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[Clare2502]

Newbie here  Been following along in moments of vulnerability and have found this forum to be a great support.

Just turned 40, on the mini pill and was prescribed Evorel Sequi patches a month ago, thought I was getting a life changing birthday present but got way more than I bargained for.

I'm not trying to cause alarm as I know so many people who have had brilliant results with these patches but sadly for me that hasn't been the case. Started the Evorel 50 patches and within 24 hours every mental health condition I suffered with over 20 years came back with a bang. Agoraphobia, OCD, PTSD and major panic attacks with no clear triggers. Haven't been on medication for mental health conditions or had a panic attack for years, but within hours of sticking that wee patch on I was absolutely beside myself with fear and continued to have multiple panic attacks every day, including nocturnal panic attacks.

Rode out the first 2 weeks thinking there would be an adjustment period but the only thing that adjusted was my mood after starting the Evorel conti patch. In between panic attacks I was an inconsolable, weeping mess and having extremely dark thoughts. Crippling anxiety or depression and nothing in between. Managed a whole week on the conti part before I called the GP in an absolute frenzy.

Went this morning and was told to stop the patches immediately and have been prescribed propranolol and diazepam to manage my symptoms while my hormones adjust.

Reading some of the posts on here, I know I'm not alone in this, but has anyone experienced this particularly on the estrogen part? What has been your experience abruptly stopping HRT?

I've been on some version of the pill since I was 14 and have never reacted so terribly to hormones. Going back to the GP in two weeks to see where I'm at symptoms wise and have been assured there alternative forms of HRT that I can try, but going off this experience, I would rather suffer the peri symptoms. Just hope 3 weeks on the patches hasn't set me back years in therapy and work to get to some sort of normality!!

[CLKD]

       hormones 

Which symptom would you like to ease first with HRT?  MayB your body doesn't require it?

You may like to drop into The National Association for Pre-menstrual Syndrome [NAPS] Dr Dalton did a lot of work with girls who suffered psychosis etc. B4 their periods.

Once the hormone levels even out your mental health should improve.  Do use the Valium - how much has been prescribed?  I found it useful for many years on an as-necessary basis. Propranolol 40mg at night to ease early morning anxiety surges.



 

[bombsh3ll]

I'm sorry you've had such a horrific experience.

What I would say though is that if you are having symptoms at 40 that prompted you to start menopause hormone therapy, it is definitely worth exploring alternatives, of which there are many, rather than writing it off, because losing your estrogen at a relatively young age can have negative health consequences above and beyond just symptom control.

When you say you have been on various birth control pills without issues, a combined pill (or the evra patch or Nuvaring) can be a really good option, better than menopause hormone therapy in perimenopause in many ways as it can just shut your own cycle off completely if used continuously, with stable low dose estrogen and progestin added back. This also maintains your bone density.

I take Zoely which is a combined pill with natural 17 beta estradiol, active pills every day no dummy pills, and don't bleed at all or have any hormonal ups or downs.