Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[lbuchanan]

Hi There. Having been under a specialist for a year or 2 now am finding that I am yet to settle into a good place with my HRT. In order to have a monthly bleed I take Micronor (Mini Pill) 2 tabs for the first 8 days of the month. I was using Sandrena Gel 1mg alongside this which was fine for a year or so, but then stopped working for me - My specialist advised me that I had derma fatigue. Through a blood test it was confirmed that this was the case as my eostrogen levels dropped dramatically, this made sense as I was feeling so low and tired again. I am now taking 1mg Progynova (Estradoil valerate) however am starting to feel very tired again, low mood and symptoms returning i.e mashed brain !! Specialist advised me through his secretary last week that increasing to 2mg is perfectly acceptable. I will trial this for a month and see how things go. I am not keen on upping my dose as I like the idea of less chemical going into my body, however quality of life is important to me. It just feels like I am constantly having to re address the medication I take. I long for the day that I can just get on with my life without having to trial other options due to having relapses. Has anyone else out there had similar experiences please?
 

[Hurdity]

Hi Ibuchanan

 

I don't know what derma fatigue is - I've never heard of it!

Personally I wouldn't change from gel to tablets because there is more "chemical" if you like going into your body - in that you have to take more oestrogen than needed because it is metabolised by the liver, and this can sometimes cause more side effects. However no bio-identical oestrogen (ie estradiol) is a chemical - it is just replacing your own hormone that is missing.

Taking oestrogen in patch or gel form gives the estradiol straight into the blood stream so is the most natural way to replace oestrogen. You could have increased the gel dose rather than changing to a tablet.

Some womem have problems with gel in that it needs to be applied in the right way for maximum absorption. Many women - once they have got the technique right - swear by gel. I use patches and have done for over 7 years and have never had any problems at all.

Also if you are peri-menopausal - your own hormonal levels will be fluctuating so this will also alter the perceived effectiveness of the HRT. Once you are post-menopausal it is easier to find the right dose because your levels no longer fluctuate and are consistently low.

Hope this helps!

Hurdity x

[lbuchanan]

Hi there
Thank you for your reply !
I started on patches and the one that I was prescribed really did give me some horrific side effects. If you don't mind me asking, what one are you using?
Regarding the gel, it suited me so much but I could tell myself that it was just not absorbing anymore. I am wondering where I could find information about better applying for maximum effects as Id like to stay with this really.
Thanks again for your advice !

[CLKD]

   have you browsed the menus, left of screen?  As stated, it's not 'chemical' but a natural replacement for what you aren't making …….

[Anjia]

I am taking estrogen only tablets I did try changing to patches but they did not work for me.The reason I changed was because patches don't effect your liver so I thought that sounded much better. I think Hurdity does sometimes try to put people off tablets but we are not all the same .I still have bad days but better taking tablet form .

[Taz2]

I don't think that Hurdity tries to put people off using pills - it's just kinder to the body for most people and pills are often prescribed first because they are much cheaper. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule and I'm pleased you've found that pills work for you - although as you get older pills may be more difficult to get prescribed.  It is really helpful to have everyone's experiences for others to read about. Do you think that the patches weren't sticking well so you didn't get a high enough dose?

Taz x

[Hurdity]

Ibuchanan - I use Estradot patches and take progesterone separately - micronised ("natural") progesterone marketed as Utrogestan. It may well be that you were prescribed one of the combi patches - either Evorel sequi or Femseven sequi and it was likely that you may have experienced side effects from the progestogen. In your case for instance you could have increased the gel dosage but the doc would need to ensure that the progestogen dose from the Micronor was sufficient to keep your lining thin.

Anjia - I respond to what women are asking or saying and recommend accordingly based on what I've read on this site (left menu) and elsewhere in the scientific literature or mainstream menopause organisations. As Taz says, based on a free choice, transdermal methods would always be recommended especially long term because there are generally fewer side effects and they don't have to go through the liver as you say, and fewer metabolites (from the HRT) need to enter the blood stream and be excreted. I'm pleased you are feeling better overall.

Hurdity x