Evorel patches - any advice or comments ?

[donnie]

I had a sub total hysterectomy just recently - removal of uterus and also overies - and have been put on evorel 50 patches; so far so good, although it's only been 3 weeks.I haven't noticed anything nasty yet! I wondered if anyone else is on evorel and if they could give me some good news stories!

Also I know there is a lower dosage (evorel 25) and was wondering whether I ought to get my GP to prescribe this instead of the 50. I am 45 and am supposed to take HRT for around 5 years or until I would naturally get the menopause.

Thanks in advance for any comments!

[purplepeony]

Can't help precisely but I use an oestrogen gel as part of my HRT.

The dose has to be enough to support your bones. I don't know from what you say how much is in the 50. There were until recently very precise guidelines about how much oestrogen via HRT was needed to maintain bone health, but now they think even lower doses might help. (I have low bone density though my HRT is for normal meno symptoms.)

I suggest you miss out the GP and go to a specialist gynae who knows exactly what is what, or a menopause clinic.

[donnie]

thanks for that purplepeony. I didn't know about the bone density issue actually, sound like I need to read up about that. I haven't had any untoward side effects yet with the evorel 50. I'm hoping a few more mners will have comments.

[PrettyCandles]

I'm 44 and have been on Evorel 50 for about 8m as I am going through an early menopause. IIRC it took about 3w before I noticed any changes. I think the first thing to change was that my sleep improved. Then the anxiety attacks and mood swingsbegan to ease, and finally the hot flushes began to ease. It took about 5m to get to where I am now, with good sleep, no attacks, and only a few mild hot flushes. I have had no side effects, except that my weight is creeping up - but that could be due to another condition that is under investigation.

Given that I was still ovulating some months, and having very varied periods, I'm surprised that you and I have been given the same dose. My GP said that 50 was the standard starting dose. If I had side effects she would consider reducing it, if it was not sufficiently effective she would consider increasing it. But I had to be on it for a few months first. She reviewed me at 3m and 6m, and I will now be on regular 6m review.

So I imagine you will also be monitored and the dosage adjusted as necessary over the coming months.

[Carrie06]

Hi, I'm on Evorel 100. I had everything removed back in November after having borderline tumors on both ovaries. Haven't had any noticeable side effects but I do tend to bruise a lot more than previously. the 50, 75 and 100 doses are for prevention of osteoporosis. I'm on the 100 dose becase I'm only 35:( Have you had your oestrogen levels tested to see if they are within the range expected for your age? Might be worth asking the doc to do this. Best of luck....the only annoying thing about them is scraping off the glue but at least I've found a use for the bottle of baby oil I've had in the cupboard for umpteen years.

[donnie]

Hi there. I had my 3 month review a couple of days ago and the consultant (who originally performed the hysterectomy) has suggested a bone density scan. In theory he is happy with me continuing with the evorel 25 but he said it may be too low even for someone of my height and weight (Iam quite petite). I may need to go back up to the 50 strenght patches depending on the results of the scan. I am going to try supplemetning with evening primrose oil as I feel a little achey and stiff of a morning.

[wychypoo]

Hi,
I have reduced my patch from 50 to 25. I found that the weight had strted to creep on and my blood pressure was going up. I had a total hysterectomy at 43 so needed some help lets just hope I can cope on the 25 patch x

[donnie]

Hi wychypoo. how are you doing on the 25 ? I seem to have settled into them quite well, I have been on them now since the beginning of July and they seem ok. I am supplementing with evening primrose oil tablets and also osteocare tablets. My weight has stabilised and doen't seem to be going up and I don't seem to have any side effects.

Why was your hysterectomy recommended, if you don't mind me asking? mine was recommended because I kept developing ovarian cysts, some of which burst (and got poisoned) and also my bleeding was going mental. I have absolutely no regrets.

[lizzyjan]

Hi
Ive been on Evorel for 13 years after a total hysterectomy (at 48 im now 61) starting on 50 moving through 75 and finally on 100 everything was ok with sweats at all, no weight gain ,and my skin is in really good condition, but over the last 6 months my bust has gone from 34B to 36EE and very heavy and tender, so i decided to stop the patches and see what happened,ive been reasonably ok, bust back to 34B, and i am having sweats at night , the main thing is vaginal dryness it,s really bad i can feel every thing grating while im walking, ive tried "replens vaginal moisturiser" with no results , so im wondering if i should see the gp and ask for the very low dose evorel 25 to see what happens, has any one had this problem,i know some gp,s say evorel 25 is not enough for healthy bones but im not taking anything for my bones at the moment

[cabbageroses]

lizzy- maybe start another thread on vaginal dryness- or your query will get lost here.

Has your dr not mentioned local HRT? You could use either Ovestin or Vagifem vaginal cream/pessary which would do the trick.

None/tiny bit is absorbed into your system and it usually sorts out the problem very fast.

[Nandie]

Can anyone offer advice/experience please? I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 5 weeks ago - was up and walking within 12 hours of the surgery, discharged from hospital 4 days later - first and second week quite sore and tired, but expected that - but by week 3 the pain had not subsided and am now into week 5 and still have a lot of pain in the abdomen - the incicision site is fine, still rather numb, but the rest of me is in so much pain - have been told it will just take time, but am feeling rather defeated by it at present -

[cabbageroses]

nandie i think you need to start another thread for this- and/or on general health forum- you will get more replies.

