Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Tempest on October 17, 2016, 08:56:40 PM
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So this started yesterday. :'( Where I apply my gel (inner thighs) broke out in itchy red spots but I thought I would persevere and didn't want to post about this earlier as I've posted about so many problems before, that I thought I would be wearing everyone's patience!
Fast forward to tonight's application at 7.30, and now both thighs and upper arm where I apply my additional smidge of gel are covered in this rash, and it's burning like crazy! I just don't get it. I used it for 9 weeks on a previous occasion, and this didn't happen then. I do have a history of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and chronic urticaria which has been well under control with a high dose of cetirizine.
I'm at the end of my tether. I'll be phoning Professor Lumsden's secretary tomorrow, and hope she can get hold of her as she also works half of the week in London and is hard to get hold of. And I'm going to traipse off to the GP to get this rash checked out.
I really feel like I'm doomed. :'( :'(
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Thank you, Stellajane.
Wow, it's weird isn't it? My allergies including the urticaria started at the beginning of peri too. I'm sorry that you're now having problems with Utrogestan too!
In my experience it's often been when I've taken something medication wise, stopped it and then started it again that I have a reaction. I never thought it would happen with the Estrogel though. :(
I carry 2 epi pens so that I'm always prepared, but yes - I'm taking no chances!
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I had a delayed reaction to Oestrogel when I had been using it for around four to five days - the itching was unbearable (especially on my scalp) & bumps started appearing mainly on my face & neck but also elsewhere. I stopped using it and everything started to subside within a couple of days so I know that was the culprit. I had also used it before but had no reaction. It may be an ingredient that helps the gel spread easier. These things seem to come on suddenly - I had the same thing with penicillin. However, I tried Evorel patches & had no reaction at all - I don't normally react to adhesives though.
I hope you can get to the bottom of it & be able to be given an alternative and no, you are not testing our patience - please keep posting xxx
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Tempest I can't help but you will never test our patience, you are such a well thought of member, and this forum is to help one another anyway and you participate hugely on both parts so never worry. We all want to see you get the correct regime in place xxxx
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Hi, Madbloss. Sorry you had a bad reaction to the gel too! I'm so glad you are ok on Evorel instead. It's interesting that you're also allergic to Penicillin - I am DEADLY allergic to Trimethoprim which is an antibiotic mainly used for UTI's - I had biphasic anaphylaxis to this that was almost fatal (subsequently, I'm now very nervous around all antibiotics)!
Thank you so very much for your lovely, kind words Annie - it's is so very much appreciated! Your posts keep me going - I'm really hoping for the T to kick in for you soon. I've read it can take about 6 weeks, so by Christmas you'll be formidable! Just warn Mr. Annie well in advance...... ;)
And thank you so much for your kindness too, Stellajane. I'm reactive to adhesives too! I always have to refuse plasters and tape on dressings for this reason - the skin puffs up and goes spongey and weepy. Oh, we're so lucky aren't we??? >:(
Anyway, I phoned Professor Lumsden's secretary today and explained the urgency of the situation considering my profile of serious reactions, and she promised to contact Professor Lumsden as soon as we got off the phone and get back to me today. Well, it's now almost 5.30 pm and I've heard nothing. I double checked she had my number and I've been close by the phone all day. I didn't go to the GP as I was relying on a reply, but wish I had now. As I am very fearful of a hormone crash (and it can and does happen catastrophically for me even after 12 hours of missing a dose), I have no choice tonight but to use 1 pump to just about keep me going, and I'll need to keep my diazepam handy just in case I feel awful with anxiety from the drop and my Epi pens in case of anything else! It's a good thing it's Hubby's 'weekend' today and tomorrow, so at least he'll be here. :o
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I hope you'll be ok Tempest 😘 Xx
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Thank you, Annie! I'm a bit nervous about using it again tonight, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's just a skin reaction and doesn't go systemic! I'll be phoning the GP tomorrow anyway to see them as I don't think I can rely on anything being done by my next dose by Professor Lumsden, but you never know. Best not to leave it to chance. :o
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I would have stopped using it - it may not be the product but the coating or any fillers. Let us know how you get on!
