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

Another one here 👋

I started the new-shaped bottle 3 weeks ago (4 pumps, as per the old-shaped bottle) and my symptoms came back: dry eyes, irritability/rage, etc. I experimented this week and did 5 pumps, and I felt better within a day.

Also, I've found an unopened old-shaped bottle, so I did a pump from the old-shape bottle next to a pump from the new-shape bottle, and there is definitely more gel in the pump I got from the old-shape bottle.

Sorry, the threads are huge now on this and so I haven't had chance to read all the posts, but I see from the last page that some people have been in touch with the manufacturer. How have people gone about this please? I'll do the same and report it.

I started a new bottle (bottle 2) and the amount coming out is definitely more at the start of the bottle than at the end. So the pumps I am getting now are more than the pumps I was getting at the end of bottle 1. Both the new type. I think it is the pump that is the issue potentially.

@TaRaChuck I emailed basin healthcare from the email on their website and also filled in a MHRA yellow card online. I urge anyone who is having problems to do them same. We need to have a voice in numbers!! They instructed me to return a bottle via my pharmacy.

It would be interesting to know how new users are getting on and if they are either having to increase the dose, or swap to another product altogether.

The posts on forums are from existing users, but none from women who've only just started on gel (who aren't able to compare.)

The last enquiry by the MHRA was May 2022
Results are online.

Thank you! I'll do this.

I've just started on the gel :) (started in December)

I'm a new user after going into sudden onset surgical menopause just over 4 weeks ago. I was given Oestrogel a few days after my surgery. Two pumps per day. The new cannister (with a shiny slighly too small label!)

As I'm still in recovery from a very traumatic surgery and even far more traumatic hospital experience, I'm not quite sure how I'm getting along!

Symptoms I don't got: I've never had a hot flash or night sweats, I don't have sudden mood swings or any unusual temper etc.

Symptoms I have: For the first three weeks after surgery I felt abnormally cold, chilled to the bone and couldn't get warm. I've lost my appetite. My mood fell into depression (which I've had many times) and I've been crying and feeling despondent and 'the lights went out', so started taking my antidepressant again. I have little to no energy or motivation and have to force self to do anything at all. Once I'm up and functioning, I'm OK-ish, it's just getting there.

I've switched to Evorel patches as I don't enjoy the alcohol and palaver of having to smear this weird gel on myself. Starting the Evorel today. Aside from that, I have not crashed into menopause or had any unusual symptoms. I'm going to look into paying for testing to see if I need testosterone once I'm all healed up and settled down.

I checked my bottles today and the deficient one to go back has the label with the gap.
My new one which seems to be doing the job has no gap.

@whiteshutters That's the one I ended up sending back too. It was like there was no active ingredient in it! I'm so glad others are sending their bottles back. I'm hoping voice in number will make them realise there is something amiss!!

Just want to say thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread. I have that bottle and although it's the first gel I've ever tried, I knew something was wrong.

I started on Evorel25 in September and recently switched to Evorel50 because I needed a higher dose. The bigger patches caused a rash no matter where I placed them so I asked if I could switch to the gel.

I immediately started having dizzy spells and headaches, which is how I found this thread. I also had dry eyes, night sweats and acne - symptoms that had improved with the patches.

Midweek, I had an emotional evening where I was ready to unschool my kids because the 3yo had been on time out and the 7yo was crying over his homework (massive respect for unschoolers, but it's not something I could do in reality and not something I'd usually consider!) I'd told my fiancé about this thread and he tentatively suggested that the gel could be affecting my emotions. I agreed. I tried 3 pumps a day rather than 2 after reading previous comments. That's definitely helped.

On Monday I'll try to get hold of a different style and will send this bottle back.

Hi, I put my first Evorel 50 patch on yesterday evening and it's fine so far. I feel OK and still no meno symptoms. I've also started taking my antidepressant again (came off it approx 6 months ago) so that's helping my low mood.

But I note, reading the leaflet, that it says the most common reaction to Evorel patch - more than 1 in 10 women - is skin irritation and rash. Well that's just outrageous IMO.

So, I was wondering what to do if I get a reaction or rash, if it's the sort of thing that a person can live with or not, but so far no problem. You'd think if more than 1 in 10 women get that reaction they'd go for a more hypoallergenic sticky formula though!?

