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[racjen]

I just thought it might help a few people on here to hear about my recent experience with depression and estrogen levels. I've been on Evorel 100 for quite a few months, originally prescribed by a private specialist but then I couldn't afford to keep seeing her and my GP just isn't interested in monitoring levels. At one point (probably around 6 months ago) I was on Evorel 200 and my estrogen level went over 2000 pmol, but in terms of depression I was feeling much better, better than I had for ages. Then my GP refused to keep prescribing at that level so I dropped to 100.

Fast forward to about a month ago when I realised that I was gradually feeling more and more depressed and really struggling to cope with the daily anxiety, which doesn't seem to respond to estrogen anyway. My level at that point was 991 pmol, but that's clearly still too low to keep my mood OK. I increased the dose to Evorel 150 about 10 days ago on the advice of my consultant, and immediately slept much much better, and my mood has been improving quite rapidly since then. So I clearly  need a level of well over 1000 pmol to keep depression at bay. I'm supposed to increase again to Evorel 200 after 6 weeks so will keep you posted as to the effects.

[Kathleen]

Hello racjen.

Thank you so much for the post, it's very helpful of you to keep the forum updated.

 I wonder if some of us have always naturally produced greater amounts of oestrogen throughout our fertile years so the plummeting levels at menopause hit us especially hard? A friend of mine had endometriosis and other fertility  issues but has had a trouble free meno whilst another friend seemed to be super fertile but is suffering with her menopause. Perhaps one day more will be known about the whole process and women can use a tailor made treatment from the start rather than struggle with the current hit and miss approach.

I think Prof Studd recognises that some women need more oestrogen than average and you appear to be in that category. Hopefully you will continue to feel well and I look forward to reading more about your progress.

Wishing you well.

K.

[jillydoll]

Just a quick question Racjen,
Don't you suffer with sore boobs on that high dose?

[racjen]

Nope, not at all. I only have one boob anyway(!) having had a mastectomy 2 years ago, but no problems of that sort, and my libido and vaginal lubrication is much improved too.

[jillydoll]

Oh, sorry to hear that, I didn't know Racjen. Sorry.
But I'm glad you're feeling a bit better, it's been a long time coming hasn't it?
I know what you mean about the vaginal lubrication, that's the first thing I noticed with me.
At first, it was like an oil slick, lol, now it's settled down a bit, but much better.
As for my libido, it up and left months ago, only reappearing at the most inappropriate times. Which is no good at all. Lol
Still, you can't win em all......lol

[NorthArm]

Thanks for the update racjen- I'm so glad things have started settling for you xx

Are you still using the oestrogen only, or have you started adding the Utrogestan to the mix again?

I think of you often as I'm still getting anxiety - have recently upped to 100 patch...early days yet, I'm still getting the adrenaline surges and anxiety, and my body wants to sweat but it feels like there's the oestrogen stopping it, and I'm hoping that will change with time, so the surges go - they're the worst, aren't they??

Anyway, glad to hear you're feeling better xx

[EnglishRose]

That's interesting
I don't know what “normal “ is in terms of oestrogen blood serum levels. But I'm glad you have at last found a dose and level that works or at least shows you a light at the end of the tunnel.
I'm on Oestrogel since 4th Nov.
Started on 1 pump at two weeks went to two then had the worst depression of my life for 10 days.
So upped to,3 felt a bit better for few days so upped to 4 pumps 3 nights ago... It's a little two steps forward one back but no longer in bed all day, back at the home office, mood stable..
Booked a cottage in Yorkshire for Xmas week even.
I still have some VA. bladder symptoms, lower back pain, sciatica strange symptoms which may or may not be related and they vary in flavour and intensity..

My last test was May 2108
< 18 Oestrogen
FSH 70

Fingers crossed for both of us.

❤️

[NorthArm]

RoseEnglish that's fabulous news...long may it continue ❤️❤️

[Mindfulmoomins]

That's great news Racjen. You deserve a break and to feel like there is hope. I think you are right, some of us need higher doses of oestrogen. My hope is that one day the treatment will be much better tailored to individuals.

😘😘😘

[AgathaC]

It's good to hear your update, Racjen.

Are you still swimming in this December weather? Xxx

[racjen]

Shit, looks like it's all gone pear-shaped again. After a week on the higher dose of estrogen, feeling much less depressed and generally stronger, and sleeping much better, it's all gone. Suddenly two nights of back to being wide awake after a couple of hours sleep, and feeling more and more depressed and hopeless.

What's weird is that exactly the same thing happened when I tried testosterone months back. I had one week of amazing improvement - more energy, general sense of well being and incredible increase in libido - and then it just stopped and depression set in. Of course the doctors try and make out it's all a placebo effect but I'm not convinced. Something is going on in my brain which sabotages everything I try....I wonder about SHBG, whether once I hit a certain level my body just refuses to accept itand starts producing the anti-hormone. But if that's the case, who can I find to help me with the relevant expertise (and is there anything they can do anyway?) I feel really despairing right now, to have a week of glimpsing relatively normal life and then have it snatched away again, especially so near Xmas, feels really cruel.

[racjen]

I have been using Utrogestan cyclically and finding it difficult to tolerate in terms of side-effects. It was actually starting utrogestan after a prolonged period of estrogen alone that kicked-off my acute morning anxiety - before that estrogen was really helping with the depression. So specialist has now recommended I try a good long period without it to try and determine if that's the source of the problem.

It's all guess work really isn't it, even for the professionals?

[NorthArm]

Oh Racjen, that's no good 😞. I'm hoping it's just a ‘blip' and that things will start to improve for you again xx

I've just started adding a tiny dose of testosterone to my mix - started yesterday...I've started on half the recommended dose, to titre up gradually, so it's not such a shock to my system. I've not felt any difference so far (obvs lol as it's only day 2) but I'm hoping it will shift the depressed feeling at least.

I'm coming to the end of this cycle's Utrogestan (I can only manage 7 days as the sweats and 3am wakings come back immediately) orally, and will see how I go vaginally next cycle. Just can't seem to get any stability, and apparently I've been post meno for ‘yonks' according to the gynae....

Anyway, I'm hoping you're having a better day today xx