Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Karen max on November 04, 2019, 11:20:08 AM

Title: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on November 04, 2019, 11:20:08 AM
Hi ladies
Just wondering if anyone else was having and problems getting this ? I'm in Northern Ireland and just been told by chemist it's no longer available!!

Kaz
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Dotty on November 04, 2019, 12:29:24 PM
Hi can you try another chemist?

In the past when there's been a problem with supply I have emailed Besins to ask them? X
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Tinkerbell on November 04, 2019, 12:30:59 PM
I have had no problem getting it, but i use an independant chemist rather than one of the chains.
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on November 04, 2019, 12:53:25 PM
Hi
I have been to every chemist around the city each is telling me the same , manufacturer problems ,
I will give the makers a call now to see if they can help me

Thank yous

Kaz x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Dotty on November 04, 2019, 01:19:15 PM
Let us know what they say xxx
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Dotty on November 05, 2019, 06:58:22 PM
Hi Karen did you get in touch with the manufacturer? X
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on November 05, 2019, 08:59:24 PM
Hi ladies

Never heard back from manufacturers sent them email !!

I was able to get 2 pump packs sent up to my local chemist from Southern Ireland

So hopefully my local chemist can do this for me each month as Southern Ireland don't seem to have a problem getting hold of it so I'm now thinking has it something to do with Brexit??
who kniws but does seems strange we can't get it here yet they have a problem getting it

Kaz xx
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: bear on November 05, 2019, 09:16:17 PM
Hi Karen max,

Besins Healthcare doesn't reply emails immediately, but they will reply. Glad to know you have managed to get hold of 2 packs.

It could be related to Brexit, but more likely to be a parallel trade issue and differences in local stock.

BeaR.
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Choc Ice on November 07, 2019, 08:56:04 AM
Hi everyone,
Just wondering, how soon do you notice changes!
I have only just changed from Evorel sequi to oestrogel, only on my 3rd day and already my sleep is better! Could it be that even though the Evorel was much much better than when I was on nothing, that the oestrogel is better? I seem to be more “with it” as well . I just hope this carries on.
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Ladybt28 on November 07, 2019, 12:04:09 PM
Hey Kaz - just seen this, don't know how I missed it. ::)  Bit worried now cos your in NI like me. Did they say "no longer available" or did they say "not available cos they don't have any".  Don't like the first sentence at all!  I have 2 pump packs left, my surgery prescribes 4 at a time on repeat but I think I might just put in a repeat sooner rather than later! ;)
I wonder if it getting prescribed more because of the shortages of other hrt which is having a knock on effect?
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Dotty on November 07, 2019, 02:41:53 PM
I've just got mine today ok. I always ask for Oestrogel and I got Oestrogel but it's in a different shaped container x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Tinkerbell on November 07, 2019, 06:30:58 PM
Dotty, i always ask for Estrogel and i got one that was a different shape this month, i had a blip in symptoms and wondered if it was something different as i don't get on with Oestrodose, although everyone on site says they are same. But the address, bar code, ingredients order were the same.
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Dotty on November 07, 2019, 07:52:55 PM
Hi Tinkerbell....it looks like the Oestradose bottle but says Oestrogel and is the same colours as Oestrogel.

I know everyone says they are the same but I just can't risk it not being as effective 😢 x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Tinkerbell on November 07, 2019, 09:56:03 PM
I have been told the same about Oestradose on this forum but even though i use and store it the same way my symptoms return when i have had to accept it, too much of a coincidence for me to believe it is the same.

I am hoping this new shaped bottle is the same as it is different to the Oestrodose one, i had a blip with my VA last week but i usually up Vagifem to two a day for 4 days when that happens but i didnt as had run low, so hoping it was that.

Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on November 07, 2019, 11:58:16 PM
Ladybt
Every chemist I went to told me different stories , I emailed  manufacturers  but up to now I've not heard back from them !!
My local chemist where I get my prescription each month got me 2 packs from Southern Ireland, they are in different bottles but that seems to be only difference as I've read through both leaflets and all same ingredients!!
some chemists told me problem with manufacturers  other said as far as they knew we ( as in Northern Ireland ) wasn't getting it , so definitely don't know what's happening with it ..
I will definitely be ordering mine earlier next month !
If I hear back from manufacturers I will most definitely let you know

Kaz x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Ladybt28 on November 08, 2019, 12:15:49 AM
I'll put in for a repeat here and let you know  x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on November 08, 2019, 08:52:41 PM
Good luck hopefully you have no problems getting it , yes let me know


Kaz xx
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: heavenlyblue on November 11, 2019, 10:39:49 AM
Hi ladies
Just wondering if anyone else was having and problems getting this ? I'm in Northern Ireland and just been told by chemist it's no longer available!!

Kaz

Just been switched to Oestrogel from Evoril Conti - I ordered 2 pump packs last week which came in quickly.  But I had no idea there was a shortage of this as well.    Wish they would get this sorted out, still doesn't seem to be any clear explanation anywhere.  That is what my Chemist said.  He can't get a straight answer out of anyone re Evoril.  He can't understand how this has been allowed to get this bad.   
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Ladybt28 on November 11, 2019, 05:02:19 PM
Something in my head says the manufacturers of on kind of patch had to change the glue/sticky stuff to keep them on either to make it stop reacting with people or something like that so it was going to be out of production until they mastered the right stuff.
Some hrts have been discontinue altogether meaning all those people have moved to other treatment that those manufacturers hadn't planned for.  Its a knock on effect really, things that weren't short are now short because more people have been using them because of...shortages  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on November 15, 2019, 12:36:51 AM
Hi
I've ordered mine today as chemist told me to order a week before prescription was due so it's 9 days before due date , I've explained to GP receptionist wgats going on with trying to get hold of this , so will let you all know if I get it this month


Kaz x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: higher on November 18, 2019, 04:05:36 PM
After about 18months on Oestrogel I got a new shaped pack this time (oval rather than round) and I have stopped my dose due to breast pain. I thought it was me but maybe its the formulation? Can anyone help???
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Ladybt28 on November 18, 2019, 04:12:56 PM
Hi Higher - no its the same stuff and produced by the same company Besins and there is a mega mega long running discussion with lots of research done by ladies here with the manufacturers about the difference (or not!) between the 2 packages.
Oestrogel has been repackaged in the UK through the distribution chain for many years  but now with the issues regarding hrt shortages and possibly Brexit it seems that we are getting the Besins direct stuff rather than the repackaged stuff more and more.  I got one recently and I have only had the repackaged stuff since starting a year ago.
Look up the threads and prepare for a LOT of reading and discussion ;D in the search box. xx
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Dotty on November 18, 2019, 04:29:22 PM
higher......you are right.  Oestrogel has been repackaged into a new shaped pack.  Its the same colours as the original Oestrogel.  The box is identical but is slightly larger.  I got this shape a few weeks ago. 

Ladybt.....you are right the there is another packaged gel called Oestradose, but this is a new package for Oestrogel. xx
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Ladybt28 on November 18, 2019, 04:42:01 PM
oops sorry people ::) x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on November 19, 2019, 08:01:59 PM
Hi ladies
Just to let you know I ordered my gel pack last Thursday and I got it today so happy to say that's me for another month , I will be doing same next month ordering a week early making sure I don't run out


Kaz x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Tinkerbell on November 20, 2019, 05:58:58 PM
I get mine from an independant chemist but they only got one pump sent so pharmacist is ordering it again, annoyling my teen son who is a dispensing assistant at Boots said they had loads of it.
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: higher on November 21, 2019, 11:28:23 AM
I stopped using it due to severe breast pain, been without for a couple of weeks now. Feeling achy, terrible mood swings & tearful - might phone GP for advice later but they always seem clueless. How useful is a blood test to check hormone levels?   
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Bobidy on November 21, 2019, 01:28:55 PM
Hi, I don't know if this will reassure you but I had breast pain with each increase in dose of estrogel but after a while this does go x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on November 21, 2019, 10:45:45 PM
Hi
I had breast pain when just starting the gel thankfully it's ok now after being on it from April but when I use the provera tablets for 12 days per month my breast are so sore and tender !! Can't win I guess !!!

