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[Losingtheplot]

Hi.

Am so sorry you are struggling. The anxiety can be overwhelming and so hard to deal with.

To echo what others have said I too have never heard of not taking estrogen everyday.  It could also be that you need a dose adjustment. Maybe have a chat with your gp?

Sending you love and strength. X

Unfortunately my GP is not very knowledgeable and I had to ask for the HRT I am currently on as she was at a loss what to suggest when the HRT she prescribed me didn't agree with me.   I may just try and tweak the estrogen myself and possibly take 2 x sachets every other day during the 14 days I am on it.  Thank you for the kind words.  The anxiety never goes just seems to dim down at times when I am able to cope better. I end up feeling like its all too much and I don't want things to get as bad as they were earlier in the year where I literally felt like I was having a breakdown, at that point I had several symptoms that crept up on me.  I do realise that HRT needs tweaking as time goes on and maybe that is the answer.  I will try and increase  it when I am next on the sandrena as currently on Utrogestan. Will try and see if I can have a tele appointment with GP but I am not hopeful she will give me any different advice as she took me of HRT completely when the patches didn't agree and didn't suggest any other in its place!! 

This resulted in me having an awful few weeks with the symptoms getting worse before I did my own research and made an appointment with this GP with the HRT I wanted prescribed!

[Banjo1973]

It is thr progesterone (utrogestan) that is taken continuously post meno. In peri you can take it sequentially.

Estrogen is taken continuously peri or post.

I am peri and have recently switched to Sandrena (previously on oestrogel). I take it every day and it makes me feel good. If I had to take a break from it every month I think it would tip me over the edge!

I really feel for you having your meno specialist appointment cancelled. This also happened to me twice, hang on in there, when you eventually see them it's worth the wait (hopefully).

When I saw my specialist the first thing she said to me was that my Estrogen gel dose was way too low (1 pump which is equivalent to your 0.5mg sachet,). BTW I was 49 with regular periods.

To put into context I am on 1.5mg of Sandrena.

While you're waiting for specialist ask to see a different GP. I'm not sure how common hrt with implants are so hopefully your GP will look into it carefully and not fob you off with guess work.

Good luck with it xx

[Banjo1973]

Hi.

Am so sorry you are struggling. The anxiety can be overwhelming and so hard to deal with.

To echo what others have said I too have never heard of not taking estrogen everyday.  It


Unfortunately my GP is not very knowledgeable and I had to ask for the HRT I am currently on as she was at a loss what to suggest when the HRT she prescribed me didn't agree with me.   I may just try and tweak the estrogen myself and possibly take 2 x sachets every other day during the 14 days I am on it.  Thank you for the kind words.  The anxiety never goes just seems to dim down at times when I am able to cope better. I end up feeling like its all too much and I don't want things to get as bad as they were earlier in the year where I literally felt like I was having a breakdown, at that point I had several symptoms that crept up on me.  I do realise that HRT needs tweaking as time goes on and maybe that is the answer.  I will try and increase  it when I am next on the sandrena as currently on Utrogestan. Will try and see if I can have a tele appointment with GP but I am not hopeful she will give me any different advice as she took me of HRT completely when the patches didn't agree and didn't suggest any other in its place!! 

This resulted in me having an awful few weeks with the symptoms getting worse before I did my own research and made an appointment with this GP with the HRT I wanted prescribed!

Hi Losingtheplot,

As I said, I'm no expert, but please don't double the dose on the 'Sandrena days' as you will get even more of a dip on the days you are not on it.

My advice (again, I am no expert) is to take the Sandrena daily. It is how its designed to be taken, peri or post.

I'm assuming the implant is progesterone only? So your body is probably up for some more estrogen?

Sending love

[Banjo1973]

Hi Losingtheplot,

As I said, I'm no expert, but please don't double the dose on the 'Sandrena days' as you will get even more of a dip on the days you are not on it.

My advice (again, I am no expert) is to take the Sandrena daily. It is how its designed to be taken, peri or post.

I'm assuming the implant is progesterone only? So your body is probably up for some more estrogen?

Sending love

[Mrslolad]

Hi.

Am so sorry you are struggling. The anxiety can be overwhelming and so hard to deal with.

To echo what others have said I too have never heard of not taking estrogen everyday.  It could also be that you need a dose adjustment. Maybe have a chat with your gp?

Sending you love and strength. X

Unfortunately my GP is not very knowledgeable and I had to ask for the HRT I am currently on as she was at a loss what to suggest when the HRT she prescribed me didn't agree with me.   I may just try and tweak the estrogen myself and possibly take 2 x sachets every other day during the 14 days I am on it.  Thank you for the kind words.  The anxiety never goes just seems to dim down at times when I am able to cope better. I end up feeling like its all too much and I don't want things to get as bad as they were earlier in the year where I literally felt like I was having a breakdown, at that point I had several symptoms that crept up on me.  I do realise that HRT needs tweaking as time goes on and maybe that is the answer.  I will try and increase  it when I am next on the sandrena as currently on Utrogestan. Will try and see if I can have a tele appointment with GP but I am not hopeful she will give me any different advice as she took me of HRT completely when the patches didn't agree and didn't suggest any other in its place!! 

