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[Niamh]

So I'm totally confused and feeling very fed up today! After a few really good weeks im back in an anxious state, poor sleep and low mood...I use ostrogel and had been on 3 pumps but dropped it to 2 myself a month ago as I felt I was getting anxious, jittery, wired etc on it and all calmed down. I saw Prof Studd on thurs for my 3 month review and as I'd been in such a good phase he seemed unbothered by this previous dip and actually said he didn't know what caused it...he told me to take the ostrogel back up to 3. So I did yesterday and all these symptoms have come flooding back. Does anyone else get this if there ostrogen goes too high? I'm worried about dropping it to 2 as he wants me on higher dose presumably to suppress my own cycle and also he's treating osteopenia he picked up on a bone scan. I'm 41 and really seeing him for pmt so on utro 100 mg x 7 days (im prog intolerant) and testim gel. Ive considered emailing Dr annie Evans as prof Studd isn't very good at answering my questions although I know he's a brilliant man and not good at answering email either! Has anyone used this service... Thanks x ps ive dropped the ostrogel back to 2 today as felt good on this but worried this might be my own cycle mucking about in the background how can I tell though!?

[Ljp]

Hi Niamh,
I use mirena coil and oestrogel, I'm 51 and menopausal. I started using one pump oestrogel for first 5 weeks, then upped it to two a week ago, as I was still getting hot flushes on waking.

I have had four days this week where my mood has been awful, I've felt withdrawn and snappy, I too have been wondering if the extra oestrogen has caused this, but think I might give it a while before I decide if it is the case.

I know we are using HRT for different reasons, but I too wonder if too much oestrogen has an effect in mood.

The other thing that I have debated is, I do the 5:2 diet, and I think if my blood sugar drops too low, it effects my mood also.

[Meeka]

So I'm totally confused and feeling very fed up today! After a few really good weeks im back in an anxious state, poor sleep and low mood...I use ostrogel and had been on 3 pumps but dropped it to 2 myself a month ago as I felt I was getting anxious, jittery, wired etc on it and all calmed down. I saw Prof Studd on thurs for my 3 month review and as I'd been in such a good phase he seemed unbothered by this previous dip and actually said he didn't know what caused it...he told me to take the ostrogel back up to 3. So I did yesterday and all these symptoms have come flooding back. Does anyone else get this if there ostrogen goes too high? I'm worried about dropping it to 2 as he wants me on higher dose presumably to suppress my own cycle and also he's treating osteopenia he picked up on a bone scan. I'm 41 and really seeing him for pmt so on utro 100 mg x 7 days (im prog intolerant) and testim gel. Ive considered emailing Dr annie Evans as prof Studd isn't very good at answering my questions although I know he's a brilliant man and not good at answering email either! Has anyone used this service... Thanks x ps ive dropped the ostrogel back to 2 today as felt good on this but worried this might be my own cycle mucking about in the background how can I tell though!?

How old are you?   If my oestrogen levels get high then my breasts usually get swollen and achy.....have you noticed anything like that?   

[Anjia]

I have this problem I have an oestrogen patch as I had a full hysterectomy three years ago but I can honestly say that getting the right dose is a pain if its to high anxiety is so bad if its low the flushes come back cant win !

[Briony]

Hi

When I was 42, I was given 50 mcg patches (similar to two pumps of gel I think) and had both good and bad days. I later discovered this was because it was adding to my own hormones (so at times pushing me too high) rather than controlling them. Ironically, the answer was to double the dose as you need at least 100mcg patches (4-5 pumps of gel) to actually suppress ovulation. (Remember this is still less estrogen than in a synthetic BCP). I suspect this is why Prof Studd is encouraging you to take a higher dose.

If you're only 41, I would also recommend looking into the bio identical BCP pill Qlaira (see my previous posts on this: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=29562.0). I had very good results with it and do, to some extent, regret stopping it.

This could help explain why ovulation suppression is best for PMS:  http://www.pms.org.uk/assets/files/guidelinesfinal60210.pdf

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hi Niamh

I was wondering how you got on with Prof Studd?

I think you might be reacting to the actual change in your oestrogen level? I would give your body a couple of weeks to adjust to having more oestrogen then re assess.

[Niamh]

That's all really helpful....

Briony do you know what the prog is in Qlaira? I'm prog intolerant so I'd be worried about that bit of it....Im also getting in a state about whether my natural cycle has been suppressed or not as I keep getting these grotty patches I think not but 3 pumps makes me feel awful, I'm really not sure what to do...so annoying when ive just seen Prof studd and said how good I feel, typical! No point in going to my GP as she's clueless I guess can try Prof Studds office for a response but I'm sure he'll say use 3 pumps maybe I just need to brave it out and stick with 3 as you say GLR and it will calm down....x

[Niamh]

I also slept atrociously last night just couldn't get to sleep or stay asleep so this is heightening my anxiety and low mood today urgh 😩x

[Briony]

The prog in Q is Dienogest. It is a newer one. Popular in France and Germany.

I would be very surprised if two pumps of gel is enough to suppress ovulation. In the PMS guidelines it suggests 4 is required. Therefore, you are probably experiencing fluctuations caused by the gel and your own system combining? I am on 100 mcg patches, equivalent to 4 pumps, and am not convinced it is enough to suppress ovulation. (Originally 200mcg was recommended).
It's an unusual way to suppress ovulation - it's usually the prog in the combined pill which helps achieve it - hence why such a high dose is needed.

[Niamh]

Thank you

http://www.studd.co.uk/pdf/gally%20suppresion.pdf

Just been reading this and Studd says 1-3 pumps can be used to suppress ovulation for Pms so confusing im going to call his office Monday! Still doing 2 for today as have felt ok on this x

[Niamh]

Sorry meant to also say...if I was ovulating though surely I'd be getting my own periods breaking through and ive not had this...x

[Briony]

Iam confused as Studd himself has definitely suggested 4 pumps for suppression elsewhere in his literature. That's why lower doses can be problematic for ladies with peri menopause (it tops up but doesn't control).  Nick Panay and  NAPS also state 3-4 pumps / 100 mcg as being necessary. The reason I think I still ovulated on 100 mcg is because  I've just  had physical PMS symptoms pre bleed - spots, tummy ache etc. but didn't with the pill.  The bleed is more like a period too, if that makes sense? 

Have y thought about emailing DR Currie who oversees this site? I found her really helpful. £25 well spent. X

[Niamh]

I'd love to email her how do I do it? Thank you :)x

[Briony]

On Studd's own website, he says 2-3 pumps twice daily. http://www.studd.co.uk/pms_various.php  This is in line with everything else I've read regarding suppression of ovulation. You really do need a fair dose for it to occur. Anything less and you will still get fluctuations caused by your own hormones breaking through (as a number of us in peri menopause have found with lower dose patches, for example). Interestingly, he says ovulation wont always be suppressed in month one, and you may well feel worse before you feel better. That makes a lot of sense. Trouble with me, I always want immediate results! 

To email, go to the home page and then scroll down, if that makes sense.

B

[Niamh]

Great found it and done it!

So why did he put me only on 3 then?!? Even more confused...trouble is 3 I felt great on to start with only started causing problems after about 2 months so dropped to 2 then felt good tried 3 again yesterday felt bad again 😳

So damn confusing!