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Author Topic: Horrible nausea, Evorel 25 patches, should I change?  (Read 8397 times)

Pinksara

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Horrible nausea, Evorel 25 patches, should I change?
« on: November 23, 2016, 09:02:52 AM »

Morning everyone

Been a member for ages now and read lots of threads with interest, often in desperation to find the answers that GP's seem unable to give!!

Here we go.....first post....

Had hysterectomy (1 ovary intact) in Dec 2009. Diagnosed as peri meno around Sept 2014- ovary had given up the ghost I think!!,

Since then had tablet HRT- gave me IBS type symptoms- horrendous.

Since Jan 2015 played around with Evorel patches, varying strengths, knicker magnet, loads of vitamins/supplements!!

One thing remains fairly constant- grim nausea. Most of the time I'm not actually sick but occasionally I am. Been back and forth to the doctors who continually say "nausea is not really a symptom of menopause".  >:(

Going for more blood tests today.

Is there any mileage in requesting progesterone levels checked- read stuff about mismatch between oestrogen and progesterone levels, and also thinking of asking to try oestrogel??

Any thoughts anyone?

I know you ladies are fabulous and I am reaching out  :'(

Pinksara

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Hurdity

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Re: Horrible nausea, Evorel 25 patches, should I change?
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2016, 09:22:21 AM »

Hi Pinksara

 :welcomemm:

Glad you have been finding the threads interesting - as we all do on here :)

Sorry to  hear about your menopausal symptoms - and judging from what I have read on here nausea seems to be reported as a menopausal symptoms I would say.

Although it is not listed on here, digestive problems are and if you read what is says:
http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/

Digestive problems are defined as changes in gastrointestinal function, with symptoms such as excessive gas production, gastrointestinal cramping, and nausea. There are a couple of reasons why menopausal women might be experiencing more digestive problems than previously: hormonal imbalance disrupts the natural transit of food in the gut, and stress has an adverse effect on the normal functioning of hormones.

Digestive problems could also be due to a change in diet or even lactose intolerance, the body's rejection of dairy products such as cow's milk and its byproducts, due to the decreasing production of the digestive hormone lactase with age. Women who experience gas and stomach pain for more than three days, or whose pain is more severe than before, should see a doctor immediately
.

Sometimes nausea occurs with high oestrogen - like morning sickness - and arising from the huge surges and falls in these hormones which occur just before peri-menopause and in the early stages especially. However it is good that your doctor is investigating the cause of your nausea to check whether all is OK. I seem to remember reading also that some women suffer nausea also with low oestrogen though?

Re the patches - depending on where you are in menopause a higher dose patch might help - are you suffering from hot flushes or sweats as this would be the first indication that you need a higher dose patch?

Progesterone is not needed in your case because you have had a hysterectomy and if your ovaries are still functioning sometimes you will be producing it, and even post-menopause we produce sufficient for our bodily functions but in very small amounts compared to what is needed for pregnancy. It might be worth asking for blood tests of oestrogen levels though - but ideally a couple of tests several weeks apart and at the same time of the week re your patch, might be helpful?

Sorry I can't really be be of more help but hope you manage to see an improvement soon :)

Hurdity x
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Pinksara

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Re: Horrible nausea, Evorel 25 patches, should I change?
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2016, 09:29:02 AM »

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

Not really suffering from hot flushes. Sometimes get a bit hot during the night but not dripping wet or anything!! I am often really itchy on my lower arms and chest.

The nausea is a total pain though- feels like a permanent hangover but without the funny stories!!!

Have taken a break from HRT thinking it may be unnecessary but them got the brain fog and hot flushes back again hence me questioning is it the Evorel patch that doesn't suit and maybe try a gel??

Thanks again

Pinksara
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Horrible nausea, Evorel 25 patches, should I change?
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2016, 12:51:05 PM »

Hurdity has given some great advice and info. 
I doubt it is the oestrogen patches causing the nausea.  I actually find my nausea is worse when not on oestrogen!!

I would definitely say that nausea and digestive problems are linked with the menopause - especially if they have emerged at the time of meno.

