u/Lotus2024

For four years I’ve been trying to get transdermal HRT since I can’t take oral prescriptions. Finally, finally, finally, my doctor okayed it and my insurance (after some fighting) agreed to let me trial the CombiPatch. It may take some time to order because of the shortages, but I’m on my way.

I’m both excited and terrified. Any suggestions would be welcome. My doctor said to cut the patch in half initially since I’m hypersensitive to medication, but the pharmacist warned me I should absolutely not do that. Everything I can find online says not to do it. Anyone have experience with this?

I can’t take oral HRT for a bunch of reasons, so I’m currently fighting my insurance to get the CombiPatch.

I tend to react badly to most medications, so I’m very nervous. The doctor wants me to start at the lowest dose and even cut that in half to give my hypersensitive nervous system time to adapt. That’s 100% fine with me.

Could I please ask for anyone’s positive experiences with CombiPatch? Good things only, please. I’m already scared enough as it is 😵‍💫 Thank you 🙏

I’m looking for some moral support, please. Really scared tonight.

Brief background: I’m 44. Been in peri for four years (my mom and aunts were postmenopausal by age 40). Hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, weight gain, brain fog, mood swings, anxiety, you name it, I’ve felt it. The doctor is finally ready to try transdermal HRT on me, after pills were a disaster. I just have to fight insurance first.

Meanwhile, the time between my periods is yo-yo-ing between 30 and 45 days. Tonight, day 31, I feel sick. My whole body hurts. Even my joints hurt. My back and breasts ache. I’m intensely nauseous and absolutely exhausted. I have no fever but feel bizarrely warm and sweaty, like right after a hot flash but without an actual flash so far.

I’ve had endless scans and blood tests done over the last months, and I’m supposedly healthy, but feeling this absolutely sick is frightening to me, especially when my brain is hormonally broken and immediately wants to catastrophize. My friends are all postmenopausal and say they never felt anything like this.

Please. I feel very alone. Has anyone else just felt sick to the point of almost being unable to move? I can and do move. I walk at least 5 miles a day. I get my work done. I’m not depressed. But I just feel so so so so sick. 😢😢

I’ve used Australian Gold tinted sunscreen for years and it was absolutely my HG. I loved how it felt, looked, and protected my face. I used it instead of makeup. But they changed the formula and now I hate it. It’s pink and makes my face look like I smeared blush all over it. I live in NM and am outside two or three hours a day, so I need a solid substitute.

I tried La Roche’s Athelios and it broke me out and smeared off really easily. CeraVe was close to the texture and shade I want (creamy and just a bit of warm color for my fair skin) but also smeared off constantly. Neutrogena’s tinted sunscreen caused cystic acne.

I feel like I’m just throwing money into a void without any luck. What are your suggestions for a creamy (rather than liquidy) tinted sunscreen with high SPF that’s less likely to break me out?

Thank you. I know there are a lot of these posts and I honestly did try to figure it out myself, albeit unsuccessfully.

People of Lubbock,

I’m visiting for a few weeks, sent here by doctors in NM because our health care system sucks and yours doesn’t.

In between medical appointments, I’ve done some exploring and I like your city. I really do. Everyone is super friendly. It’s been nice to chat with complete strangers as I’m wandering around. I say “Good morning” and it invariably opens up a whole conversation, which I enjoy.

I had a college kid open a door for me yesterday because “ladies first,” which doesn’t happen back home.

Your doctors have treated me well, for which I’m very grateful.

Your parks are lovely, and I’ve enjoyed having a cup of coffee at dusk in the shade of one of your many huge trees.

Your cafes have great coffee and are wonderful to just hang out and people watch.

We have roadrunners back home; you guys have squirrels. Watching them scamper around has been entertaining.

All in all, having a nice time, and I thank you for that.

TL;DR: Just one question: What is with the disappearing sidewalks? I’m here for ophthalmological issues, so driving is out, and I’m walking almost everywhere to save money as much as possible on Uber fares. I’ll be happily strolling along and then the sidewalk gives out and I’m abruptly standing in the middle of a road, dodging cars. Or it ends and I’m accidentally trespassing on someone’s lawn. That keeps happening.

It’s not a complaint. I’m just amused (and curious).

Sincerely,

Someone who likes your city a lot.

I’ve been visiting Lubbock for a few days and have enjoyed the city’s cafes and restaurants. Could someone please recommend a great dessert place? Could be ice cream, pie, cookies, anything at all. Thank you. 🙏

I’m iron deficient and cannot, under any circumstances, take supplements. I have a neurological disorder and iron supplements flare it terribly. Iron infusions put me in the hospital.

My hematologists are telling me, because of my health issues, I need at least 30 mg of iron a day. Yes, fully aware that’s a lot and atypical. I have weird health needs.

I’m managing to hit around 24 mg daily with massive amounts of oats, tofu, chia, other seeds, spinach, beans, etc. But I’m still falling short. Anyone have ideas for a solid iron source I can add into my diet on a daily basis?

I’m 44, 137 lbs, female, exercise on a daily basis, don’t drink, smoke, or take drugs. Family history of heart attack and strokes. Perimenopausal. Will be starting HRT (transdermal delivery) whenever my insurance agrees to it. Eat a very healthy (high fiber, low fat) diet, mostly vegetarian, lots of fish.

LPA: 98
CAC: Zero
Cholesterol total: 220.0
Triglycerides 142.0
HDL 43.7
LDL 157.0
VLDL 28.40
Total cholesterol to HDL ratio 3.59
Atherogenic index 5

I’ll see a cardiologist in a few months. In the meantime, could I ask if anyone else with numbers like this has managed to stay off statins? I have a history of extremely poor reactions to medications of all kinds and truly do not want to try a statin if possible.

I’m a very mellow traveler. I’ve lived on 4 continents and traveled by everything from donkey cart to trains, planes, cars, and camels. Smells and noise don’t bother me. Speed doesn’t bother me. Timeliness doesn’t bother me. Most things just don’t worry me in the slightest.

Currently on a Greyhound bus in the Southwest US. It has no AC. That is the one and only thing that could ever upset me. I have medical issues and don’t do well in long stretches of unbroken heat. The bathrooms don’t work on this bus. That’s fine. My seatmate is talking to aliens he thinks are in front of him. Also fine. A guy a few feet away is high as a kite. All good. Entertaining, even. But no AC when it’s 110 outside? That I’m having major issues with.

Ah well. Such is life.

Next week I’m going to a menopause specialist certified by the Menopause Society (I realize that doesn’t always mean a great doctor, but this guy was more or less the only person available in my area anyway). I’m absolutely terrified. I have chronic akathisia, which is exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations. My hot flashes have gotten near unbearable, and the mood swings, body aches, and assorted other symptoms just make it impossible to lead a normal life. Because of the akathisia, I’m very limited in what I can take medically—HRT is a very remote possibility, even if it’s not 100% off the table—but this guy agreed to at least try and talk me through some options.

Asking for people to send me good vibes. I need all the help I can get. So many doctors have just chalked my issues up to anxiety. My life has been completely derailed the last 4 years. I just want to feel even halfway human again.