This resulted in me having an awful few weeks with the symptoms getting worse before I did my own research and made an appointment with this GP with the HRT I wanted prescribed!

Hi. If I may suggest that you try taking your current dose of sandrena every day.  Our own levels fluctuate during the month and my understanding is that we need to build up a near constant level to feel the full benefits.

If you were to double up your dose on alternate days you are just further putting your hormones out of whack and then your estrogen and progesterone will be unbalanced. Unfortunately both of these hormones contribute to our mental health and them being unbalanced exacerbates the anxiety etc. (this is me speaking from recent lived experience). 

Xx

[Losingtheplot]

Hi Losingtheplot,

As I said, I'm no expert, but please don't double the dose on the 'Sandrena days' as you will get even more of a dip on the days you are not on it.

My advice (again, I am no expert) is to take the Sandrena daily. It is how its designed to be taken, peri or post.

I'm assuming the implant is progesterone only? So your body is probably up for some more estrogen?

Sending love

I will seek professional help before I look to change the dose.  The implant is not used as the progesterone element I have to take Utrogestan separately.  I did ask my GP if the implant could be used as progesterone element to which I received no reply.  GP then stated I needed to take Utrogestan to ensure the womb lining did not build up from the Oestrogen.

To be honest I am now concerned that my GP has not had me on the correct HRT regimen.  I had asked to be referred to meno specialist months ago and had hoped that once I had seen someone more knowledgeable they would beable to clarify things......

[Losingtheplot]

Hi.

Am so sorry you are struggling. The anxiety can be overwhelming and so hard to deal with.

To echo what others have said I too have never heard of not taking estrogen everyday.  It could also be that you need a dose adjustment. Maybe have a chat with your gp?

Sending you love and strength. X

Unfortunately my GP is not very knowledgeable and I had to ask for the HRT I am currently on as she was at a loss what to suggest when the HRT she prescribed me didn't agree with me.   I may just try and tweak the estrogen myself and possibly take 2 x sachets every other day during the 14 days I am on it.  Thank you for the kind words.  The anxiety never goes just seems to dim down at times when I am able to cope better. I end up feeling like its all too much and I don't want things to get as bad as they were earlier in the year where I literally felt like I was having a breakdown, at that point I had several symptoms that crept up on me.  I do realise that HRT needs tweaking as time goes on and maybe that is the answer.  I will try and increase  it when I am next on the sandrena as currently on Utrogestan. Will try and see if I can have a tele appointment with GP but I am not hopeful she will give me any different advice as she took me of HRT completely when the patches didn't agree and didn't suggest any other in its place!! 

This resulted in me having an awful few weeks with the symptoms getting worse before I did my own research and made an appointment with this GP with the HRT I wanted prescribed!

Hi. If I may suggest that you try taking your current dose of sandrena every day.  Our own levels fluctuate during the month and my understanding is that we need to build up a near constant level to feel the full benefits.

If you were to double up your dose on alternate days you are just further putting your hormones out of whack and then your estrogen and progesterone will be unbalanced. Unfortunately both of these hormones contribute to our mental health and them being unbalanced exacerbates the anxiety etc. (this is me speaking from recent lived experience). 

Xx

Hi MrsLolad

To be honest I am completely lost with my HRT now.  I remember the GP stating I only took the sandrena Gel for 14 days then stop it and start Utrogestan.  Now I am reading from people on my post that the Sandrena should be continous? Have I been taking it incorrectly all this time? 

I will read the label on the box of Sandrena that the pharmacist sticks on with the instructions of when to take etc when I get home later out of curiosity as I am totally confused now 

[Mrslolad]

Hi.

Am so sorry you are struggling. The anxiety can be overwhelming and so hard to deal with.

To echo what others have said I too have never heard of not taking estrogen everyday.  It could also be that you need a dose adjustment. Maybe have a chat with your gp?

Sending you love and strength. X

Unfortunately my GP is not very knowledgeable and I had to ask for the HRT I am currently on as she was at a loss what to suggest when the HRT she prescribed me didn't agree with me.   I may just try and tweak the estrogen myself and possibly take 2 x sachets every other day during the 14 days I am on it.  Thank you for the kind words.  The anxiety never goes just seems to dim down at times when I am able to cope better. I end up feeling like its all too much and I don't want things to get as bad as they were earlier in the year where I literally felt like I was having a breakdown, at that point I had several symptoms that crept up on me.  I do realise that HRT needs tweaking as time goes on and maybe that is the answer.  I will try and increase  it when I am next on the sandrena as currently on Utrogestan. Will try and see if I can have a tele appointment with GP but I am not hopeful she will give me any different advice as she took me of HRT completely when the patches didn't agree and didn't suggest any other in its place!! 