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It's not as easy as that CLKD for Tempest . Tempest has a terrible time when her oestrogen runs even lower x
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I read some women have this reaction when they use the same site to apply it and it helped them to rotate. Perhaps use it on your inner arms tonight as that was where Studd told my friend to use it regardless (I had only seen inner thighs mentioned before she told me).
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Thank you CLKD but Annie is right, sadly! It's pretty much true of all ladies in surgical menopause, if HRT is stopped abruptly we 'crash' and it's catastrophic as our adrenals can't rise to the challenge quickly enough. Its a phenomena I thought was unique to me, until I did my research - over at Hystersisters, this is often talked about and ladies are fiercely discouraged from just stopping their HRT suddenly by those that have experienced it! You literally feel like you have gone mad - and it happens pretty fast, too! :o
Hi Dangermouse, and thank you! Yes, it makes sense that sensitisation can happen over time especially where hair follicles are present. I've been examining my rash and am wondering if this is the problem, that the gel is blocking the follicles and making them inflamed. It kind of looks like barber's rash, to be honest! If so, this is interesting what Studd recommended to your friend as the inner arms don't have any hair follicles, so maybe this is his thinking? Clever man, in that case! ;)
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HysterSisters is where I occasionally go Tempest! I was directed to daisy network by my GP when I was 45 and felt too old there lol x
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I lurk there constantly! ;)
It has to be said that there ARE two sides of the coin Stateside though. It really is a case if the 'have's and have not's' over there, very sadly. If you've got great insurance or ready cash, the world is your oyster as regards to HRT. If you're on welfare or skint, you're pretty much scuppered. :(
I've read of women who had to decide if they should fill their prescription, or buy groceries for the family for the month. They have had to give up their HRT. At least we DO have the NHS, but it's just not as efficient as it could be and there is a lot of waste on 'bums on seats' in my opinion and a lack of communication and continuity for good patient care.
We hysterectomised and oopherectomised ladies really are given a bum deal - we didn't have a CHOICE when it came to our surgeries and after care regarding effective HRT is atrocious! Likewise, knowledge of GP's as to the specific needs of this group of women is appalling - especially bullying these women off their HRT after 5 years, which they shouldnt be doing to ANY woman in any case. This is particularly concerning as more women are now being screened as BRCA positive so there are now more women in this group of a younger age than ever before. Surely proper provision should be made to account for this? >:(
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Once again I agree with everything you say
I do feel fortunate that I stumbled across my lovely GP only recently
My hysterectomy was on the cards for years, and none of it was my doing
when I was 23 and pregnant a scan revealed my baby girl had major abnormalities that would result in her being 'incompatible with life' I went through a long labour and after she was born the placenta wouldn't deliver, they pulled at pulled at the cord and it broke causing me to haemorrhage, I was rushed to theatre and post op they said I may have problems, I delivered my son when I was 24, normal delivery but I couldn't wear tampons ever again, they told me I had a complete prolapse, and other than full repair hysterectomy was the only answer. I delivered a big baby when I was 28 and had to have bits pushed back up in delivery. So came the Hysterectomy at 32, then the ovaries failed. I don't know whether if I'd kept the uterus my meno would be different or easier x
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A wee update! Professor Lumsden has really come through, and will see me again at her clinic next Tuesday. :)
For now, I'm to continue with the gel CAUTIOUSLY. It may be a change in the composition of my sweat of all things that is causing this! Especially as it's now elsewhere in sweaty places (ugh)! Considering my hormone levels have been very, very low (she confirmed this) and are now hopefully rising, this makes sense. I feel like Frankenstein's monster (can they rebuild her? Dunno! But I sure hope so)! :D
She doesn't want my levels to drop again, as she is definitely considering an implant in January. I also explained that the fluctuations on the gel are driving me bonkers - in ladies like myself, the gel can be very up and down so not ideal. Ideally, she would have liked me up to 4 pumps by January, but we will review what is exactly happening now in light of recent developments.
