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Original poster

Elleste Duet 1mg to 2mg

35 replies

badgerread · 26/01/2019 08:07

I'm perimenopausal and have just started month 3 of Elleste Duet. I was on 1mg but have just started month 3 of 2mg day 2.

The first 6 weeks were great but my libido was still low so my GP upped the dosage (I'm now on day 2 of the higher dose).

However the last 3 weeks my anxiety has been awful (never suffered before) my stomach is constantly in knots, I feel my job is suffering...I wake in the night and can't get back to sleep.. I'm overthinking everything..

I'm so tempted to stop...

OP posts:
JinglingHellsBells · 26/01/2019 08:35

It might be worth looking at the timescales here....

For a start, the medical advice is give any HRT 3 months (not 2.)
That way you can see a pattern more easily.

Secondly, HRT is not necessarily a treatment for low libido; specialists are now saying adding in testosterone is for that, although you would be better off being on HRT for some time longer before considering that route. You'd need to be referred to a specialist for that anyway.

If you have had other symptoms for 3 weeks (out of a total of 8 weeks on HRT) isn't this coinciding with the progestogen phase of the pack? (after which you'd have had a bleed.)

It might be better to change to another type of HRT rather than increase the dose of the same one.

Elleste contains Norethisterone as the progestogen; it's infamous for causing - in SOME women- low mood, anxiety and PMS. I used it for 5 years and felt fine really, but a bit PMS-ish some months.

A lot of women swear by Femoston which has a progestogen more like our own and it doesn't give so much of the low mood feelings.

Might be worth swapping to that rather than more of the same?At the same time though, bear in mind your body needs to get used to the HRT so give it time.

If you still don't feel better there are still other options to try.

EdWinchester · 26/01/2019 08:39

I take elleste 1mg and dread the green tablets because they make me feel extremely tetchy. Like PMS, but worse.

I might ask my go about femoston.

Fazackerley · 26/01/2019 14:41

The green tablets made me feel grumpy and low for the second and third month of taking them. After about four months everything settled and I've had no problems since. The 2mg still only have 1mg of progesterone in,same as the 1mg.

Odp1 · 29/01/2019 09:06

I was started on 2mg, I’m in my 2nd week. I suffer from anxiety anyway. I was extremely anxious to start, but I think this was my own anxiety not the hurt, but this has calmed down. I am just finished the orange tab,ets and day one of the white. Fingers crossed il be fine.
Everywhere states to give 3 months before deciding.

I would love to hear some positive reactions to Elleste Duet 2mg

Fazackerley · 29/01/2019 09:57

I am wondering about changing from 1mg to 2mg. The 1mg worked brilliantly and I feel so much better than I did, and my mental state is a trillion times better (no rage, anxiety lessened, just generally more optimistic and chill) but sadly I started to get hot flushes in month 4 and my sleep isn't as good. Not sure whether to put up with this or move up to 2mg.

Fazackerley · 29/01/2019 09:58

also I've only had one bleed in four months - wondering if this is because the 1mg of oestrogen just isn't enough.

Odp1 · 29/01/2019 10:12

How long did it take for you to feel the benefits?

Fazackerley · 29/01/2019 10:23

I was given hrt for hot flushes - it worked within 48 hours for those. Sleep improved within about 3 weeks. Mood settled after 3 months although flashes of rage stopped within a fortnight.

Aching joints improved after a month - I wasn't expecting this at all!

No effect on libido and I've found it almost impossible to lose weight.

Odp1 · 29/01/2019 12:19

That’s really promising. I feel a bit more grumpy but I think I’m focusing on myself and keep waiting for changes. I was probably grumpy before! Although I suffer from anxiety, I feel some of that is made worse by the menopause.
I’m hoping a change to my libido, I’m dead from the neck down at the moment
I will definitely go the 3 months and see how it goes. My doctor said there was no point starting on 1mg as it wouldn’t be long before I would need to up the dose.

Fazackerley · 29/01/2019 12:27

Yeah that's what's happened to me I think. Apparently 1mg is a negligible amount. I have noticed some tiny hot flushes in the last couple of weeks. They really suck. My mum didn't have them at all so I wasn't expecting them and they are truly horrible.

Original poster
badgerread · 29/01/2019 13:51

I'm now on day 5 of 2mg and last night I had terrible sweats! had an anxious moment at work yesterday but feel ok ish so far today, although suffering with a headache. I'm going see how the rest of this pack goes and that will be 3 months done. If my mood doesn't improve I might ask about Femostan. My appetite for sweet things has increased massively and I've put on 5 pounds since December 1st! ☹

OP posts:
JinglingHellsBells · 29/01/2019 14:26

You need to give each type 3 months, so really you ought to give the 2mgs a good couple of months. it's not a magic wand- it takes years for puberty to develop, years for menopause to arrive and more than a few weeks for HRT to 'reverse' it :)
You're expecting too much too soon imo, but yes, if as time goes by it's no different, swap.

