Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Shazzie on May 25, 2017, 02:13:46 PM

Title: Whole, Half or Quarter Evorel Patch?
Post by: Shazzie on May 25, 2017, 02:13:46 PM
Hi everyone,

Hope you're all doing ok. 

I haven't posted on here for a while but need a bit of help again 2 years after my last period.  Thought it was all going ok then Wallop!!!.  Hot flushes have returned.

I stopped using Evorel patches 1 year ago as I wanted to see if I could do without.  Suffering again with hot flushes and GP wants me to restart patches. 

I don't know how much of the patch to use.  I have lost 5 stone in weight over the past couple of years and am so worried about putting weight back on.  Mind you, I don't remember putting weight on when I was using Evorel patches before.

I would really appreciate your advice.  Also I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has stopped the HRT then had to restart because of symptoms returning.

Take care.

Shazzie xx

Title: Re: Whole, Half or Quarter Evorel Patch?
Post by: Annie0710 on May 25, 2017, 06:19:28 PM
Hi Shazzie. I'd say it's best to start on a low dose and work up if necessary as it's easier that way to find your symptom-free level

As for weight gain I don't think the patch would cause it x
Title: Re: Whole, Half or Quarter Evorel Patch?
Post by: cubagirl on May 25, 2017, 06:33:37 PM
I stopped for 8 months a while back, it was horrid. Meno specialist put me back on again. I've gradually reduced dosage & now only using half a 25mg evorel patch.  When I was restarted I was put back on a higher dose, but that was too high, so reduced it down to previous dose.
Title: Re: Whole, Half or Quarter Evorel Patch?
Post by: Tempest on May 25, 2017, 06:53:44 PM
Hi, Cubagirl! Sorry if I seem to be chasing you around the forum today...... ;) ;D

How do you identify your high symptoms? It would be a great help to me and other ladies (especially the estrogen only ladies), as you have managed your HRT so well over the years. Again, I hope you don't mind me asking! Thank you! xxxxx
Title: Re: Whole, Half or Quarter Evorel Patch?
Post by: Mbrown001 on May 25, 2017, 08:04:50 PM
Too high for me...... although  I'm on a combined patch, is feeling jittery. It's as if everything internally is juddering but no one would ever notice. Horrible feeling, oh and faint feelings of nausea too.

Mrs Brown


Title: Re: Whole, Half or Quarter Evorel Patch?
Post by: cubagirl on May 25, 2017, 09:52:43 PM
Like Mrs B says, I was very jittery on too high a dose, palpitations etc. It was like I was wired. Very unpleasant. I only lasted about 4/6 weeks at the higher dose which was 50mg I think. Brought down to 37.5. I was then reduced further by GP, at my request, to 25mg & now only half of that. I hasten to add this has been happening over last 2/3 years. It wasn't done suddenly.
Title: Re: Whole, Half or Quarter Evorel Patch?
Post by: Tempest on May 25, 2017, 10:28:09 PM
Thank you, Mrs B and Cubagirl! :thankyou:

Yup - this is where I had been going wrong! I titrated up to the 50mcg patch, changing every 3 days when I tried them and it was waaay too much! I had exactly the symptoms you both describe. Instead of adjusting back down, I gave up on them. Ditto the gel - I went to 2.5 pumps and then hit excess. Your insight just confirms where I now know I went wrong! Im starting low and slow this time - just one pump of gel and giving it plenty of time to settle in. xxxxx
Title: Re: Whole, Half or Quarter Evorel Patch?
Post by: Shazzie on May 26, 2017, 08:56:35 AM
Thanks so much for all your replies.  I'm really grateful.

Like you say Annie I can't remember putting on weight when I was on the patch at the beginning. 

I think I might start on a quarter of a patch and go from there.

Thanks again for your replies.   :) :)

Shazzie xx
Title: Re: Whole, Half or Quarter Evorel Patch?
Post by: Bane on May 26, 2017, 09:06:29 AM
Shazzie, since you are reintroducing the patches begin with low dosage to that is slowly adjust with changes in your body. Quarter sound good. All the best!!
Title: Re: Whole, Half or Quarter Evorel Patch?
Post by: Shazzie on May 26, 2017, 09:31:55 AM
Thanks so much.  Yes I think a quarter would be the best and then I can increase it if I need to.

I was a bit worried that I would be stalling the inevitable but feel I should give the patch another try.

Take care.

Shazzie  ::)