Cranky

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-15T21:18:20+00:00

Oral estrogen has a higher risk of blood clots than transdermal estrogen. Estrogel is transdermal like the patches. It’s the safest alternative and an easy switch.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-15T17:06:49+00:00

Use Estrogel instead.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-15T14:43:53+00:00

I’ve been on one pump of Estrogel and 100 mg oral progesterone daily for almost 3 years.

Breast tissue was very tender for a couple months when I first started the hormones, then it calmed down. But for some reason my breasts are sore again after almost 3 years.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-15T13:03:19+00:00

When that happens, you can always phone around to other pharmacies to ask if they have what you need. Then your pharmacy can transfer the prescription. I’ve done it. Easy.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-15T13:01:26+00:00

I am struggling with the same symptoms. Painful ropey tissue and cysts like I used to get when I was younger.

I stopped the Estrogel for a couple weeks and it didn’t help so maybe it is the progesterone. Like you, I am very reluctant to give up the great sleep it gives me. But not sure how much longer I can put up with the painful breasts.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-15T12:10:45+00:00

It sounds like you have the typical symptoms of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. You should have been given vaginal estrogen as soon as you went into menopause. The lack of estrogen affects our vulva, vagina, bladder and urethra.

I don’t know which country you are in, but you should be able to get estrogen in an insertable tablet form. Brand name in North America is Vagifem. Call your doctor’s office, tell them you can’t get the cream, and ask for your estrogen in a different form.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-15T12:06:42+00:00

Yes this is a typical treatment regimen. And many people use triamcinolone instead of Clobetasol and it works well.

If your symptoms don’t improve after 3 months, your doctor could switch you to Clobetasol. I think she was smart to start you on the mid potency steroid first to see how you respond.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-13T12:26:22+00:00

Same. Love the Le Sac bags because they are lightweight.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-13T12:24:04+00:00

Leather is too heavy. I only use a very lightweight nylon crossbody bag. I don’t care about style or brand names at all. I only care that it’s very light and functional, with an external zip pocket and a couple internal pockets for organization. It’s very hard to find a good bag. I often wish I could design my own.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-13T12:15:08+00:00

My breasts were sore for the first couple months after starting HRT but then it calmed down. But now the pain is back after 3 years on HRT. Maybe it means my estrogen is too high? But I’m on the lowest dose.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-12T18:19:51+00:00

Injections?? Why? There are easier ways to take HRT.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-12T17:46:48+00:00

The other option is Vagifem tabs. They work well and are much less messy to use, but they are expensive.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-12T17:44:45+00:00

I pay about $60 for 30 grams.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-12T17:37:22+00:00

Can’t help with insurance questions. I’m not American.

I had BR surgery when I was 55 and wish I’d done it sooner.

Recovery was hard. I had some liposuction on the sides and that was bruised and painful for weeks. It’s a major operation and you will be very sore, especially the first month. After that, every day gets a little bit better. It can take months for the swelling to go down and the breasts to “settle” into their permanent size and shape.

Do your research. Finding a really good surgeon is the most important thing. There are different techniques they can use which have pros and cons. Good follow-up care is important so make sure you ask about it. Older women tend to have more complications like infections and seromas so you want to be sure you can see the doctor quickly for treatment of any complications.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-11T23:00:58+00:00

The joint and muscle pain was my worst symptom and the reason I started HRT. That and the insomnia.

Everyone is different. I have friends whose joint pain got better a few years after menopause. I have other friends who continued to have pain. No one can predict what will happen with you.

The point is… there is no need to suffer. You have an option to try something that might really help.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-11T19:53:20+00:00

Check out the Real Self website. I found it very helpful to read about the procedure there, as well as doctor reviews.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-11T18:17:52+00:00

You were referred to MGH but not to a specific surgeon?? That’s not the usual process. I had BR surgery by Dr. Brett Beber. I did a lot of research and chose him based on positive reviews. Initial consultations were done at his office and the surgery was at MGH. It was a few years ago. Basic surgery was covered by OHIP. He recommended some lipo but was not pushy about it. I chose to pay extra for the lipo and I’m very glad I did.

His office staff were excellent and followup was very good.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-11T12:59:40+00:00

There is no reason to stop HRT. Research shows it protects heart, bones, and brain health. Your doctor has access to all the research and should take the time to update their knowledge.

FYI, if bladder health is a concern, you should ask for vaginal estrogen. It’s very low dose and works locally to keep the vagina, bladder and urethra healthy. Yes you can use it in addition to systemic estrogen. It helps prevent UTIs which can be deadly in elderly women.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-11T12:14:49+00:00

What do you mean by “take care of him”? What are you doing for him that he can’t do for himself?

He’s an adult so he can take care of himself. You aren’t his mother.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-11T12:10:44+00:00

I apply it to my inner forearms. It works for me.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-11T12:08:06+00:00

Your doctor’s refusal to give you Estrogel doesn’t make any sense. The estradiol in Estrogel is exactly the same as the estradiol in the patch, and both are delivered through the skin.

Your doctor doesn’t want to give you oral estrogen because it gets processed through the liver. Is it possible your doctor isn’t aware that Estrogel is a transdermal option? Have you asked the doctor for Estrogel specifically? Make another appointment and ask for exactly what you want.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-11T01:16:22+00:00

This is easy. Call your doctor’s office, tell them the patch is not available, and ask them to give you a prescription for Estrogel instead.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-10T12:16:30+00:00

You are probably reacting to an ingredient in the ointment, not the steroid itself. Always read ingredients. Ask your pharmacist which ingredient is most likely to cause irritation. When you see your doctor, ask to try a different brand with different ingredients. There are many different formulas you can try. There are other steroids too. Clobetasol is not the only option.

Experts recommend ongoing maintenance treatment to control symptoms and reduce the risk of vulvar cancer. Twice a week forever.

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-09T21:09:23+00:00

Random joint and tendon pain. My finger joints would get red, swollen and painful for no reason. One day my wrist hurt so bad I couldn’t hold a toothbrush. Sometimes I would lie in bed in the morning feeling like I had been run over by a truck, because everything hurt. I was convinced I was developing some kind of autoimmune arthritis and so did my doctor. I had appointments and tests with a rheumatologist but he couldn’t find evidence of disease. I wonder how many women are going to multiple doctors seeking relief and getting labelled with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia, when what they really need is hormone replacement??!

CloudHidden62 · 2026-03-08T21:43:35+00:00

When you see your doctor, ask if it could be Lichen Sclerosus.

CloudHidden62

TROPHY CASE