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[Emsie]

Hi

I am having a terrible time lately and as a result of which I spoke with Newsons.

I was taking 3 pumps of the gel, but the doctor felt for a lady of my age (48) I would be on 4 pumps, this is what they would always recommend, but also suggested I change to Estraderm MX 100 patches.

I feel awful, but I don't know if I feel worse than before I changed...its all merging into one.  Headache, anxiety, low mood, tearful, I am struggling to get out of bed each day.

Has anyone had this with increasing or changing their HRT and did it improve?

Thanks.

[Amazing grace]

Hi, I am the same age as you 48,ive been on hrt since 44, I had a hysterectomy but retained ovaries, but like you I'm always told due to my age I should be on 4 pumps of gel or a 100 patch, I tryed many times but always went back down due to side effects especially those you list, but I tryed again in October last year, and stuck it out through all the side effects, the headache everyday and heightened anxiety was the worse for me, I'm on 3xpumps of estrogel and doctor wants me to try 4 which I will but it's took this long to get used to 3 pumps, so yes increasing the dose, and changing hrt certainly causes those kind of symptoms, I even had awful sweating when first increasing the dose and insomnia , it will settle its just requires a ton of patience, very difficult I know when you feel so rubbish, but try to stay with it, hoping you feel better soon.

[Emsie]

Thank you so much for you reply Amazing Grace, I started crying when I read it as I am at the end of my tether and what you have put has given me hope.....

This is so awful isnt it.   

Good luck with your increase. xx

[Amazing grace]

Hi emsie , you are so welcome, I really feel for you as I've been in exactly the same place as you, and at times felt like I would never feel anywhere near normal again, but honestly there is a point when things settle down, and I agree it is the most awful thing to be going through, sending you a big hug and wishing you much better days ahead, support is everything too, weather you come here for a bit of advice or reassurance or have someone you can talk too in person, hope it settles for you soon, let us know how you get on.
Take care and be kind to yourself.
Grace.

[Winter]

Hi Emsie and Amazing Grace,

I'm doing the same at the moment. On 3 pumps and specialist has said I need 4 - and I'm 48. 2 pumps worked well for me and then symptoms all came rushing back. I went to 3 and no change, so now moving slowly to 4 - I'm starting with 3.5. I feel AWFUL, but I'm sticking with it - hair isn't falling out as much so my body obviously needs it, and I'm sleeping well, but anxiety is high and I feel teary. I'm grieving also, so it's hard to distinguish what's happening.

Please keep reassuring about sticking with the increases though - I need it too!

[Amazing grace]

Hi winter, sorry to hear you too are suffering with symptoms when increasing, it's tough to carry on when you feel so awful, are you on estrogel?, I've managed to stick it out since October last year on 3xpumps estrogel, I felt OK for a few weeks, but suddenly been hit by horrendous headaches again and anxiety, I'm resisting the temptation to go back to two, I don't know if I will ever get to 4 and tolerate it, but I can offer you encouragement to carry on with the 3.5, it's a good result that your hair isn't falling out so much and you are sleeping better they are really positive signs that the level is good for you, sorry to hear you are grieving, this will certainly be adding to you feeling teary and causing an increase in anxiety, I hope in time that will ease for you, it  would certainly be hard to know which is responsible for those emotions, take the good outcome you've had with hair and sleep as a sign to stick with it, best of luck, I'll be interested to see how both you and Emsie get on with increasing the dose and if you eventually get to 4.
Take care, be kind to yourself
Grace.

[Cookie25]

Hi Ladies,

Thank you for sharing your journeys. I am 47, peri and on 4 pumps oestrogel and 12 days a month on utrogestan.

Each time I've upped the dose I feel great for a week or two and then it's as if it wears off? My confusion is around how do I know if I have too much or too little oestrogen because I've heard so many ladies on here say the symptoms are the same?

Thanks
COOKIE
xxxxx

[Amazing grace]

The symptoms of too high and too low are the same, I can't give you an answer on that question because it's one I've also been confused about and can't seem to find an answer, they say go off how you feel, but when you never seem to feel good and have symptoms of both low and high how are you supposed to figure it out so frustrating, I'd say a blood test but I guess that's more reliable post menopause rather than peri, I can only come to the conclusion it's the constant hormone fluctuations during peri, taking the estrogen too high at certain times, if it is I suppose there's not much we can do, unless we could use something to override the natural hormones such has certain birth control pills, which must work for some as my sister in law takes it, she's 49 and not had a single peri menopause symptom as yet, I envy her being spared this nightmare, but that's not an option for me, sorry that I can't give you an answer, but your not alone, dispite my earlier optimistic view of finally settling on 3xpumps, Im back to feeling too high, horrendous headaches everyday and heightened anxiety are making me about to go back to 2xpumps  , hope you find a good balance soon.