Yes really annoying when you go to collect prescription they don't have item , they don't know when it will be in store 😡

I'm just trying to keep extra bottle of gel incase I've to wait few weeks until it comes back into stock

Kaz x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Ladybt28 on November 22, 2019, 06:34:44 PM
Update - Hey Kaz - I got my oestrogel from the chemist in Lisburn, no issues at all and no shortage of any kind here. xx
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on November 23, 2019, 12:30:07 AM
Hi ladybt
Glad you got your ok , I will go down to Lisburn if I need to next month . As it's not that far from me to be honest just over the back roads would be there in 15 mins


Kaz x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on November 27, 2019, 07:23:06 PM
Hi ladies
Just wee update , so much for me thinking I was over the worse of this crap by going onto hrt now the anxiety is back worse s ever , hot sweats, tears moods ect .

Wondering no if I should go back to GP and ask for  refal back to HRT clinic ?

Or is this common to happen now and again even though I've been fine from I started hrt back in April

Kaz x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Ladybt28 on November 28, 2019, 02:36:54 PM
How much oestrogen Karen?
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on November 29, 2019, 12:36:17 AM
Hiya
It's 2 pumps in morning and 2 again at night can't understand it as it was helping me great until last week though I'm waiting a full 7 days before bleeding starts after I stop the provera so wondering could it be that ? I feel fine up to I start them provera then I've side effects of them which last around 12 days then the following week bleed starts

All so bloody confusing to me

Kaz x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Ladybt28 on December 03, 2019, 04:27:15 PM
Sorry for the late reply - death in the family so not been on here, other things.  It takes at least 5 days before my bleed, so I wouldn't worry.  Ref the 4 pumps, it took a while for everything to settle for me at least 6 months before I could go "without blips".  Just need to hang on in there  and yes it is confusing.  I think its only time that lets you know if you have cracked it and each of us is different. x
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on December 10, 2019, 05:19:00 PM
Hi ladybt
So sorry to hear sad news ! X

Next new thing is I've started a bleed again while just using the gel , looks like a normal period but I called GP this morning and I've to go to surgery nurse on Thursday afternoon and she is going to have look at my cervix , honestly it feels it's one thing after another !!

Has this ever happened to you while just using the gel ?

kaz xx
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Ladybt28 on December 10, 2019, 05:30:03 PM
Hi Karen, no I have had no intermittent bleeding.  Mine is all very regular and regulated by the Utrogestan.  But you are waiting for surgery and have had bleeding problems in the past without being on hrt if my memory serves me right???

If you are not post meno or dependent on age (just cant remember and don't have time at the moment to check your previous posts sorry ::) then it could well be a normal period because your own hormones have kicked in and over-ridden the gel. This is quite common for peri women and nothing to worry about.  Good the nurse is going to have a look  :) just to be sure - bad that you are going to be poked and prodded again!  :(
Title: Re: Oestrogel pump pack
Post by: Karen max on December 10, 2019, 10:25:23 PM
Hi ladybt
No I'm post meno 5 yrs this month
The only time I had bleeding was when I started the hrt patches which didn't suit me so was swapped onto this gel and the Provera, I've been on it from 1st April and this is first time it's happened to me so that's why I called GP , hopefully bleeding is gone again by Thursday as that's when I see GP nurse who is going to do few swabs.
Honestly I'm st point now where I feel like just stopping hrt altogether as last few weeks I've been getting hot flushes back and mood is awful
I was never troubled with bleeding even before menopause I was always 28 and it lasted 5 days then gone again

Kaz x