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[ChristinaG]

Hi Folks

Understanding HRT is so complex!

I have been prescribed Evorel Sequi, because I was complaining about hot flushes and insomnia. I have been applying the patches for over 7 weeks and have a mixed reaction.

The positives are that my mood has significantly lifted. To be honest, I had not appreciated how low and despondent I had become. I feel like the world has opened up to me and I can recognise myself again.  I also don't experience frustrating hives, my thought process is better, feel more positive, skin and hair look and feel better.

However, the negatives are that I still get hot flushes and nights of insomnia  - full nights when I don't sleep for a single hour for approximately 3 or 4 nights.  But I am coping with these better because my mood is better.

The other downside is when I get onto the second phase of the patches (EVOREL CONTI), I become very sleepy and not as active as I would like to be. I have some stiffness in my legs, hips hurt, and have a very painful pain in my left shoulder blade. Additionally, when on the first phase (EVOREL 50 ), I get some indigestion and heartburn which is new.

If I need to put up with the less positive reactions then so be it..... because I feel better than I did without the HRT.

However, I was wondering if this was 'normal' or if you think I should try another type of HRT if this continues at 3 months?

Any advice, appreciated.

Thanks

[Perinowpost]

Hi ChristinaG

I'm on evorel 50 and like it best out of all the hrt's I've tried, and I've tried them all!

I couldn't tolerate the conti part of the regime though so switched to Utrogestan for progesterone. The conti part of evorel has noresthisterone and this is notorious for causing some of the side effects you mention.

I can't comment on indigestion as it's not something I've suffered with although I'm aware many symptoms come and go through meno.  As you've only been on it 7 weeks hopefully this may settle down. Received wisdom is to stick with any regime for at least 3 months.  Wishing you well x

[Hvenab]

I'm on the sequi. I tried the evorel 50 and wasnt feeling much more alert and happier then day 8 terrible headaches for 2 days so I stopped as told to by gp. I had a suggestion on here to try again but half the patch and now on day 8 and had a headache, lots of wind under ribs etc. Not sure related. My gp said to take for 3 months. A lady called hurdity on here is very knowledgeable x

[Dancing Queen]

Hi...I am on evorel sequi and the only side effect I have is insomnia. But as you said my mood has been lifted so much by hrt and I feel normal again that this way outweighs the sleeplessness! The only equivalent patch femseven sequi isnt available at the moment. I had foot and calf cramps and pressure headaches for about 4 months but they passed so worth persevering if you feel better overall xx

[Pink68]

Hi ladies I have just been given everol sequi by GP, haven't started it yet as a bit apprehensive.
I am still having periods but they are irregular. Do you think I should just stick on patch and give it a go? X

[ChristinaG]

Hi All - thanks so much for responding to my post. It is great to have others confirm what I am thinking and feeling.

Perinowpost - I am going to take your advice and if after three months I'm still the same, and speak with the GP about swapping for Utrogestan. I will do a little more reading on her too about the potential change (what a great website forum).

Dancing Queen - like you, it has made me feel so much normal again and even if I need to live with the new side effects there is no going back.

Pink68 - I too had irregular periods and was apprehensive about starting (also concerned about when I should stick on a patch).   Although I can't tell you what is right for you, it might be helpful to understand my experience. I put a patch on after I thought I should have finished my period (which never turned up) and within 24 hours my mood changed. I was thinking over those first few days - this is a placebo effect, I can't possibly be responding to the HRT that quickly. However, the mood lift was so significant and sustained that I believe that I was.  I honestly can't believe how much it has improved my clarity of thought and daily-resilience.  I don't regret trying the patch and I am kicking myself for not seeking support from my doctor sooner (I'm 47 and have been struggling for 2/3 years).

Hvenab- thanks for the insight and hope you find an HRT treatment that works for you!

Thanks again,

[Pink68]

Hi ChristinaG thanks for your reply about evorel . Iam really aporehensive about starting because Iam still having periods but irregular.
Did you go for the full patch or did you half it. I was thinking about halving it but I don't really know much about hrt . I don't know if that means I would half all the patches even when I came to the Conti part.
Hope your still feeling better with your hrt. X

[pants46]

Pink. I'm in the same boat. Picked up my Evorel Sequi patches 2 days ago ... they are currently on the kitchen counter !!
Didn't realise I'm supposed to stick on my arse (or thereabouts) !!
Hadn't considered cutting the patches in half ... but am thinking about it now.

[Pink68]

Hi pants 46 have you took the plunge yet to stick on the patch?
I haven't did it yet, period a week late this month.
Let me know how you get on with your hrt . X

[pants46]

Pink, nope, haven't done it yet. Had a tough day today, and need to up my ADs this weekend, which will probably give me a headache.
When do you think you will get yours on ?

[ChristinaG]

Hi Folks,

For those of you are apprehensive, I was in the same position. I was also having irregular periods but the flushes and insomnia were unbearable and hence the reason I finally took the plunge to go the doctors (3 times before I accepted HRT) and then another 3 weeks before I put the patch on my big arse!

Everyone is different, but I wish I hadn't waited so long. I went for the full patch but based on some of the feedback in this thread (at week eight-ish) I am going to try a 1/2 path for the second phase (conti) and see if that works.  I will feedback and let you know how I get on.  However, not using 1/2 for the first phase because I feel great!

Christina

[pants46]

Christina G, thank you so much for your reply. The patch is going on tomorrow morning. I think I am more excited than I am nervous now. xx

[ChristinaG]

Pants46 how did you get on? I hope you had a positive response? I have tried a 1/2 patch for the second phase (conti) and I'm definitely feeling better during this phase and will keep with that approach for next month too, by which time I should be back at the doctors for a review. Still feeling much better on HRT than without despite the side effects. Loving life again.

[pants46]

Hey ChristinaG.
So the patch went on for the first time last Thursday (I must remember to change it tomorrow morning !!). Went with half a patch, just to see.
It's a bit early to say whether I feel better. I'm still struggling with side effects of ADs 
I have had a couple of nights with the sweats, which I hadn't had before the patches. But could have been the wearher over the weekend. I do think I have less muscle and joint pain.
I'm going to stick with half patches for a full month, so that I'm getting everything in proportion.
Glad you are doing well. You sound really chipper  xx

[Pink68]

Hi pants46 and christinaG, how are you getting on with your everol patches ? I haven't taken the plunge yet. Hope you are doing well. X