Sorry, epic post. Asking a question I asked the other day in a different way.
I started hrt in nov at 44. 37.5 patches. Still had cycle so utrogestan cyclically and I tried vaginally from the start.
Felt impact on aches immediately and v bouyant after a couple of weeks. Things seemed to start to worsen after booster jab and catching covid in Jan which left me with v mild long covid, though I think that’s resolved now. Raised to 50 in February.
Started to go down hill more at Easter; lack of stamina and severe loss of libido and dryness. Blood test showed 134 in May and I went to 75 patches, though I had some issues with leg and feet aches, swelling etc. caught covid again though bounced back better, some fatigue for 5 weeks.
I’d asked about testosterone in May and Gp said we have to “maximise oestrogen first” and seemed to think that would resolve it.
A key issue for many years has been joints and aches and pains an stiffness, no matter what I do, plus crippling fatigue. Fatigue and brain fog is much better but joints still can be creaky. Also burning and tingling hands and feet which comes and goes.
I’ve moved to 87.5. Gp wasn’t going to move me higher after latest test due to side effects I’d had going from 50-75 and seems to have forgotten previous discussions after Easter around libido and fatigue, but agreed to the edging up slowly idea. I’m still having some over heating / insomnia nights, especially on the third night after at the end of a patch. (Doing 3 days and think I may now change in evenings.)
However, I am concerned that even 100 patches may not be enough, I’m not even sure I’ll hit 400. (She’s said 400-600 is ideal.)
Under the nhs what is max oestrogen? Do I need to go private? I’m supposed to be on Newson waiting list but taking ages and would rather go via nhs.
Am I being really impatient? And need to see how symptoms are when I’ve been on 100 for some time?
I’m now tempted to move to 100
More quickly tbh. I think the heat made water retention worse in the summer.
(Vit d and other tests to be done on medichecks, postal strike causing a delay there. I’ve had loads of thyroid and b12 tests but just checking vit d and active b12.)