I get these episodes of nausea with pain around my eyes and forehead - sometimes for up to 3 days.   I think they are linked to fatigue due to lack of sleep as they often occur when I've had couple of particularly bad nights.

I can't say that milk or lactose causes my nausea - I have tried stopping dairy with not benefit. In fact, when I have these nausea/headache episodes I find milk can help calm things down!!
As Hurdity has said, I also doubt progesterone is the answer - progesterones often trigger headaches and nausea.

My bouts of nausea have increased since I came off systemic HRT nearly 5 months ago and I'm trying a tablet the pharmacist has given me that you dissolve on your gum when the nausea hits - it's fro nausea associated with migraine.  This leads me to ask whether you are perhaps getting silent migraines???? 

I agree with Hurdity that maybe the oestrogen dose might be worth looking at and I always liked using the Oestrogel as I found it gave a more consistent dose, as it is applied each day, and you can adjust the dosage as well - start really low and only increase if flushes aren't under control.
I don't think you told us what dose of patch you were using? Also, how old are you?

I would also have a good look at your diet - maybe try cutting out dairy to see if it helps but get advice from a professional over diet as you don't want to be low on calcium or other vital nutrients. Eating small amount often is also vital. Keep us posted  DG x
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Pinksara

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Re: Horrible nausea, Evorel 25 patches, should I change?
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2016, 01:10:50 PM »

Thanks Dancinggirl

Been back to docs this morning after blood tests to ask about perhaps changing to oestrogel- he said there is no point as oestrogen is oestrogen??!!?

Given me Evorel 25 as I had been cutting 50's in half!

He suggested this was a more scientific way of regulating the dose and making it consistent.

Only when I left the doctors did I think about firing back at him that if all hormonal medications are the same why do some types of contraceptive pill suit better than others?!

Will see how this goes!

 :-\

Pinksara
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Pinksara

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Re: Horrible nausea, Evorel 25 patches, should I change?
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2016, 01:47:24 PM »

Hi Menomale

I am 50 next week!!

Have occasional headache but the nausea is just like morning sickness! Usually lasts all day and tails off in the evening. The only other symptoms I have are itchy forearms (usually at night) and poor sleep patterns. In the past couple of months I have been waking up between 4 and 5am and find it very difficult to go back to sleep.

The nausea seems to be worse every 4 months or so, when it lasts for a couple of weeks. In between bouts it is odd days but fairly frequently. Don't know if I get to a point where I'm so fed up of feeling crappy and it grinds me down so I give in to it?! The nausea does also seem worse when I'm moving around.

I am also a teacher with pastoral responsibility in a high school so pretty demanding. It's hard to act the part when I don't feel up to it!!

I used to suffer from migraines about 16 years ago after having a Mirena coil fitted. They are very few and far between now though.

The whole trial and error thing is pretty crap, you would think there would be a more measurable way of controlling symptoms by now. If men suffered with it I bet there would be!!!  >:( >:(
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Hurdity

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Re: Horrible nausea, Evorel 25 patches, should I change?
« Reply #6 on: November 23, 2016, 03:15:53 PM »

Been back to docs this morning after blood tests to ask about perhaps changing to oestrogel- he said there is no point as oestrogen is oestrogen??!!?

Given me Evorel 25 as I had been cutting 50's in half!

He suggested this was a more scientific way of regulating the dose and making it consistent.

Only when I left the doctors did I think about firing back at him that if all hormonal medications are the same why do some types of contraceptive pill suit better than others?!

Will see how this goes!

 :-\

Pinksara

Dooh!!! Yes they do seem to affect women differently.  Y  estradiol is estradiol and you would think the patches would all be exactly the same but the fact that they are different sizes means that the properties of a woman'sskin will also come into play and differentially affect absorption, so that a given dose say of 50 mcg may give different amounts in a woman's system depending on the patch.

I use Estradot patches which are very very small and have a different delivery system - I bet my systemic levels of oestrogen are different with this patch than they would be if I used Evorel which are very large.

Anyway I do hope the nausea settles and you feel better soon! Also have a great birthday next week :)

Hurdity x
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