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[Cally]

Hi everyone, hope you are well.

My periods stopped in Jan 19. By June I could not cope with the multiple hot flashes day and night and all the other symptoms of: lethargy, all over body pain, depression etc so I went on HRT patches ( Evorel Conti). The doctor said to take half a patch twice a week. I have Hemiplegic migraines that came with Peri. ( They were triggered by the drop in estrogen after ovulation and at period time). I didn’t feel any bad effects from the patches. I felt a slight improvement. Then in July and August I got a period. My cycles then just seemed to be dominated by my own cycle. I could feel ovulation, I had migraines return at the same time in my cycle they always did. I did not have increased migraine with the patch. They followed the same pattern. Around my period I suffered PMDD depression that I used to have years ago. It had come back in Peri and returned with the periods again. I really want to eliminate PMDD.

I decided that I didn’t want to be on combination patch  and discussed with my GP and she prescribed estrogen only patch and Utrogestan which I planned to take vaginally. ( Researched on here )   Unfortunately I could not get the patches so asked for Estrogel. I started at 1 pump but I had awful symptoms. I felt immediately drowsy and hyper, irritable. I felt nauseas. I didn’t get any of this on the patches. I wonder if it was more of a hit to my body.  The last time I applied the gel was on a a Sunday about two weeks ago and on the next day ( Mon) I had a blood test that showed estriodol 175 pmol.

For a few days I didn’t have anything as I didn’t want to try the gel again. The vaginal dryness started again so I thought I would put the Evorel Conti patch on until I sorted out what to do. This time I put a full patch on. I had no adverse symptoms. I do feel better but not great. Then a couple of days ago it was day 12 of my cycle. I felt my own estrogen kick in and I had two wonderful days around mid cycle where I felt like me again. My body didn’t hurt, no backache, good energy and mood. I was confident and articulate. My brain worked and I could cook a meal and clean the house. My mind was great and I felt like the old me.

Today is day 15 and I am in a slump again. I have no energy, no motivation. I have terrible bodywide pain. Even the soles of my feet hurt. I am hobbling around like an old lady. My mood is flat and I cannot be bothered to do anything. I have severe lower back pain which had gone the last few days. I feel that I might not be on enough and my own cycle is dictating how things are going to be. Am I right in thinking that my own estrogen kicked in at mid cycle and peaked so added to the HRT patch and made me feel good?

In all my hormone tests my estrogen, progesterone and testosterone has come back low. Are those two days a glimpse of how HRT can work when you are on the optimal dose?

I do not wish to stay on Evorel Conti long term as the combined has a risk. I have an appointment booked with GP. I liked the idea of the gel. I am wondering if the initial symptoms would wear off. I know that you have to give HRT time to work.

I also wanted to say that the gel gave me blurred vision in my left eye and a tingling line sensation across my nose. I have also had this symptom over the last year on and off.

Thank you for any advise or thought.
Cally.

[Hurdity]

Hi Cally

Sorry to hear about your symptoms.

Can you say how old you are? If you are being affected by the fluctuations in your cycle and specifically low oestrogen have you thought of the combined pill? If you are under 50 there is one called QLAIRA that is designed for menopausal women. it has 3 different doses of oestrogen throughout the month but only 2 tablet free days. It suppresses ovulation so you won't get the spikes and crashes. The other alternative is the Mirena coil which can also suppress ovulation but also you can add oestrogen patches to it at whatever level you need to feel well, without worrying about bleeds. Even though there are shortages I think the situation has eased for some products due to govt restrictions so you can still get patches if you prefer these.

Have a look also at the website of Prof Studd who is a specialist in reproductive depression - and there are several articles on this. He advocates very high doses of oestrogen to suppress ovulation which may give you enough to feel good and prevent the crashes. You would, of course need to take a progestogen for 10-12 days per cycle.

When you are peri-menopausal blood tests are not very accurate - but that oestrogen level does sound low for someone who may not yet be at menopause.

Hope this helps.

Hurdity x

[Cally]

Hi Hurdity
Thanks for the reply. I was 50 in July. I didn't consider the pill as I thought HRT was the way to go when periods stopped. ( It didn't really suit me when I was younger to be honest. )  I think my cycle is sputtering hence the stopping periods so I probably don't ovulate every month. It seems to come and go. Probably normal. I wasn't sure if the periods returning on HRT was normal. My GP said that if I had two then I should come off HRT.

I have read Professor Studd's website. It is so interesting and it helped me make the decision to try HRT. I did some more research and decided that I don't want to take the combined ( Evorel Conti) long term. I could try to source the patches again. No one had any when I tried. I thought the patches would help but it's been minimal really and then cycle kicking back in doesn't help. It looks like I might need a higher dose to stop the fluctuations, is that right?

Are my symptoms on Estrogel typical? Do you think it is an initial side effect that might wear off? I quite liked the idea of the gel and was disappointed it affected me so.

I have definitely fallen off a cliff today ( day 15). I feel quite low in mood and irritable and all the body pain is back. Do you think that's the estrogen dropping? Thank you for your help. It sure is a puzzle to figure everything out.

[Tracey E]

Hi Calky, I had aura migranes whist on Estrogel, blurred vision etc.various joint aches and pains especially in the the feet, ankles and fingers. I used to feel like an old lady first thing in the morning.

[Cally]

Hi Tracey

Thanks for sharing. It's nice to know it's not just me that all these weird things happen to. I did get all those symptoms before I started HRT aswell. I thought they might go away with HRT so then there is the question is the stuff making it worse or am I not on enough or is it adrenals/ cortisol or even Thyroid as I have low thyroid.

This morning only my feet are aching. I know how you feel, walking around like an eighty year old. It's so difficult to figure out.