A newbie in need of help

Sher65

I am aged 55, I take HRT and I have the mirena coil which is my third and last coil. I suffered from endometriosis in my 30`s & 40`s. I have been on HRT for a year. It has helped a great deal with the flushes and mood swings at first. Over the last 4 months I have experienced terrible period cramps, bad headaches, aching joints, brain fog and extremely lethargic. I am also experiencing sharp pain to a throbbing underneath. I suffer with depression along side it. It is interrupting my everyday life, as some days I am doubled over in pain lying on my bed. I have tried talking to the GP, to ask what maybe the cause. Even enquiring whether it could be the fibroids that I have causing me these problems. Please can you shed some light.

Blanka_C

Hi @Sher65,

Welcome to the forum! Ahh bless, it sounds you are going through a lot. My first advice would be to talk to our onsite Menopause Nurse, Diane. She has over 30 years of experience, has her own clinic where she prescribes HRT. I'm sure she will be able to give you good expert advice. You can ask here under this page on the forum (for free of course):

https://community.livebetterwith.com/menopause/discussion/1091/ask-a-menopause-nurse-diane-porterfield-bourne

All the things you're experiencing are common unfortunately. In the meantime you ask Diane, maybe looking at some of these articles will help you (all include tips from women in our community):

Perimenopause - How to spot the signs and symptoms, and what to do about them

About the three stages of menopause: peri, meno and post

Menopausal ‘brain fog’ - what it is, and what can help

We've written a guide to almost every symptom, you can have a look at our blog here.

I know some ladies on here have some good tips to deal, maybe @MonicaM or @Julie20, you can share some?

We have lots of discussions full of practical advice on the forum, I'll do some digging and get back to you!

In the meantime, hang in there x

Blanka xx

Blanka_C

Oops, forgot to mention you that we have a friendly psychologist & anxiety expert as well, @Steven. His expert page is full of useful tips and techniques, but you can also ask him a specific question of course!

This is his profile:

https://community.livebetterwith.com/menopause/discussion/603/ask-a-psychologist-steven-crumblehulme-inventor-of-menomagic

BW ❤️

Sher65

Hi there.

Could you tell me how do I ask access the link to Diane . I can`t seem to see the link to post my question. Thank you. Sher65

Blanka_C

Hi @Sher65,

Sure! If you click the following link, Diane's expert page (which is a forum discussion, just like this one) will pop up: https://community.livebetterwith.com/menopause/discussion/1091/ask-a-menopause-nurse-diane-porterfield-bourne/p1?new=1

Then to ask a question, simply scroll down to the bottom of the page and insert your question as a comment, just like you did here. :)

Hope this makes sense, but do let me know if you need further guidance! xx

Diane Porterfield-Bourne

@Sher65

Hello and thank you for contacting me through Live Better With Menopause.

I can certainly advise you and shed some light if that's OK.

You are clearly experiencing symptoms of low oestrogen even though you are taking HRT, can I ask what Oestrogen you are taking and how much? It appears you could benefit from more Oestrogen.

If you have a coil, that is giving you your progesterone but are you still having periods? What has your GP said about your severe cramping? As you should not be experiencing severe pains such as this. I would definitely talk to your GP as you need to find the cause.

Your fibroids maybe causing your pain but you do need to discuss this with your GP. Maybe be referred for a scan?

At 55 you do not have to think about contraception. I would talking to your GP about other types of progesterone, having your coil removed and having other Progesterone such as Utrogestan may help reduce your pains?

I'm sorry I can't help more but you really do need some support from your GP. However I would be discussing Oestrogen and if this should be reviewed.

Please keep in touch and let me know how it goes.

Best Wishes

Diane Porterfield Bourne.

Sher65

Hi Diane. I am taking Estradiol 1 mg tablets once a day. I have been to see my GP. The Dr suggested that I have the coil removed as you mentioned, and take full HRT either in tablet form or patches. However, she did not think that the low oestrogen was causing the pain that I have been experiencing. I am been sent for a scan to check out the fibroids, and I had blood taken yesterday to check for other conditions, including ovarian cancer. Concerning my periods, I do not have periods because the mirena coil put a stop to them a few years back. Thank you for your help with this.

Sher65

Diane Porterfield-Bourne

@Sher65

Thank you for updating me.

It sounds to me your GP is certainly helping you; organising blood tests and a scan to find the cause to your pains.

HRT in patches or gel is ways the safest way of receiving Oestrogen.

I hope everything works out OK for you and please write in to me again.

Good luck.

Best Wishes

Diane Porterfield Bourne.