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[Nas]

Urgghh... I am sick of it all now.
I thought my body needed more oestrogen, so I upped my patch from 75 to 100.
I increased because I was still symptomatic.
Since upping the patch, I have felt ill. Nauseous, crampy. headaches, dizzy.

Went back down to 75, still feeling the same.

Yesterday and today, I feel very spaced out.
Can't focus, nauseous, irritable.

What it is going on?
I am 5 years post menopause.

I want to be free of hormones for sure, but my bladder goes into overdrive, despite using ovestin and vagifem everyday.
What can I do?
How can I get out of this perpetual cycle of HRT?
I just want to level out.
I have the mirena and would get shot of that too, but I can't risk it, in case I need oestrogen (utrogetan does not work for me).

I started HRT because of low mood, frequent weeing, poor sleep and aching joints. The only thing it has helped with in 4 years, is the frequent weeing!

I have tried patches, gel, tablets and spray.

[Stargazer]

Sorry to hear it is all leaving you feeling so bad.  Do you stay with the change of patch size long enough I say that because I have had all of them but I stayed on the increase for 2 months as advised by the Dr and it did eventually settle down.  Feel for you x

[Nas]

Hi,
Yes, I started on the gel and persevered for 12 months.
Then patches (50, 75 ,100). The 75 I was on for over two years before they stopped working properly.
I was on tablets for 6 months and then lenzetto (worst of the lot)
I just don't know what to do any longer, other than go without oestrogen, see what symptoms are the worst and start again from scratch.

Thanks for replying.
Much appreciated x

[Kathleen]

Hello Nas

I completely understand how frustrating and exhausting this whole scenario can be.
I have never been totally symptom free no matter what HRT I am using or indeed how much! It is as if our bodies are wilfully trying to sabotage our attempts at a normal life!

I also wonder if other hormonal systems are involved and perhaps our bodies are actively rejecting the added hormones? Who knows but it is annoying that some women have a smooth transition whilst others have a very bumpy ride.

I wish I had the answer but all I can suggest for you is to contact Dr Currie who may have the knowledge and experience to advise you. Perhaps there is something else that would calm your bladder so that you could start again with Oestrogen.


Wishing you well and sending hugs.

K.

[SarahT]

Hey Nas,

Sorry I answered you elsewhere.
Am sorry it's got so bad for you. I am wondering if not no longer suits your body's changing needs. Could it be better to maybe come off the hrt, and treat the symptoms separately? Maybe see a gp for something for the bladder and and anti anxiety meds? Maybe the oestrogen is not the priority you body needs anymore, but each symptom need treating instead?

Am sorry for you  Nas, I so wish things were better for you. Xx

[Nas]

Thanks ladies!
Kathleen, you are so right. I absolutely feel my shit show of a body is trying to sabotage any effort at being normal! 

I mean, one minute I have a libido, the next day I don’t. Poor OH is as bewildered as they come right now! One day I’m happy, the next I’ve got period pain. And so it goes on.

Today I’ve decided, no more HRT. I want to see exactly what I’m up against. My coil i would like to have removed, but too scared, in case I need oestrogen quickly. What do you ladies think? I’m a bit worried i will feel rubbish with the mirena and no oestrogen to balance it.

Oh my days.. what a carry on.
In fact they should have made one last carry on film CARRY ON MENOPAUSE!!

Sarah, you may be right. Perhaps each symptom should be treated separately now. This is why I probably need to give the HRT a break.

Thanks ladies..❤️❤️❤️

[discogirl]

Hi Nas

I dont want to confuse matters by giving my opinion as well but i cant help wonfering if the coil isnt helping you.

im wondering if you may be better without the coil?

Sorry i was thinking out loud. I appreciate i may not have helped  xxx

[SarahT]

I don't know enough about these things, but if you have the coil removed, and give hrt a complete break, try to take  each symptom as a separate 'problem' if, in time you felt a new start of her was best, could you not have a new mirena fitted?

Am a bit ignorant, but as discogirl says maybe the coil is no longer helping? I know it was good for you, but if your body has altered maybe it Is no longer required especially if you do come off hrt?

Is there a Dr or nurse (not like Hattie Jacques on Carry On...) Who is more knowledgeable about memo at your surgery? Xx

[Penguin]

Hi Nas
I'm very new to this, still in peri and only started hrt at the end of 2022. However, I have already found that increasing my estrogen gets rid of one symptom but brings on another. If I was in your position and post meno I reckon I'd have a trial without hrt, decide what are say the top 3 things that bother me most and then try to treat those. Is there something else aside from hrt that can help the bladder for example. Isn't there an antidepressant people have spoken about on here, that help that? Or could you work out what the lowest dose of estrogen required to solve that symptom is, then work on treating the others individually?
It's so hard and frustrating isn't it, you have my sympathies x

[Nas]

Yes you could be right re: the coil. Maybe it doesn’t need to be there at all. It’s done no harm ( I don’t think ) as it’s fully settled it now. But do I need it if I come off hrt? No I dont.

Think I will just just ditch the oestrogen for now and make some notes. Then eventually have the coil out.

Sarah, I’ve had breast cancer so I’m under a specialist ( who has since discharged me) She’s great but would be happy to see me off HRT I expect.

Thanks again ladies.

Xxxx

[Penguin]

When you say you increased your patch because you felt your body needed more estrogen, what symptom(s) made you think that? Perhaps that is your starting point in terms if the things to target first.

[Nas]

Hi penguin
You are totally right. I feel I'm symptom swapping right now. Bladder is the priority, so maybe small bit of oestrogen to keep that in check.

Frustrating and time consuming comes to mind!

[Nas]

It was an increase in anxiety penguin and a bit of dryness. I’d been on the 75 patch since September 2020. Trialled a low dose tablet last year and was a disaster. The bladder went awol and mood dipped dramatically. Then lenzetto and the same thing happened.

I upped from 75 to 100 a few weeks ago now and to begin with was okay. Then started the cramps and irritability etc. The cramps were intolerable and patch came off. Back went on 75, but anxiety etc returned.

I really want to see where I’m at with no oestrogen. But then I fear that symptoms can come and go and and could hit with any of them at any time. Before HRT in 2019, I could barely drive !

[SarahT]

Confusing isn't it? But yes, maybe concentrating on a priority symptom at a time. didn't know you are a cancer survivor too Nas. You have been through so much you deserve a break from all this.

For the dryness do you use Ovestin? Helps me ease dryness so much, and relief quickly too. If it's mood, maybe speak to Dr about a low dose of Ad's. Even just as a more temporary use?

So much to think about but I hope tomorrow things may seem clearer and you can form a plan.

Let us know - my singing partner. Xx

[Nas]

Thanks lovely Sarah 🌷
You have been super supportive these last weeks. Much much appreciated xxxxx particularly as I know you have your own struggles to contend with. I’m here for you too, along with all the other wonderful ladies x