Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Pippa52]

Hi Everyone thought I would just share my story of my journey with HRT just in case it might help someone else.  Long story short due to HRT shortages had to be changed from pillar to post with different types and doses and its been a total roller coaster.  My HRT levels were all over the place due to this and actually my blood level plummeted to only 50 pmol when put back on Oestrogel as to me, something in it has changed as I was on it for over 25 years with no problems but since the shortages when it became available again I was put back on it - felt really unwell and when I was sent for a blood test for oestrogen levels it was only 50 pmol so clearly I was not absorbing it at all even though I was on 3 pumps daily.  I was changed onto Estradot a year ago to gradually work my way up on dosage.  Again I didn't feel great and had real problems with palpitations and tachycardia and was actually wrongly mis diagnosed by a cardiologist with Atrial fibrillation.  Long story short again but sought a second opinion as no further up tests had been done to collaborate the diagnosis which was off one ECG trace from a mobile tool and it transpired I do not have atrial fibrillation at all.  I was still having problems not feeling great so again sought a second opinion from an amazing Meno specialist and had some more blood tests. She was very thorough and spent ages talking to me.  I asked if I could change my patches every 2 days rather than 3 - 4 days as I just never felt on an even keel.  She agreed it was the right way forward and a month ago I did just that.  Wow what a difference at long last I feel human and my latest blood levels were 319 pmol and I feel like a new person.  I am levelling out now on a dose of 62.5 (a 37.5 patch plus a 25) which clearly is right for me.  I just wanted to let people know that for some changing a patch every 3 - 4 days means the level can drop too low and can put people on a roller coaster of never levelling out. xxx

[Flossieteacake]

Thank you for sharing this. What wonderful news you are feeling much better. It was very smart of you to think of changing your patches every 2 days. I am so pleased to hear you are feeling better again.

[discogirl]

Hi Pippa52,

I'm not on patches but I'm so very very pleased for you as I know it's been a long journey for you to get this right.

Isn't it funny something as simple as changing patches every 2 days would make a difference.

Really glad for you and nice to hear a happy ending xxx

[Pippa52]

Flossieteacake - thank you so much for your lovely message - you are always so kind and caring and supportive of everyone on here. xx

[Pippa52]

discogirl - thank you also so much for your lovely message I so appreciate it xx

[KaraShannon]

Thanks Pippa52, glad you're feeling better.  I had a bit of a suspicion about this but not symptoms to that extent, but definitely some, so going to give this more thought.

So changing a patch earlier doesn't overdose the level?  I thought perhaps it did but maybe not if there's a steady absorption.

[Kathleen]

Hello Pippa52.

Than you so much for your very helpful update.

Your experience demonstrates the importance of hormonal balance and how upsetting a roller coaster ride can be!

Well done for working it all out and wishing you well for the future.

Take care.

K.

[Nas]

Nice one Pippa!
Well done for taking control of the rollercoaster. Every 2 days seems a good regime. I find that after 3/4 days, the patch is curling and losing effectiveness anyway.

Do you have enough patches to last you the month, doing it that way though ? 

[Pippa52]

Karashannon - no you don't overdose by changing every 2 days the Meno consultant assured me of that, like you said, the patches release a certain controlled amount of oestrogen over the day but it does decrease as the days go by and I suppose for me the decreased amount was not sufficient to keep me on an even keel. xx

[Pippa52]

Nas - regarding using more patches per month the Meno consultant wrote to my GP to ask him to increase the amount of patches I am prescribed each month with the reason for doing so and he was then happy to alter my prescription to add more per month. xx

[KaraShannon]

Karashannon - no you don't overdose by changing every 2 days the Meno consultant assured me of that, like you said, the patches release a certain controlled amount of oestrogen over the day but it does decrease as the days go by and I suppose for me the decreased amount was not sufficient to keep me on an even keel. xx

Thanks Pippa

Definitely worth knowing, that's reassuring.

[Peri2022]

Hi Pippa, I’m so glad you’re feeling better. Well done advocating for yourself. Just wondering if your heart issues finally settled? I started having palpitations/ectopic beats back in May. Eased slightly when I upped my Estradot to 50mcg but still very present and unnerving on some days…my GP referred me to a palpitation clinic, which was declined…am wondering if like you I should go up to 62.5 or even 75?