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Complications / Contraindications of Estrogen
2 weeks ago my endo prescribed me Microgynon 50 (ethinyloestradiol 50 µg and levonorgestrel 125 µg) and Androcur 50mg daily.
I have been feeling great but yesterday out of the blue my vision went blurry and then my hands and lips went numb and I ended up with a migraine headache and still feel sick 24 hours later. I saw my gp as the endo is on holidays and she has immediately stopped my microgynon.
I had a similar experience when out of frustrsation I was self medicating on a low dose of Estrofem and this caused me to stop taking it and just wait for the appointment with the endo which I told her about as well.
My GP now seems to think that I will not be able to take any estrogens and says that I am just unlucky. This has me in a bit of a spin as to get to this point has been a bumpy ride, I have lost my partner and a lot of friends only to have my GP suggest I cant take the hormones which I need.
Just wondering if anybody else has any similar experience or suggestions. I cant do anything until I see the endo, but it sure would be nice to know that I have some options to discuss with him when he comes back from holidays.
Kate
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9 Replies
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Microgynon is cheap and effective but according to my research is one of the most likely hormone treatments to cause side effects. There are alternatives including patches (which according to my research have less side effects) and you can try a lower dose of androcur (which is also very efective but a bit of a nasty).
I’ll forestall the ususal warning.
The preceeding is my opinion only and does not constitute medical fact. Medical advice should be sought for all hormone treatments.Having said that not all doctors know their hormones and not all endos are as good as one would hope either. If your original presriber won’t give you an alternative find another who will.
Good luck
Gwen -
Hi Kate
Gwen is correct not all oestrogens are the same. Also the risk profile differs depending on the type of delivery system – oral vs transdermal vs depot.
Microgynon is one of the many types of oral contraceptive pills used in gg’s. One of its known side effects is to have an increased risk of migraines. Therefore Microgynon may not be suitable for you. Unfortunately you have had a similar reaction to Estrafem. A different type of oestrogen.
Another delivery system may be more appropriate for you – such as transdermal patches or when they become available again (soon I hope) depot injections.
However having shown a sensitivity to 2 different types of oestrogen you may not be able to tolerate it. You will have to tell the Endo of your experience with Estrafem.
Just to complicate matters a little further Androcur can also cause headaches. Another antiandrogen that is commonly used & is an awfully lot cheaper than Androcur is spironolactone, but again it also can cause headaches. To get Androcur on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Beneifits Scheme) you would have to have your name put on the sex offenders list – which is NOT a very good idea.
From this you can see finding the right HRT for YOU is not an easy matter.
Therefore you need personal professional advice from an Endo who is experienced in treating T-girls.
I hope this does not distress you too much.
I do know a very experienced Endo but he is in Sydney. If you want details contact me directly but you will require a referral from your own GP.
Lisa
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Hi Kate , General Practioners told me I could never take Estrogen ! I found a good endo and have been on a combination of Speractin and Prodgynova fot 3 years ! Yes they have side effects but the positives far outweigh the negatives ! Cheers Ella-Kristine
Moderator
Quote:WARNING
TgR is not a medical forum and any comments you may read in TgR forums are only the opinions of the member posting. You should not assume that a posting on TgR implies any verification or independent review and whilst the advice is honestly offered it is made without knowledge of your particular medical conditions. You should always seek professional medical advice before taking any action that might affect your health. -
Hi Kate
The girls have great advice. There are many different types of Estrogen and the delivery systems. When I first started I ended up on the highest dose of one sort and they had no effect at all, changed to a different type of Estrogen and they worked fine.
So dont give up hope, and sounds like you need to find a better GP if this one will not give you the right support.
xxx
Kelly Jones
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Hi Kate, good advice from Kelly, find a GP who will help you achieve the the things you want, not tell you what you can’t achieve.
A lovely Endo in Sydney is Dr. Jon Hayes, he appears to know his stuff and has lots of good things said about him by other girls.
