Awful side effects

[badgerread]

Hi all

I have been on HRT for 7 weeks now. Estraderm 50 patches for 14 days then Utrogestan 100 for 14 days. I am 50 in 10 days and still have regular periods but had been suffering peri symptoms.

I am on day 9/14 of the tablets today but didn't taken them last night as yesterday I was suffering from what seemed like awful anxiety. My heart was racing, I was hot, I couldn't sleep last night, my eyes felt like they were out on stalks and I'm feeling the same today. I don't feel as if I could drive atm or have a work meeting because I feel so. Weird.

My mood has been awful. I've been irritable, snappy, making rash decisions (I wanted to break up with my partner of 9 years yesterday and sell the house we've recently bought 😳) I'm not so bad on just the patches, but it's still not great. I remember i had to have to Mirena coil removed after a few weeks a few years ago because of my reaction. Maybe I'm not cut out for additional hormones?

I have a call with my GP this afternoon but has this happened to anyone else? I have my 50th party in 10 days plus I'm starting a new job in the New Year. I need to feel better 😞

Don't give up!

I am no expert but it sounds like you don't have the doses right yet.
Definitely tell your GP about all of your symptoms - it is the hormones, not you going crazy, and you should get some advice on adjusting the doses or trying different products. I also think that your own hormone cycles must have an effect on how you react.

I went the other way and stopped Utrogestan and had a mirena fitted as I was getting horrendous PMT symptoms. Things are settling down but I am not sure my estrogen is quite right - I use a gel and there is a sweet spot between 2.5 and 3 doses that I am sure I can find.

Have a look at the Menopause matters forum, there are some very knowledgable women on there who might be able to give you some more information.

Well that wasn't what I was expecting!

My GP has advised I take one tablet instead of two per day for 14 days but vaginally not orally 😳

I suppose you can only give it a go! Hope it improves things for you, but do go back to your GP if things don't improve.

I have had terrible side effects from Utrogestan too. (Similar age and still having periods). switching to 12 days and vaginally has helped, as has, I think, time - my body seems slightly more used to it now.

I also upped the dose of the oestrogen a bit which seemed to drown out the progesterone symptoms. Who knows?

I understand that if all else fails, having a mirena coil fitted is one solution.

Magpie thanks for responding 😊

Its sorry you went through the same, it's awful. I feel like getting to 3 months then giving up if I still feel the same 😔

How long did it take you to feel better once you'd changed to taking it vaginally? and what did you up your oestrogen to? I know it's not a quick process, the whole HRT thing, but I feel worse than before!