Sorry not strictly thyroid related but I trust you symptom sharing lot so I hope you don’t mind. Having sorted my thyroid replacement I can now see I have some perimenopausal symptoms.
The Menopause specialist at GP is reluctant to prescribe Lenzetto & Urtogestan until I have the all clear from the NHS Genetics Unit via the Breast Cancer Team as there is a BRCA 2 query after looking at my ancestry DNA and grandmother with bowel and breast cancer in her 90s.
While I wait she’s prescribed Vagirux tablets to be inserted vaginally. But I’m lactose intolerant with a dairy allergy. Tiny quantities set me off. I can’t take Accord Levo etc.
A menopause forum I scanned suggested I’ll have abdominal discomfort from these, just wondering if anyone else has this. PIL says avoid with fibroids etc. I’m thinking this is a bad idea.
Any thoughts? 🌱
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You certainly seem to have a good team at your surgery!
I've tried researching vagilux and can't find anything useful but it certainly doesn't sound ideal adding lactose monohydrate to any part of your body if you are sensitive😕
I don't really understand the issue with replacing a little estrogen when levels drop as you are still looking to keep them below the levels you have been ticking over on for years?
I agree with Eeyore as I wouldn't knowingly put something into my body that could cause you discomfort in any way or upset you with being lactose intolerant. I did have bc 30 years ago and wasn't allowed anything, although I believe that has changed now, but if you can get through the menopause as naturally as possible it can only be a good thing - perhaps investigate herbs😓
Hi love, so many questions for you, if you have time. Any recommendations on herbs? Sarah Myhill’s website had a long listBlack Cohosh, Red Clover, Agnus Castus, Wild Yam but another Google suggested it’s all unregulated untested so I’m a bit 🤷🏽♀️, Shirley my hairdresser said evening primrose, my sister sage tea any interactions with Levo/Lio? Dr Myhill site also mentions we get less good at making melatonin DHEA and D-Ribose and CoQ10 has anyone looked at this in relation to thyroid and perimenopause?
Oh dear I really can't advise you on herbs as of course we are all different and as usual it's trial and error to find out what suits us as individuals. I went to see a homeopathist having also been diagnosed with CFS all around the same time and I do remember being prescribed CoQ10 and having Evening Primrose Oil but there were other things as well.
I have Hashi's and was perimenopausal at 37. It was all over by the age of 43. I really didn't want to go down the HRT route. I used black cohosh, agnus castus and wild yam and sailed through it. I know everyone is different of course, but I can personally recommend those.
It seems a lot of it comes down the the state of our adrenal glands and whether they are capable of taking on the sex hormone production which seems a big variable amongst us and the menopausal journey we have 🙃
I reckon I've been in peri since I was 35 - 38 now. My question though is now you're post menopausal how are you caring for your bone health?
My biggest fear is getting frail as I age and, at the moment, I'm starting HRT as a protective measure.* If there is an alternative I'd love to hear how you've done it.
*6 months ago, I was on my knees and desperate for symptom relief though. Symptoms have massively decreased in the last 2 months.
I’m on HRT for that very reason. I was diagnosed with low bone density aged 41. I started Peru roughly the same time although didn’t realise it until I started HRT aged 46 and loads of my symptoms went. I also do weight bearing exercise - a mix of body resistance ( squats, lunges, press ups,plank mainly) , barre and some low impact cardio. I take vitamin D and k2, magnesium and calcium but the calcium is because I don’t absorb it well from diet. I’ve now introduced collagen too because some studies show it can increase bone density.
Oh golly, I'm afraid I don't remember how much. I took them 30 years ago. When ?....I would have followed the recommendations on the bottle/packet. Amount would probably be a bit of trial and error to find what suits you. Good luck...x
The herbalist Baldwins offers a fifteen minute online consultation with a qualified medical herbalist for £5.00, if you wanted to find out a bit more. Less in-depth but a lot less expensive than a full-length consultation with a herbalist, and a good starting point perhaps.
I'm by no means an expert in these things, but as this is a transdermally applied form of oestrogen, I'd say the lactose is unlikely to affect you. Lactose delivered transdermally is not the same as via the digestive system. The dose of oestrogen is very low, and millions of women use this form successfully. So if the lactose is your only concern, maybe give it a trial. Any negative symptoms are more likely to be from introducing exogenous oestrogen, rather than from the lactose.
Oh no, so sorry to hear this. Do keep in mind that it just might be the oestrogen (not the lactose) causing your symptoms. Lots of people suffer a variety of symptoms when first introducing oestrogen. Hives type red rashes on the back are very common for example. Symptoms can sometimes subside once the body becomes accustomed to the hormone being delivered exogenously.
