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Author Topic: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage  (Read 12838 times)

jedigirl

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Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« on: January 04, 2015, 04:54:59 PM »

Am interested if anyone has tried cutting their tablets to reduce dosage? I went on to Femoston2/10 5 weeks ago from 1/10 but not sure if the dose is too high. I feel very nauseous, rashy skin on cheeks, higher anxiety than of late. I felt okay till i finished the progesterone part of the tablets but now I feel jittery and as though my body is in fight or flight mode. I wondered if it was ok to maybe cut a quarter of the 2/10 so I get 1.5 mg estradiol rather than 2? Would that be right or am i missing something?
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missjanecobb

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2015, 05:18:00 PM »

Check with a pharmacist. Some tablets are designed to release the drug slowly over a period of time and cutting the pill in half may affect that. I would definitely go back to the doctor to talk about your problems.
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jedigirl

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2015, 05:44:10 PM »

Thank you, think I do need a chat with a go tomorrow x
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honeybun

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2015, 07:37:02 PM »

I cut a bit off my patch but as has been said pills can be a bit different. Might be best to ask your GP for the lower strength.


Honeyb
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Hurdity

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2015, 08:12:47 PM »

How long since stopping the combi pills jedigirl? I think I mentioned on the other thread that it could well be the surge and fall in progestogen giving rise to the side effects. Did you feel this after stopping the combi pills on the lower dose too, at the same point in the cycle?

For me the rashy skin on cheeks occurs when I stop HRT or my oestrogen is lowered but disappears once it is at the level it is now. Personally I would stick with this new dose for 3 months and let your body acclimatise and then think again if you are still getting symptoms.

After that then it might be better for you to try transdermal methods again as has been suggested on other threads.

Hurdity x
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jedigirl

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2015, 08:43:29 PM »

Hurdity, I'm not sure what you mean by combi pills? sorry it's all a bit new to me!
I have  my worst time straight after my period and have since last April before i started on hrt. The same on the lower dose Femoston too, thats why i upped the dose.
On the patches I had heavier periods, some tummy problems and lots of anxiety but was in the throes of all the tests that the docs wanted to do so that added to it.
 Im still on Femoston2/10, day 7 of the pack. Thanks for response x
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Millykin

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2015, 08:54:54 PM »

Jedigirl
I'm on Femoston 1/10 not sure if you can cut them but it's sounds to me that the progrsterone (that's the combi ones) suit you and that's why you feel better on that part, I feel better on that part too. It's take a while for your body to adjust and I think 1/10 suited you better. Each month when I finish the progesterone tabs I feel a bit anxious but each month it gets a bit easier. Maybe ask GP for lower dose again, sorry i can't be of more help
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jedigirl

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2015, 09:43:11 PM »

Thanks Millykin, i do feel better with the progesterone part but how do i know if i should be on 1 or 2/10? I didn't have any period on 1/10, mind you was only on for five weeks.
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Millykin

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2015, 09:57:19 PM »

That's the hard bit, I've been on 1/10 for 9 months had a period first 3 then nothing next 4 months then a bleed for a day last month. GP asked if I wanted higher dose but I refused. She said it didn't matter if I took a bleed really just that I felt better. I was to scared to up my dose in case it was too much and o prefer no bleed saves a bit on the anxiety feelings
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Morwenna

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2015, 02:20:53 PM »

You shouldn't be cutting the tablets as the '10' part of Femoston means the dosage of progesterone in the combination tablets taken between days 15 to 28. If you don't get sufficient progesterone then your uterine lining may build up and this is a risk. I would advise sticking with the 2/10 version and riding out the symptoms to give it chance to settle down and then if it still doesn't suit, ask to go back to 1/10 or change to a transdermal therapy.

When I started Femoston 2/10 I experienced headaches, breast tenderness and the 'wired' feeling you describe which is caused by an increase in oestrogen. These had all settled by the three month mark and I've been on it for two years now I think with no further problems.

I do get the 'rashy' cheeks which my GP thinks is Rosacea but this started about three years ago when I was on a different HRT. Without coming off it all together which I am loath to do, it's hard to know whether HRT is the cause.
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jedigirl

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #10 on: January 05, 2015, 04:34:07 PM »

Thanks Morwenna
I hadn't thought about that part of the pack!
Spoke to the gp today who wasn't much help really, just said "yes, its tricky to get right isn't it!" I really don't know whether to go back to 1/10 dose as theres less risk with the lower dose but the same progesterone.
Pharmacist did advise me that film coated tablets shouldn't be cut anyway as it affects absorbtion.
What a naff choice to have to make, feel marginally better on 2/10 ( got a slight period but still very nauseous after period) but is it enough of an improvement to risk the extra estrogen?
I think I'm talking myself back onto 1/10 but worried i'll feel worse than i do now which isn't great anyway. Can you sense the inner turmoil here?!!!
Good grief, I'm coming back as a man  ;D
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Millykin

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #11 on: January 05, 2015, 04:42:20 PM »

Jedigirl
Totally understand as I said before I'm on 1/10 when I get blips I think Ill move to 2/10 then feel ok and think no I will stick with 1/10 never happy eh?
Hope you find the right dose soon
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jedigirl

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #12 on: January 05, 2015, 05:03:58 PM »

Millykin
I hate the ups and downs of it all and being so self absorbed in it. I can't decide between 1/10 or going back to patches which weren't ideal either.  ???
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Millykin

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #13 on: January 05, 2015, 05:43:09 PM »

It is so easy to find yourself in that situation, overtaking every thought in your mind, consuming every minute of your day, thinking everything is wrong with you the list goes on. Sorry if I missed any of your posts but how old are you? Just keep in mind you are not alone in feeling like this it is happening to us all on here, and we are here to help with words only but sometimes it helps,
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jedigirl

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Re: Cutting hrt tablets to reduce dosage
« Reply #14 on: January 05, 2015, 08:41:07 PM »

Millykin, thanks for chat
I hate feeling consumed by the whole thing, it's exhausting to try being positive and fight off the negative thoughts. I have arguments with myself all the time, another sign of madness I'm sure!
I'm 45, probably been heading for peri for a year or so. I do love this site for reassurance!
xxx

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