HRT Levels (combined hrt)

[HellyLlewelly]

Hi Everone

I have been trying to get a level on combined HRT that suits me, 5O patch definately did not cover sweats nor headache, 100 patch didn't take away headache, 150 patch did, though I seem to have noticed some other symptoms like I woke up a few days after with pimples on my face and decoletè (yuck) and sorry tmi (when I wipe I can smell quite an unusual smell on 150 patch, its a hard to describe scent, not my own, its like something like animalistic, maybe uncooked poultry, sorry it's a very odd scent.

I am also feeling ludicrously tired on all hrt strengths, needing afternoon naps, though I dunno how much I need to attribute these ^ symptoms I've mentioned to being 8 weeks post total hysterectomy maybe the scent is healing and nor hormones 🤔

I'm still feeling heavy and notice on the HRT my neck n shoulders feel stiff plus my leg or ankle can feel dead when arising after sitting.

I'm just interested in opinions on hrt experiences and if any of these symptoms improve. I've got a few blue days too, generally not feeling like it's been an immediate help or tonic as some women swear by it.

Maybe I'm too early in, approx 7weeks?

Patches are Evorel Combined and in 50's, right now I'm on 150, I'm under 40 so need lots of energy with a pre school child at home.

Thanks to all!

Helly.

[dawntildusk]

Hi Helly.

I cant answer for the hrt but I would say you are still early days through your recovery. I had a TLH RSO back in Sept and would say it took a good 12 weeks before I started to feel like I was getting better, for my energy levels to increase, and the fatigue to improve. I kept an ovary and my hormones were all over the place during this time so I would try to give it a bit longer for your body to settle down and then play about with the hrt dose/type.

Be good to yourself and dont overdo it x

[HellyLlewelly in reply to dawntildusk]

Thanks so much Dawn.

I guess I am wanting to be more well than I feel prematurely, I don't think the Drs give you any indication of how long recovery really is.

I have set a new scale of 10/12 weeks as Ive read this is how long the vaginal cuff takes to heal anyway.

I am going to have to try harder to not let my house get to me. Il concentrate on just my child and myself.

Thank you.

Helly.

[dawntildusk]

I had the Prostrap injections with and without Hrt so can appreciate it can improve your menopausal symptoms greatly. Just give your body a little more time to heal and hormones to settle, then i would discuss changing the dose or type of hrt to suit with your Consultant.

[HellyLlewelly]

I will indeed Dawn, I need to chill and see how in feel in the coming few months.

Many Thanks for your suggestions and help!

H.

X.

[dasprior]

I had my full hysterectomy 2 years ago now. I can honestly say it took a good 6-12 months before I felt “me” again. Even now I’m doing lots of Pilates and other exercises to strengthen my core, make me move and give myself more energy. I didn’t go down the hrt path as any unnatural hormones or chemicals play havoc with my mind and body.

Hot flushes only come when I’ve eaten lots of sugar or processed food (within minutes of a lolly!). As long as I stick to real, healthy food I feel great. I don’t drink or smoke either.

I have a few friends who swear by a company called “happy hormones” which uses all natural products to balance their body. Had a look but never used as I managed to work it out with my own diet. Look on their Facebook site - thousands of testimonials.

happyhormones.com.au/

Good luck on your journey. It’s still very early days for you. Can honestly say I’m glad I did it after suffering severe endo for 30+ years.

[HellyLlewelly in reply to dasprior]

THANK YOU !

You sound in a great place now Dasprior!

I am keen to get back to exercising too and I am always a much better healthier eater (can eat clean when my mind set is right) when I'm exercising.

I'm very interested in natural and homeopathic products so thank you so much for the link.

After reading many responses anf post hysterecromy srories I'm sure I will get there and have just been a little to sure of my abilities thus doing too much too soon.

Thank you.

You sound like you have a great life now.

Endometriosis and Adenomyosis took a chink of my life from me and approaching 40 I intend to make up for lost time!

Thank you so much x.

Helly.

