Help - anyone out there who has overcome VA

Hi Kkay

I use vagifem twice a week and have been using it since September. Seemed to be some improvement then today back to feeling like I need to pee and stinging. Seems to be no pattern to it and I have altered so many things in my life to try to cope with it that I am now at a loss as to what to do.

Hi

I used a cream at first for 2 weeks then went on to vagifem; think the cream was Estriol.

I have gone onto paches just over 3 weeks ago so not sure if it's too early to tell.

How long have you had the symtoms and what have you been told, also how do you cope?

Estriol and Estradiol are two types of Estrogen; Estradiol is the stronger one and that is what Vagifem is. Estriol is too weak for many women and it might not have been a strong enough of a loading dose. 

What is the strength of the patch you are on?

You might want to load up on Vagifem nightly for 14 days (or longer as some on this site have done) and then switch to every other day and ultimately twice a week when your symptoms are gone, as a long-term maintenance dose. 

If you can persuade your doctor to test your blood Estrogen level and your blood Follicle Stimulation Hormone level (E2 and FSH respectively) that would be a helpful guide to see if your blood levels of Estrogen are adequate. In the long term, the serum (blood) level of Estrogen needs to be somwhere around 50. 

If your blood Estrogen level is lower than 50 you should probably switch to a stroger patch, or consider Estrogel which is estrogen in gel form that you apply to the skin once or twice a day. 

Re how I cope; its ghastly and some days I dont cope at all. 

I have had symptoms since early September; I can't find Vagifem where I live (in Asia) so I was prescribed Premarin (an old, synthetic Estrogen). It was effective but I only used it for a month as it is so synthetic I didnt want to be on it.  I finally was able to get Vagifem and am not on week 3. Some days are horrible. I also use Estrogel. All HRT takes 3 months to be fully effective, though degrees of improvement should appear along the way. 

Good luck and keep us posted

Thanks Kay

You sound very informed. The patch I am on in Evorel 50g and have been on that since 23rd Nov. It seems I might need additional vagifem, I will try to talk to my doctor about it though GPs seem ill informed. I will let you know how I get on.

 

Yes the doctors who are informed seem to be a rarity.

I dont know Evorel but yes it does sound like you might need more Vagifem. Am thinking of going that way myself.

I've spent a lot of time reading and on these boards; there is also a site called menopausematters which has several threads and discussions about VA that are useful

Good luck

Hi Kay

I think your last response was sent to moderator so am waiting for it.

Yes, it did that because I inserted a link to a site. I suggested you check out a site called menopause matters (all one word) dot co dot uk - there are useful threads on there on VA that I found informative

Best wishes and stay in touch

Just wrote down all your info and will be taking it to my doctor on the 27th. Seriously wish she was better informed

meant to say my doctor was better informed

Hi Donna

let me know how you got on today at the doctors and if you got any new or helpful advice.

Doctor's visit was depressing. The fact is I think I am better informed than they are. When I asked to switch to vagifem, I had to spell it for them to find it. They had not heard of it. Trying to find a doctor that specializes in menopause without luck. All that really happened was I got a month's prescription for vagifem but I am still worried about switching. Felt pretty good the last couple of days, only slight irritation. But she did say it may never get back to normal. That was an uplifting thing to hear. And I'm paying them.  

That is indeed very depressing Donna. But think of it this way: depressing advice from un-knowledgeable people should not affect us. You are indeed better informed than they are.

If you are better and only have slight stinging, how about if you fill the prescription but keep it aside to start if and when your symptoms worsen. In the meantime continue to try find someone more knowledgeable. Please remind me where you are located? The website I came accross menopause matters dot co dot uk has a thread on coping with VA that is 52 pages long. Have you checked it out ? Also, I came accross a website of a gynecologist in the uk called Dr Studds, he has posts on his homepage that describe hormone usage that are very useful.

Hi Donna

Well at least you are feeling OK at the moment. And thats doesn't help any of us here does it? Menopause seems like such a neglected area doesn't it. I am not too good at the moment, after 4 months on vagifem, am trying to find a specialist in my neck of the woods; following up a few leads from KKay. Think I wouls ettle for nerly normal and no stress about it but can't quite get there myself. It seems to work for lots of women so I am desperately trying to remain hopeful

I'm in Indiana USA . I did check out menopause matters and Dr Studds. Dr Studds was interesting.  Also checked out ordering the YES product . Today I had urinary symptoms again so frustrating. Just day to day.

Yeah my definition of okay has changed since August. Now it means I can survive instead of laying in the recliner in tears. My GP is a nice person but just can't seem to make her understand how my life has been trashed by this. I can't even bear the thought of having sex, my symptoms are on a roller coaster so I have no idea if I will be able towork or not on any given day. I have a depressed 84 yr old dad since we lost Mom two years ago. And my sister thinks I'm inventing this illness so she has to take care of him. She hasn't said that straight out but she rolls her eyes if I talk about it. I say I wouldn't wish this on anyone but she makes that thought tempting. Sorry I've just reached my breaking point again. The only place I get any real understanding is here. 

Hi Donna

I feel so sorry for you (us). Reading your stuff is like reading my own situation. When I get a couple of good days I am elated but then when they come back it's awful.

I think the things that throw us are the fact that no one can say how long recovery takes, that it's not a known illness outside of certain circles, that medics who understand and specialixe are few and far between and that there is conflicting advice about it.

For my own part I am keeping the graph, continuing with what medication I have and trying to get an appointment with a specialist.

The other ting I have been doing is tring to beat the psychological effects by looking at cognitive behavioural therapy techniques, positive thinking and th elike, in case I am in for the long haul. Don't get me wrong I was distraught on Weds, crying uncontrollavly and feeling at the end of my tether.

I am only 53 and have to work so somehow I have to get through. I think we that are at a similar stage and point should help each other. The good things are, now some days are good, some days we can get on with things, the symptoms arent as bad. I have started using Replens as well as vagifem, it's a moisturiser, that has helped with stinging I think. And you know, I have had to accept to do things more slowly, hard for me as I was a very busy type of person but maybe that's the way it has to be.

Take care for now hope a good period comes soon for you again.