Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Vicky81 on May 31, 2024, 06:04:15 AM
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Hi all
So...I really need to be honest as I'm really struggling.
So from 7th May I started crying spells again after me being on 65 patch fir months.
So in a panic I started upping and downing the patch. Crying and more anxiety came.
I then got gel and started adding gel to my patches....one day 4, next day different amount...this went on for a week.
Anxiety mounted.
My friend who I met on here then suggested sticking to a plan to get balanced ....that I can't cho n change and said add gel to patch.
So recently I've been doing 64 patch started with 4 gel for 2 days then 2 gels for 2 days. Yesterday being the last day.
I have tapers off my AD with wed being the last day of it as it made me so much worse I couldn't take it.
The side effects have still been affecting me even yesterday I'm crying so hard ...feeling very anxious and hormonal.....but my partner says ive still got the side effects to leave my body yet....gp thinks a week.
So...I know I've been stupid, but it appears the gels have been making me jittery.
I woke at 2am with anxiety in bed again...and sweats on my chest which I had months ago when dose too low.
But the last week I've been worse than ever.
So this morning my partner said vicky I think the patches are your best bet....they've always done you the best yiu just need to stick at a dose.
My crying and mood has been so bad and I havebt been showering hardly my anxiety has been so bad.
So would you all agree to the patch for me at say 80mg? I've always known if too high so cute them down.im also calling gp at 8.
Please can you help me I'm in desperation ....just want reassurance that you feel i shoukd stick with the patch....my friend said people can get jittery off the gel and can name anxiety worse? Xxx
So....of course now the 65 is too low
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Hi so sorry to hear you are struggling.
It’s not a case of gel being better than patch or vice versa. It’s which one suits you. I’ve been on gel for 6 years and have never experienced what you describe.
You have to be patient with hrt and take things slowly. You shouldn’t need to be cutting patches as the dosages they come in should be fine. I think you need to either carry on with the combined pill on its own or stop it and use the oestrogen patches or gel with progesterone.
Your body needs to settle down after all the swapping and changing.
What is your GP or menopause specialist advising ? x
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Yeah I vut the patch from around a year ago as I was told you could and it worked for me as I found 75 too high way back when
I told my gp about using both she said reluctantly ok....but because I've been so bad, very low, anxiety is bad that I dont go out....that I dobt know what to do ...or which method
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So did you find the gel worked quickly dotty? How long did it take you to feel right? Did u have anxiety.
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https://www.earlymenopause.com/information/topics/hrt-vs-birth-control/
This article explains the difference between the pill and HRT . The pill overrides your own hormones. HRT adds in hormones, so by taking both you are doing both which won’t work.
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Hi hrt doesn’t work quickly for most women unfortunately. It’s a matter of finding the right dose and sticking to it until your levels have increased to a level where they control your symptoms.
Yes I had anxiety and every other symptom under the sun. It took a few months but once I was on the right type and dose the symptoms started getting better slowly. I saw improvement within a month.
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Awww thanks dotty....so would you suggest I stick on the patch as its always worked well in my favour alongside the pill
I needed the patch once on the pill as I was still getting sweats a bit at night
It's just thus anxiety it's so bad
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Dotty were you very low and crying?
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Are you under a specialist Vicky?
As someone who is struggling like hell with peri - I completely empathise.
That said, I am also surprised you are adding a patch to the pill. You just said on the pill only you were still getting some sweats at night.
We're those soooo bad??? I just wonder if adding the extra E in patch or gel, whilst stopping the sweats, is making other stuff a lot lot worse.
I truly believe that when in peri, we cannot eradicate everything. But it's picking what works best to get us through.
As aside - I've tried most pills over the last few years - and some actually give me night sweats!
I think you need to speak with your specialist, if you have one. Xx
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Crispy- the pill has worked so good along with a cut down patch until 4yh may.
I started to vet symptoms again ....and it's got worse.
I've been messing around with doses as there is no doubt I was dipping in oestrogen.
Never had sweats on the pill .
So I your opinion would you just up the patch and stick to it?
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Got gp ringing as can't seem to make my mind up what yo go with
Please advise me all I'm really in a bad way
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So, if you had a specialist give u the patch on top of the pill. Then I'd stick to the original dose they recommended.
And stick. The first month might not be great. But all the changes cause as many symptoms as the things themselves. Trust me - I have changed so many things during this hellish peri myself. It causes turmoil. I get it. It's desperation. Xx
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Just to tell u all....i started on the gels 3 then 4 by a meno clinic in 2022....my very first go at it.
At 8 weeks I was still no better the gynaecologist said go on patches as u shoukd have had some improvement.
Ever since starting 50 patch with pill I went on and up.
But now I'm back to how I was....I got to 65 patch brilliant then after few months this dip or fluctuations have happened......
Please advise me as I'm alone ...mo females that I can talk to. You think upping the patch and sticking?
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Thanks crispy- but he issue I have is the dose now....65 went too low ....do you mean stick with what dose the gp now gives me cos I need to increase no doubts
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Ok. Then yes. If GP increases. Stick stick stick.
Although, if you are under a specialist, I'd think they'd be better placed to advise. Perhaps your GP could ask their advice. Xx
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Yes cos even though was crying I stayed on 65 ....but no improvement.....then I was upping slightly to like 67, 68 70....then 85 fir 4 days, back down
Then adding gels
So it's the sticking?? I can ring my gynaecologist but she also woukd say stick I'm guessing....she also said the oestrgen in patch is way less potent than our own is this right?