This resulted in me having an awful few weeks with the symptoms getting worse before I did my own research and made an appointment with this GP with the HRT I wanted prescribed!

Hi. If I may suggest that you try taking your current dose of sandrena every day.  Our own levels fluctuate during the month and my understanding is that we need to build up a near constant level to feel the full benefits.

If you were to double up your dose on alternate days you are just further putting your hormones out of whack and then your estrogen and progesterone will be unbalanced. Unfortunately both of these hormones contribute to our mental health and them being unbalanced exacerbates the anxiety etc. (this is me speaking from recent lived experience). 

Xx

Hi MrsLolad

To be honest I am completely lost with my HRT now.  I remember the GP stating I only took the sandrena Gel for 14 days then stop it and start Utrogestan.  Now I am reading from people on my post that the Sandrena should be continous? Have I been taking it incorrectly all this time? 

I will read the label on the box of Sandrena that the pharmacist sticks on with the instructions of when to take etc when I get home later out of curiosity as I am totally confused now 

I understand feeling completely lost when it comes to hrt. Especially as we place our trust in GPs who seem unknowledgeable about it.

I found the Balance website has good, concise info about hrt and hormones. Maybe take a read and it will help.

But I can confirm what Banjo said: that estrogen is taken continuously no matter what stage we’re in and it’s the progesterone that is cyclical (unless there are other factors at play- such as intolerance, being post menopause or having no womb.)

It is a minefield and it can seem so overwhelming at times but I PROMISE that you’ve got this. X

[Banjo1973]

Your GP is right about needing the Utrogestan to protect the womb lining. I just meant that there is a lot of progesterone floating around your body with very little estrogen.

I really wish you luck, I know what it's like to feel so anxious you can't think straight.

The pharmacist will confirm the daily use of Sandrena is standard.

Keep us posted x

Hi Losingtheplot,

As I said, I'm no expert, but please don't double the dose on the 'Sandrena days' as you will get even more of a dip on the days you are not on it.

My advice (again, I am no expert) is to take the Sandrena daily. It is how its designed to be taken, peri or post.

I'm assuming the implant is progesterone only? So your body is probably up for some more estrogen?

Sending love

I will seek professional help before I look to change the dose.  The implant is not used as the progesterone element I have to take Utrogestan separately.  I did ask my GP if the implant could be used as progesterone element to which I received no reply.  GP then stated I needed to take Utrogestan to ensure the womb lining did not build up from the Oestrogen.

To be honest I am now concerned that my GP has not had me on the correct HRT regimen.  I had asked to be referred to meno specialist months ago and had hoped that once I had seen someone more knowledgeable they would beable to clarify things......

[Losingtheplot]

It is thr progesterone (utrogestan) that is taken continuously post meno. In peri you can take it sequentially.

Estrogen is taken continuously peri or post.

I am peri and have recently switched to Sandrena (previously on oestrogel). I take it every day and it makes me feel good. If I had to take a break from it every month I think it would tip me over the edge!

I really feel for you having your meno specialist appointment cancelled. This also happened to me twice, hang on in there, when you eventually see them it's worth the wait (hopefully).

When I saw my specialist the first thing she said to me was that my Estrogen gel dose was way too low (1 pump which is equivalent to your 0.5mg sachet,). BTW I was 49 with regular periods.

To put into context I am on 1.5mg of Sandrena.

While you're waiting for specialist ask to see a different GP. I'm not sure how common hrt with implants are so hopefully your GP will look into it carefully and not fob you off with guess work.

Good luck with it xx

Wow this has totally blown my mind!!

I can't believe my GP told me to only take the Sandrena Gel for 14 days of the month.  I am actually very frustrated and angry to be honest at this oversight.  This GP is the meno specialist so no other GP at the practice can help.

I could just cry as this is just a mess.  I really don't feel comfortable speaking to this GP again now as I have been on this dosage and plan for months and months! I will be due a review with her at 12 months?  But pray I get another meno specialist appointment before then. 

[Losingtheplot]

Hi.

Am so sorry you are struggling. The anxiety can be overwhelming and so hard to deal with.

To echo what others have said I too have never heard of not taking estrogen everyday.  It could also be that you need a dose adjustment. Maybe have a chat with your gp?

