Feeling anxious and wired on Oestrogel

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I've had a Mirena for about a year. I was initially on Evorel 50 patches, then went up to Evorel 75, then it felt like symptoms were creeping back so I switched to Oestrogel so I could adjust the dose more easily.

I've been on the oestrogel for about 3 weeks and I'm really struggling with mood swings, anxiety, and insomnia.
I started off on 4 pumps and my breasts were huge and extremely painful within 24 hours. I dropped down to 2 pumps for a week and now on 3 pumps.

My breasts are still a bit tender but that's manageable. It's the insomnia and anxiety I can't cope with. I feel really wired and jittery all the time (including when I wake up in the night).

The dose is the same as what I was on when I was on patches.

Has anyone else experienced this with the gel?

Should I just switch back to patches (maybe try Evorel 100?) or should I give it more time to settle?

I stuck with Oestrogel for far too long. I wasn’t absorbing it. Have been on patches for three months and feel so much better.

I’m 10 days in and have reduced the gel to 1 pump and apply it on the morning. This has helped, also I have started to the progesterone tablets in the evening which were interesting to start with, ie headaches and tiredness but I’m feeling a bit better now. I’m going to stick it out for a couple of months and see how I get on. Fingers crossed

Hello, does anybody have any advice or experience? I’ve tried HRT a couple of times, utrogestan and patches first time. I stopped as I felt so ill after about 2 months. I’m now four weeks in on utrogestan and gel, two pumps. I’m still having night sweats but the main problem is I feel so anxious and depressed. I’m crying constantly. I honestly feel like I can’t go on anymore. I don’t know what to do.

I’m 52. My DS has just gone back to uni and I’m missing him. My dad has terminal blood cancer. Life feels unbearable right now.

@Reachingforchocolate , you’ve got such a lot going on regardless of the hormones , it may be that you should see your GP as it might be life circumstances that are causing you to be depressed rather than the hormones. Also, you e only been on the HRT for a short time and you might have to play with the dose re the sweats. Please go and get some help , you don’t have to suffer xx

sorry to hear, it sounds like you have a lot happening in your life at the minute. Hang in there, life can be cruel sometimes, I’d get some more support from your doctor if you can and see how they can adjust your HRT. I started on two pumps and it was too much for me, I reduced it to one pump in the morning and I feel loads better. In terms of your feelings, try and do something positive that you enjoy, I know you probably don’t feel like it but walks out with friends will really help your mental health or walks with your dog, if you have one 😊 I struggle with anxiety a lot and don’t like being on my own, I force myself to go on walks/runs to push myself. More walks than runs! Try a new fitness, or aim to challenge yourself. Once you do one little thing it will spur you on to do more. X

Omg I thought I was losing my mind till I read this thread my aniexty has been horrendous every single night waking up sleeping maybe 3 hours at a push before waking in a horrid panic pacing up and down like a lunatic I'm perimenopause and tried patches but made my legs sore had tablets but 2 people said I shouldn't be on them as chances of cancer are doubled so I was worried and asked the nurse for gel as I have periods still at bloody 53 have progesterone tablet along side it it was 2mg and was wonderful. So thinking should I just go back and try 1mg . Oestrogel going in the bin as of now I've never experienced anything like this. Any insight to oral hrt I would be grateful

As you’re having regular periods your oestrogen levels may be fluctuating. I’m 51 with regular periods - I can stick the oestrogen patch 25mg until ovulation then I find it drives me crazy with shakes and jitters, lightheaded etc. A few days after ovulation I can stick the patch again and around my period I actually feel better for having the patch on.
All the while I’m also taking a daily 100mg Utrogestan. It really does seem like it’s trial and error.