Feel worse on HRT. Back to doctor or persevere?

[Agecanonix]

I started HRT two months ago and if anything I feel worse, not better. My joints are still aching, my breast pain (usual pre menstrual but worse in the past 3 months) has not abated at all and I am fatter by the day. I have (what feels like) pre-menstrual back pain 24/7 and I have aged ten years looks wise. I a nutshell I feel like I have the worse PMT ever but constantly. I can't even do up my most forgiving jeans this week 😭.

It's shocking actually how bad I feel. Since Jan 1st I have been calorie counting with 5:2 (1250 cal a day with 2 days of 500cal a week - this worked for me 5 years ago to lose 2 stone) but this time I have gained weight and my boobs are bigger so none of even my most generous bras don't fit. And they hurt. Everything hurts.

I mentioned the breast pain to the Dr and she checked and said they were fine.

I am 51. On 50mg Everol patch and 2 weeks Uterogestan.

Should I just persevere or go back to the doctor? Has anyone experience of feeling worse on HRT?

You should definitely go back for a review. You’ve given that dose/regime a good go but it’s clearly not working. It took 9mo for me to find the right regime, but I went bank to the gp many many times to get there.

It has taken me a couple of months to get my Everol dose right after changing from Oestrogel.

I was on 100mcg of gel and went straight onto 100mcg patches but I got symptoms associated with too much oestrogen; feeling anxious, sore boobs and nausea. I knocked it back to 50mcg which helped with the anxiety and boobs but got a return of night sweats and lethargy/low mood, poor sleep but the nausea carried on. I've gradually upped the dose again and think that 100mcg is going to be the right dose again.

It's possible you've been started on too high a dose of estrogen @Agecanonix

When I started, my consultant told me to use 1/2 pump of gel (the same as half a 25mcg patch) and build up gradually over a few weeks.

I never had any side effects except some nausea in the morning and I sorted that by splitting the gel morning and night.

You could try a lower patch.

You could also try a longer cycle - I left a thread about the 3 month Utrogestan cycle, which suits some women very well.

It's on this page in UPPER CASE .

The exact same happened to me last January. I persevered. Went up to 100patch, ditched the HIDEOUS utrogestan for a coil and added T.

Am now a normal size. All breast swelling has stopped. Am totally back to normal and feel amazing.

Thanks everyone. My mood is also so low...it took me an age to work up the energy to find these replies. I am usually energetic and glass is half full attitude.

Yesterday I got a sore throat and thought: okay I'm ready to die now. Seriously 😱.

It is time for a review, thanks for your Info and stories. I hate being bloated and sore but most of all I hate being a negative Nelly ☹. I am so sorry for people with depression.

@Agecanonix do you feel worse when taking the utrogestan? I'm on
the same regime as you and was really bloated for a couple of months settled down now. They say to HRT or new regimes for 3 months.

No it's constant. 24/7. I emailed the doctor and they recommended an appointment sooner so I'll do that next week.

I'm just miserable and so dramatic with it!! Which makes me realise that I'm generally good humoured and easy going because I am usually very healthy.

I am a horrible curmudgeon when not feeling well. 😟

Start by wearing well

Don't't thinking about calorie restrictions

Change your whole mindset to try and nourish yourself with good food

Good vitss as min and nutrient dense food

Take some magnesium gkycinate

It Sid's muscle relaxation and sleep

Take vitamin D

Take glucosamine

Drink green tea and eat vegetables, potatoes, meat and eggs and fruit. You need to look after yourself a as t t this age . If you do not eat a lot of red meat or iron rich food, take a multi vitamin with iron as well

So many women our age lack in these vitamins/elements

Not wearing

EATING

auto correct is killing me