Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: helenmelon on January 16, 2020, 01:59:33 PM
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Hi, haven't been here for a while but would appreciate your insight/suggestions please.
After 2 years of feeling well (most of the time) on Estradot 75 and the Mirena I've been told by my GP's receptionist that no where in the UK has my patches and they are transferring all their patients onto tablets or gel. I don't get on with many tablets due to acid reflux (another fab symptom of the menopause)
So I said I'd prefer gel, the doctor will ultimately make the decision which I get, but when I originally saw the Meno specialist at the clinic she said they didn't recommend tablets as patches and gel were safer options.
Has anyone else had to change from patches to gel or tablets?? How is it for you? Have you noticed a difference?
I'm quite worried that this will be like starting again and also worried that my original symptoms will come back
Thanks in advance x
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I have used gel for 18 months now. When I had tablets I didn't get on with them for all the reasons you said. Acid reflux, nausea etc. They go through the stomach and get diluted by stomach acid and then they have to go through the liver and be processed.
Gel and patches don't do that.
Patches and gel are both transdermal delivery systems. Some get on with the gel and others prefer patches but you can only try.
Maybe there are other patches? There are lots of ladies on here who use gel and a Mirina and find it a really good combo. The thing about the gel is that it is flexible in the dose. So if you get oestrogel you can use 1 pump, or 2 pumps right up to 4 pumps depending on the level your body needs. If you have patches and tablets you get given a certain dose and if you have to change the dose you need a new prescription....(although the more gel you use the more repeat prescriptions you need :))
I like my gel but you will find whatever you change to will upset the apple cart for a while and you will need to let levels settle again.x
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Hi, I have had to go back to the gel because of no patches. I prefer the patches but the gel is better than taking a tablet for me .I am starting out slowly with one pump and will gradually raise it until the night sweats are controlled.If you are going straight from the patches to the gel you should be ok.I have had awful reflux and heartburn as well and after suffering for 3 years with it and trying everything I took the suggestion from someone on here and tried sage with good results so far.
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Hey AnnieR66 - I was started on 2 pumps but that didn't control my symptoms so the gp said to up it to 4. I did that and they went away. I am now using 3 pumps consistently. Sometimes if you're symptoms aren't coming under control you need to up by half a pump at a time until they do. x
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Thanks Ladybt x
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hi ladies
any hair shedding for you on the gel ?
also do u ladies take a progesterone too ?
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Helenmelon, what the receptionist said about Estradot patches is not quite true. Have you tried Lloyd's Pharmacy? I got some Estradot 100s today, and they had other strengths of Estradot in stock. Perhaps make your own enquiries. However, you may be fine with one of the gels, either Oestrogel or Sandrena.
JP x
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joaniepat
how is your regime going now the estradot patch and testosterone as if i remember correctly u are not on any progesterone ? x
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Sammiejane...to be honest I am not sure that it is a good idea to keep asking about hair shedding in other people's threads especially when the post is on another subject altogether? AnnieR66 is asking about something entirely different. Whether she should use gel or tablets in her situation?
I have answered you loads of times as I post regularly on here and my story is quite clearly outlined usually every time I post and if I remember I think someone posted a link for you only yesterday about a study on hair shedding and oestrogen? So... yes I do take progesterone on a cycle because I have a womb and I have to take it. I am 58 and I choose to bleed My hair has got thinner but I don't have any shedding. My hair has always been thin and now there is not just so much of it. Personally I do not think your own hair shedding issue is to do with hormones alone, I think there is something else going on which you should get checked out.
AnnieR66 - please let us know what you decide and how you get along. x
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Hi Sammie, My hair has thinned a lot in the last 2/3 years since starting on combined hrt, although I can't say for certain if it would have happened anyway?!
The hair does tend to go thinner as you get older so I really couldn't say.
Mine is breaking off all over as well so I look like a scarecrow.
I can understand your distress, it is awful. x
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joaniepat
how is your regime going now the estradot patch and testosterone as if i remember correctly u are not on any progesterone ? x
Hi Sammiejane, it's going fine thanks. Not on progesterone as had hysterectomy.
JP
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Thank you all for your replies,
Joaniepat I live in the Dales and because it's a rural patches my meds are dispensed by the GP practice. She told me that as a practice and due to the problems with patches and the fact they can't get any that's why they were ringing all the patients to transfer the scrips to tablets or gel.
I have seen some patches available at private pharmacies and if the gel doesn't suit I may go down that road for £33 per month it would be worth it not to go bad to my menopause madness days.
I'll let you know the outcome x
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Hi helenmelon
Well you may not be able to get Estradot patches (my local GP practice dispensary can't - it's a small market town in-house dispensary as I live in a rural area too but not remote like the Dales) but there are other patches available which are just as good. If you want to stay on patches then please press for this and don't be fobbed off. I haven't had Estradot for several months and I was first put onto Estraderm for a few months and now I'm on Elleste Solo MX - and I am happy as anything! Unless you are extra sensitive to slight changes in levels due to differential absorption you should be absolutely fine! I did try gel for a couple of months (before the shortages actually) but I didn't get on with it - but I didn't want to wait around to tweak the dose as I knew the patches worked. The pharmacist at the (GP practice) dispensary organised it.
No need to pay!!!! It's your right to stay on patches if you want to!
Hurdity x
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ladybt28
i don't recall asking you anything in this post !
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...You said "hi ladies" any hair shedding on the gel and do you take progesterone"? AnnieR66 and I had been posting between before you asked the question. Why would "hi ladies" therefore not include me Sammiejane?
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Hurdity, thank you very much x
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Hi again,
So, I now have the gel, it's Sandrena, the pack just said ?apply as directed? not helpful as I've not been directed!!
Been on 75mcg patches does anyone know how many of these tiny sachets make up to that dose please, once a day?? They are 1.0g
Thanks in advance x
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Update!!
Pharmacist has just rung to say that she's look it up and I should use 1 sachet per day I asked if that was equivalent to
my 75mcg Estradot she said there's no equivalent and they are recommending that everyone starts on 1 sachet for at least 28 days and increase if you get any symptoms 🤬
I have been on 75 for ages now and don't want my menopause madness back, surely there's a way to work out the equivalent without this trial and error method???
Hopefully someone on here will know ??
Thanks x
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https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/HRT-Practical-Prescribing-AUG2018.pdf
Hi look at the bottom of the first page.
The equivalent to a 75 patch would be 1.5 to 2mg of Sandrena gel X
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ladybt28
actually it was helenmelon who started the thread ! and i can ask what questions i like it is not up to you to tell me otherwise !
i have as much right on here as you and we have distress over different things .
i think your post was extremely rude !
i asked a general all ladies therefore not specifically asking you so therefore you did not need to reply !