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[Pippa52]

Wrensong...it makes me so cross that us women have to keep going through this having to chop and change.  I understand that Estradot are available sporadically at some pharmacies but not a reliable supply as of yet and they keep putting back the dates they are due to come back.  I haven't tried a different site as of yet as never had a problem over the past few years but I will try somewhere else and see if the skin is less sensitive there.   I still have some Novartis ones left so when they are gone I will try the Sandoz ones on a different site. Thank you for suggesting x

[Wrensong]

It's beyond tiresome Pippa, isn't it?  All these difficulties add to the outrage, frustration & disappointment it's hard to suppress in relation to the low priority women at midlife & beyond are afforded as regards healthcare.  I had high hopes that Dame Lesley Regan would sort all this out as women's health ambassador, but I imagine it's like turning round a cruise ship.

Yes, I'd seen on some websites that the Estradot dose I use was supposed to be back in stock in July but when I contacted a pharmacy earlier this week (to buy privately) that's previously been able to provide when others couldn't, I was told none expected until March.  I don't want to reorder on the NHS just now while I still have some Estradot left because my local pharmacy will substitute another brand, probably Evorel, under the SSP.  I will have to of course eventually if I can't get Estradot.  Due to see the Cons who oversees my care this week & tempted to ask him to issue a script for Estradot & send it to his preferred pharmacy, the one I emailed this week, in case they are wrong about supply & they do manage to get some before mine run out.  Not sure how long they would keep the script if they can't supply right now though.

[Pippa52]

Wrensong - it really is - like I've said many times I am coming back as a man!!! I would defiintely ask your Cons to issue you a script why not go for it He may have another pharmacy he could use that might have some stock.  Will pm you x

[Wrensong]

Thank you.

[joziel]

Wrensong, if it helps I got Estradot 100 on the NHS this month - from Pharmacy2U....

[Wrensong]

Joziel, thank you for that, I appreciate it  .

[Kelrob12]

Hi,
Just read the thread and wanted to say I’m in the same boat. Was on 100mg estradot 6 years ago dues to surgical menopause and getting good levels- fast forward to a few months again and absorption is all I’ve the place. But doesn’t help that on top of that the shortage has meant swapping and changing. I’ve no idea if symptoms are some days to high estrogen or too low. I’m also trying to get the progesterone correct. It’s so draining isn’t it!
Kelly x

[Pippa52]

kelrob12 - oh no I am so sorry to hear this. Its such a nightmare it really is.  Just when you think you have the right treatment at the right dose things get changed or there is a shortage and back to square one not being able to get the medication we need Did you find the problems started when you changed over to the Sandoz brand too?  Are you still on Estradot or have you had to change?  Huge empathy to you - its beyond frustrating having to keep changing medications 

[Dandelion]

Pippa, I read all this just now and immediately after your first post I wanted to say that all those symptoms you describe are symptoms of too *low* estrogen, not too high. SOME of them (jitteriness) can also be high, but it is very unlikely that a 50 patch would be too high for anyone and causing those kind of symptoms. It is much more likely that your absorption has changed for some reason and you're not absorbing your patch as well as previously, causing low symptoms.

The only way you can know if you are too low or too high, is to do a blood test. If your GP won't do it, you can do one for about £45 via Randox Health at home. I recommend their 'premium' device option which takes the blood from your shoulder, it's much easier and more reliable than finger pricks. Your E should be definitely over 270 at a minimum to get the health benefits of HRT and many women need it around 450.

Hello
My Dr says oestrogen has to be 300-350 for symptom control. She is a Newson Dr so I assume she knows her stuff like Dr Newson.
I'm now on 200mcg oestrogen, my patches stick well, it's just my skin.
I'm interested to hear about many women needing blood levels around 450, would you let me know where you found that so I can have a read?
Thank you 🙏

[Pippa52]

After an horrendous day yesterday of trying the Sandoz version of Estradot patches again which made me feel beyond awful  I have done the deed and started Lenzetto this morning.  2 sprays to start with and see how it goes - I feel pretty sure I will need 3 eventually but Meno consult advised start at 2.  Fingers tightly crossed this works as I am running out of options.  I do love, love love the ease of using Lenzetto - now it just needs to work!!!

