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[Epona52]

Hi ladies, just a quick question I've been on estradiol gel for five years now and in the last two years I've been experiencing extremely bad anxiety and now more recently the hot flushes have returned with a vengeance!! I'm 52 and had a hysterectomy age 34 but keeping both ovaries, I've not been myself for what seems a long time low moods and feeling all over the place etc, I'm currently on 3 pumps of gel, any advice would be appreciated, many thanks

[CLKD]

It could be your ovaries having a party 

R U due for an HRT review?

[Epona52]

Thank you, to be honest I don't have hrt reviews and have never been asked by the gp to come in and have one, I did ask for estrogen levels to be checked and they were 189 a few months ago, I also don't know where I am in menopause, I started having hot flushes and mood swings at 47, now 51 and feel worse than ever 

[CLKD]

How do you get your prescriptions for HRT if you don't see a Doctor?

Is there a Nurse Practitioner at your Surgery or mayB ask to be seen in a dedicated menopause clinic.   There are waiting lists.

[Epona52]

My prescription are on repeat, I only see the doctor when absolutely necessary and  it's hard now to get face to face consultation, I still don't think gp's are truly clued up when it comes to menopause and I've searched for menopause clinic near me and there isn't one, one gp I saw recommended this site for advice..

[CLKD]

How long have you been using 3 pumps?  It mayB too much all at once or not enough, sometimes 2 is enough with the occasional 3rd a few times a week so that the body isn't overloaded.

[Flossieteacake]

My prescription are on repeat, I only see the doctor when absolutely necessary and  it's hard now to get face to face consultation, I still don't think gp's are truly clued up when it comes to menopause and I've searched for menopause clinic near me and there isn't one, one gp I saw recommended this site for advice..

You can have menopause appointments by phone. That is what I do. Maybe that is an option?

I am sorry you are going through this. I have not found GPs helpful for menopause.

[Epona52]

Thank you ladies, I've been on 3 pumps for about 2 years now, I have 2 am and 1 pm, I've been wondering myself if I need more or less, also having bladder issues and on vagifem once daily, could I be post menopause that's the question on my mind lately, not enjoying this journey at all considering when I first started hrt I felt so much better, just feeling I've gone backwards now and been bombarded with symptoms..

[Joaniepat]

If your symptoms are not resolved (or returning) it would be reasonable to go up to 4 pumps, which is the maximum licensed dose, although some women need more. At 189 pmol/l, your serum estradiol level is quite low. You could increase to 4 pumps and see how you feel, or maybe try a different delivery method such as a patch.
JP x

[Epona52]

Thank you joanipat,
Now that I have managed to get hold of gel again I will maybe try slowly increasing the dose as the 3 doesn't seem to help much, I'm so glad you said my levels seem low as the gp a young lady said that they were perfectly fine!
If you remember I had to switch to sandrena a couple of weeks ago due to shortage of estradiol gel, but I have some now, the sweats during the day have been awful and my hair is limp along with anxiety, weight gain, not changed eating habits, depression and just a feeling of being overwhelmed really easily, and the waking up early in panic states,