Hi everyone, hope you are well.
My periods stopped in Jan 19. By June I could not cope with the multiple hot flashes day and night and all the other symptoms of: lethargy, all over body pain, depression etc so I went on HRT patches ( Evorel Conti). The doctor said to take half a patch twice a week. I have Hemiplegic migraines that came with Peri. ( They were triggered by the drop in estrogen after ovulation and at period time). I didn’t feel any bad effects from the patches. I felt a slight improvement. Then in July and August I got a period. My cycles then just seemed to be dominated by my own cycle. I could feel ovulation, I had migraines return at the same time in my cycle they always did. I did not have increased migraine with the patch. They followed the same pattern. Around my period I suffered PMDD depression that I used to have years ago. It had come back in Peri and returned with the periods again. I really want to eliminate PMDD.
I decided that I didn’t want to be on combination patch and discussed with my GP and she prescribed estrogen only patch and Utrogestan which I planned to take vaginally. ( Researched on here ) Unfortunately I could not get the patches so asked for Estrogel. I started at 1 pump but I had awful symptoms. I felt immediately drowsy and hyper, irritable. I felt nauseas. I didn’t get any of this on the patches. I wonder if it was more of a hit to my body. The last time I applied the gel was on a a Sunday about two weeks ago and on the next day ( Mon) I had a blood test that showed estriodol 175 pmol.
For a few days I didn’t have anything as I didn’t want to try the gel again. The vaginal dryness started again so I thought I would put the Evorel Conti patch on until I sorted out what to do. This time I put a full patch on. I had no adverse symptoms. I do feel better but not great. Then a couple of days ago it was day 12 of my cycle. I felt my own estrogen kick in and I had two wonderful days around mid cycle where I felt like me again. My body didn’t hurt, no backache, good energy and mood. I was confident and articulate. My brain worked and I could cook a meal and clean the house. My mind was great and I felt like the old me.
Today is day 15 and I am in a slump again. I have no energy, no motivation. I have terrible bodywide pain. Even the soles of my feet hurt. I am hobbling around like an old lady. My mood is flat and I cannot be bothered to do anything. I have severe lower back pain which had gone the last few days. I feel that I might not be on enough and my own cycle is dictating how things are going to be. Am I right in thinking that my own estrogen kicked in at mid cycle and peaked so added to the HRT patch and made me feel good?
In all my hormone tests my estrogen, progesterone and testosterone has come back low. Are those two days a glimpse of how HRT can work when you are on the optimal dose?
I do not wish to stay on Evorel Conti long term as the combined has a risk. I have an appointment booked with GP. I liked the idea of the gel. I am wondering if the initial symptoms would wear off. I know that you have to give HRT time to work.
I also wanted to say that the gel gave me blurred vision in my left eye and a tingling line sensation across my nose. I have also had this symptom over the last year on and off.
Thank you for any advise or thought.
Cally.