How long before Sandrena gel makes a difference

[lottiebear69]

I started hrt a week ago. I am prescribed 1mg Sandrena oestradiol gel and then day 15-26 progesterone as I’m still having periods
I was hoping my anxiety and low mood would get better immediately but although my need to pee has decreased I’m still waking up worried sick with knotty tummy and then sometimes actually having minor panic attack’s and gagging and
Nearly throwing up - I hadn’t had this before. It’s weird that I’m fine by the afternoon and evening but am dreading waking each day and being on my own (with a new puppy) it seems I’m ok when I’m with other people
Any advice on this drug does dose need to be higher will it be better when I take the progesterone in a weeks time ?

The nauseous feeling is similar to pregnancy- it's the effects of estrogen. It should get better. when are you using the gel? Maybe apply at night and see if that's any better or half the sachet morning and the rest later. I used to feel sick with Oestrogel but split the dose and that sorted it.

No one can say how soon you will feel better- but should be some improvement in 4 weeks.

Thanks I’m doing last thing at night - thinking the gagging is from anxiety !

Have you tried other things to help your anxiety?
Don't know your circs, but there is a lot of evidence (research) that getting out in green spaces (park, countryside) for 30 mins walk every day can really help mood. MIND charity has stuff on this. Gentle exercise like this can help as can yoga (DVD or Youtube Adriene)
Books like Mind over Mood and CBT for Dummies are also worth reading to learn to control your emotions/ moods / anxiety. Might be worth a try investing some time in something like these?

Thanks queen of nights I have had some cbt counselling and this has helped and I understand the strategies but in last month or so it has really ramped up along with low mood, tearfulness lots of peeing and I felt hrt might assist
I have a new dog with the aim that this will force me to get fresh air come what may but fear this might have added to my stress as currently he’s only allowed in the garden !!

HRT will help but give it time- it's only been a week!
Might take several weeks.

Meanwhile, get outside for fresh air and exercise- it works wonders for mood.

Thanks queen of nights
From research it seems that progesterone being low is what causes mood / anxiety so wondering if when I start the progesterone part on day 15 -26 this will help. I’ve found generally that the 2 weeks before my period were worse but as now sometimes cycles are 40 days I’ve found this emotional change could be 3 weeks before! Have you tried hrt if you don’t mind me asking ?

No sorry but it's quite the opposite- progesterone is what we produce in a fertile cycle after ovulation; it's the hormone responsible for PMS unfortunately. If you are reading stuff about 'low' progesterone it's likely to be on a non-medical site where there are adverts to buy progesterone creams (which don't work.)

I've been on HRT for 11 years and use gel, which is like Sandrena.

HRT may well help- I didn't use it for mental health issues - and you can't expect it to be a magic wand. It may well help but you have to do all the lifestyle stuff too regardless- the puppy sounds great especially once you get out walking!

I am on Elleste pills. I think it may have improved my mood slightly, less ragey. Still anxious BUT what it has done is hugely improved my joint aches and tiredness (mainly becuase I am not waking up with hot sweats), so I am walking 10000 steps a day and absolutely loving it. It has made a great difference to my sleep and mood. I even went out in the pouring rain yesterday.

Thanks I appreciate it’s not a magic wand- I will continue with cbt , reduce alcohol and i already eat healthily, I’m hopeful when energy lifts then I’ll also be more active but my job is active and I exercise too. I just want my old self back and for my kids not to Say you worry about everything mum !!

I’m hopeful when energy lifts then I’ll also be more active

You need to be active to feel more energised.
That's the way it works.

I am anxious over all sorts- always have been and just accept it. It's not menopause, it's ME!!! :)

booze is the absolute worst offender, IME

I feel so much more even when I don't drink. I do love a few glasses on a friday and saturday though, although its started to make me feel terrible the next day so I really should knock it on the head.

Interesting I tend to have a glass of wine most nights usually have at least 2 alcohol free days and haven’t noticed that I feel different apart from sleeping better ! I can’t deal with big nights out anymore though ! Anyone else noticed anything that’s tipped them over the edge ?

Lottie- keep an eye on the amount you are drinking. Daily wine is quite a lot even with the 2 days of no wine!

Alcohol (more than 1 glass a day= 7 units a week) is a big contributor to breast cancer which many women aren't aware of.

Look at the size of the glass- a unit is 175mls- but many glasses now are twice that size. So in reality some people who drink 'one glass' a day are in fact having 2 units each time. This is really useful...

www.drinkaware.co.uk/understand-your-drinking/unit-calculator?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1fCMgdDC3gIVj-J3Ch1zkw1AEAAYASAAEgKxe_D_BwE

Booze will certainly add to poor sleep and possible anxiety/ depression as it is a depressive substance.