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[EllaM]

Because my Estradot 75 and utrogestan was not controlling my peri fluctuations I am now trying Estrogel as Dr Currie suggested I may not be absorbing fully from the patches. My estradiol level was 383pmol at day 26 on 75 estradot. I am nearly 51 and have been peri for approx. 5 years.
I know that there are lots of ladies on here who use estrogel so wonder if any of you can help with the following questions:
Can I switch straight away or do I have to wait until after my period to do so,
Having been on estradot 75 would 2 pumps be a good starting point or should I go higher.
My female gp is clueless on this issue and I'm waiting for a reply from Dr Currie so thought I would ask here as you are so knowledgeable.
Thank you x

[Dancinggirl]

 Change over straight away. I would start with 2 pumps, make sure you apply on clean dry skin. 
If you want to, applying one in the morning and one at night could be a good alternative but when I used 2 pumps I just applied one squirt to each inner thigh at the same time - if you need to increase to 3 pumps you can then split the the applications to morning and evening. I would try 2 pumps per day for at a least 2 weeks before upping the dose - allows things to settle and you may not need the higher dose.  I got an oestrogen reading of 600 on 2 pumps per day!!!  DG x

[EllaM]

Thank you so much DG. Desperate for improvement as feel so down, anxious, exhausted, lethargic, generally grotty. So far from the energetic, non stop person I used to be
I think I'm pinning so much on this and want to see an improvement now which I know is not realistic.I just want to feel a bit more normal and get back to work as soon as possible x

[EllaM]

Used 2 pumps of gel last night plus the usual 200 utrogestan and woke at approx 5am feeling so 'wired' and was not able to get back to sleep. Feel so awful now with underlying anxiety when I should be out and about on this glorious day.
I know it is very early days but I hoped the gel would be the miracle that gave me my life back.
I'm thinking about stopping the utrogestan after 10 days (day 9 tonight) in the hope that bringing this cycle to an end may improve things.
Having been on estradot 75 surely 2 pumps of estrogel is not too much? Could it be that I'm getting a big hit as I go to bed.
So desperate for an end to this awful blip 

[Dancinggirl]

There are no instant fixes and low mood and anxiety are difficult to control. I would try to get to 12 days of the Utro to ensure a proper bleed and give this new combo at least 3 months to work it's magic.  I really wouldn't increase the dse of oestrogen yet as I found too much oestrogen made me feel wired.  Perhaps try one pump in the morning and one at a night.  DG x

[EllaM]

Thank you again DG. I'll try splitting the dose as suggested and will persevere with the utrogestan.  I just didn't realise switching from patches to gel would have such a profound effect.
With 5 years of this nonsense behind me surely I'm due a break  soon x

[Pollie]

Hi

DG is quite correct in suggesting you give it 3 months to sort itself out. The problem with making adjustments to dosages too early is that you then don't know what is causing what....

I think it's also important to remember that even before peri we maybe had days that we didn't feel up to much and it was nothing to do with hrt it was just life in general - not everything is down to hormones ..

Out of curiosity what estradiol level have you been advised to aim for by Dr currie ?

Pollie
X

[EllaM]

Hi Pollie, she hasn't replied to my email yet so hasn't suggested a level. Her last email just asked me to get it checked and she said that I may not be absorbing correctly from the patches. Why do you ask?
As this month has been awful for me I thought I would try the gel. So far though it has made me feel worse. I put one pump on last night before bed and woke about an hour and a half later feeling awful and ' wired' again. There was no way sleep was happening so took a couple of beta blockers. Have managed a bit of sleep between lots of awake and feel really rough now. I know feeling rubbish over the last few days is linked to the change of hrt and am in turmoil as to what to do next. Tempted to go back to my patches as they have never made me feel like this. My body seems to react very sensitively to the gel.
I was planning on having another pump of gel this morning (2 per day) but to be honest am scared of the reaction.

[Dancinggirl]

EllaM - I don't think it is the Oestrogel that is the problem - I think you are in a very anxious state over all this and this will make you feel wired and stop you sleeping well.  When one changes anything there is always a settling down time - I found patches gave me a boost in the first day (so I felt wired) and then it really dipped for the days after - so there was no consistency.
Have you ever tried Mindful Meditation?  I started doing this regularly a couple of years ago on the advice of my GP and I find it extremely useful when life is stressful or I get over tired. Stick to one pump per day for a week or so, if your flushes and night sweats are under control then that may be all you need. I don't find oestrogen helps me to sleep (progesterone does) but when I do sleep it is better quality sleep.  HRT cannot fix everything - if you are hoping to control anxiety and low mood then HRt is only part of what you need to do to get this under control.  Diet, exercise, relaxation techniques etc. all have to be put into practise.   DG x

[EllaM]

I appreciate you advice DG but it's not the anxiety that is affecting me at the moment. I managed to fall asleep easily last night but woke with everything racing as I had done the previous night. This is something very new for me. I am off work on sick leave at the moment and since starting the gel have definitely felt worse. I realise that this will be my body adjusting to the gel/dose but didn't expect to feel so poorly. I eat well, walk my gorgeous dog when I'm able and am able to relax on these walk or in front of the tv. I know it's a vicious circle of getting up tight about wanting to feel better but at the moment I do genuinely feel that its the reaction to the gel that is causing the issue as I seem to have been very sensitive to peri fluctuations over the last 5 years.
I appreciate your support and taking the time to reply x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi EllaM - the peri stage is really tough because of the fluctuations. Stick with one pump per day for a few more days as ti may well settle.  DG x

[Nina]

Hello just to say I switched from estradot 75 to 3 pumps of gel and it's been fine.

[EllaM]

Thanks DG and Nina, felt so much better late pm evening and slept like a log last night after one pump which was fantastic but woke this morning feeling really down, anxious and just not right. This peri business is very cruel as I'd had a fleeting glimpse of normality and thought i could maybe get back to work later this week. Believe it or not i love the normality of being able to go to work and thrive on it.
Have applied another pump as think I do need to be on more having been on Estradot 75. I am sure as the day goes on thinks will pick up but i just need to feel better in the mornings. Fingers crossed.
Nina, did you go straight to 3 pumps and if you don't mind me asking what was your reason for switching?
Thank you again for your support xx

[Nina]

Hi I switched because I didnt like the visual patch reminder. Purely vanity!  Yes I just changed no problem, blobs on 2 arms and 1 leg. Although it's been fine I have to say I'll probably go back to patches eventually because I think they are easier than standing around waiting for the gel to dry which you have to do every day. I also take utrogestan every day.

[EllaM]

Nina, I agree that it seems to be a real faff. Have been splitting the dose so 2 lots of waiting around!
The twice a week stick and go seems far better to me.
After a week on the gel i haven't felt any improvement but it is the end of my cycle so there is the added complication of utrogestan.
Are there any of you ladies out there who found they did better on estradot rather than estrogel?
One more question which I know there is no definitive answer to but does an estradiol level of 383pmol seem reasonable for day 27 on estradot 75?
Taking great strength from the amazing ladies on here as having a really crappy time at the moment.
Thank you x