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[Alice_HF]

Hi Everyone, Newbie here and forums are not my usual MO, so please bear with me if I don't know the protocols.

I'm 50 and 3yrs into HRT to ease peri symptoms, following severe (like it isn't sever enough!) PMDD following having kids. Started getting worse 4 years ago, then the PMDD didn't seem to stop, with what was 1 week of sanity every month, reduced to a couple of days here and there. Anger, dysphoria, memory issues, lack of focus at work... blah, blah..
My GP (hormone specialist luckily) suggested it was probably being exacerbated by being peri-men. So suggested HRT. We started on cyclical, estra patches, utrogestan 200mg for the last 2 weeks of cycle. This didn't work very well, as could sense the patches not working to the end of their lifespan and progesterone has always been an issue for me, with my main problems being in the prog part of my cycle. So we tried Estragel, 2 pumps and continuous Utro, 1 per day throughout, as my GP thought that while I wasn't menopausal, the stability of continuous would help me regain some quality of life.
This did work for a while, although lacked libido and general drive. So we looked at testosterone, which also helped for a while. Although I stopped as I started to get unwanted hair (tho did feel more amorous. lol!)
I still get breakthrough bleeds occasionally and I'm premenstrual before hand, with sore breasts, anger, depression etc. These are quite random. but probably every 2-3months.
I'm here because I'm in absolute bits atm. For the last couple of  months I feel like I did before I started any HRT. With serious depression and anger, tears, inability to cope. It's making me drink more to block it out. I have a family and a new promotion, which I have pressure to show I'm worthy of... Urgh. My partner doesn't work.
I'm resentful, frustrated and seriously feel like I'm gonna f*ck it all up, including my 30yr relationship.
I think I know the answer, but I guess I'm just looking for confirmation.... Does it sound like my dosages need adjusting, or maybe I'm getting closer to actual menopause?
I can't tell which hormone is dominant in this issue, to try and balance the dosage out. Sore breasts, irrritability etc, all symptoms of both high prog or est?

Thanks for reading my garbled nonsense.

Alice. xxx
 

[CLKD]

Hi!  Welcome to The Club 

Sounds like peri from where I'm sitting. 

PMT is awful.  The National Association for Pre-menstrual Syndrome advised eating every 3 hours, 24/7.  That's worked for me, as it keeps blood sugar levels even and stops that awful energy drop that I suffered with.

Do print off 'hints for husbands' from the Forum and hand over.  Hormone upheaval can cause havoc!

Alcohol won't help, but having a review of your regime may well do.  How helpful is your GP, some don't know enough - mayB see if there is a dedicated menopause clinic for deeper advice?  Not a gynae .... as they don't know enough.

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful. 

As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out; skin, deep in the ears, eyes, vagina, scalp, between the toes    ........   as well as muscles may become lax = aches and pains. 

[Gnatty]

Sorry for brief reply but I would think about upping the oestrogel to three pumps. Also reinstate testosterone, a bit of extra hair is worth it for all the other benefits it gives! X

[CLKD]

Would you up the dose all at once or one night then wait for 3-ish?  Don't want to overload the body.

[SarahT]

Hi, am new here. Feel like I have been in a train crash. Am all over the place with what feels like a hormone 'crash'.
Moods are awful, yesterday I had to fight the need to curl up and just scream. Today is just tears. Feel like the worst pms of all time, mixed in with peri menopause symptoms too.
Tried AD's, CBT which helped with my anger at still getting monthly periods at age 56.
Started patches and oral peogesterone, just a month ago and feel so much worse. maybe came of anti depressants too quickly whilst simultaneously starting HRT??I know a month is not long at all, but I don't know how to do this anymore.

Speaking to a great g.p, now, very supportive. Am considering mirena coil along with higher dose of estrogen.
Just want reassurance I am not going mad. Seem to have these 'hormone crashes' that knock me to the floor.

Please reassure me. All friends etc say oh, my periods gradually stopped and that was it!!! Furious and feel all over the place.
Sorry to ramble on. Need some kindered spirits. X

[CLKD]

You are not going mad!  SarahT welcome.

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful.  Progesterone often upsets users.  Lots use the Mirena with success and if can be removed if it doesn't suit.

[SarahT]

Thanks, for the reply, I love that the forum offers so much support and advice, which I do need right now.
I have been doing a mood\symptom diary just so I can  see a pattern throughout the month, so I kind of know what to expect and when.
So far I feel like I have only felt like 'me ' about 2 days in the last 6 months. I am aware and accept that we change through our lives, but blimey - when do some of  the good mood times return....?
Anyone else angry at getting monthly periods age 56? I had read some previous post for those in my age bracket. So hard when some friends finished all this some 10 years ago. Grrr

[CLKD]

I would hate to have periods into my 50s.  It isn't as unusual as we think though.

[Alice_HF]

Thanks All... for being here.

Yep, I thought about another pump of the gel, to see if that has any effect.
I do see a GP who is also the practice meno/hormone specialist, but haven't seen her for a while.
I think I'll try another pump of gel and see if I can get an apt with her too. It takes a while, to get to see her and my issue is that she would suggest blood tests before upping the dose and I don't think I can wait that long.
If I try increasing the estragel, would there be any adverse consequences? Just to see if it helps...

Thanks for directing me to the "hints for husbands info" I'll try and pass it on without decaptitating him in the process. haha. He's a walking target for me atm.

My GP suggested trying the mirena coil, to avoid some of the progesterone issues I'm having. Has this worked for others? I'm assuming that because the prog is in the right area (uterus/cervix) that it doesn't need metabolizing in the same way, so doesn't have the same "whole body" effect?
I've tried the uterogestan via vag route, but didn't notice any difference.

Anyway, thanks again.
You guys are a life line. x