Upping dosage?

[taczilla]

I’m 48 this year and I have been taking Evorel Sequi patches for approx. 18 months. It works well, my main issues were low mood and irritability. Recently however I have started to experience irritability (understatement) again and I wonder if at my next review appointment I should ask my GP to up my dosage from 50 mg to 75mg. I am not sure if I should be on a higher dose as I am peri or lower because I am peri, for once Google has let me down.

It's really trial and error.

Are you doing all the other things like reducing sugar and refined carbs? The insulin/ blood sugar high and lows can cause irritability so reducing sugar etc to the absolute minimum (below the recommended max of 6 teaspoons a day in total) can help.

I've just had my dose increased. My symptoms were coming back and I was due a yearly check anyway. I would definitely follow the advice to reduce sugar ( and caffeine and alcohol) to a minimum because this makes a massive difference.

Thanks to @JinglingHellsBells for all your advice on HRT. Without your help last year I wouldn't have known what to ask for with my GP. I'm now very assertive and make sure I get what I need.

hanks, yes I drink less than ever and have cut right back on sugar, caffeine is two cups per day. I just know that when it comes to prescribing HRT my GP is pretty clueless so if I can assert what I need she will listen ( I hope). @Babyfoal you had your dose increased was that because of the benefits beginning to "wear off"/lessen?

@Babyfoal Glad you are sorted :)

Yes Taczilla, I noticed I was getting anxious and the hot flushes were returning. I wrote down exactly what I wanted before seeing the GP and why. I also have a blood pressure monitor and took photos of my blood pressure twice a day before the visit on my phone. I can guarantee that when I have my blood pressure taken in the surgery it will be mega high, yet at home it's normal

Great I'm going to seek a higher dose.

@taczilla
Years ago I tried to reduce my HRT slightly from 1.5mgs to 1mgs and the symptoms came back. I discussed this with my dr who is one of the top handful of meno consultants in the UK. I was told that there is no point or value in reducing because a higher dose is not automatically a 'bad thing' (especially if it's transdermal) and the point of HRT is to relieve symptoms- so no point using it in half measures.

Interesting thread. I'm on 1mg elleste and at first it was brilliant but the hot flushes are creeping back and I feel more tired. Gp didn't want to up it to 2mg. I might try bloody supplements as well as the 1mg

I'd go back to your GP rather than trying supplements.

You need to challenge your GP on this!
There is NO point using HRT at all if it's not managing symptoms.
More estrogen does not mean more risk - there is no virtue using 1mg if you need 2mgs.

Yeah I know you are right. Think I'll go back next week

Yeah I know you are right. Think I'll go back next week

@jinglingHellsBells. I agree I am def not averse to replace my dwindling hormones with Hrt. I'm firmly in the pro camp especially with osteopaenia.