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Crispy have you ever upped the patch and stuck? How long did u feel better?
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I'm no on hrt Vicky x
I'm trialling pills. My own estrogen is too volatile to add hrt. I need take over - Luke that article dotty sent. X
Yes, I'd ring gynae. As much as they'll say stick - they can give u expert advice on what that sticking dose should be. Xx
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Crispy have you never settled on a patch then?
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And is it usually first month to see improvement??
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Please will you guys help my along the way here
I've not been out in 2 weeks inly 4 bloods
Y anxiety is awful
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Vicky. I've never taken a patch.
As much as the ladies on here can try and help you - you really need the advice of your gynae (and GP) on dose. Then stick with it. Come back here for support as you go through it xxxx
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Vicky…what CrispyChick had said is right. You really need medical advice.
HRT should give you some relief of symptoms within 6 weeks of starting . But every time you change the dose the 6 weeks starts again. It took me a good 6 months on the right dose to feel well again .
If you look up taking the combined pill and HRT …. the NHS and many menopause sites say you can’t take both together.
Let us know what your GP advises.
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Hi dottymy eyes are not good at the mone t due to coming off the AD
Does it say why not?
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So said75patch or 80.. no higher
So I've gone 80.
What you ladies think? I've only gone up 15mg.
Plus I'm still getting horrid effects from leaving my antidepressant. Which last pill was wed. Blury eyes, Confusion, hazy.
Anyone else has this?
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Ok. So you have a decision Vicky.
It's time to just stay put and rude the storm. I know it's awful, as I've said, I'm having a terrible time too. But I do know my desperate changes make me worse.
Time and consistency.
The GP has said 75 or 80. You've gone for 80. Stick.The antidepressants come down should go in the next week. Dotty has said 6 weeks for the hrt dose. Maybe mark that on a calender.
Something to aim for.
Honestly Vicky. I really do get it. I'm in yet another trial myself. Early days and lots of issues. Just be kind to yourself each day. You can get through it. You had stability before. You'll get it again xxx
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Awww crispy thank you for being so kind to me.
I know I've been an idiot.
Everyone on here is so nice I'd be lostt without your love and guidance.
I'm sorry you're struggling too my hun....lots of love to you xxx
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Im just at such a loss, all I am do is sit on the bed ......anxiety is that bad ....very zombie like is best way to describe.
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Crispy have you ever suffered AD come downs when coming off?
I'm like not here....zombie head ....more anxiety
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How long were you on the AD, which one was it and how quickly did you come off? A sudden dip in serotonin could make you feel like this.
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I was on duloxetine 60mg.....for 8 days was terrible! Shrieking with anxiety and depression.
My last pill was on Wed (tapered for 5 days)
Is this normal?
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I can't remember. I find the things hell to get on - even though it's in my long term plan to increase. Probably hell to get off too. I'm very sensitive to everything. U clearly are too.
A 5 day taper is quite short - but obviously you weren't on long to start with. So I'd think things will improve there in a few days.
Just stay in bed. Rest, watch rubbish telly. If will pass xx
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So which AD have made it hel to get on? What bad side effects did u get?
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I've only ever been on one - escitalopram. It's great when I'm on it. But torturous getting there.
Increased anxiety and depression. Like hellish levels. Just what u got.
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Oh god ok... yeah i couldn't take it mate.
Did it maje yiu feel zombie like at first? Like not in the room?
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Because I've still got this out the room feeling now ....I know I'm only 2 days after taking it ....can't be anything else can it??
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Same here. They are known for making you feel worse before better. But I stopped one after two weeks once and was absolutely fine so hopefully this is transient and the effects will go quickly as CrispyChick said.
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Because I've still got this out the room feeling now ....I know I'm only 2 days after taking it ....can't be anything else can it??
No, you just need to give it time now, a couple of weeks at least. And no further changes, give your body tome to adjust. Eat well, get exercise ideally in the morning or at least get plenty of fresh air, try and be consistent with sleep and it'll all calm down in time.
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Thsnks but I honestly can't do anything....I feel stoned....honestly sat here staring have been 4 days.
Gotta be the AD??
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Penguin- did you feel stoned? Out the room feeling on yours??
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Penguin- did you feel stoned? Out the room feeling on yours??
No, but it was a completely different class to the one you took, not an ssri. Make sure you are drinking enough too and not dehydrated.
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Same here. They are known for making you feel worse before better. But I stopped one after two weeks once and was absolutely fine so hopefully this is transient and the effects will go quickly as CrispyChick said.
Can I ask penguin how long did side effects take to go? What side effects did u get?
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Morning Vicky61 - it would be helpful to many members if you replied to those queries put your way. Also, do read through all your threads; make notes which will enable U 2 C how shared experiences might help you come to terms with your symptoms.
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R U living in the UK?
Also: does your place of work not have a dedicated Nurse on site 24/7: if a UK Company employs more than a certain number of Staff they have to provide access to a Health Dept.. Ours had a local General Practitioner visit once a week as well as a qualified Nurse being employed by the Company 9-5. The GP was on-call to the Company as it was a 24 hour facility. First Aiders were a legal requirement and each specific area had its dedicated emergency procedures which were practised once a month.
Perhaps you could address your worries to the Health Dept at your Company?