I started the menopause which did coincide with an underactive thyroid diagnosis too.  Its hard to separate the wood from the trees.

Any advice/experiences would be great to hear.

zen.

[Kathleen]

Hello zen.
 I could have written your post but actually stopped  all HRT about four months ago. Our stories are spookily similar and wonder if there are any useful differences in the details?

My periods stopped nine years ago but I waited for three years before trying HRT. Most recently I was using two pumps of gel and Utrogestan vaginally every night but never had Testosterone.  I was on this regime for some time but over the previous six years I have tried other types of HRT. Unfortunately the main symptoms of jittery feelings, palpitations and mood swings have never completely gone away.  As I recall when I met with a consultant a few years ago my oestradiol was about 240 but I was still symptomatic. I also never had these issues until the menopause but I was diagnosed with an auto immune disease the same month that I had my last period. My disease is in remission and has been for six years but my meno problems just won't quit lol. I decided that I would see where I was naturally  and have found that I feel pretty much the same with the same range of problems albeit slight milder in intensity.  I think I'll continue being HRT free for a while longer but I was so hoping that my symptoms would ease and that after all this time I would have turned a corner but it appears not.

I'm sorry that I can't be of practical help but I thought the similarities and differences in our experiences may be of interest. As you say it can be hard to see the wood for the trees!

Take care.

K.

[Sgtvhilts]

Sound like you are need of a change (lol ,I know, we've all probably heard enough about the change)
If it is not working try something else. At a  basic level what have you got to loose

[Sammiejane]

hi

from my feelings of the gel i don't think it's cracked up to be all that !

i'm going to change to patch been a year on the gel and getting no where and feel rubbish

[Perinowpost]

Zen have you tried patches? I prefer them to gel x

[jennyr265]

Hi Zen
Yes i have had a similar experience. Periods stopped in 2014. Started to feel unwell the following year but didn't link it to the menopause as my symptoms weren't classically menopausal.
Finally decided to give it a try this year - Started gel and utro in April, a blood test in july showed levels of 89 so I increased the gel to 3 pumps a day and levels dropped to 79. I wasn't absorbing it at all although i saw an improvement in my back and hip pain.
So i was put on elleste solo 1mg tablet and i had a blood test last week after 3 months on them and my level is now 281 so an improvement. But i am still largely symptomatic and also wondering whether it's worth continuing. Also the hip and back pain have returned!
I'm afraid that I can't help but you aren't alone! There seem to be a fair few ladies who don't absorb the gel. I'm not going to give up though. I'm determined to find some relief.

[Sammiejane]

hi

i'm not sure if i'm obsorbing the gel
my levels were 195 on 2 pumps 3 months later still on 2 pumps 104 and then recently 368 and then 10 days later 113 but during the period of june - nov from the 104 reading and 368 i had changed to a patch because weren't obsorbing well from it and was on patch for 5 weeks ( went out of stock ) so went back on gel and upped to 3 pumps for about 3 weeks then back to 2 pumps for remainder but i didn't realise it could fluctuate so much so now i need to make a decision to stop it as not feeling great or swap to a patch !

[zen]

Hi

Sorry I meant to reply before now.  Thanks for all you kind replies and so sorry for those who are struggling. Gosh Kathleen, with you situation being like mine I wish we could find an answer.  I think having an auto immune illness does not help at all. I have tried patches, Angelique tablets and nothing helps whatsoever. 

My main problem is my very low mood and anxiety.  I was absolutely fine before the menopause and my underactive thyroid diagnosis so to me it's not rocket science that that's where the problem lies. I think the GP's don't know what to do with me.  I've tried anti-depressants which don't help my mood either. I've seen about 4 endocrinologists who say my thyroid is fine despite a host of thyroid symptoms!

I feel there must be an answer somewhere. I used to be so positive and upbeat....

x

[AlphabettiSpaghetti]

I have this prob too. Am 47, been post menopausal for over three yrs. started hrt during early 40s. Have tried elleste duet, oestrogel and estraderm patches. On oestrogel I increased to 6-7 pumps a day, but still my oestrogen levels remained at 84! Now on two estraderm patches plus four pumps oestrogel a day. Anxiety, joint pain and brain fog still terrible. The anxiety is overwhelming.
I'm now waiting to hear if I can have oestrogen implants- but apparently nhs v reluctant to prescribe...
I'm also on 200mg utrogestan and 1 blob testogel a day, plus one pump ovestin and 2 vagifem a day.

[Kathleen]

Hello again ladies.

 Since writing my last post I have seen my GP who thinks I may have an underactive Thyroid and I will be getting my blood test results later today. The autoimmune disease I was diagnosed with nine years ago was Ulcerative Colitis and that has been in remission for six years. All my blood tests for UC have been normal.

Zen - Can I ask how you have  a diagnosis for underactive Thyroid if your Endocrinologists say your Thyroid  function is normal? Do you take Thyroxine for example and do you have a positive test for Thyroid antibodies?

I will update the forum as soon as I know my results as it may help other ladies.  If my Thyroid isn't working properly I may need some help myself!

Take care ladies.

K.

[zen]

Hi Kathleen

I hope you get some help with your thyroid.  I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid by a private thyroid specialist.  As unfortunately my thyroid specialist passed away I was referred to NHS endocrinologists because of on-going symptoms but they  just refuse to believe you have thyroid symptoms if your blood tests are 'normal'.  I did test ok for thyroid antibodies though.  All my thyroid symptoms got blamed on my ME/CFS-very annoying as I know my own body!

Hope you have better luck.

zen x

[Kathleen]

Hello zen

Thank you for responding.

I'm afraid I don't know much about ME/CFS but if there is an inflammatory element to them that would certainly overlap with a low Thyroid.

It is so frustrating when you want to follow your instincts but the profession won't allow it. An experimental period of treatment is all it would take.

Thanks again for your post and take care.

K.

[Penelope]

Hi Zen keep pushing honey I went to an endocrinologist with my list of symptoms and she told my husband and I that none of the symptoms on my list had anything to do with thyroid and refers me to mental health for the anxiety.She did take a biopsy of my Nodules in my neck and sent a letter a week later saying I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and all the symptoms I had discussed with her were common with this diagnosis.
They are a law to there own and we are all finally starting to question them.And that's a good thing.xxoo