Elleste Duet

Hi Debs, I had a DVT 4 weeks ago, so had no choice, I was not happy about it at first as HRT was great for helping my sweats and with sleeping.  I was concerned but no major sweats so far.  It is the 7lb weight loss in a month which has freaked me as they said DVT can be caused by cancer!!  I did speak to doc again on Friday and she said the weight loss would be water retention, which does make sense as my breasts are less swollen, feel like they have deflated !! and I did have a problem whilst on DVT with swollen ankles, if I wore socks with trousers I would have a deep ridge where they had been and the skin was red and puffy, that has gone so my leg look and feel a lot better.  I am worried about the sweats returning as they were so bad, but so far apart from odd mild one at night which means I am waking up, I have none in the day so far, it may be too soon or as I am 57 now it may be that I am finally through the other side.  One thing that I also notice is that I do not have that afternoon slump anymore, not sure whether that was related to HRT.  I will keep you posted if anything changes, but to be honest my body is more natural now apart from taking the blood thinners for another couple of months so it is probably a good thing in the long run.  Take care

The sore nipples was my worst point, they swelled like balloons and the pain was incredible, even went to GP because I was convinced I had cancer. They did settle down after a couple of months, but always felt huge and at a G up that was not fun. They have now gone back to normal after 4 weeks off.  Thanks

Hi Manuela, To be honest I was happy on them and thought I felt great, it was not until I came off them that I realised they were causing me problems, bloating, headache, and fatigue and foogy brain.  I was happy with better sleep and no sweats so overlooked all the symptoms. I am 57 and had suffered for 7 years before finally going on them, but due to a DVT 4 weeks ago had no choice but to come off.  So far so good, 7lb weight loss and feel less tired and foggy if you know what I mean.  I am getting the odd sweat at night so sleep being distured, so if it stays like this coming off was best for me, but we are all different and it works wonders for some and not others.  Maybe come off and see how you feel, it only took a couple of weeks to be better.  Take care

Hi I'm still deliberating what to do. I'm supposed to start a new batch of HRT today. Like you described I fell bloated,with the sock marks around my ankles, headache most days lack of motivation for 2 weeks of the month etc etc generally don't feel myself a bit down and a strange one noise irritates me !!?? I'm not weird I can assure you  lol

could you tell me how long you've been off HRT ? And have you looked at or considered alternative herbal products ? 

Thankyou Debs 

 

Hi Deb, I suffered with hot sweats for 8 years before trying HRT from 48 to 56 so tried everything imaginable even prescribed depression tablets, citalopram which GP's give for flushes, would not recommend in a million years, horrendous stuff.  I then went to see a menopause specialist, who basically told me get on with it, it is your ovaries dying.  I finally went on HRT last January and hot flushes, sleep all amazing, but the swelling started and to be honest as the weight crept up gradually did not really notice but put on about 10lbs in total, I thought the swelling in legs was due to the extra weight, or even heart problems.  I have been off now since 11th December, I do feel better, I have lost weight, headaches have gone and yes I do understand about noise.  I feel lighter and if you can understand what I mean everything seems clearer.  BUT the night sweats are back, not to the same extent, but back and I am not having such a good sleep which I know is going to be a pain, I also have the odd mini flush.  I do not know whether they will return as bad, but if they do I am in trouble.  GP does not know what caused DVT but said that being a bit overweight and in the first year of HRT is the likely cause.  I also did worry about HRT in the beginning as a lot them, like premare something or other are make from horse urine and I did not want to take them which is why I chose elleste duet.  My experience with HRT was good and I would have not come off them if the DVT did not happen, but now that I have, a lot of the things that I was moaning about last year have gone. I did not relate them with HRT.  All I can say is give it a go coming off as I do not see why you could not just start again.  I felt better within days, so you will know whether it is working for you or not.  Keep in touch

Thankyou for your reply. Yes I'll certainly keep in touch, and please let me know how your getting on without HRT. 

Debs 

HI, it has been 7 weeks now, hot flushes back at night, but not so bad, but obviously now sleep being disturbed. The odd one creeping in during the day as well.  I was only on them for 11 months and at 57 hopefully am now through the otherside, but GP said hot flushes may never stop.  I still feel better without them, my ankles were so swollen on them, did not realise HRT was causing this until I came off, so legs feel much lighter and walking a lot easier as legs not heavy.  I am sad that I had come off them as sweats horrible, but I have no choice but to get on with it as I cannot chance another DVT, if HRT even caused it? we will never know.  I am having trouble with palpitations which I think is all related.  Take care

Hi we have spoken before about 4 wks ago. I'm wondering still if I should come off HRT. In myself I'm better on HRT but physically I'm not sure if it's coursing the problems I'm having.......but unless I come off it I won't know I guess.

im off to the docs again tomorrow and feel like I'm wasting their time but I'm fed up of feeling under par. I'm tired as well as I'm having restless dream/nightmare sleeps which in itself creates a vicious circle doesn't it of feeling rough.

Guess I'm scared of what to do !!

Hi Deb having now been off since 11th December, I feel more alive, less bloated and less tired, I was having really bad afternoon slumps, were I could hardly keep my eyes open, now all gone. Swollen ankles all gone and generally feel more alert.  BUT sweats are night a back, not so bad but, during day just get the odd one.  I wouldn't go back on them even if I could as I did not realise how bad they made me feel. I was so pleased to not be having flushes that I put up with all the other symptoms.  Not sure if related but since coming off have had 2 colds, which is unlike me, maybe my body sorting itself out.  All I can say is try it, I felt better and lost 8lb within 2 weeks.  Take care

Hi young at heart

I've been back to my docs and suggested I suggested coming off the HRT. The Gp was good and he listened and understood what I was saying !!!!

He's suggested a stronger tablet form of HRT but admitted he needed more guidance from our female  Gp who is more understanding of women and hormones.

in the meantime he wanted me to have some bloods done to check my kidney function and fluid levels I am carrying fluid in my legs.

its not my heart as I've recently had that checked do to my left leg swelling and them thinking I had a dvt......it wasn't. (Got to have a vein stripped out instead.......nice lol )

Thats where I am at the moment.....I've got to go back in 4 weeks as he's on holiday........

I just want to get back to normal sleeping properly etc......I'm sure you've felt the same many times.

How are you sleeping ?

Debs 

Hi, I have always been a strange sleeper and can survive on little sleep which I suppose is not good, but at least the night sweats are not too much trouble.  Have your legs always been swollen as that is one thing that has dramatically improved since coming off HRT.  I could almost feel them shrinking, which is where the 8lbs weight loss has come from, legs and boobs.  Just come off and see what happens, you have nothing to lose as you always go straight back on them, at least that way you would know whether HRT is causing your symptoms.  Take care