[Hidden]

If you are only 8 weeks post op then tiredness is completely normal. I am really surprised (and a little jealous) that you're on such a high HRT dose already though - I had my hyst + BSO last march at 39 and had to wait 3 months before they would give me any HRT at all. Then spent 8 months on tibolone feeling awful before being switched to evorel conti (50mg) and I've been told I have to try that for 3 months before I can increase the dose I'd also say that the women who claim HRT is a miracle are in normal menopause and haven't had their ovaries removed. One thing I have really struggled with is getting 50 year old women in normal menopause to understand that having your ovaries removed in your 30's is absolutely brutal and that their slow slide into menopause at the right age is not the same at all.

With regards to the meaty smell - you need to see your GP and have some swabs taken as that sort of smell can indicate infection. Hope that helps.

[HellyLlewelly]

That's shocking to read! I guess this was all NHS Jo?

I anticipated the same problems with my GP surgery so I "hounded" my Surgeon to prescribe it to me on my discharge paperwork.

Post op, I wasn't leaving without it. I had researched hrt and actually asked him to prescribe me the brand Evorel Conti.

The three days before the prescription was filled, I had horrendous surgical menopause symptoms.

I was prescribed 100 combined patch due to Endometriosis. I'm feeling less headaches on 150 so slapped another patch on myself and have just phoned through my repeat prescription asking for the 150 patch as it doesn't come in 100 here. Your body will tell you if your levels are too high its the same symptoms as having none at all.

I do anticipate a struggle at my GP's but I'm prepared for that....my chemist told me they stock only 50, 150, and 170 patch I do believe so you are on a very low level for a younger woman it seems. I believe Evorel also comes in 75 and 100 though my chemist don't stock them.

I was also told women under 40 need higher oestrogen levels so a higher dose should be prescribed to you without them hesitating much.

I know some GP's are just problematic and are counting prescriptions like they are solely responsible for the NHS's budget.

I have one like that and really wish she wouldn't get involved.

Thank goodness that scent actually went away over the past week it was probably internal healing coming to a close.

I'm definately feeling more like my old self in that direction.

I hope you get your hrt stable. How do you feel just being on 50mg?

Helly.

X.

[Hidden]

It is NHS but my endo specialist insisted I had to wait 3 months and then take tibolone because (in theory) that approach reduces the chance of the disease returning and as I have had quite extensive bowel surgery that was the big concern. GP was useless so I asked to be referred to a menopause specialist (I'm now being seen by a premature meno specialist who is on the daisy network list, so I'm confident that it's the right doc). He started me on the evorel conti 50 and said it was unlikely to be enough but that because HRT can take several weeks before it starts to have any effect, I had to try it for 3 months at which point they will then double the dose and give me supplemental testosterone. I'm tired, bloated, still can't lose any weight, hair is still falling out, night sweats are getting worse. The whole business has really hurt my mental health as well. I just feel so old

[HellyLlewelly in reply to Hidden]

That would really take its toll on anyone, I'm sorry that you went through such a long time of feeling so bad on your HRT, its not really acceptable that after such a major surgery you have not yet had that feel good factor you should feel rewarded with by now. I suppose all of these specialists have different practices and to control Endometriosis regrowth they only placed me on combined HRT.

I take medication for anxiety as I suffer badly with it. I had 0 mental strength and 0 bodily strength pre-op, I really hit an all time low. I hated that time and I hope you improve soon. I have yet to try being serious about really good nutrition, I'm not there yet. I really only exercise and eat well together and find I cannot diet well without my mind set being for both. I've been thinking about getting roller scates for exercise (don't laugh lol!)

Can I ask you if you are losing hair and very tired should that not be a big warning to your medical consultant that your body is lacking...your bone and heart health is important and HRT covers those. If you Google it younger women should be on the higher levels.

Are you in a position to challenge the specialist because you spent so long on the T medication now a 50mg patch, you have felt dreadful and need to feel more like your old self asap. Perhaps an e-mail with your concerns would help.

I wish you the very best.

H.