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[Kelrob12]

Hi Everyone,

Been reading the posts on the forum now for months but never actually posted! Im 40, been in surgical menopause for 18 months. Currently on 50mg Estraderm and 200mg cyclic utrogestan.
Havent felt great the whole time. Hot flushes stopped though so my GP won't prescribe any higher oestrogen. Got referred to a doctor who prescribe testogel but was hard to dose and I got the most awful numb tingling arms and ankles so stopped taking it. Then lockdown happened and I can't get hold of him to discuss ! After speaking to Newson health they said that if you don't have the right amount of oestrogen then testosterone converts to oestrogen so its pointless. So after debating about the mega cost of going private (I justify that Id rather feel great then buy any clothes ever again haha) I spoke to Newson health. They suggest to up my oestrogen and probably add testosterone. Anyway, there is a question coming after all that haha

Does anyone find that they have numb or tingling ache muscles and arms and sore joints - is it possible it could be a sign of too much oestrogen? Or is it possible that I need a lot bigger does?
Also I was given evorel as there was no estraderm but I needed a patch and a half to give me the same effect of around 66mg estraderm( I used to put a patch and 1/3! just as I felt crap so though it was worth trying.). Has anyone seen a difference in brands? As Newson health have given me 75mg estradot.
And lastly Read a lot about progesterone and many being intolerant - is there anyone out there who feels better? I think I actually feel better on 100mg a night constantly - happier, slight increase sex drive - but nothing Ive read would point to this being possible based on evidence? So I keep doubting it and thinking its all in my head!

thanks for reading this far! and for all the posts I read to get to this point that helped me!
Kelly

[CLKD]

 

Can't help but didn't want to read and run 

[Yorkshire Girl]

I have been in surgical menopause for 3.5 years and I'm usually on Everol 100mg but on a different patch at the mo due to supply issues, and also on testosterone and I've not had any issues. Sorry can't be anymore help.

[Taz2]

Hi Kelly. I hope you get some answers soon. The only time I had tingling and aching muscles was when I'd become anaemic without realising it. I think lack of B12 can cause tingling.

Taz x 

[sheila99]

Different brands use different carriers so you might absorb more from one than another. You need cyclic progesterone if you're peri, in meno most people take it continuously though some who are prog intolerant prefer to continue to cycle. Sore joints can be from lack of oestrogen though of course there are other causes too. There is a recent post on tingling, it was a lack of something but I can't remember what, it wasn't oestrogen and I don't think it was b12. It might be worth increasing oestrogen to see, you can reduce again if you're no different.
Do you have any other symptoms?

[LizzyLoo]

Hi Everyone,

Been reading the posts on the forum now for months but never actually posted! Im 40, been in surgical menopause for 18 months. Currently on 50mg Estraderm and 200mg cyclic utrogestan.
Havent felt great the whole time. Hot flushes stopped though so my GP won't prescribe any higher oestrogen. Got referred to a doctor who prescribe testogel but was hard to dose and I got the most awful numb tingling arms and ankles so stopped taking it. Then lockdown happened and I can't get hold of him to discuss ! After speaking to Newson health they said that if you don't have the right amount of oestrogen then testosterone converts to oestrogen so its pointless. So after debating about the mega cost of going private (I justify that Id rather feel great then buy any clothes ever again haha) I spoke to Newson health. They suggest to up my oestrogen and probably add testosterone. Anyway, there is a question coming after all that haha

Does anyone find that they have numb or tingling ache muscles and arms and sore joints - is it possible it could be a sign of too much oestrogen? Or is it possible that I need a lot bigger does?
Also I was given evorel as there was no estraderm but I needed a patch and a half to give me the same effect of around 66mg estraderm( I used to put a patch and 1/3! just as I felt crap so though it was worth trying.). Has anyone seen a difference in brands? As Newson health have given me 75mg estradot.
And lastly Read a lot about progesterone and many being intolerant - is there anyone out there who feels better? I think I actually feel better on 100mg a night constantly - happier, slight increase sex drive - but nothing Ive read would point to this being possible based on evidence? So I keep doubting it and thinking its all in my head!

thanks for reading this far! and for all the posts I read to get to this point that helped me!
Kelly

Hi Kelly.Louise

I am surgical menopause too and have been on the patches for 14 years now! Up until this shortage I had been on just the one - Evorel 50 and that with ovestin cream (twice weekly) has done the job for me. Since the shortage in meds I have now though been on both Estraderm mx50 and the Estradot 50 and didn't notice any difference in effect of the patches ......which I had previously been really worried about. So that's my first answer I can give. As long as the doseage is the same then that is the most important thing. Personally I don't ever want to change from a patch as treatment.

