u/Theoriginalosc

Hi fellow travellers in this mad and confusing time,

I wonder if anyone had any thoughts/ experience with this...

I'm 49, perimenopausal and been on HRT (Mirena plus oestrogel and estriol cream) quite happily for 4 years. I'm still having periods. I have background endometriosis which I think contributed to heavier periods even while having the Mirena. Progesterone orally or vaginally didn't work for me as it leads to such severe constipation.

Gynae did scans to try to see the reason for the very frequent bleeding despite Mirena, and said the womb lining was actually at a normal thickness, so it can't be that. She suggested adjusting HRT.

I noticed that my breasts were constantly feeling hard and painful, so suspected the oestrogen had become too high at my usual dose of 2 pumps.

I've since lowered my oestrogel to one pump (Mirena still in), and am just surprised that I'm feeling ok on that. Breasts immediately stopped hurting. Previously I would immediately go to hot flashes and night sweats if I lowered the dose, so wondered is it now that I need less oestrogen? Why would that be, given I'm further towards menopause?

Has anyone else noticed feeling better on a decrease to half the usual dose? I'm obviously going to watch out in case it doesn't work longer term, but really curious as to why half a dose would feel better given I must be producing less oestrogen myself by this age.

Am feeling by turns 🙃🧐🤨🤔🥴🤠- if anyone has any thoughts I'd love to hear them - thanks in advance!

Hi everyone I am facing a possible conundrum about whether to claim money back for my 13 year old dog’s recent treatment or to just cover it myself. I don’t want to claim it and face her coverage going up ridiculously when this year runs out. Can anyone with a 14 year old dog give me an idea of what they’re paying for BBM insurance (anyone who has claimed in the past or not). Will it rise to ridiculous levels anyway and I might as well claim while in her 13th year? Hope the question makes sense! Thanks in advance

Hi everyone!

I bought a boscoop grapevine last year that I thought I could grow in a large pot- but my friend says it will never bear fruit that way. Is that true?

If I do plant it in my raised bed against a south facing trellis, I’m scared it will be destroyed by slugs and snails. It’s only about 1.5 feet so far with lots of young leaves.

Is there any way of protecting a vine with slug collars/ plastic bottles round the stem or shall I keep it in the pot?

All thoughts gratefully received - thanks in advance 🙏

Hi everyone My dog (pointermix Greek rescue, about 13 yrs?) was treated for what was thought to be kennel cough a few weeks ago, and had raised neck lymph glands. The cough has gone but when getting her booster this week, another vet said all her lymph nodes were slightly raised. Lymphoma was immediately raised as a strong likelihood. He suggested to wait 2 weeks and then to commence testing of the lumps. My dog is loving her food, runs, and company and is only showing the old dog leg shaking and sleeping a bit more - otherwise seems well and happy. I’m just wondering if any advice is out there now please? Does this all sound sensible so far? Are there any diet and supplement changes that could be good now - for example turkey tail/ dandelion root powder? Should I get her on raw food now? (She has a low GI kibble supplemented by veg, meat and fish, pizzles and live yogurt). Anything to avoid/ do in this waiting period and beyond would be so appreciated. Thank you 🙏