Gel HRT and no sleep

[TooTiredToType77]

I changed from 75 patches to gel oestrogen as sleep had started to get worse and I didn't want even bigger patches.

Stupid male doctor suggested prozac for the night waking, because I said I get anxious thoughts in the night, but I'm not depressed I think it's the oestrogen needs going up

So he changed me to oestrogen gel, 2 pumps to start with going up to 4 if needed

So I started on 2 pumps and then quickly went up to 3 and 3 weeks ago went up to 4

Finally got to set my normal GP and she said I might not be absorbing the gel properly and to have a blood test in 4 weeks time and book a phone appointment to discuss. She can prescribe oestrogen tablets if the gel isn't working for me.

I put the gel on the outside of my upper arms and the left over bit on the inside of my forearms. 2 pumps after shower in the morning and 2 pumps before bed.

Am I doing it wrong?

I've had one unbroken nights sleep in the last 3 months. I'm exhausted. I actually left my job, for lots of reasons, but now I'm free for a few months and I'm not stressed and I'm still not sleeping

Any words of wisdom?

I'm also taking magnesium L-threonate, took black cohosh for first time yesterday, valerium tablets make my muscles heavy but don't keep me asleep, just taken an iron tablet today, I take Vit d all year round ....desperate

Maybe try using the gel on your inner thighs- that's the other option on the leaflet. it is absorbed better by fat cells so your lower arms won't absorb much.
Let it dry, don't use body lotion beforehand, maybe try using a loofah on your skin to get rid of any dead skin cells.

It's also just possible that something you're using in the shower (gel, soap ) is leaving something behind on your skin. I think the leaflet says (or used to) mention something about not using products just before applying gel.

And, depending when you changed from patches, you're advised to allow 3 months for the new type to settle.

Blood tests for estrogen are not accurate. My consultant who is also a fertility consultant says that they need to be done constantly over 24 hours which is not practical for HRT.

Thank you. I'll try inner thighs.

Is it correct to split the dose morning and evening?

It's not 'correct', it's what suits you best. Obviously using 4 pumps at once you'll run out of skin :) so splitting it is possibly best.

I use 1 pump morning and 1 pump at bedtime. I apply half a pump to each arm or thigh (twice a day.)
If I used a whole pump on an arm or leg it would take ages to dry and not be spread thinly.

I think it works better when it's spread thinly, so maybe you need to use a larger area (thighs not arms).

The older leaflet suggested using it (the leaflet) as a template and it was about the size of an A4 sheet of paper- so that shows how thinly it could be spread.

I use 3 in the morning and 1 at night

I found using more than 1 at night actually made my sleep worse

Not to depress you further but I don't think HRT has done anything to make my sleep better.

(The oestrogel I mean - what seems to make my sleep a bit better is the Utrogestan)

Thank you! I've changed to 3 this morning and 1 tonight if the oestrogen.

Had an internal scan this morning (oh joy) and have a polyp. To bed removed by hysteroscopy. Would be wonderful if that meant no more periods!!

I can completely sympathise as I've had poor sleep for months, it slightly improved after starting the gel but revered after about 3/4 weeks. I'm only on two sachets (I use Sandrena) but don't think it's doing much. My leaflet says to wait at least an hour before/after showering before using the gel so I wonder if using it after your shower is causing an issue.

Are you taking any progesterone too? I am on gel plus Utrogestan for 12 days and that absolutely knocks me out!

I would try it all in the morning, utrogestan for evening.

I seem to be different to everyone else as I found my sleep was worse on a higher dose of Sandrena. More anxiety too. I've dropped it down to the bare minimum and am sleeping much better. Taking a low dose antihistamine before bed also helped.

Hi OP just checking you know that L Threonate is a morning magnesium, if you are taking it at night that may be keeping you awake.

Try magnesium bis glycinate, that knocks me out like nothing else. Take it an hour before bed.

Plus I had the coil fitted and the constant progesterone in conjunction with the magnesium has made me sleep through the night for the first time in absolutely years.

Check out the thread on the pump bottles. There is a dosage problem with some packs.