Patches! But scared to use

[bombastix]

I recently went to the doctor because I was experiencing odd symptoms like rage, acne, fatigue and irregular periods. Mid 40s. I had found myself getting anxious and scared about things that would never usually bother me, like flying on a plane. Made decisions to avoid challenging things which is totally unlike me.

Doctor was very sympathetic and prescribed patches. Which is good.

What is bad is that I haven't actually used them. For some reason I feel anxious about even starting them.

Can anyone understand this? I feel very worried about even having peri menopause and I don't know why!

I was too worried to even go to the Dr to ask for HRT my anxiety was so through the roof! Thankfully a hysterectomy meant I had to start HRT.
Life. Changing.
Honestly, within a week I was more the old me.

Use the patches. Seriously. HRT is amazing.

HRT saved me. Don't wait any longer, the sooner you start the better for your health. Remember though, sometimes our HRT needs to be tweaked/changed.

Same day I put the patch on I felt better. Tweaks are needed to get everything right eventually but it's a journey well worth starting. I started laughing again

I'm trying them and don't feel that different yet.

If they don't suit you you can just stop taking them. Nothing to lose OP?

Thanks everyone. I have now got brave and applied it.

I haven't felt like myself for months, bone tired, angry, and anxious. Lost some weight but overall not good. I hope they help and will be keeping a diary for the doc.

I totally understand where you're coming from! It took me ages to actually make a GP appointment about this and once I got a prescription i had the patches for at least a month before I actually braved using them. I'm also not really sure why but I think it was mainly because I'd had bad experiences with hormonal things before (pill gave me migraines, mini pill made me bleed continuously, mirena made me bleed heavier and gave me hideous period pains), and it was approaching xmas so i didn't want to ruin that. All fine now though!

I will say now on Day 3 I feel a lot better. My mood is just so much better, I am sleeping easily and comfortably, much less anxiety and my dry eye symptoms seem to have disappeared overnight. I feel a bit nauseated and skin is itchy (but not very much) but assume this will lessen.

Thank you everyone! I am a convert. Perhaps I should have done this soon given the discomfort I've had with my eyes (years!) but it didn't occur to me this could be connected to hormones.

Any things look and feel brighter. You were all right!

That's great! Yes I had a bit of nausea and it did settle and dizziness.

You may find in a couple of months it stops working so well. Don't then think what's the point, it's just your body's estrogen receptors using even more up. So you may need your dose adjusting upwards. Or you might be grand

Good advice, thanks! I love the adjustment in mood and the sleep. I just fall asleep. I've had awful sporadic insomnia for years which was getting worse and so this is great.

A real positive and the NHS has been very helpful.

I’d kill if anyone took my happy estrogen patches away. I’m 56 and haven’t had a period for 5 years. I’m currently on the 50 strength but can feel the anxiety creeping in so will increase it to 75. Unfortunately I have to have progesterone due to having a womb still, which I hate, that’s another story.

I’m intrigued though, don’t you need progesterone for peri menopause to stop hyperplasia? (Increased cell production in the womb and possible cancer)

It's a dual patch; not just estrogen only.

What's it called? My HRT isn't working anymore so I need to ask for a new type.

Evorel Conti

Okay mixed feelings as taking the progesterone mix patch as change twice a week.

I feel like I'm 15 again and have to have a "hot water bottle day". Intense bleeding. Mood better but still I assume this effect lessens? Mentally feeling good. Physically a bit blindsided!

Give it at least a couple of months to settle. If it's not working for you by then, ask for something different.