Sending you love and strength. X

Unfortunately my GP is not very knowledgeable and I had to ask for the HRT I am currently on as she was at a loss what to suggest when the HRT she prescribed me didn't agree with me.   I may just try and tweak the estrogen myself and possibly take 2 x sachets every other day during the 14 days I am on it.  Thank you for the kind words.  The anxiety never goes just seems to dim down at times when I am able to cope better. I end up feeling like its all too much and I don't want things to get as bad as they were earlier in the year where I literally felt like I was having a breakdown, at that point I had several symptoms that crept up on me.  I do realise that HRT needs tweaking as time goes on and maybe that is the answer.  I will try and increase  it when I am next on the sandrena as currently on Utrogestan. Will try and see if I can have a tele appointment with GP but I am not hopeful she will give me any different advice as she took me of HRT completely when the patches didn't agree and didn't suggest any other in its place!! 

This resulted in me having an awful few weeks with the symptoms getting worse before I did my own research and made an appointment with this GP with the HRT I wanted prescribed!

Hi. If I may suggest that you try taking your current dose of sandrena every day.  Our own levels fluctuate during the month and my understanding is that we need to build up a near constant level to feel the full benefits.

If you were to double up your dose on alternate days you are just further putting your hormones out of whack and then your estrogen and progesterone will be unbalanced. Unfortunately both of these hormones contribute to our mental health and them being unbalanced exacerbates the anxiety etc. (this is me speaking from recent lived experience). 

Xx

Hi MrsLolad

To be honest I am completely lost with my HRT now.  I remember the GP stating I only took the sandrena Gel for 14 days then stop it and start Utrogestan.  Now I am reading from people on my post that the Sandrena should be continous? Have I been taking it incorrectly all this time? 

I will read the label on the box of Sandrena that the pharmacist sticks on with the instructions of when to take etc when I get home later out of curiosity as I am totally confused now 

I understand feeling completely lost when it comes to hrt. Especially as we place our trust in GPs who seem unknowledgeable about it.

I found the Balance website has good, concise info about hrt and hormones. Maybe take a read and it will help.

But I can confirm what Banjo said: that estrogen is taken continuously no matter what stage we’re in and it’s the progesterone that is cyclical (unless there are other factors at play- such as intolerance, being post menopause or having no womb.)

It is a minefield and it can seem so overwhelming at times but I PROMISE that you’ve got this. X

Thank you.  I will restart my sandrena gel tonight stopped it last Sat   You ladies are all so knowledgeable more so than my GP that specialises in Meno!!!!! I say this very loosley.  Thank you everyone.  Here's hoping once I am taking the gel correctly some of these symptoms improve!! So I have been starving my body of estrogen for 2 weeks every month    Just couldn't write it really could you!  Totally explains why my awful moods and rage and anger have returned.  No wonder my poor body and mind are all over the place.

I just feel so let down by my GP 

[Banjo1973]

I'm not surprised, you're feeling that way.

I prefer the GPs who admit they are unsure than the arrogant ones who give out poor information. I know a few people who were refused HRT and given anti depressants instead.

Sending positive vibes your way xx

[Losingtheplot]

I'm not surprised, you're feeling that way.

I prefer the GPs who admit they are unsure than the arrogant ones who give out poor information. I know a few people who were refused HRT and given anti depressants instead.

Sending positive vibes your way xx

I was offered anti dep initally!!! Thanks for all you help really appreciate it x What has happened has happened now need to get head around it and start using the Gel correctly and then see how I go.  I must admit when I have posted on here in past and people have asked what HRT I am on, a few people have seemed confused!! Now I understand why

[sheila99]

If you feel strong enough perhaps you could complain to the practice manager and the gp? This level of incompetence is frightening and they need to understand she needs some training. There are probably others who have been prescribed incorrectly too.
I'd suggest you keep a diary to see if there's any difference when you're on utro. The oestrogen is the most important to sort out (and I agree you take it every day) but you are probably on too much progesterone too which can bring it's own problems. It's possible the implant has enough you don't need to add more. I don't know if Dr Currie has restarted her email consultation for £30 but if she has it would be good value.

[Losingtheplot]

If you feel strong enough perhaps you could complain to the practice manager and the gp? This level of incompetence is frightening and they need to understand she needs some training. There are probably others who have been prescribed incorrectly too.
I'd suggest you keep a diary to see if there's any difference when you're on utro. The oestrogen is the most important to sort out (and I agree you take it every day) but you are probably on too much progesterone too which can bring it's own problems. It's possible the implant has enough you don't need to add more. I don't know if Dr Currie has restarted her email consultation for £30 but if she has it would be good value.

Hi Shelia99,

I have already done some research myself and the implant apparently cannot be relied upon for the progesterone element of HRT.  I was prescribed Utrogestan 200mg to take for 14 days but reduced this too 100mg vaginally as I was getting too many side effects and unable to tolerate the tablet on an empty stomach.