Odp1 · 29/01/2019 15:20

I agree, most that I have spoken to say give it 3 months. Is Femostan any better, what is the difference? I’m going to put on weight if I’m not careful. Appetite is not necessarily increased, I just don’t have the same will power!

Rafflesway · 29/01/2019 15:36

Hi OP, I was on ED 1mg for 3 years before being switched to the ED Conti 2mg when my GP felt I was finally ready for the non bleed type. (I had a horrendous menopause which lasted 10 years from full blown peri onwards ☹️)

I may just be different but I too struggled with the 2mg and, as the ED 1mg had suited me so well, I took it upon myself to just take half a dose per day I.e. in effect I was then taking 1 mg each day rather than 2 mg. Just bit the small pills in half and saved the other half for the next day. Worked an absolute treat but just to be safe I double checked I was ok doing this with my GP a few weeks later and she said it was fine.

However, the bad news is that there is now a problem with U.K. pharmacies receiving supplies from the manufacturer of ED and I haven't been able to obtain any fresh supplies for 4 months now. ☹️ I now only take half a tablet every 2 days as hoping to wean myself off very long term but looks like I am going to have to switch to another type which I am not looking forward to at all. May be best to do that rather than get very settled with ED and then find there are no stocks left to fulfill your future prescriptions.

JinglingHellsBells · 29/01/2019 16:07

@Odp1
if you want to see the difference, try googling the products or short cut is to look at Menopause matters site/menopause/ Treatments/ HRT peri menopause/
There is a table of all.
Look at the different progestogens in each and the amounts.
This is how I learned all I know on HRT- just a bit of research :)

bert3400 · 29/01/2019 16:27

Reading with interest .
I was in Femiston for 18 months , I loved it but in week four along with a very painful period I was getting flu like symptoms, completely wiped me out for a week , this was happening every month. If there was any bug going I would get it, I guess my immunity was low at this time of the month. Have now been put on Elleste Duet 1mg at the beginning of January. All is fine so far, apart from my weight. I started WW at the beginning of January including doing Dry January and have only lost 2lb and I have been religiously sticking to the plan along with exercise. I really hope It will shift if I stick with ED for a longer time, as it so demoralising. I thought the weight was meant to fall off on HRT !!

Odp1 · 29/01/2019 16:43

This is all making really good reading. So nice to be involved in a conversation that isn’t all doom and gloom about HRT. So thank you everyone for your good practical advice.
My 2 main concerns have been my weight and anxiety/low mood.
I’m not desperate to lose weight but I certainly do not want to put it on.
I also just want to lighten up mood wise, I feel like the female version of victor meldrew sometimes and I hate feeling anxious, mostly at night. I’ve been a bit paranoid that HRT will make it worse.

bert3400 · 29/01/2019 17:03

Also does anyone get really itchy skin on ED ...and if so does it get any better, driving me bonkers

Fazackerley · 29/01/2019 17:04

I had an itchy scalp for a couple of months but its gone now.

Worried I'm not going to be able to get my prescription now!!

Rafflesway · 29/01/2019 17:36

Bert3400 I have found ED keeps my weight down but I also get the itchy skin too, mainly on my torso.

I take a cheap anti hay fever tablet suitable for allergies too most mornings and that helps tremendously.

bert3400 · 29/01/2019 22:17

Rafflesway yes that's what I have ...on my torso ...it feels like prickly heat and actually stings in the shower . Right I will get some tablets to try and counteract it

Good to hear about weight loss, I will stick with WW and hopefully the weight should shift soon

Original poster
badgerread · 30/01/2019 07:28

Odp1 I'm having exactly the same feelings as you!

Dead from the neck down 😀, appetite hasn't necessarily increased but I have no willpower and anxious (although you were before and I wasn't).

Let me know how you get on, I slept better last night and only had a tiny knot in my stomach when I woke up. Scoffed loads of biscuits last night though and have put on another half pound this morning 🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
badgerread · 30/01/2019 07:29

Oh and low mood!

The joys 😀

OP posts:
Emerald13 · 30/01/2019 11:50

Give to it more time! After almost 2 years on hrt I feel completely normal again.

Odp1 · 30/01/2019 12:12

glad to hear that it’s worth while and that I will feel the benefits eventually. Still early days! I’m impatient!