You say about progesterone though? I presume (unlike myself) you haven't had a total hyst? As once everything has been removed there is no need/nor should there be any progesterone meds x

[Kelrob12]

Thanks everyone for the replies, yeah I think I might aswell increase then if no change can always go back down. She did say she would be very surprised if at my age 50mg was enough so its worth a shot. As far as other symptoms, tired all the time, rubbish sleep, low sex drive (but the progesterone helps a bit), emotionally bit flat, anxiety. But no hot flushes. Dry skin bit itchy, crappy thin hair but that wasn't great before my op haha!
I do take B12 and B9. I think I am quite sensitive to hormones so any change even slight I do feel. If once I get the level right and I don't change then Im hoping it all settles. They said it can take a couple of years to get the tweaking right, but at least then its done and won't have to do it in again drastically. I am going to get the testosterone  too once Ive upped my estrogen, I do feel a bit more apprehensive of this though with long term risks.
xx

[Kelrob12]

Hi Everyone,

Been reading the posts on the forum now for months but never actually posted! Im 40, been in surgical menopause for 18 months. Currently on 50mg Estraderm and 200mg cyclic utrogestan.
Havent felt great the whole time. Hot flushes stopped though so my GP won't prescribe any higher oestrogen. Got referred to a doctor who prescribe testogel but was hard to dose and I got the most awful numb tingling arms and ankles so stopped taking it. Then lockdown happened and I can't get hold of him to discuss ! After speaking to Newson health they said that if you don't have the right amount of oestrogen then testosterone converts to oestrogen so its pointless. So after debating about the mega cost of going private (I justify that Id rather feel great then buy any clothes ever again haha) I spoke to Newson health. They suggest to up my oestrogen and probably add testosterone. Anyway, there is a question coming after all that haha

Does anyone find that they have numb or tingling ache muscles and arms and sore joints - is it possible it could be a sign of too much oestrogen? Or is it possible that I need a lot bigger does?
Also I was given evorel as there was no estraderm but I needed a patch and a half to give me the same effect of around 66mg estraderm( I used to put a patch and 1/3! just as I felt crap so though it was worth trying.). Has anyone seen a difference in brands? As Newson health have given me 75mg estradot.
And lastly Read a lot about progesterone and many being intolerant - is there anyone out there who feels better? I think I actually feel better on 100mg a night constantly - happier, slight increase sex drive - but nothing Ive read would point to this being possible based on evidence? So I keep doubting it and thinking its all in my head!

thanks for reading this far! and for all the posts I read to get to this point that helped me!
Kelly

Hi Kelly.Louise

I am surgical menopause too and have been on the patches for 14 years now! Up until this shortage I had been on just the one - Evorel 50 and that with ovestin cream (twice weekly) has done the job for me. Since the shortage in meds I have now though been on both Estraderm mx50 and the Estradot 50 and didn't notice any difference in effect of the patches ......which I had previously been really worried about. So that's my first answer I can give. As long as the doseage is the same then that is the most important thing. Personally I don't ever want to change from a patch as treatment.

You say about progesterone though? I presume (unlike myself) you haven't had a total hyst? As once everything has been removed there is no need/nor should there be any progesterone meds x

Hi,
Yes I still have my uterus so need the progesterone. was on 200mg cyclically, but I did find I got headaches the first few days then I was fine but then the drop again when I stopped, I just felt was up and down so I tried 100mg continuous and felt better
xx

[LizzyLoo]

I get a lot of your symptoms too but I am unable to risk going on to higher oestrogen (due to any residual endo spots left) so I am afraid I have to cope with it and staying on the 50. Not ideal but the one thing I would have issues with is the flushes. So I am also relieved I don't get those. 

[sheila99]

Your other symptoms would suggest low oestrogen. Testosterone is a good idea once your oestrogen is stable,it helped my tiredness, muscle tone and motivation as well as libido. You'll need a referral to a menopause clinic to get it. I'd be interested to know what they say about continuous prog.

[sheila99]

The tingling was low phosphate
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,48109.0.html

[lillith112]

It's funny you say that as I was on Estraderm mx50 and I have had such sore joints, hips, elbows, knees, fatigue, also my hands were going numb every single night. I thought the same as you that maybe my estrogen was too low or too high so I paid for a private estrogen test and my levels were 227 which is apparently is fine. I've now switched to Estradose gel and feel so much better, joints stopped hurting and numbness in hands improved. Maybe we had a bad reaction to those patches ?.

Lillith.

[Bobidy]

Oooo I have the numb hands thing every night in bed, so weird, and horrible too! X

[Kelrob12]

The tingling was low phosphate
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,48109.0.html

Thanks worth mentioning to my gp x

[Kelrob12]

Your other symptoms would suggest low oestrogen. Testosterone is a good idea once your oestrogen is stable,it helped my tiredness, muscle tone and motivation as well as libido. You'll need a referral to a menopause clinic to get it. I'd be interested to know what they say about continuous prog.

Thanks, I tried in in January but I don't think my estrogen is right so stopped. Newson health have said they will prescribe once my estrogen is high enough. Louise Nelson is on Instagram and does load of information, I think in one she said it was better for protection to take progesterone daily, but I could be remembering wrong theres lots to take in! 😂X