Hello all,
I am new to the site. HI!!
For the last 3 months I've been feeling really unwell. It started with night sweats - I've had these before a few years ago but they seemed to disappear of their own accord.
In addition over the last 3 months I've been feeling more depressed than normal, my glucose balance is off and I have the "shakes" a lot. I'm also exhausted - would like to spend my life under my quilt (pathetic!!) - and have NO motivation and my once 100% memory is SHOT.

After discussion with my GP I decided to try the estrodot patch. I thought he would make me use progesterone as well to prevent uterine hyperplasia but he didn't insist on it and I am still cycling with normal periods so I guess I'm still making enough progesterone. I don't do well with progesterone as any BCP's with the main ingredient being progesterone made me nauseated and more depressed.

HOWEVER - after almost 7 weeks on the patch (started at 0.25 and went up to 0.5) there is no relief whatsoever. I don't understand what's going on and this heat is driving me insane. We are almost at the end of winter here in Australia and I've sweated my way through it - from hot sweats to cold chills from going outside into the cold to cool off. In fact some days it seemed the colder it was the more I was hot!!

This is ruining my life (really - it is THAT bad) and also my deodorant is failing me! I've been tested with a full thyroid panel and it all looks fine. My GP doesn't like hormone testing as he rightly says they fluctuate so widely during any given hour of the day. My flushes are even worse when I have my period (like NOW). I've spent a small fortune on alternative remedies but haven't found anything of any use whatsoever.

I can (just) cope with the night sweats as they don't happen every single night but it's the day sweats that are driving me off my tree. I work as a cardiac technician and you just can't drip all over somebody when you're doing an ECG on them!! A warm shower I've found feels good but will bring on the hot feeling around 5 minutes after - and as for blow drying my hair - well suffice to say Ive had to let it dry naturally. My temp is always a little on the lowish side as I've taken it a few times during my worst moments of hotness (no - not the "hotness" as in "looking HOT" unfortunately!!).

Has anybody been like me and been on an estrogen patch with NO success at all? And - is there anywhere in Australia you can go for BHRT? I live in South Australia. I am wondering if this may be a better choice. At this stage I can't work out if I am estrogen dominant or lacking in it. One thing it does help though is ectopic heart beats (fluttery heart) - these have completely gone since the patch and I've also noticed a decrease in my normal bad headaches but an increase in nausea (especially in the morning) - no sore breasts and no weight gain that I've noticed although I am a little overweight anyway.

I am 48 and had one ovary removed in my early 30s as it was badly cystic. I am pretty sure I'm in perimenopause but mystified why after having to really talk myself into HRT (my Sister has terminal cancer after having had breast cancer - now in her lungs and liver) - why it's not working at all.

BIG THANK YOU for your responses - I'll be eagerly awaiting. Off to bed now and praying for a "non sweat" night tho since I have my period this is probably not an option.

Hugs to all going through this adorable stage of life!! Mishkins (Susan in South Aussie)

Hi Susie:

Welcome to PS.
I have not tried any HRT, doctor not to keen on the idea due to other health problems.
I do have the nightsweats though. Man!!! sometimes I have to change clothes and all.
Hugs to you,
Jeaninne

Hi M,
A big welcome to PS.
I am sorry that you are having such a rough time with the sweats.....................for some women they really are life wrecking. I should know I have just been to where you are now. I am very slim and fit and have never really ever needed anti-perspirants or broken into a sweat yet at the cusp of menopause I spent my whole life literally melting with beads of sweat between my breasts and sweat running through my hair. There was no point in putting on make up because it just dissolved into a splodge within about 5 minutes. Yuk!
I can reassure you that it is a stage and it will pass. It appears that your HRT is not working. Perhaps you need to up the dosages but given your family history, I personally would be unwilling to take those risks for something that is temporary. That is a personal decision for you. All HRT including the bio identicals carry the same risk and the latter appear to be much harder to get balanced.
I resorted to 3-4 quick showers per day and I had a fan in almost every room. The sweats are often triggered when the ambient temperature around you gets to a critical point so if you can keep temperature around you down, it helps. This is not a disease, it is a transition and it is annoying but it is your body doing what it needs to do to get you running efficiently on lower oestrogen reserves. Taking supplementation might ease the symptoms in some cases but can delay the inevitable need to re-balance.
My temperature control mechanisms are now almost back to normal.

Good luck with whatever route you choose to take!


XIII

Hi Mishkins - Welcome aboard! The patches did not work for me either. I used Vivelle Dot for two and a half months, started with .05 and went up to .1. Didn't do a thing. I am 52 and have not had a period for 11 months. If I were you, I'd either request a higher dose or try something else. It is certainly a terrible road. You have come to the right place for support.!

Thanks all, Science Lady - did you try anything after the Vivelle Dot didnt work for you? I really don't want to take anything orally - I know it's prob not much diff but my liver enzymes are routinely elevated on blood tests so I'd rather not overwork it any more.

I have felt absolutely rotten all weekend (lucky really I don't have a husband or partner currently) because I am just no fun to be around anymore


I'm seeing an endocrinologist on Sept 10th and really hoping he may be able to help. I keep feeling that with the severity of these things there must be something else wrong!! (prob not!!) Thanks again. x0x

Something you can try until you get the HRT sorted out is magnesium glycinate. I have only been on it for about 5 days but have noticed an improvement in palpitations and hot flashes. Now, this could just be a coincidence as my hot flashes and palps had just gotten worse in the week or so before I started on it and may now be better as I am past mid cycle and my E has probably stabilized. Also, the weather has cooled off which can make a big difference. However, the pharmacy where I got it has had anecdotal reports of improvement of hot flashes with the Mg. Apparently, magnesium glycinate is better absorbed than some other forms.