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[helenmelon]

Hi again,

I have been on Estradot 50 and Mirena for several months, about 3 months ago I started to see so if my symptoms return, sweats, anxiety and generally not just as good.

So, as I couldn't get to see my preferred GP (who is fab) for 4 weeks (she's just too popular)
I decided to trial 1/2 a patch extra. Within a week I saw an improvement and by the time I saw her I'd improved further.

GP said yes no problem we will up the patches to 75, that's where the problem started!!

Within 5 days my boobs were so painful I could hardly touch them and I felt wired as if I'd been drinking very strong coffee and I was spotting.

I'm wondering if I wasn't absorbing the full 25 when I'd cut hem in half because the 75 patches had such a strong effect.
Does anybody know if I could have a 50 patch and a pump of gel??? I will book an appointment with my GP but probably won't be able to see her for ages, in the meantime I've gone back to 50 because I couldn't stand anymore boob pain and don't want to cut bits off of the 75's, I do have some 50's but not many, what a pain in the bum this menopause malarkey is!!

Any advice gladly received. Thanks x

[Dancinggirl]

One pump of gel would probably give you the same as the 25mcg extra in patch.  Why not snip a bit off the 75mcg patch?

if you are still peri meno then it could well be your own hormones fluctuating and this could give the sore breasts.  Sore breasts tend to settle anyway once the body adjusts, so perhaps try to persevere for a couple of weeks. DG x

[helenmelon]

Thanks Dancinggirl, I may do that with the 75's

The breast pain was just too unbearable, I've never ever had breast pain, I could feel them pounding in my ears  I know they take a while to get used to but I just couldn't stand it.

I'm hoping that GP might let me have some gel to add and it's useful to know that 1 pump is 25. Although when I got my Mirena I asked for gel and she said no she'd prefer me to have patches cause it's a measure dose and the gel wasn't ?? Perhaps it's more expensive??

I just don't want to have more than is necessary.

[NorthArm]

Hi

Would it be possible for you to trial a 50 patch with half a 25 patch, giving you 62.5mcg instead of the full 75?

I know Hurdity does this and has quite good results with it, she might be along soon with some advice for you xx

[sheila99]

I've never ever had breast pain, I could feel them pounding in my ears 

Cue image of boobs in ears ...

[Dancinggirl]

Helen melon
I'm not saying that one pump of gel would be the equivalent of 25mcg patch - it's doesnt work like that I'm afraid.
Patch and gel will differently.
I found that patches gave a big hit soon after sticking it on, then by day three the benefits seemed to have worn off BUT many women find them great and seem to get a consistency that works. I like used the gel because you could control the dosage you got each day, however, there are some women who find the gel absorbs well while for others it doesn't!
I wonder if you would do better with Oestrogel as it's applied on a daily basis - I'm afraid your GP is wrong, the gel does give a measured dose but it also allows you to adjust your dose according to your needs. However the gel is more hassle to use - you need to apply it to clean dry skin each day at the same time each day and allow it to dry before getting dressed.
If you are peri meno then I doubt you will find a dose that is perfect and you can't exoect to feel good every day. HRT can't fix everything. If you nightvsweats and flushes are mostly under control then the HRT is doing its job. Concentrating on lifestyle is an important part of coping with the meno - so eating sensibly, getting some exercise and, very importantly, learning to relax.
Do try simply cutting a bit off the 75mcg patch and see whether that helps. DG x

[helenmelon]

Thank you for your help ladies.

Dancinggirl, thank you, I didn't realise the dosage didn't match the name ‘doh' but that makes sense now 

I know it's trial and error and I'm so much better now than I was a year ago, but like many on here I just want my old self back, sadly that doesn't seem possible even with HRT, but onwards and upwards. I'm going to concentrate on lifestyle changes and see what difference that makes.

I remember as a child both my Nan and Auntie had to have a nap in the afternoon, they must have been early 50's then, I could never understand it, but now I do !!!

Thanks again xx

[Dancinggirl]

Menopause is called ‘The Change' for very good reasons. HRT can only do so much.  DG x

[Hurdity]

Hi helenmelon

As NorthArm says - I am now on 62.5 mcg patches. I started to increase from 50 mcg because I was also taking testosterone and didn't want to become T dominant. I first did it by cutting a 50 mcg patch into 4 and adding each strip to my 50 mcg but my lovely GP (the lovely gynae one!) prescribed me 75 mcg at my last review when I explained to her what I was doing - even though I am mid 60's and have been on HRT for 11 + years - and said just cut a bit off. Really it is not problem. I made a template and just cut that amount off each time. You could do a couple at a time and then you'd only have to do it once a week. It really is no bother - after all with gel you have to apply it and let it dry every day so what's a little snip eh?

Do take Dancinggirl's advice re liefstyle changes - but relaxing doesn't mean napping!!! If you feel you need an afternoon nap - if you are in your 50's  and you are otherwise healthy then something's not right! Iron, thyroid, testosterone, oestrogen, vitamins, exercise - everyone gets tired sometimes - but needing to nap in the day at that young age indicates something amiss! Please don't accept this as normal and make sure you get checked out if necessary!

Let us know what you decide and how you get on and hope you are feeling better soon

Hurdity x