Some good news though - in the last 2 days, the dreaded Buddha belly is recedeing a tad and the fluid retention seems to be easing too. It might be a glitch, but I hope not! The saga continues.........
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Response from the Prof sounds quite positive Tempest, fingers crossed!
Rx
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Hope it's just a blip tempest, hope you keep well till Tuesday xx
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Aw I'm glad you had a response and you sound positive xx
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Hi Tempest, so p!eased to hear that Professor Lumsden has been able to give you some reassurance - hope everything goes well next Tuesday xx
Thank you for your good wishes on the 'Work meltdown' thread :) xx
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Thank you all so much for your very kind words! :thankyou:
Well, the rash is not getting any worse but it's not getting better either. I am now using 3 pumps which is what Professor Lumsden originally advised in a split dose, and carefully avoiding any areas that are itchy and bumpy. Feel a tad more stable, dose is not running out halfway through the day (except a drop late afternoon after the previous evening's dose leaves my system).
When you're in surgical meno., you feel every 'bump' of your HRT, I can tell you! For me, a drop in the dose = adrenal surge and jitters, and I can set my watch by it! I'm now getting a 'feel' for this, and am keeping a journal of my symptoms as many of the ladies do over at Hystersisters. It's the only way to keep track of what's working and what isn't without becoming horribly confused.
I also am very careful to do any increases slowly, and at no more than half a pump at a time to allow things to settle. I know Professor Lumsden mentioned that ideally I should be on 4 pumps as my recent blood estradiol levels came back extremely low, but as I have said before now that the blinkin' rash has showed up it kinda puts the kibosh on this until I see her next week.
I only hope I can stay on transdermal - even being on oral temporarily ahead if an implant gives me the heebies!
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Hi Tempest
Been having a quick catch up on MM! Really glad the Prof came through for you.
Out of interest, how is your mood and how are you feeling overall with the gel? If you remember, both of us started it at the same time before and gave up due to the jitters. Hope it's working better for you this time.
It sounds crazy but I could feel the hit from the gel and also feel it wearing off. Now I am on patches, I know when my mood is going to lift because I can actually feel a tingly sensation around my lower abdomen and start to feel warm, glowy and happy. Strangely this continues whilst on the combi patches for a good 10 days.
Anyway that's me digressing - hope all is well with you.xxx
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Hi!!!! How lovely to hear from you Mis71Mum!
To be honest, the gel is a disaster for me! Still the same old, same old with surges. I'm going to tell her that even despite the rash, I cannot continue with this stuff as the ups and downs are unbearable. I've tried sticking it out, but the rash was the deal breaker!
Im so glad you're doing better on the patches! Funnily enough, after I had spinal surgery a few years ago I could tolerate the fentanyl patches as they were tiny, but not the morphine patches as they were bigger so I'm going to discuss with her if the Estradot may be an option for me. I've phoned round a few pharmacies this afternoon, and the supply issue seems to have been resolved.
I'm generally ok so long as I don't stick anything or rub anything over the keratosis pilaris I have on my arms and legs. And of course, the gel is an arm or leg application so I think this could be the problem. Not sure about the 'change in sweat composition' theory, to be honest! I was terrified that this might be a return of the chronic urticaria I had when I started peri, but it seems not (so that's something at least)!
I'm trying to avoid the oral route at all costs, so we will see. An implant is an option if we can ever find out what level I feel best on. It's been a crazy, bumpy and somewhat scary road so far!
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Oh Tempest - i'm really sorry to hear that. I was hoping that the only stumbling block for you was the rash, although I appreciate in your circumstances, that the stumbling blocks can be huge because of your allergies.
I know it's really hard, but try not to get disheartened. I know lots of ladies on here swear by the gel but for me, and I hope you too, that the patch can deliver a smoother consistent-er dose.
Yes I agree - I'm wanting to avoid the oral route at all costs.
Good luck for Tuesday - and I hope it seems to come round quickly for you. xx
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Oh Tempest I wrote on the other thread how you seem more upbeat these days.
Re:Estradot, providing you can tolerate the adhesive stuff they use I can vouch for their small size and stick ability. You could put it on your buttocks instead of your thigh x