Stick with it girlfriend.Moderator
Quote:WARNING
TgR is not a medical forum and any comments you may read in TgR forums are only the opinions of the member posting. You should not assume that a posting on TgR implies any verification or independent review and whilst the advice is honestly offered it is made without knowledge of your particular medical conditions. You should always seek professional medical advice before taking any action that might affect your health. -
Quote:2 weeks ago my endo prescribed me Microgynon 50 (ethinyloestradiol 50 µg and levonorgestrel 125 µg) and Androcur 50mg daily.
I have been feeling great but yesterday out of the blue my vision went blurry and then my hands and lips went numb and I ended up with a migraine headache and still feel sick 24 hours later. I saw my gp as the endo is on holidays and she has immediately stopped my microgynon.
Hi Kate with the meds there should have been included a pamphlet which would list the side effects and also ingredients – perhaps you may have had an allergic reaction? my endo had also explained some of these to me beforehand, and the staff at the chemist were nice enough to print out separate info about the meds in A4 paper!
when i first went on my course of meds i had short-term dizzy spells and headaches, tiredness, and a few other symptoms but were expected, i no longer get them so much. my doc has since doubled my dose for the hormones, and symptoms have not become worse.
so different effects for different girls, if your endo is unable to find alternatives for you then as some of the girls here have already suggested then seek a more experienced endo.
good luck and take care
.maya v
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Thanks Girls,
I really appreciate all your advice and support.
I will have to start with seeing what the endo (Dr Strakosch in Brisbane) says when he is back I guess and I think you are right I do need a new GP.
Kate
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Thought I would post an update for anybody else having a similar experience.
I have asked several doctors now, including the prescribing endo and all pretty much say the same thing. It is a common problem with estrogen and some people just take a while to get used to it.
So for me everything is back on track although at a lower dose for a while. So far no further complications apart from some occasional mild light sensitivity.
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I have written a few posts about the dangers of HRT in the past, especially the unsupervised self administration of HRT.
I have just read another post where someone is advocating such a course. Honestly I do despair. So I have “googled” & “Wiki’ed” the side effects of HRT, so everyone can do it. Below is the list. I have had to look up some of the medical terms & translated them for you, dear reader, but some I could not find a good plain English word substitute, so pardon me if a few medical words do creep in.
Firstly lets start with some of the serious stuff.
Death rate – in 40-44yo smokers the DEATH rate is 117.6/100,000. In non smokers it is 32/100,000.Blood clots & clots travelling to the lungs is increased & the risk is increased with increased dose. Clots travelling to the brain & causing strokes are increased by 3-9 times.
Known ABSOLUTE contra-indications are;
– Previous blood clots
– Previous strokes
– Coronary artery disease
– Cancer of the breast
– Oestrogen dependent cancersNow for the more general side-effects;
– Raised blood pressure – in 5% of HRT users
– Impairment of glucose tolerance – therefore a tendency to diabetes & so should not be used in diabetics
– Elevated liver enzymes – therefore a type of hepatitis
– Cholestatic jaundice – due to increased production of gall stones & inflammation of the gall bladder
– Elevated prolactin level which can cause the development of a pituitary tumour.
– Dyspepsia
– Weight gain
– Migraine
– Sicle cell anaemia
– raised cholesterol
– Should not be used up to 2 weeks prior to elective surgery – but check with your surgeonDo I take HRT? – of course I do & I greedily gobble up those tablets every morning. But do I take HRT unsupervised? – not on your “Nellie” – who ever she maybe?
I do not think that I am smart enough to monitor all those potential side effects by myself & therefore leave it up to an expert to supervise my dosage & side effects.
This is my last word on the subject – I just can’t keep writing this stuff.
Lisa
Moderator
Quote:WARNING
TgR is not a medical forum and any comments you may read in TgR forums are only the opinions of the member posting. You should not assume that a posting on TgR implies any verification or independent review and whilst the advice is honestly offered it is made without knowledge of your particular medical conditions. You should always seek professional medical advice before taking any action that might affect your health.