I couldn’t tolerate patches due to allergic reaction to the sticky glue massive red welts came up within 2-3days sadly so I feel my only option is the gel which I had been really happy on for 6yrs until last 6mths when bottles kept changing. My friend is a nurse also had same issue and has increased by 1 squirt every other day to try compensate but she was having awful time with return of symptoms until I mentioned this thread.

I tried a bit of Fusidin and it did help, so maybe annoying but possible to live with for some who can't use the gel.

@Chrisg79 and anyone else who has returned via their own pharmacy, did Besins give you a reference number to attach first? Brain fog but I’m finding their request confusing and they don’t respond to say if they want it via my pharmacy or if they want it directly.
Im still doing ok on the bottle with the matt label, but needed to up my magnesium to make sure I sleep.

@Summerdew besin provided me with a reference number which I had to wrote on the bottle and box before returning via my pharmacy. They provided a letter for a replacement bottle. Hope that helps.

That’s great, thank you.

Started a new bottle last Wednesday (Matt bottle, no label gap). Within 36 hours, my previously well controlled symptoms had returned with a vengeance. Night sweats, anxiety, palpitations, dry eyes, and dizziness. I'm going to email the manufacturer after reading this thread! It is alarming this can happen. I can't use patches (horrible welts) or tablets (migraines) and was beginning to think I had finally sorted myself out HRT wise. Sigh.

@Purplerunner make sure you are pushing the pump down quite hard and hold it down, you get an extra little bit on each pump that way.
My bottles (yellow carded and reported to Besins) were sent back last week, not sure if I’m supposed to hear anything but I haven’t done.

I can't use the patches either, my skin just can't tolerate it.
I feel stuck too as I thought I'd improved sleep wise but I'm now suffering with horrendous joint pain. It seems too much of a coincidence to be unrelated.
I feel my resilience is slipping away to battle this barrage of conditions.
Is anyone else finding their joint pain has returned or suddenly started?

Yes my joint pain increased along with broken sleep and hot flushes…sigh. I’m experimenting with a 1mg sachet of sandrena and 1 squirt of the crappy gel and it’s giving me a bit more stability. I’ve used this gel for 6yrs and it’s first time I’ve really noticed the alcohol smell like handwash gel it’s definitely different formulation. I would advise doing the basics of healthy eating, less sugar and daily 10-20mins yoga I find helps along with walking or other exercise. I’m so so stiff in the morning but if I keep moving it’s helping.

@LeafDancing I think I'll ask for the Sandrena sachets to try next, I feel like I'm going round in ever decreasing circles trying to find a balance that works and everything takes so long to sort out.
Good idea about yoga, if nothing else it might provide some calm whilst things are so unsettled.
I hope you get some relief soon too.

I know we are all different, but wanted to share what has been working for me. Three firm pumps of the new (Matt label) gel. Collagen by ancient and brave in morning coffee. Pukka night time tea half an hour before bed with two magnesium glycinate tablets as I get in. I take a multivitamin daily and have at least one Epsom salt bath a week. The magnesium and night time tea are new additions with the new gel, hopefully something there that is helpful, such a nightmare (The collagen really helps my joints - I wouldn’t be without it).

Thanks for sharing that @Summerdew
I've not tried epsom salts in the bath - is that good for joint pain/aching? Where do you buy it from?
I take Collagen too - from Absolute Collagen - a small tube each morning, and it's been brilliant at helping joint pain for the last year or so, but now I'm getting pain in random joints rather than all over stiffness and I just don't know what to do. It's debilitating to wake each morning and wonder what's going to hurt today.
I'm taking a couple of things which I think are helping with the broken sleep - a liquid magnesium and 'Cherry Night' which is a powder you add to a bit of water and is supposed to help with waking in the early morning. Since taking that I've still woken in the early hours but drift off to sleep more easily.

Sounds awful @ThisOrdinaryLife , I sympathise as my hips were terrible on the new gel that I sent back. Epsom salts are so cheap, I just get any big bag off Amazon (around £3 per kg), eases out aches and pains and helps sleep. I find walking or yoga does ease the pain but didn’t stop me waking like that.

Thanks @Summerdew - just bought some epsom salts to add to my regime!