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[CS24]

Hi,

I was taking HRT with no issues until 8 weeks ago when lots of changes were made to my dose of HRT which has resulted in sleep problems.

My oestrogen dose was increased resulting in my levels going from 170 to 778 with an in crease from a 100 patch & 2 pumps to 100 patch plus 6 pumps of gel.

Then my progesterone with utrogestan was doubled from 100 to 200 and this then created full on insomnia. They dosage and appproach to how I used it has also been changed several times.

I have reduced my dosage in the last week to 50 patch and 2 pumps of oestrogen and 100 of progesterone.

I am taking antihistamine to help with sleep but I don’t want to take these longer than needed.

Keen to hear how long it takes to have your hormones resettle with too many changes to dosages?

[Hurdity]

The general advice is to allow 3 months to fully stabilise. If you're taking progesterone continuously then this can also contribute to sleep problems which is paradoxical since progesterone is a sedative.

For me for example when on the prog phase of my cycle - I feel really tired, especially in the morning (more so than usual) and sleep deeply, but also get vivid dreams which disturb my sleep, and night-waking to empty bladder which doesn't normally happen (due to minimal drinking of liquids during the evening).

If you're taking it continuously then you could try taking it cyclically - but that does mean acclimatising to it every 4 weeks and going through prog withdrawal symptoms - but could be preferable to having to put up with the symptos every day.

However - best to just change one thing at a time and see how you feel after 3 months on current regime - then review?

Also are you peri or post-menopausal?

Hurdity x

 

[Fleurette]

Hi CS24,
I can’t answer that question but I am in a similar boat. I started HRT in February and once I hit 50 estrodot (and continuous utrogestan) I started to feel better quite quickly, would be settled on the new dose after a two week headache, and within 6 weeks would know that I needed an increase. That is until 10 weeks ago when I was told to increase from 2mg of sandrena to 3mg so I could get my estrodiol high enough to start testosterone. I’m guessing the jump was too big and I started back with anxiety and panic attacks. After 2 weeks I reduced to 2mg again but continued to carryon with panic attacks so switched back to patches and settled on 125 estrodot. Stuck that out of 5 weeks then had bloods taken and estrodiol was 320pmol/L so the specialist changed me to 5 pumps of estrogel to see if I absorb it better. It’s been 10 days on it now and I’m feeling worse. I know they say to wait 3 months but I’m not sure I’ll survive. I don’t know if I’m not getting enough or if I have too much. The mental anguish it causes me constantly second guessing what I need is exhausting and only adds to my anxiety. I’ve started waking up constantly to my whole body tingling. What’s that about?? The doctor said she’d take bloods after 6 weeks to see if I’m absorbing but I don’t know if I can stick it out that long. I did increase my patch to 150 before the switch to estrogel and I had a couple of really good days on that so I was keen to stay on the patches but the doctor was a bit concerned about the dose so switched me to a lower amount of gel. I don’t know which way is up at the moment so I really feel for you.
Out of interest, how did you feel when your estrodiol increased to 700? Did you feel like it was too high?

[Dramy3]

Following this for interest as I'm in a sort of similar boat. I'm peri but 5 years post-hysterectomy. I'm 47.

I was on 50mcg Estradot + 2 pumps of Oestrogel for a month but was having terrible night sweats (hadn't had those in a few years and only sporadically, not every night) and some ovary discomfort. Felt very PMS-y so knew the dose was a bit high. But my anxiety, panic and nausea went away. Had more energy as well. I left it 4 weeks to see if things resolved and then had a blood test. My oestrodiol was 726 (up from 280 from my previous regimen of 75mcg estradot). I took it down to the 50mcg patch and 1 pump of gel. Felt good for 12 days and now the anxiety and nausea have returned. A bit teary and short tempered as well. I'm going to give it a few more weeks and test again. then maybe change to no patch and 2 pumps of gel as the patch isn't doing much I don't think.

Never would've thought too mucy oestrogen could cause night sweats, but apparently it's a known thing.

This stuff really kicks you when you're down!