Hopefully changing from Evorel patches to gel

Gailanni

Oh no I was just about to ask to try patches as the pills give me headaches

I'm now undecided

What side effects have people got x

Hi there

Well I went on the patches 4 months ago. The hot sweats stopped but I think the anxiety is worse than before. I am anxious all day and everyday which I wasn't before. When I am going anywhere I am so anxious I feel physically ill-lightheaded, palps,overwhelmed and pressure in my head or temples is so bad. I am going to try the gel. Zigangies advice looked good. What are your symptoms?

Ah thankyou. I did up the patch to 75 this week but hasn't improved things. I am so nervy and anxious about everything. My heart is racing etc. Am going to the doctors today and see what she says. Even though she is not helpful xx

Maybe you need less? Have you looked at side effects of having too much (I know one is headache).

Unlike looloo I put mine on outer upper arms from my wrist to shoulder. I was rotating it at first inner thigh one night outer arm the next and was having hot days occasionally, read that estrogen loves fat and is therefore better absorbed by your body on the arms as there is less fat there.

I usually put mine on after my bath and while I'm cleaning the bath and brushing my teeth it is dry.

You have to keep the area of application away from other's for an hour or so so I moved my bath time to a few hours before bed so that I can get my cuddles etc. from my husband and I do it at night to keep it away from any perfume sun cream lotion etc that I use.

If you read extensively about it you are also advised not to use soap shower gels or bubble baths containing sodium laureth sulphate in before you use it as the gel can take it into your skin so I've also been using a natural soap.

thats interesting zigangie about the fat , as most ladies have more fat on their thighs than arms. initially i was using it on arms but removing any body lotion/perfume from day with a sulphate free baby wipe, but to save a little faffing, i started doing it on my thighs. do you think it would be better if i reverted to doing it on my arms again?

I don't know really, I did some reading and some women feel their arms are a bit close to their breasts so are happy to use it on their legs. Their argument was the patches are only to be used below the waist.

I just thought well it kind of makes sense that you would get more into your system as fat is quite dense also it is licenced for use on the arms.

I rarely put it on my thighs if for example we've been out for the evening and I want to get straight in bed I use it there because it's less likely to get wiped off on the sheets if I lay on my back until it is dry.

When I went up to double the dose I put one pump on each arm and one on each thigh I didn't feel any different on twice the dose so I've gone back to 2 pumps.

Thanks for your reply. i think i'll stick to thighs as i dont put any lotions on that area & my thighs are a little plumper than average, but not huge! i didn't notice any difference when i switched from arms to thighs either. i usually apply it about 11pm when i have a "house" dress on in the evening & as i said let it dry uncovered while i do hubbys packed lunch for next day. my thighs then have nothing in between them until i go to bed at about 12.30am ish (that sounds so awful lol!!!) i mean no pyjamas !!!! The leaflet says its ok to do thighs too, but interesting you found this out....thanks again xx

btw i only do 1 pump at present as that & the utrogestan seem to help my symptoms enough ( i have only started peri stage this year) so it gives me leeway for increase in dose in the future when/if my symptoms worsed further into peri/meno. xx

That's good, I wish I'd been offered it whilst still in peri, it would have saved several years of misery.

The reason I only use two pumps is because 4 didn't make any real difference and from what I've read some women get a return of symptoms after a while and need to increase. Eventually ending up on the full dose.

So this way if I do get symptoms coming back I will be on a smaller dose already.

LOLOLOL. That was funny wording and with making lunch on top of it.

Yes, that's same logic as me & my doc. she says best to use the lowest dose that makes symptoms manageable, so as you get further on you may need higher doses, plus it keeps the small risks with hrt as low as poss.

now that's multitasking eh?!!!!

Hi

I've started the gel last night. One pump on each arm. Now I have to wait and see. I've been away in my mum and dads caravan since late Friday. I was so anxious about going you wouldn't believe it. All the time I was there I was soo anxious in everything I did. It seemed to be with me always and with 3 hours sleep in 3 nights ?? At least I went. I'm telling myself to not be stupid xx

Good for you Michelle that you managed to go away, hope you enjoyed it even a little.

Good luck with the gel x

Thanks Maisie

How are you? X

Hi Michelle. when i started the gel & then the utrogestan capsules on day 15, I personally started to notice improvement in my mental symptoms & headaches around weeks 2-3 just for info - everybody is different though. I sincerely hope it helps you hun', you deserve some happier times. I'm sorry you felt so anxious when you went away - perhaps it was the unfamiliar surroundings that heightened anxiety thats already there. are you not finding the propranolol much help with the anxiety? xxx

Hi, thanks for asking. I think I'm ok, I tell myself that anyway. Bit achy today, Back and thighs. Been looking after my grandchildren. They are gorgeous but tiring! It's 8 weeks since I had a period, never missed for over 20 years. Hope the aches don't mean it's on the way. Doctors on thurs to discuss hrt. Going to ask for gel and utrogestan like you. I'm filling myself up with supplements, sage, meno serene, passionflower,  CQ10. Thinking about magnesium and D3.  Don't know how much the stomach can take! You have a long list you take I think, do you spread them through the day or take all at once? Still having mad night sweats and hot flashes. X

Omg maisie

Was reading your blog and thought I was reading about me

I've got leg back and ankle pain had it 5 days now not had a period for about 12 weeks I was on hrt tablets for a year 5 different types all gave me severe headaches so was taken off them

I've been on herbal supplements since flaxseed etc you name it but not really helping

Getting severe flushes night and day had enough

Seeing my doc on wed gonna ask about cream as well

Curious how old are you I'm 54

Rose

I'm 57. Started with palpitations and anxious about nothing in January Never imagined the sweats could be this bad, thought I was getting away with it easy! So draining. I am worried about hrt not suiting me but have to give it a go. 

I'm a bit down today for some reason, can normally be upbeat and more chatty, sorry. Thanks for responding.

Let me know how you get on with your doctor Rose. Do you think we'll need to have blood tests first to check hormone levels?

Your not alone im feeling very down today as well

I'll let you know what the doctor says I think he might suggest patches first but im fed up being a guinea pig just want some relief

I've never had a blood test yet to check he just assumed by my symptoms and age

Rose

Hugs Michelle,

Hope the gel works well for you, I know how very hard it is to deal with. I've been away twice since this all started, both times so very anxious and it's bad enough with sleep trouble at home, even worse when you are away.

Fingers crossed you will feel much better in a few weeks x

I know it's awful isn't it? I don't know why I feel like it. I'm so aware and overwhelmed with unknown places xx

Hi Zigangie

How long do you allow the gel to dry in before putting clothing on? How are you feeling today? Xx

Hi Michelle,

I put it on after my bath. It doesn't take too long if I wash my hair clean my teeth and the bath it's dry.

I'm not too bad today. Insomnia is still a problem but much more relaxed.

Thankyou. Glad to hear today has not been too bad x