Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: allie007 on October 03, 2018, 06:51:26 PM
-
Hi ladies,
At what point would you think it was time to try a new HRT?
Doctor is assuming i am post menopausal, I've only ever had one blood test back in Feb/March this year which showed FSH level of 70. Been using Mirena coil for 5 years and had a new one fitted in the summer. Ive been using Estrogel since March, started with 1 pump but have gradually increased it to 3 as symptoms kept returning. My symptoms have been exhaustion, anxiety, mood swings and migraines. The last month or so my moods have been really erratic, more bad than good, weekend just gone i was evil, in tears amd jist wanting to be left alone. And i feel shattered again by mid afternoon and im waking up in the night again. I dont know whether to give it a bit longer, ive been using 3 pumps for about 3 months now or go to my GP to possibly try patches which she said would be the next step rather than go up to 4 pumps.
-
It does sound as though you are not absorbing the Oestrogel very well, some people don't. (I didn't!) I would have thought three months on the current dose was a fair trial. Perhaps it's time to see if a patch would work better, although you could always try the other gel, Sandrena, to see if that works. It's what they've given me for the moment and I do feel a bit better for it.
JP x
-
Thanks Jp x
How is the Sandrena different to Estrogel? I did try Estrodose for a few weeks, only because the chemist gave me that instead of Estrogel and I didnt get on with it at all x
-
Sandrena is more concentrated than Oestrogel/Oestrodose (which are exactly the same - just different label) and has different ingredients so you are likely to notice a difference. It's more sticky on drying. I haven't tried Oestrogel/Oestrodose but have tried Sandrena it didn't suit me - but as I was changing from years of being on a patch I wasn't prepared to juggle the doses to see what worked so my flushes returned (I'm in mid 60's) so went back to patches.
Did your blood tests measue oestrogen? I know blood tests are unreliable but several repeat tests for estradiol will give some indication whether or not you are absorbing the gel?
I am biased (re patches) because they have always worked for me - but sounds like your current regime is not doing it for you so a different one mught be worth trying? If you do decide to try patches then Estradot are the best ( because so small).
Hurdity x
-
Thanks Hurdity x
Ive no idea about any other results, they were given to me over the phone and I wasn't expecting menopause so I didn't have any questions prepared except to ask what happens next.
I think its probably worth trying patches, i'm having too many bad days. Im struggling to get through work and on the weekends I just want to hide under a duvet.
-
For what it's worth, I feel a bit different on 2 mg Sandrena, more upbeat in mood, more energetic and sleeping better. On three pumps of Oestrogel I achieved less than 100 pmol/l oestrogen in blood tests. I am 69 and hoping to avoid osteoporosis so want to get to more than 200 pmol/l, the level advised at Nick Pannay's NHS clinic. I shall have bloods done again after 3 months on Sandrena, and if the result isn't adequate will try Estradot.
JP x
-
Glad to hear youre feeling better JP ;D
I'm trying to avoid that too. Am 47, 46 when they told me i was post menopause and feeling rotten for at least a year before i went to the GP. I've got osteoporosis in my family, mother and grandmother.
I don't understand my doctor's reluctance to give me more blood tests, i've asked 3 in the practice and each have said no x
-
Hi Alli
It's an awful time, isn't it?
Personally I started on a 25, then 50 and am now on a 75mcg patch with separate progesterone. The higher oestrogen has been helpful for me, although I am still getting some minor flushing, it has really helped with the awful low moods...I'm actually waking up and feeling like there's a bit more to look forward to x I'm 52, still at work and still have a teenager at home so I need to function if you know what I mean...
Are you taking your pumps all in one go, or are you spreading them out through the day? There are many ladies on here who take three or four pumps, but they split them up - so 1 1/2 in the morning and evening or 2 in the morning and evening. It seems to level things out for them so there's not the great sudden rush, followed by the crash later.
The patches are good too, I use Estradot which is nice and small, comes in 25mg strengths up to 100mcg, and only needs twice weekly changing.
If you're not absorbing very well through your skin, there are oestrogen only tablets you can take too, if you don't have any other factors contraindicating their use.
But first, why not try splitting your dose for the next week to see how you go? Keep a mood diary so you can compare then and now. If there's not change, you can Always try 4 pumps, split into two doses whilst you wait for your gp appointment and see if you notice more of an improvement then. With the Mirena, you don't need to worry about progesterone as your uterus is adequately protected.
This journey can be such trial and error, can't it?
Good luck with it all xx
-
I know oestrogel works for lots of women but it never worked for me. Just proves again that we aren't all the same. Xx
-
I have split the dose, thats what I'm doing at the moment, 1 pump in the morning, 2 in the evening. Long story short is when I split the dose i'm in great mood in the morning but the tiredness hits me early afternoon and i wake up in the night. When i don't split the dose I'm in a foul mood all day, shattered by 6 pm but sleep through. I can't win.
Im a teacher and a single mum to a nearly 6 year old. After a week in school and taking care of my son, by Friday I'm an emotional wreck.
Bless all your hearts xxx
-
Oh Alli, that is tough xx
Have you thought about reducing your dose? Maybe do the one pump in the morning, then do one pump in the evening (as one in the morning seems to work better for you?) and try and space them evenly, eg 12 hours apart?
Or evenly spacing all three pumps during the day? So one in the morning, one about 8hrs later, then another 8hrs after that?
I change my patches on a Sunday evening and Thursday morning, so every 3.5 days...any longer than that, and I really notice it. In fact, last night (Wednesday) I half woke up, roasting, and when I woke this morning, I thought yep, it's patch change time.
xx
-
Lol I would have to put it on in the loos in school.
Have managed to get an appointment this morning at doctors xx
-
That's great Alli - good luck with your appointment tomorrow xx
-
Thank you xx was today, i got 50mg Estradot. Months supply for now x
-
I hope you do well on it, I've found them marvellous, although I've recently had to go up to 75 xx
-
Have you been using them long NorthArm? X
-
I've been using them since Christmas last year - started on 25, then 50 from about March and went up to 75 about a week ago, because symptoms came back. I'm also going to insist on at least three monthly blood tests due to all my levels having been so low.
So, so far, so good xx