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[Clementine]

Symptoms not being adequately controlled with current HRT dose…

I absolutely feel dreadful when I try to increase my HRT patch from 62.5 to 75. It makes me feel manic, intrusive thoughts, worsened brain fog. The problem I have is that my symptoms are telling me I need more oestrogen. I am carrying a lot of belly fat that feels impossible to lose (4 stone overweight). I have dreadful tinnitus, itchy skin, brain fog and anxiety. My sleep is intermittently OK, though I am not post menopausal and am aware still of having a cycle and when I’m ‘due’ I suffer from worsened hypnagogia and insomnia. I am 54 and have a Mirena coil (so I don’t have a bleed) for the progesterone element (Utrogestan gave me fierce PMS symptoms). I am feeling defeated by it all! Does anyone else have this problem? Thank you

[WildOtter]

Following this as I also still feel my dose is too low but have terrible symptoms when I try to increase. It sucks but we'll get there.

[Clementine]

I send solidarity WildOtter!

[Banjo1973]

Is it possible your patch is no longer working for you?

How would you feel about switching to another oestrogen supply?

[CLKD]

I've answered this  .  Why two threads on the same?

[Clementine]

@CKLD an error, apologies. I’m none to bright on this forum, I’ll try to delete. Thanks for letting me know.

[CLKD]

Not about being bright  - Emma will have to delete the other thread. 

[Bungo]

Am on an Irish menopause group on Facebook and they are saying that symptoms of too much oestrogen can mimic too little and they go on alot about histamine. Have you had your ostrodial levels tested ?

[Clementine]

Thanks for this, Bungo. I have had them tested and they’re low. 138pmol. Heading to see if I can find that group.

[Clementine]

Is it possible your patch is no longer working for you?

How would you feel about switching to another oestrogen supply?

It doesn’t matter what patch/gel I use. They’re all the same. Even tho I’m low it seems I can’t tolerate any increase. Thanks for posting:)

[Pippa52]

If its' any consolation I am exactly the same with even a small increase of dose.  I never got up to a 75 patch and having been on 62.5 for 3 months was advised to go down rather than up in dosage and am now on 56 for the last week which seems (so far) to be better.  The Meno consultant said for me personally not to go by blood results go by symptoms and how I feel  The higher dose I went up to the more anxiety, jittery hyper and the more hot flushes and palpitations and insomnia I got bizarrely enough.

[Bungo]

After increasing, have you given it a few months in the hope the increased anxiety will resolve?  I doubled my oestrogel gradually from last October  as my oestrodial was about 150 and was jittery for a month but it seems to have settled. Waiting for blood results at the moment to see if my levels are much higher.

[CLKD]

If anxiety is a problem why not take an anti-anxiety or a suitable AD to ease those symptoms, giving the extra dose a chance to work?  Some do take both to ease symptoms. 

[Clementine]

Thanks Pippa52, it’s a comfort to read I’m not alone! I’ve drawn the conclusion that I’m going to have to ignore blood levels and go by symptoms alone. The poorly controlled symptoms I do have a a doddle compared to the ghastliness I feel on a higher dose. It doesn’t help that I’m still peri with my cycle sputtering on in the background. I’ve had 12 years of peri now and I’m heartily fed up of it. It’s just hardcore.

[Clementine]

Thanks Bungo, I have tried to tolerate, but it’s too miserable!

I haven’t considered an AD, CKLD, but will read up on it. I know lots do. Thanks