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[Bobidy]

Hi

I'm just wondering if anybody uses more than 4 pumps of estrogel?

When do you apply?

Where do you apply?

Do you combine with a patch?

I seem to be hitting a slump on 3.5 so I've gone up to 4 and Dr Newson said it was okay to increase to even more, up to 10 pumps even and this could be spread over 3 x a day. My last level was 356 which she said was just above where she wants me at the lowest end.

I'm not feeling too rubbish but some hotness and tiredness has come back.

I suspect my post hysterectomy ovaries are conking out a bit more, bless them! X

[Sammiejane]

hi bobidy

i don't know what to suggest i thought 4 pumps was maximum ?

i personally wouldn't want to take more estrogen then that for the risks it carries .

how long have you been on 4 pumps as this may take a while to feel the benefit .

reading what your level is i?m wondering if my estrogen was to to low although hot flushes gone .

where do u apply the gel ?

[Honeybean]

I am on 4 pumps but wonder if I should try and reduce to 3 and see what happens. I usually apply to the inner thighs mostly but will use inner arms if I forgotten and am dressed. 

[Sammiejane]

have u noticed any bloating on the gel and is it better when u have applied to arms as opposed to thighs x

i only ask as i've been on the gel and recently stopped it as i've had bloating weight gain headaches hairloss x

[Honeybean]

have u noticed any bloating on the gel and is it better when u have applied to arms as opposed to thighs x

i only ask as i've been on the gel and recently stopped it as i've had bloating weight gain headaches hairloss x

I haven't noticed if it's any different to be honest if on arms or thighs. It's hard to say if I've gained weight due to the gel. I have gained weight since going on the gel but I can't actually definitely blame it on the gel because I was on weight watchers and lost quite a bit of weight. Then went on the gel and didn't restart weight watchers after my holiday. I have put on half a stone since then but I put it down to eating a shed load of biscuits not the gel. It will be interesting to see what happens with my weight when I start my diet again.

Sorry that probably doesn't really answer your question! I guess in a nutshell I can't really say at the moment. Xx

[Ladybt28]

I believe that if you search the forum Bobidy there are posts where ladies (it might only be 1 lady...cant remember!) say that in very special circumstances they have been advised 6 by a consultant, but as I say these are special circumstances and under maximum supervision. It's possible that this person was one of Dr Newsom's patients if she says 10.  I have to say I have never heard of more than 6! (blimey...she said 10!???).

I think I have heard more commonly people are given patches and then top up with gel rather than trying to get a high level with gel alone.  I am in no way suggesting that 6 is ok, just that I know I have read about 6 pumps somewhere on the forum, but if Dr Newsom says more than 4 is ok then I would trust her as she is supervising you!!  If it were me I would put 2 on each thigh and one pump one each shoulder - why not give it a go...if she says its ok what's to lose? xx

[AlphabettiSpaghetti]

I have a problem where I don't absorb oestrogen very well (no one knows why) so I take 4-6 pumps a day PLUS a new 100mg patch every other day

[Salad]

I used a higher dose for sometime -6 pumps, as I had my symptoms returning late afternoon.
In the end I swapped to patches as we worked out I was not absorbing the gel properly. I absorbed too quickly, so had a really high level followed by a slump.

I've absorbed the patches at a more consistent rate so far.

I went from 6 pumps of gel with symptoms still, to being totally controlled with a 75 mcg patch 

[Bobidy]

Great, thanks everyone. I'm going to play it by ear and increase a little.

I don't want to get to the point where I'm applying 3 times a day or multiple body parts though.

I fancy the Estrodot patch but I know there is a supply shortage at the mo so will hang on with the gel. I get allergic to some plasters though so not sure if they will react.

What a balancing act it all is!

[Sammiejane]

hi bobidy.

i think femseven are same as estradot !

although i would rather estradot as they small and stick well x

[Ladybt28]

AlphabettiSpaghetti and Salad...do you both have wombs and if so what doses of progesterone do you use to balance the high doses of gel/oestrogen?  I'm interested to know. x

[AlphabettiSpaghetti]

Ladybt I still have my womb and take 200mg utrogestan orally every day. I've had a biopsy because my lining was too thick. I also have random and sporadic bleeds. Nothing is under control...

[Salad]

AlphabettiSpaghetti and Salad...do you both have wombs and if so what doses of progesterone do you use to balance the high doses of gel/oestrogen?  I'm interested to know. x

No womb here, so just juggling Oestrogen doses. Goodness knows how you ladies cope with Progesterone in the mix 

[Ladybt28]

?.the answer to that Salad is "because we have no other alternative" and it can be rubbish but hey ho it usually ends up as being the lesser of the other evils 

AlphabettiSpaghetti?.have you tried it vaginally?  When you take it orally it get diluted by the stomach acid and processed through the liver.  When you use it vaginally, the whole lot gets absorbed to the place it is supposed to go.  You may find 200mg continuously is a better balance and works better to stop the breakthrough bleeding.
However, I know utrogestan is considered a "mild" progesterone which is probably why your lining is considered thick.  Have you ever tried Provera, it is stronger progesterone and is likely to cause a greater shed of the lining than the Utrogestan or you could have a Mirina fitted which should do the trick?  Sorry if you have already tried or considered those? x

[Sammiejane]

hi salad

are u using the gel and how has your hair been being on estrogen only ?