Remember that this is another hormone, so getting it right can be as tricky as introducing thyroid hormones is for some people.
Whatever the cause, I hope you can find something that works without side effects.
Oh what a numpty! Well the symptoms can’t be the Vagirux because the tablet was still in the applicator when I went to try again tonight. It had survived my attempt to insert, a soapy wash and a rinse 🤦🏽♀️ I’ve tried again 🙏🌱
There are other vaginal estrogen a you could use if the vagirux is an issue. Ovestin estriol cream can be used but you would need to check the ingredients or you could use an estring which has no fillers at all and so should be a safe bet
It will be a tiny amount of lactose as it’s going direct. There are other gels and moisturisers you try I don’t remember names but breast care nurse can advise either hospital or breast cancer now helpline or forum.
Just as a sideline do you have any other dryness? Ie mouth or eyes? I have Sjogrens it flared /started up when I had breast cancer pills. It’s take nearly 10 yrs to be diagnosed and now it looks like I have developed thyroid problems. It’s very common to get more autoimmune disorders. A blood test can diagnose if you do. Good luck.
Yes very dry eyes! Specsavers chap I saw after the drops they gave me that are supposed to be amazing reacted awfully said the inside of my eyelids look like cobblestones 😕 On his instructions I now have to do a warmed wheat bag for 5 mins at bedtime which is very relaxing and makes my vision very blurry as it releases the oils in my eyelids. 🤷🏽♀️
I am still trying to get my eyes sorted after 10 yrs but an appointment at ophthalmology on Tuesday. Here’s the link to the Sjogrens website , have a look and I suggest a conversation with yr GP to get bloods done you been ENA, ANA and CRP levels. They sometimes do a few more.
I’m so sorry to hear this, teeth going is a big deal. I hope you can find ways to reduce the impacts. My teeth are tip top, I think I’m very lucky, they are wonky and naturally on the yellow side but dentist says that makes them strong. I did have some gum health issues but interdental cleaning seems to have fixed that. So possibly not Sjögrens or not yet then. If I notice more I’ll ask the GP to investigate. Thanks for sharing it’s so valuable to compare symptoms 🌱
There is a new alternative to vagirux, which is called Blissel. This is a gel, rather than a pessary and I've read that lots of women have had a good response to this. It's also a different type of oestrogen and a much lower dose. Please let me know if not allowed, but in addition to the forum on here, there is another excellent forum called menopause matters with some amazing advice. Also Dr Newsom's Balance app. Theyre a lot more sensible than the usual Facebook bunfight too!
Thanks so much, I’ll try menopause matters, the forum format seems to suit me. I’ve tried the balance app a few times but my poor dyslexic brain can’t figure out how to use it. I just see boxes and pictures and other peoples questions with no responses and a load of scroll scroll scroll through stuff that doesn’t really get to the questions I have. My GP surgery Menopause specialist trains at the same training as Louise Newsome and she thinks she’s prescribing very high levels of oestrogen 3x what the body would make naturally and highly risky. That’s put me off a bit 😕 I’ll ask her about Blissel, that sounds good. Much appreciated 🌱
I do. It’s a cream with an applicator. My doctor wanted to prescribe a pessary but as I’ve had reactions to others in the past, was happy to go with the cream.
This is for topical HRT? I take Oestradial 10mcg vaginal pesseries and don't have any issues. You might consider that diary intolerance won't manifest topically if that's any help. See what others say.
I feel like a right daftie, found the tablet still in the applicator. Hubby’s breakfast was what set me off apparently as the Vagirux was soapy washed and rinsed and still there 🫣 have tried again 🤣
****ing Zoe recipe again, 🤭 turtle beans 🫘 can go in the compost. Had to take him for a walk in the next village in the afternoon as he was trumping like a steam train too 🫣🌱
Oh no I’ve got that wrong it was Black Eyed Peas (not the Will I Am band - I love them), possibly not cooked enough in the slow cooker. He was unsupervised 😬
Turtle beans are less problematic, little black beans people make chocolate brownies from them. They are nice in shakshuka breakfast… 🥴
On the point of the topic, Regenallotment , have a family member who boiled flax seeds/linseeds for a hair gel and just using this gel on her hair -not even directly on her skin, she ended up with heavier bleeding and also bleeding extra days on her cycle.
Turns out, linseeds are heavy in oestrogen.
So, if you have problems with lactose, I wouldn't think it wise to have it anywhere near your body -or hair!
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