Print

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

[Anjia]

I was just reading the leaflet on the pack of Estrodot 50mcg patch at the side affects and one of the first is nervousness I myself would say that this is a form of anxiety? Why then do I here so many times on this forum that its oestrogen that is the feel good hormone I am 55 had a hysterectomy three years ago so only need this hrt it helps with flushes but anxiety is crippling some days does anyone find this has happened to them .

[Dancinggirl]

Anxiety is a menopausal symptom - I think flushes, night sweats, palpations and lack of sleep make anxiety far worse so oestrogen will improve things and having more energy will make most of us 'feel good'.  I have found that too high a dose of oestrogen can make me feel agitated and wired so I think finding the right dosage is important.  You may be one of the poor ladies that, for them, oestrogen is not enough and an SRRI alongside may be needed to really keep the anxiety under control.  I assume you have looked at diet, exercise and some meditation to help with anxiety?  HRT cannot fix everything - it is often necessary to include a range of measures to control the anxiety and low mood aspects of the meno.  You could try stopping the oestrogen for 4-8 weeks to see if your anxiety improves - this would allow you the opportunity to really assess whether you need it or not?  Perhaps try a lower or possibly a higher dose? If you use Oestrogel this would allow you to experiment a bit to find the right level.  DG x

[Anjia]

Thanks Dancing Girl I really do get confused with all this how could I try a higher dose when I think the dose Im on is to high? I started on a low dose after my op the tablet form then went to a higher dose this then give me bad IBS so hence went with the patch just cant win maybe Ill try stopping for a few weeks but I no for certain the flushes will come back.

[Dancinggirl]

Anjia - the patches are generally good, however, you don't say what dosage you are on? I have used Oestrogel (a different form of transdermal) for many years because you have better control over the amount you use.
I somehow doubt your anxiety is to do with the oestrogen - I think you probably need to look at alternative ways of controlling the anxiety.  Maybe discuss the option of adding in an SRRI like a low dose citalopram together with the Oesreogen?  DG x

[Tinkerbell]

I started Estradot 50 recently and after 12 days I had awful palpitations kick in, I wondered if it was the estrogen or the Mirena I have recently had fitted.
But after having a really bad time with palpitations when I had a very stressful time 18 years ago and at the moment life is again very stressful and has been for the last couple of years I think it is that rather than the HRT.

[Mary G]

Anjia, why don't you switch to Oestrogel?  I think it works better and it is far more flexible because you can adjust the dose to suit your needs and you will find it easier to get your dose right. 

I also wonder if your current dose is too low because I didn't find the 50mcg patch effective at all.  I know we are all different but the symptoms you describe remind me of how I felt when my oestrogen levels were too low i.e. tinny, half baked and not quite there.

[crazydaisy]

I have had horrid anxiety since peri, was taking evoral sequi for 3yrs but stopped 3 weeks ago and weather its coincidence or not my anxiety and IBS seems much better. No flushes yet but having aches and pains and palpitations are back.

[dangermouse]

I think both extremes cause anxiety.

When oestrogen falls too low in post meno and in the follicular phase of the peri cycle, the adrenal glands take over and shunt out adrenaline to keep the heart beating adequately. However, if oestrogen goes too high during peri surges or if HRT is too strong, as oestrogen is a stimulant it can over stimulate excess adrenaline to churn out.

As out natural adrenaline ebbs and flows over the day, the extra adrenaline will often overwhelm us at the peaks of the circadian cycle.

This is possibly where the art of rhythmic HRT cycling could be beneficial, where you take different amounts depending on the day of your cycle. I don't think there are any specialists who offer this service in the UK though.