[sanjoesandra]

Hi im in the same boat as u .really sore aftr 6 weeks just seen gynecologist and he says its normal. just started hrt patches so hope thier is a light at the end .hope you feel a bit better x

[debbyblue11]

Hiya I started Evorel 25 some monthes ago & am now on 50. I am also on the marina coil.
although I am not sweating in the night my body is still boiling hot, I have put on weight but don't know if that's due to having given up smoking at the same time-:(
I cant say I feel on top of the world, still a bit anxious & sleep still disturbed.
75 sounds like quite a high dose, wondered if it went on height & weight?? I am 5ft 9" and weight 11st 6lb

Any comments or advice would be appreciated, many thanx..

[nic4doug]

Hi
I've just been put on the 50 patch and with in 2 days I started bleeding its really heavy..is this normal. .I've got the sweat attacks and horrendous sleep pattern just hope it works.

[Aprilissa]

How are you doing now nic?I was put on Everol 50 only yesterday so am watching this thread with interest.

[bellefemme]

Hi All,
I am new here and would like to ask for some advice or your experience.
5 years ago I had a partial hysterectomy, I still have my ovaries and cervix. I'm now 50.
The shock to my system at the time of the operation gave me classic symptoms of menopause which lasted about 6 months, then all went quiet and I thought I'd got away with it and carried on in my usual vibrant self. About 4 years down the line - symptoms started again, so last year my doctor prescribed Evorel 25 patches, however another doctor at the same surgery gave me such a dire warning (and on one occasion the patch did cause me contact dermatitis) that I stopped them within 2 months. A year down the line, I know I need something to help with sweats, confusion, chronic tiredness and skin dryness , plus my hair continues to thin out); libido-wise the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak
I apologies in advance for just popping up here expecting you all to help; but I could really do with some, please.
My questions are -

1. is Evorel 25 a bio-identical or synthetic, combination or not ? (having read several threads here it been referred to as several things)
   
2. I have no womb, but do have ovaries and cervix, would a bio-identical progesterone help me, or would it be totally useless as the doctor who prescribed Evorel 25 told me a year ago ?
   
3. I would like to go back to my doctor armed with some well researched choices and options. It would be on the NHS, so I'd like to know any options for bio-identical interventions you may know of so I discuss these with my doctor.
   

Thanks so much in advance
Belle

[hotnannie345]

hi im new to this so any help would be good! i have just started on HRT patches, im on my second patch. i am having anxiety feelings also im shivery and feel as though im getting a water infection. Has anyone else experienced this? oh im taking evorel conti!

[Tezza68]

Hey I started these patches month ago, hot flushes gone completely, but this last week my breasts are so sensitive & I'm feeling bloated all time anyone had same??

[Jacq70]

I've been on the patches for nearly 1 month now. I'm feeling really anxious and panicky and have numbness in my right arm and leg. Has anyone else had similar side effects?

[BeaufortBelle]

I'm going to sound a bit vague now but I saw my gynaecologist after I had started HRT and had been on it for about a year. He recommended the Evorel patches and also a tablet (progesterone?) to be taken with them.

I took a combination of Evorel and tablets for about four years and had no problems at all. My gynaecologist said for someone like me with a family history of osteoporosis the risks of that outweighed any risk of breast cancer.

I started HRT in the first place due to horrific flushes and mood swings - having to shower twice a night because I could pretty much wring out my nightie type flushes. The HRT got me through the hard yards when I had the stresses of teenagers to deal with at the same time.

The initial HRT treated effected an improvement within about three to five days. I would recommend it to anyone suffering because high quality life is worth it.

I came off HRT after five years and after a particularly worrying breast cancer scare. I have always had cystic breast disease and lots of lumps but this one was "different" although thankfully benign and it gave me the heebie jeebies. Actually I've been fine too - I think I must have been through the worst.

[Thumper24]

I am 40 and started with the 25 patches 4 years ago. Altho i have never committed to them I come on and off them all the time and I really should give them a chance. Anyway I did try the 50s but I get migraines with any type of hormone supplements. So I kind of have to get on with it ?? And try the herbal remedies. Not very helpful when ur not sleeping through the nights and sweating/ flushing all the time ??

[Bellaciao]

Thumper - did you have a hysterectomy with ovary removal hence no need for progesterone as part of your HRT? Whatever the reason you are very young to be menopausal (even younger at 36!) so you definitely need to keep on with the oestrogen and probably a higher dose once your body is used to it. yes going on and off them is not wise and can lead tomore sdie effects. Herbal remedies will do nothing - itls oestrogen you need to protect your heart and bones and future health.

[Thumper24]

Still have my ovaries and no hysterectomy.....just unlucky I guess. I have my 2 boys and thankfull for them.
I'm going to sick to it this time.
I have only had 1 breakthrough bleed this year so fingers crossed I'm near the end. I went for a bone scan and everything is fine and I have to go for yearly checkups.

[Bellaciao]

I am confused Thumper! Were you given oestrogen only patches back when you were 36 - and was this due to low mood and low oestrogen levels generally, or were you going through menopause?

Also when you say breakthrough bleed - do you mean while using the 25 mcg patches on and off and nothing else? Maybe you have a Mirena for the progesterone?

If you do have a Mirena and you are getting flushes/sweats then I would gradually increase the oestrogen dose if you can because you need a higher dose at your young age as I said before. Hopefully this would lessen the chance of migraines.

[Thumper24]

I was diagnosed with early menopause when I was 36! I was given the patches to try but back then I wasn't too bad with the flushes etc hence I came off and went back on when I went through a bad stage. Although I think that's my problem not sticking to it. The past year hasn't been too bad so I went without and I've only had a small light period. Year before I only had 2 light periods. But now my flushes are getting worse and my doctor told me to try the patches again . . Sorry for not explaining things properly.