Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[MayClaire]

Hi, I'm new today 

I just posted a hello on the new members thread.

Wondered if anyone else has had these strange effects?

I have used Evorel Sequi patches with almost no problem for 2 months. Slight nausea at first but that's gone. I felt great, my flushes stopped and I felt more relaxed and like my old self. I haven't had any obvious hormonal side effects which is great.

In fact.....I did notice that hairs had stopped/reduced sprouting from my chin!!!

BUT....last few weeks I've felt very spaced out. I've been spilling things, bumping into things, even at times writing - controlling the pen is not terrible but not 'normal'. I'm marathon training and I did wonder if my patch placement meant I was getting too much...having it in a less fatty area and doing lots of running - so I've now placed it on my fat pad on my tummy hehe.

Also in desperation I have also now halved the patch as my light headedness did not abate after moving the patch placement. It was that or stop it altogether as I can't deal with this odd feeling in my head. I think it's improving after reducing the dose. Early days. One leg also feels strange - almost wooden/numb which I notice when I'm running when it happens ( not continuously).

Anyone have any thoughts or have had similar? I have an appointment with my GP but that is in 3 weeks.
Thank you!
Claire x

[Hurdity]

Hi MayClaire

 

Perhaps you could tell us where you were in menopause ie what your cycles were doing before you started HRT (ie were they getting further apart, heavier, lighter etc) and how old you are? If you were still having more or less regular periods but a bit erratic - maybe the extra oestrogen is affecting you? Similarly the progestogen added to your own could also make you feel a bit weird!

If you are under 50 and still having fairly regular but erratic cycles, with mood swings and some peri-menopausal symptoms starting you might be better off taking a  combined contraceptive pill to suppress your cycle but give you the oestrogen you need. There are a couple suitable for peri-menopause as they contain the same oestrogen as in HRT - called ZOELY  and QLAIRA.  Halving the patch also sounds like a good idea too.

Is there any particular part of the patch cycle which is affecting you?

If the symptoms do not resolve then definitely mention to your doctor to check all is well.

Just a thought - could it be partly low blood sugar (although it should go away after eating if so...)? You say you do lots of running and some progestogens seem to affect our blood sugar metabolism and the changing levels too. Maybe you need to eat more or different foods at certain times and cut out/down sugar in favour of higher protein/slow release carbs? I'm sure you know all about this beibng a runner but menopause does seem to affect our metabolism.

Hurdity x

[MayClaire]

Hi Hurdity,
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it 

I'm 45. My cycles were getting lighter and for the past 3 years very erratic. On a few occasions stopping for 3-4 months then starting up again. The hot flushes started, then went away, then came back again. So I think you're right about my own hormones probably causing the problem. Perhaps they have recently kicked in again, hence the dizzy, wobbliness!

I don't think any particular part of the cycle affected me more. It started during weeks 1-2 and continued when I applied the conti patch so I'm thinking it's more likely the oestrogen.

I'll take a look at those pills you mentioned thank you.

I don't think it's blood sugar. I've always been murderous with low blood sugar and hypoglycaemia following too much sugar/not enough fat/protein so I think I'm being careful about that!! I'm tracking my macros and calories to try to make sure I'm eating enough for my training too.

I thought it was too good to be true, the first HRT product working like a dream to begin with, now this. Never mind, I've realised it could be much worse, and I'm grateful for the advice,

Thank you,
Claire x

[NaturalMystic]

Yup me, that's why I've come off it, made me worse.  Been off for 2 weeks and already feel more human