[joziel]

Dandelion, everyone is individual and needs varying amounts for symptom-control. And the benefits in terms of bone health etc increase, the more you go up to (although obviously you don't want to go too high or you get bleeding etc). The very very minimum is around 300-350, but it's not enough for many women. Many need 450-600pmol, and some need even higher. It's individual. But you need to make sure you are not on a really low amount. And if you still have symptoms, you should be allowed to trial higher.

[Kelrob12]

After an horrendous day yesterday of trying the Sandoz version of Estradot patches again which made me feel beyond awful  I have done the deed and started Lenzetto this morning.  2 sprays to start with and see how it goes - I feel pretty sure I will need 3 eventually but Meno consult advised start at 2.  Fingers tightly crossed this works as I am running out of options.  I do love, love love the ease of using Lenzetto - now it just needs to work!!!

Hey, so I’ve just been reading the threads and forum, I had no idea estradot changed manufacturer- when did this happen? I think I must be the same- I can’t remember when but just started to seem to absorb less!
X

[Kelrob12]

kelrob12 - oh no I am so sorry to hear this. Its such a nightmare it really is.  Just when you think you have the right treatment at the right dose things get changed or there is a shortage and back to square one not being able to get the medication we need Did you find the problems started when you changed over to the Sandoz brand too?  Are you still on Estradot or have you had to change?  Huge empathy to you - its beyond frustrating having to keep changing medications 

When did they change- possibly yeah/ I didn’t know they had changed. Estraderm are so awfully big! X

[Pippa52]

Kelrob12 - I contacted Sandoz who have got back to me asking for batch number etc and they will investigate it.  I have read on another site that some Sandoz patches that had the expiration in 2025 have not been working on quite a number of ladies.  I have however yesterday tried a batch with the expiration date of 4/2026 and so far today I am fine - no rash and and no headaches/anxiety or anything so maybe the problems were due to a rogue batch/batches? Hopefully that is the case so might be worth checking the expiration date on your pack if you feel they are not working as well?  I will update if I hear back from Sandoz.x I  was swapped to Lenzetto and used it for 2 days and felt so ill and weird I honestly couldn't function at all... I have an appt with the Meno cons next week anyway so decided to give the Sandoz patches one more try as have been really good on Estradot for the last 2 years... never wanted to swap off them in the first place so if all remains stable I will ask for my prescription to be changed back. Thankfully it seems they are starting to come back into availability and there is a new factory too so hopefully supply issues will be a lot better here on in.   

[Dandelion]

Dandelion, everyone is individual and needs varying amounts for symptom-control. And the benefits in terms of bone health etc increase, the more you go up to (although obviously you don't want to go too high or you get bleeding etc). The very very minimum is around 300-350, but it's not enough for many women. Many need 450-600pmol, and some need even higher. It's individual. But you need to make sure you are not on a really low amount. And if you still have symptoms, you should be allowed to trial higher.

Hello and sorry for the late reply and thank you.
I landed on Dr Newson's new website, and it says 400pmol/L there, so I queried it with Dr Newson, as, while my own newson Dr acted in good faith and does not want me to be imbalanced with my hormones, being the curious sort, I queried it with Dr Newson and she reassured me I would get enough hormones.
Ever since I started attending properly to my HRT last year and inching my dose up gradually with the Drs I have noticed great improvements in some areas, however, there are still some symptoms, physical and non physical that will be sorted with more oestrogen.
I will be getting a blood test and having another consultation in October, meanwhile I am allowed to increase to 225. I hope this is the magic dose. I was only 289pmol/l on 150 😐