Sandra Gel not cutting it!

[AcuQueen]

Hi
Just wondering if anyone can shed any light on my problem. Hit peri about a year ago just before 46th birthday... Have felt steadily worse - muscle pain, sweats, clumsiness and periods every 3 months so decided I needed to do something. I went to see a Meno specialist who prescribed Mirena coil and 1.0mg Sandrena gel daily.
Before the coil was fitted (last week), I used the gel for 3 months from day 8 until day 21 as advised. I can now use daily. For the first 2 months I felt so much better but now the muscle pain and sweats have come back with a vengeance. Surely it should be helping by now? I feel like I've gone backwards. Will go back to GP but wondered if anyone had had a similar experience? I'm wondering if the dosage is too low or if the treatment just doesn't suit me in some way...
Thanks in advance x

[FuckyNell]

Maybe switch to a patch or ordtrogel? Hormones are funny things and not all preparations suit everyone. I myself have tried every type I think!

[FuckyNell]

Take a look at //www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum

[AcuQueen]

Thanks Nell... Have you found something which helps you?

[AcuQueen]

typo - periods every 3 weeks not months!

[PollyPerky]

Sorry you are having issues with it all.
I'm wondering why you were told to use sandrena only for those days and not every day? The usual dose is daily then adding in a progestogen for 10 days a month (or the Mirena).
I've used gel (Oestrogel) for almost 8 years and was advised by my consultant to use it daily from the start. All types of HRT (pills, patches, gel) give daily oestrogen, with some days of progestogen each month as well.
You are right- the dose may be too low. The normal dose for Oestrogel ( same as Sandrena) is 1.5mgs daily though as it's a pump dispenser this amount can easily be changed down or up until you get relief from symptoms. You may well need more than 1mg. So maybe increase the dose- though this would be easier with Oestrogel as Sandrena is in sachets.
The other thing to consider is if the Mirena doesn't suit you. Although it's not supposed to give PMT type symptoms or side effects, some women find it does. Maybe try increasing the dose of oestrogen then if that doesn't work, think about changing from a Mirena to another form of progestogen?

[FuckyNell]

Yes I have eventually settled on patches. I did try the gel myself but it took too long to dry and always felt tacky. Plus, and even my doctor doesn't believe this but it made my elbows ache at night I don't much like the patch either visually however it controls my symptoms and is good for my overall health (44) so I'm happy with that.

[FuckyNell]

I also take utrogestan for my progesterone 100mgs (1 tablet) every day from days 1-25 of my cycle. Also a blob of testogel for my well being and libido. Btilliant

[PollyPerky]

Just for the OP- I don't find gel 'tacky'. I divide the dose so 1 pump morning and 1 pump evening before bed. I squirt the gel into my palm then use half on each upper arm and it dries in 2 minutes, while I'm cleaning my teeth.
Daily Utro gave me a daily migraine but I am fine on 200mgs 10-12 days every alternate month.