Hello ladies,
I'm exactly at the same situation! Just saw gynae and she wants to move me now to 50 mcg Estradot patch, which would hopefully stabilise things. I'm currently taking Oestrogel and Utrogestan and have been really struggling. Initially started HRT last year, used 1 pump gel and 200mg utro days 14-26 and it worked great. Then couple of months ago something happened (still haven't been able to figure out exactly what) and new set of symptoms emerged with a vengeance.
![Shocked :o](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/shocked.gif)
By increasing the gel, I've managed to get the heart arrhythmia/palpitations and adrenaline attacks under control and sleep is somewhat better, but anxiety is really bad and again only got worse over the past 2 weeks. I'm on a constant roller coaster trying to adjust the gel and it feels like my absorption is really uneven. Have had couple times very scary symptoms which felt like 'overdose' though have applied just the normal amount of gel... Overall, the situation is just not good and I feel its time for change.
I"m new to patches, but know there are couple of alternatives -Estradot being one of them. Some patches are just estradiol, some have combined progesterone.
Mindfulmoomins: are you thinking of getting combined patch, or you'll take the progesterone separately (in case you need it)? When will your GP appointment take place?
I'm currently puzzled as to how to move from gel to patch. Should I just switch on the go, or do some kind of wash out period? Would be great to get some advice here!
And I've understood from other threads that matrix patches (such as Estradot) should be OK to be split? I only got the dose 50 mcg, but given I seem to be super sensitive to oestrogen, I'm thinking of trying the first one with even lower dose -maybe cutting 1/4 away to get somewhere around 40 mcg. If it feels too low I can increase. Anyone done this successfully?
Thanks for much for advice and good luck Mindfulmoomins for your appointment!
Jmargaret , are you seeing a doctor as well to discuss the change?