To think my HRT has actually made some of my symptoms worsw

[Lightsideofthemoon]

I am on evorel sequi and am in my 4th month. Had a big panic attack last week which suggests the dose isn’t right.

Before I started HRT, I did feel like I was dragging myself about & had terrible brain fog and it’s helped me feel better in that sense.

But because the dose isn’t right, I feel like I am experiencing serious anxiety and also weird adrenaline surges which seem to be there because I have more oestrogen in my system than before.

I am worried that:

1/ it’s going to be really hard to come off HRT now if that’s what I decide to do as the withdrawal will be awful. I had to stop my patch for a couple of days last week because I had an ecg etc due to the panic & honestly felt like I was having a mini breakdown
2/ am I now I slave to constantly increasing the dose off HRT as my symptoms get worse? I am really worried about it

I don’t feel great at all at the moment- anxiety is terrible and I have to get through this cycle of evorel sequi patches before I can change it up.

aibu? Can anyone offer any advice!

Hi @Lightsideofthemoon just wondering how you are now, as I am in a similar situation with oestrogen appearing to cause horrible anxiety.

I've actually found anti-anxiety meds much more effective with my Peri symptoms than HRT but I guess if it's the HRT causing the anxiety then this comment isn't very helpful. I hope you figure out a solution as anxiety is horrible.

@Lightsideofthemoon I had a similar experience with patches and decided to stop using them after about 6 months. I am certain that the extra oestrogen was a problem for me too. I didn't have any horrible withdrawal symptoms when I stopped the patches.

I ultimately ended up being prescribed 20mg of citalopram a day instead, which is working much better for me. In conjunction I've had a bit of a lifestyle overhaul (much better diet, more movement, more sleep) and feel in a much better place. I still get a couple of days of brain fog each month but it's nowhere near as severe.

I haven't ruled out HRT altogether in the future, but I would prefer to see a specialist rather than a GP. Good luck 😊

It's probably trial and error to find the right combination suitable for each individual . Similar to have some need to try different contraceptive pulls til they find the right one for them

Go back and ask for endocrinologist to reasses your prescription, perhaps your dose needs tweaking?

I had an awful experience with patches they made me feel so weird. Changed back to gel and all good again.