Oestrogel: new packaging (yet again)? - Thread 2

[ConfusedEasily]

Carrying on from a previous thread by Cosmetichamster which can be found here:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/menopause/4696464-oestrogel-new-packaging-yet-again

Just picked up my prescription and got a different shape this time more sloping shape …got 2 of my normal cylindrical shape and 1 with a different shape of bottle. All Besins though.

Is it like the old shape bottles? I was unable to get the old style on my pharmacy only had the 2 new cylindrical shapes ones, one with a shiny label and the other matte.

I don’t know what the old shape was as I only changed to gel from patches in October. I have always had the ones in your photo but this time I got one that is more sloped in shape if that makes sense …

I lasted a mere 6 hours on the Evorel patch as I developed severe urticaria underneath after my most recent try. I honestly have no idea how anyone puts upwith the pulling/crinkling of them either. You always know that they're there.

Same here @SebastianFlytesTrousers
I lasted two days then knew I was in trouble with the reaction.
So now it's back to the Oestrogel that doesn't work properly.
@ilovebrie8 it sounds like you have managed to get a bottle in the 'old' shape, the gel that actually works, you have liquid gold in your hands!

Yes patches gave me a raised red rash that lasted days and they didn't stick well the edges would turn up! Glad I am off them!

I just got the one bottle the other 2 were the round ones which I have always had....I don't think I can go back and ask for a swap as once you leave the pharmacy they won't take medication back....pity I didn't know at the time.

I'll see if I notice a difference and report back

I’ve now finished my first shiny round bottle. I have two pumps a day. I’ve had no problems with it whatsoever. It’s the same as the previous larger bottles. They only comment I would make is that You really have to be careful to let the dispenser rise fully between pumps otherwise it doesn’t dispense the full amount.

I also watched how long it lasted and it lasted around 30 days as usual so unless there’s a load left in the bottle it should have been dispensing the right dose.

Anyone tried tumeric with black pepper supplements for joint pain? I’ve just started these plus black seed oil capsules to see if they help as I’m so tired of being so so stiff again

Coming back to this thread...what was the conclusion of the smaller bottles' contents not working as well?

I've still got a few of the larger bottles that I'm working through but I feel that my current one isn't doing much - I've been getting restless legs at night which is what happened when I had an enforced HRT break last year.

Are there different barcodes or expiry batches of the larger bottle that also aren't as good?

And also...the cylindrical newer bottle, is the shiny label the good one or the bad one?

Just to pick up on the allergies thing, I too was allergic to the patches. But I have now discovered I am even more allergic to the gel!

@ChaoticBag hi, I haven't had any feedback after sending my bottle back to besin via my pharmacy. I would say if you are noticing a difference or return in symptoms in same dose please report it via the yellow card and also email besin.

Since I started the gel in October I’ve only ever had the cylindrical bottle with the shiny label.

This time I’ve got 2 cylindrical bottles with matt labels and one of of the other shaped bottles.

I've attempted to return my bottle as directed by Bessin today but my pharmacy as usual were very stubborn. "If there was a recall then they would inform us" blah blah. Anyway bottle with my code hopefully will end up back with Bessin. Current bottles are great! (Fingers crossed)

@whiteshutters do you have different bottles now that are working?

Yes. I thought that I posted before but will check.

Here we are if that helps.

My GP says he has seen really odd results for women using the gel, due to the manufacturing change. He has put me on patches instead to ensure a more even dosage. It is definitely a thing.

Went to GP as felt dreadful since bottle change. Have used gel previously for 3/4 years without issue. Blood test showed very low oestrogen despite 4 pumps a day. She said I wasn't first to mention this. She's now prescribed spray so will start that at weekend and see if there are improvements. .

Same thing with Me....proof that there is something very wrong with the gel. My bloods were consistently 300 to 400 over the last 3 years. 2 months on the cyclical bottles my levels dropped to under 100 and more! I immediately lodged a complaint to HPRA and they took my bottle to test. They came back with nothing found yet admitted they never actually tested my bottle! This was January 2023 so the issue is ongoing...I returned to the old bottles and within 1 month my levels were back to 340. I refuse to let anyone gaslight me or tell me this is in my head! Back to scouring the Internet for old bottles. One lovely lady here sent me a bottle of her old estrogel and for that I thank her so much. We together need to stand up to these companies!

Been to doctor today and now moving onto patches.
She had not heard anyone complain about the gel but listened to me and was happy to prescribe something else.
Quite excited to get my patches and start in the next few days.

Saw a consultant NHS gynaecologist a couple of weeks back who confirmed this was def a thing - she’s seeing a lot of women like me, who have v low oestrogen levels despite 4 pumps a day, whereas previously (on old bottles) everything was fine and no symptoms.

she has switched me to Sandrena and I’m now sleeping again, restless legs and hot flushes gone.

I now need to report and take my bottles back to the pharmacy

Let's be honest here - we wouldn't expect many GPs to know about this as it is fairly specialist. Mine didn't at the practice when I had to explain why I was reordering. It is up to us to spread the news.

Marking my place here as I need to get another prescription and I’ve just found this new thread. I’ve had problems with these shaped bottles and did notice the different markings on the label. Going to bed now but I’ll read everything tomorrow.

Besin healthcare have emailed me asking for consent to contact my prescribing GP. Have other had this and do you know what information they want from the GP?