Print

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

[MIS71MUM]

I’m exactly the same, doubt very much I’d be in this place if it was still 17beta oestrogen in circulation!

I feel really angry, as this last 8 months have been tricky due to the shortages. But the last 3 months have been an almost disaster due to the changes of gel, green or amber bottles! I’ve had to increase my antidepressants, had to pay privately to see a CBT therapist and paid another menopause specialist privately for a second opinion. Aside from that, my performance at work has been below par and have spent lots of time in my head instead of my life!

I’m now doing a 50mg patch every 3 days to see how things go. I know that I’ve still got a long way to go too so need to take one day at a time.

Will definitely repeat my bloods in the new year and report back.

[Mary G]

MIS71MUM, that is a very low oestrogen level in fact, it's roughly the same as my baseline oestrogen level when not using HRT and I'm 15 years post menopause.   I think this explains the panic attacks you have been experiencing.

Pippa, two pumps of gel is roughly equivalent to a 50 mcg patch.

I found that patches did not provide a stable level of oestrogen and they made my migraines worse.  I think they dumped too much oestrogen in the first couple of days and virtually nothing by day three.

There seems to be an issue with Oestrogel.   Is the Estrogel brand in the blue container still available?   

[MIS71MUM]

Hi Mary G

Yes you’re right, it’s not a good level for someone who’s been on hrt for 10 years!

It’s possibly one of the lowest readings I’ve ever had. For whatever reason, I
Just don’t absorb the new gel. Firstly I think it changed from 17b oestrogel to oestrogel. At this point, one of the active ingredients changed too! Then Besins opened a new factory in Belgium so two types of oestrogel were on the shelves. Many ladies have reported differences but I’ve tried to persevere,  Sadly it hasn’t worked for me.

I definitely agree in that you can get too much from a patch on day 1, and then it falls away, but for now, it’s better than getting nothing at all from the gel.

Also sorry that Pippa has struggled too, but it’s been helpful that I’ve not been alone xx

[Pippa52]

MIS71MUM   
As you know I feel your pain I really do.  I so hope the patches will work out for you.  I definitely am better off the gel but know it will take a while to level out again to some form of normality.  Like you I have been messed around since the shortages with many changes and was so relieved when the Oestrogel became available again as it had always worked so well for me over 20 years in the past  but sadly no more.  It has changed and I have no doubts on that after my experience as personally it does not work for me at all.  I was on up to 3 pumps at one point  (highest I have ever been on) when I felt at my worst yet my blood levels of oestrogen were the lowest I have ever had at 53 I might as well not have been on HRT at all.  I definitely feel better off Oestrogel and am hoping the patches continue to work better.  I have been told it will probably take several months to level out properly which is hardly surprising after the last year and a half of several changes. It really is so true what suits one person doesn't work for others we are all very individual.  I hope so much that you start to improve and continue to get better and better too.  What a roller coaster ay! xx

[Pippa52]

Mary G - many thanks re the dose advice.  I am on a 37.5 patch at the moment and on my next blood test the Meno consultant said she would see whether I need to go up to a 50 patch - she did say though if my symptoms were under control and I was feeling better I may not need to xx