HRT making symptoms worse?

[Bedonkedonk]

Seeking a bit of advice and some opinions here...I'm confused about what to do and want to think it through before going back to the doctor.
I started HRT a few months ago. 3 pumps of oestrogen gel a day and 14 days of progesterone pills every month. At first it really helped with symptoms such as brain fog and joint aches. Then I noticed that when I take the progesterone I feel REALLY down and miserable. Now I am basically having hot flushes (wasn't pre-HRT) cannot sleep, am RAGING (angry, irritable and feel a kind of drugged tiredness). I am confused! Also, the skin on my arms has a lot of extra moles since I have used the gel...all weird and am thinking I should just give up and let menopause symptoms take me down to hell naturally 💨
I am progesterone sensitive, so did wonder about that...but was desperate. Now I am desperate again!! Should I just wean off gradually so that I never have to have progesterone again? I know I can't have the gel on it's own.
I know you're not Doctors, but people's HRT stories or anyone who also found the symptoms got worse, would be interesting to hear from for sure.
Thanks!!

Didn't want to read and run but also don't think I can help much as I only started HRT a month ago. I'm really irritable, more emotional and feel like I have terrible PMT when taking the progesterone. I used the oestrogen gel for two weeks before starting the progesterone and I was so pleased as all my peri symptoms were so much better. Then it all went tits up. I have read that progesterone can make you feel shit but generally gets better after 3 months. The advice is to see your GP if it continues after the 3 months.

I would be concerned about the moles. I didn't read about anything like that being a side effect and any skin changes for whatever reason should be looked over by a GP.

If I were you I wouldn't be giving up on HRT just yet but I would be looking to get everything reviewed and adjusted to suit x

You can progesterone vaginally. This means it is not going into bloodstream and so do not get the symptoms you mention.

Do you mean with the Marina coil or another way?

Thanks - I'm going to book a review as I feel insane, shaky and sick. I also have a dermatology appointment (skin cancer in direct family so they were a bit worried, although I expect it is not that). I feel like an absolute loon.

I'd be interested to hear what your GP advises. I've been on similar HRT for over a year and it seems to have stopped being as effective. I was upped to 4 doses of gel and I took 2 progesterone vaginally. Despite that, recently the progesterone seemed to make my mood sink drastically towards the end of the 14 days and my period became heavy and painful again. So I decided to slowly reduce to 3 doses of oestrogen gel and 1 progesterone (which I know isn't enough, but need to see if things improve).
I definitely acquired more skin tags since taking HRT.
It took me about 4/5 months at the beginning for the HRT to make me feel 'stable'.

Hi OP

I had a terrible time with progesterone both orally and vaginally.

I switched to the coil and I'm like a different person. I don't think about suicide or divorce any more and the crying and rage have stopped.

Then I added testosterone which gave me a load of energy back too.

I literally just posted the same thing! Three months in and I'm having proper hot flushes and night sweats for the first time and am sooooo flattened!!

That í so interesting @Bigcoatweather it sounds similar. I feel a bit more stable today...thankfully. I can't help thinking it is the progesterone that has set it off. I actually went back up to 3 pumps of oestrogen again today too (my original amount from doc) as I thought about it and realised it has got to be the P. I will update after chatting to doc next week n case any of her general advice is applicable to others. @Moredarkchocolateplease really glad to read that! I had thoughts about dying last week, which is absolutely out of character. The rage is too as I am generally quite laid back...absolutely terrifying to be this completely different feeling person!Testosterone...do you think that would help then rather than make me more rage? @itsonlyme44 thanks for posting as it sounds as though I am not alone in this - it is so confusing isn't it??
I saw the derm about skin and she said all the extra arm moles etc were not worrying looking and that HRT can cause an increase in pigmentation, just to keep an eye out for changes as you usually would. The skin lesions on my legs were treated on the spot with her amazing liquid nitrogen blow torch and not connected in any way to HRT! @Rachierach11 defo taking advice adn getting review and won't give up yet - just panicked. Hope your stuff improves.
Thanks for all your responses and good luck to everyone in their hormonal journeys. It's no joke.

The menopause specialist I saw said taking progesterone vaginally makes no difference and that it does go into the bloodstream that way, same as oral.