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[Nas]

Lamplighter, as I understand things, if you are post menopausal, then your hormones will likely to have flattened out. So, if you are on HRT and PM, but still experiencing symptoms, then it is reasonable to request a blood test to check absorption of that particular  HRT. So you could start a patch, stay on it for 6 months, still experience symptoms, get a blood reading and if it’s low, either increase or switch product.

When you reach the maximum licensed dose of your HRT and still no improvement, then it’s time to see a MS for guidance.

If peri menopausal, blood tests in my view are pretty pointless, due to daily fluctuations. So best to titrate the HRT dose to your symptoms only.
 

They also say you need to give each dose increase, 3 months to see if you experience improvement, as that is how long it can take for some symptoms to be relieved ( for some women). So in theory, if you want or need HRT, you could spend a huge chunk of your life, experimenting! 

Some need huge doses of O, others don’t.

Trial and error plus a ton of patience ( which most of us don’t have!)

😀

[Lamplighter]

Thanks Flan  .  Good luck with your appointment xxx

[Lamplighter]

Thanks Nas too  . 

Wow it's not straightforward is it?  Ugh to the length of time needed for the trial and error - and as you say, patience can be in short supply when you're suffering menopausal symptoms.  There's a design fault in here somewhere 

By the way, what does MS stand for?

[Nas]

Definitely a design fault Lamp.
My dream ( other than to win the lotto!) is to walk into Boots, ask for HRT and know that it will work for EVERY blooming symptom, end of!

MS = Menopause specialist
Once you reach the maximum licensed dose for a HRT product, the GP will USUALLY refer you to a specialist. If lucky, a 6 month wait, if unlucky, an eternity. Or you can go private as some ladies have (Newson clinic etc)

😀

[Lamplighter]

Thanks for that NAS. 

And good luck with Lotto, you probably have more chance of winning that than finding an HRT that addresses every symptom, or even one that works without all the faffing around we have to do 

[Floo36]

Flan I would ignore blood results in peri because if you have symptoms still you are not on enough Estrogen.  If I had not had blood tests and just went on symptoms I would have not wasted 2/12 years being really ill.  I kept being told my Estrogen is normal when it wasn’t because the blood test results were high fluctuations and that’s why I had to prove it but I struck lucky with the low one, I may never have got a low reading as it’s like chasing a moving target. 

I’m also using the 2 weeks rule for increasing dose because some symptoms like flushes and palpitations should go within a few weeks on the right dose.  I will increase my dose in 4 days if my palps and flushes haven’t gone then it still may need tweaking if the multitude of other symptoms haven’t gone. 

[SueLW]

Thank you so much for replying.  That’s interesting.  It’s a bit frustrating that all the information is conflicting.  Effectively you’re patch was the same as my gel dose yet our specialists have both given us completely different advice with the spray.

Some say Lenzetto is stronger than a pump of gel.  I don't think it is.  I use 3 sprays a day.  I don't absorb gel or patches very well.  I love the spray.  I was on a 125 patch, but as I said I didn't absorb it and I do seem to absorb the spray.  I'd start like for like if I were you.

[SueLW]

Hi
I’ve just been given a private prescription for lenzetto ( was on 75 patch which is 3 pumps of gel I think) and MS said start at 1 pump daily. Otherwise you are using a lot of spray all in one go and can’t really  build up your doses?

Good luck 🤞

That's pretty dreadful advice.  You are going to suffer doing that.  I use 3 sprays a day.  I was on 125 patch but didn't absorb the patch so it's no guide really.  I do absorb the spray.  That will be the deciding factor.  I'd definitely start on 2 sprays if I were you and look to move up if it doesn't feel enough.

[SueLW]

My issue with Estrogel is that I continue to have the feeling of absorption not being even, and that the dose is wearing off some 14-16 hours after applying. Hearing some very positive experiences on Lenzetto, I'm increasingly keen to try it out in case I still need to find an alternative solution.
Already trialled patch unsuccessfully and if I don't balance with Estrogel now, then I only have Lenzetto left to try before moving to oral, which I'd really wish to avoid.

That happened to me.  All the gel rushed me at the start and wore off too fast.  My blood levels consistently tested low but I couldn't stand more than 4 pumps of gel.  I tried patches, they felt more even but still levels were low.  I love Lenzetto.  I am currently on 3 sprays a day and can take it all in one go in the morning and feel fine all day.  I prefer 4 sprays a day and get nice high numbers on it, but I'm trying to work out what's giving me such horrible fluid filled feet at present so I lowered my spray.  I tried 2 sprays a day for 3 weeks.  Felt so low and flat but feet were the same so I'm back on 3 sprays now and might go back to 4 at some point if I feel I need too later on.  Got to find out why my feet are so swollen first.

[Flan747]

Floo! I think your right but am so unsure what to do! I have had another awful day with palpitations since reducing to 5! My appt can’t come quick enough! So lost in this journey! Like you I feel I have wasted over 2 years of my life and still in this awful situation! Will be increasing again tomorrow to see if it will settle a little

[Natter]

Hello, anyone else changed from gel to Lenzetto? I'm just about to change back. The gel was in short supply, so I was moved onto Lenzetto, but ever since all my symptoms have ramped up. I started off on 2 pumps, then ramped up to 4, but it made no difference. I was formally on 2 or 3 pumps of the gel, which controlled most of my symptoms. I don't really understand why the spray would be less effective though. Shame as it was simpler and quicker to use.

[Dawnp]

Flan I would ignore blood results in peri because if you have symptoms still you are not on enough Estrogen.  If I had not had blood tests and just went on symptoms I would have not wasted 2/12 years being really ill.  I kept being told my Estrogen is normal when it wasn’t because the blood test results were high fluctuations and that’s why I had to prove it but I struck lucky with the low one, I may never have got a low reading as it’s like chasing a moving target. 

I’m also using the 2 weeks rule for increasing dose because some symptoms like flushes and palpitations should go within a few weeks on the right dose.  I will increase my dose in 4 days if my palps and flushes haven’t gone then it still may need tweaking if the multitude of other symptoms haven’t gone.

Floo do you mind if I ask you what dose of oral hrt you are using and if you are finding it to be enough? I don’t think transdermal works for me but don’t think a 2mg tablet is likely to be enough. So I’ve been keen to find someone who was taking high doses transdermally and then switched to oral. I’m on 200 patches and have felt terrible for the entire 9 months I’ve been using them.

[Lizjaks]

3 sprays of lenzetto os the equivalent to two pumps of Oestrogel. That is a fact despite all the varying nonsense online.