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[JillyMack]

Hi I’m new here! Good so see I’m not alone. I’m 47 and have been on Estradot since about October of 2021. There’s only one GP at my practice who will even consider HRT, so I spoke to her last year and she was up for me trying it. I was having hot flushes, very long menstrual cycles, worsening anxiety/depression and rosacea. I started on 25, then upped it to 50 and it was helping to an extent. Bit more energy, less flushing and better sleep. I thought it would be worth trying 75 patch and started that at the beginning of this month and I have been feeling horrendous - terrible nausea, jittery, awful heartburn and dizzy headaches.

I have tried to deal with these side-effects, but am waiting on the GP calling me this afternoon because I can’t stand it anymore! It’s so debilitating and I haven’t had a period in 80 days. Has anyone else had this experience when they’ve upped their dosage? I have the complication of having long covid of my gut and an under-functioning gallbladder. So I do feel rubbish a lot, but never this much nausea - it’s like morning sickness all over again. I feel I need to go back to the 50
patch to see if it’s the dosage that’s making me feel sick or my gallbladder (I have no pain and no other gallbladder symptoms). I do know that nausea, indigestion etc are side effects of Estradot.

Thing is, my GP is really curt and I’m sitting here literally shaking, waiting for her to call. We don’t get given a time. She was really abrupt the last time I spoke to her and I’m needing a sympathetic ear! X

[Kathleen]

Hello JillyMack and welcome to the forum.

It's a shame that your GP is so abrupt but that doesn't alter the fact that you are entitled to good quality care.

You may already have spoken to her and decided on your treatment but going back to the 50mcg patch would at least rule out any side effects from the 75mcg patch.  I am told that too much Oestrogen can be as problematic as too little so you are right to think your symptoms may be the result of your recent increase.

Wishing you well and let us know how you get on.

K.

[Flossieteacake]

It is appalling your GP has such a poor attitude! I hope you managed to get the phone call now and it went okay.

[ATB]

Oh I’m sorry, it’s horrible dealing with unhelpful doctors when you feel anxious. I’m similar age and also been on estrogen similar time period and I too seemed to get worse on 75, so I did go back down but after 3 months. It was only super difficult at the end month, I had a period of feeling ok but then it was obviously too much. I feel good now on 50. Do you take testosterone too or just the estrogen patch? Also, I have to tell myself this too, don’t let these damn doctors intimidate you and make you nervous. They should be more approachable and friendly if they want to be GPs! Remember it’s your body and you have a right to be listened to. 

[CLKD]

I would drop from the 75 to 50 if you have some, but not all at once: do it every 3rd night as the body doesn't like a shock!  Let us know what your GP suggests, mayB last time she had been dealing with telling someone bad news ......... or feeling 'off'. 

You should by now be able to have a face2face appt. 

[ATB]

I think checking in with your doctor about how to reduce is best. My private doctor just dropped me down, from 75 to 50 ( after 3 mo on 75 ) and as it’s a small adjustment it didn’t seem to have been an issue.

[JillyMack]

Hello JillyMack and welcome to the forum.

It's a shame that your GP is so abrupt but that doesn't alter the fact that you are entitled to good quality care.

You may already have spoken to her and decided on your treatment but going back to the 50mcg patch would at least rule out any side effects from the 75mcg patch.  I am told that too much Oestrogen can be as problematic as too little so you are right to think your symptoms may be the result of your recent increase.

Wishing you well and let us know how you get on.

K.

Thanks so much. She let me talk at least! Last time she interrupted me. She said she was 99% certain it’s a bad reaction to the 75mcg. So she’s giving me a prescription for the 50mcg. But no sympathy or reassurance…..x

[JillyMack]

It is appalling your GP has such a poor attitude! I hope you managed to get the phone call now and it went okay.

Hey there,
She is like a robot, honestly! She did let me talk, but just said I was reacting to the higher dosage and she’ll give me the 50mcg. But I was feeling really anxious and she didn’t offer a single piece of care or reassurance. It’s not a good practice where I live. Xx

[JillyMack]

Oh I’m sorry, it’s horrible dealing with unhelpful doctors when you feel anxious. I’m similar age and also been on estrogen similar time period and I too seemed to get worse on 75, so I did go back down but after 3 months. It was only super difficult at the end month, I had a period of feeling ok but then it was obviously too much. I feel good now on 50. Do you take testosterone too or just the estrogen patch? Also, I have to tell myself this too, don’t let these damn doctors intimidate you and make you nervous. They should be more approachable and friendly if they want to be GPs! Remember it’s your body and you have a right to be listened to.

Thanks so much. I’m sorry you had the same experience. I have just been feeling so nauseous, dizzy and not remotely like myself at all. I don’t think GPs understand how distressing this is. She knows I’ve been in and out of hospital the last couple of years too and that this was the last thing I was needing, but she was so cold. I just wanted her to say she was sorry I was going through a lot and that she was going to help me figure out what’s going on. But nope. Once I told her my sorry tale, she couldn’t get off the phone fast enough!  X

[JillyMack]

I would drop from the 75 to 50 if you have some, but not all at once: do it every 3rd night as the body doesn't like a shock!  Let us know what your GP suggests, mayB last time she had been dealing with telling someone bad news ......... or feeling 'off'. 

You should by now be able to have a face2face appt. 

I agree about the face2face appointment! My practice are dead against it still - though I’m in Scotland and I think we’re a bit behind everyone else in the U.K. I have a horrible feeling my practice are going to want to keep it this way. They really only see you if you’re in dire need. But I feel they need to SEE their patients - their eyes, their pallor, their emotional state. Really have no idea how they can justify their massive salaries right now……

[JillyMack]

I think checking in with your doctor about how to reduce is best. My private doctor just dropped me down, from 75 to 50 ( after 3 mo on 75 ) and as it’s a small adjustment it didn’t seem to have been an issue.

Thanks so much - that’s very reassuring! Are you on Estradot too? Xx