I haven't posted for sometime now and during this time I've been experiencing more health problems than ever. The latest one saw me being admitted to hospital because of fast heart rate. I have been undergoing tests and am due to see the consultant cardiologist for the results tomorrow. My GP has suggested that because of all the health problems I am experiencing and because blood tests etc are all normal that alot of the problems could be due to menopause ( I haven't had a period since Feb 2007) and that it may be helpful to try HRT just to see if it eliminates some of the problems. I have been feeling this way for 6 years now and I am scared to try HRT. I could never take the contraceptive pill because it caused migraines. I am keen to find out more about bioidentical HRT, but it doesn't seem as though it is available or that there are any doctors here in the UK to consult about it. Does anyone in the UK have any information that may help.

Thank you

Ballerina

Hi Ballerina

I am also in UK and although we do not have compounding pharmacies here, most of our HRT from our GPs is bioidentical. The ones to ask for are estradiol, estriol and estrone-although estrone only comes as part of a tablet with the other two. Estriol is usually precribed as a cream for vaginal dryness so the main one is estradiol. It comes in pretty much all forms-patches tablets and topical gels.
Doctors here always in my experience put you on the bios by default. If they don't suit you then there is the dreaded Premarin which is the horse urine one!
Having said all that I have tried every darned one and they all make me ill.
I would recommend trying the patch first because if you don't like it you can rip it right off or cut it smaller.
There are a couple of menopause clinics in UK where you might be able to get a compounded dose to exactly meet your needs but all the bios are available through your GP.

janet c

Hi Janet

Thanks for your reply, I didn't realise that most of our HRT is bioidentical, is that quite a new thing?

Maybe getting just the right amount would make a difference, as I am like you and don't seem to get on with any medications, so many side effects. Do you know where in the UK the clinics are that can offer compounded dose?

Thanks

Ballerina

Hi B,
Just a word of warning about migraines and any form of HRT. I think that the reason we get migraines is that we are super sensitive to oestrogen/progesterone balance. You will need to be very cautious when supplementing, so as not to upset the fine balance which keeps migraine at bay. Severe migraine, induced by hormonal instability is truly awful. The BCP made me poorly and I would not dare to take any form of HRT because I am so susceptible to migraine.
Let us know how you get on and what, if any, effect the hormones have on your migraine.


XIII

I didn't realise that either. I've never been able to get Bio-identical hormones from my GP and for that very reason, I've had to travel to Harley Street, London, to pay for a private consultation with a doctor, who specialises in peri/menopause, and who prescribes bios.

Bios are just estradiol and estriol surely?Are we talking about different things? What else is there apart from Premarin.?
I know if you want to have special doses made up you need to go to a private clinic but the actual hormones are the same aren't they?
The patches I was given from the hospital were estradiol and so is the oestrogel I tried.

janet c

Well there is also progesterone cream that is a bio and my GP wouldn't prescibe it... When I told him I was going to see a private doctor who prescribes PC, he said he wouldnt take any responsibility for that ---- I'm a bit confused so i honestly dont know.

Well I am not sure about the progesterone but I know my oestrogens were all the same as the ones that Pete Huseman from Bellevue had recommended to me.
I think maybe its the compounding bit that is different-you know, having a saliva test done and then having the hormones compounded exactly to what your particular body requires. GPs don't do that-they just dole out the standard doses but they ARE bios.
Do you have compounded HRT then EP? Is it working for you?

janet c

I was prescribed Premarin once, janet -- but then I decided not to take it, and it's a good thing that I didn't because a short time later, I was found to be oestrogen dominant... My GP doesn't prescribe progesterone cream so I travelled 2hrs to London which is pretty frustrating really... The progesterone worked for awhile -- However, I stopped taking it a few months ago and I'm doing really well. I had a normal period last month so I'm reallly happy about that... I'm also seeing a great therapist which is really helping. If I told you I'm doing good these days then tomorrow might be different! Mum's the word.



I hope you're doing better ... Are you?

I have had a very bad time in the past few weeks because I just won't totally give up on the vaginal estradiol. I can tolerate a tiny bit now and then but last week I tried Premarin cream again. It made me incredibly depressed and I got myself terribly worked up about whether or not I should go for my routine mammogram. Estrogen makes me obsessive and I spent 2 days googling before I decided I wasn't going any more. I made the right decision for me but I also made myself ill. My brain sort of got stuck in a groove and I felt as though I wouldn't be happy, whichever decision I made.

It has taken me a whole week to feel at peace with it and after a couple of days of St John's Wort my brain has jumped off the groove and I am thinking straight again.
So yes thanks I am better now but it doesn't take much for me to fall apart.

I understand with natural progesterone that it is wise to have a complete break from it for a while as it can build up in the tissues. Maybe you won't need it again?I hope you continue to do well.
I had oestrogen dominance for many years but I didn't know that's what it was until it was too late! I am glad you are aware of it and are keeping it under control.

janet c