HRT gel - bad reaction - stopped - still need to take Ustrog?

[Catchee]

Hi, I am having a fairly torrid time with peri, esp anxiety, tinnitus, endless illness at the point of my period (immune system crappy) and aches/heat. I could cope with it all bar the anxiety which was sudden ramp up and became really bad to the point it was affecting my work/life. Dr prescribed an antidepressant to help settle the anxiety. It was horrific adjusting to it, but it did stablise and 3 months later has prescribed Oestrogel 2 pums and Ustrogen as I am still having regual(ish) periods.

I tool the Oestrogel and about 7 hours later had awful panic attack (more than normal anxiety) with racing heart. This happened in the night. I spoke to nurse who said take it down to one pump but wait 2 days. I duly did, but only had half a pump. It still woke me. It wasn't a full on panic attack, but did feel jittery and heart racing a bit. I just can't do it. I have had a hellish 3 months with the anxiety, so I dont want to go through all this trial and error and need some stability. So I decided not to take anymore and go see the Dr next month. My question is, with just two and a half pumps, so I still need to take the Ustrogen 14 days later or is it ok as negligable dose taken?

I am sensitive to pretty much every medicine. Had the same issues after a big accident when ok with morphine, sensitive with codine and penicillin, so I think I will just have to ride this out - has anyone had the same? Please tell me it gets better!

Thanks

You don't need progesterone after that tiny dose of estrogen.

However, it was an very unusual reaction, especially as it's body identical and a very low dose (half a pump.)

Is it possible this was due to anxiety over starting HRT?

Thanks @JinglingSpringbells I don't know, I have just come out of sinisitus, so been feeling rough, so there is every chance it is just the after effects of that - or - as you say anxiety over the change, but my issues are always at 3am and 5am, so usually a cortisol spike that gets out of control. It just co-incided with this so I assumed it was triggering it in some way. I have never had a full on panic attack like I did 7 hours after the dose. I got a bit of a red heat on my arms too, but guessed that was normal.

It might help to know that the feelings you experienced during the night are often attributable to LACK of estrogen (women complain about palpitations etc and feelings of 'doom') and clear up on HRT.

I know it may sound harsh but using a tiny bit of gel for one or two days will not usually give those symptoms. It's more likely to be peri and lack of hormones.

You could try half a pump every day and see how it goes.
Rub it onto your upper inner thighs at the same time of day- such as after your morning shower - and give it time to settle.

Thank you @JinglingSpringbells - I shall try that. My other half is away for a week so I will likely try again when he is back (so I can grip his hand in the night) of course, if it keeps happening, I will just get back on it and suck it up. Thank you!

I’ve had the same reaction to oestrogen, jitters, headaches, heightened anxiety, I feel awful after a few days of the 2 pumps.

My nurse suggested starting really low (1/2 pump a day) and build up slowly . I can tolerate just under a full pump per day now but I do find it tend to have a cumulative effect and at parts of the cycle (during ovulation) I have to lay off it altogether. I was also asked whether it was anxiety about using HRT - nope these are definitely physical symptoms

I was also asked whether it was anxiety about using HRT - nope these are definitely physical symptoms

Anxiety can cause physical symptoms as well- eg panic attacks.

It can be hard to see the wood for the trees, I agree, because a lot of these symptoms are peri and respond (well) to HRT at the right dose.

I had a weird, not anxiety but wired, reaction to the gel and found that I had to ease in with a really small dose and increase gradually but I’ve since switched to the patches (everol) and they don’t cause that same reaction. I think we’re all different so it might be worth talking to your GP about trying a patch instead of the gel.

I had a similar reaction to Sandrena gel (plus rage which was off the scale). I switched to an equivalent dose of evorel without issue.

I have been on HRT for a decade (including oestrogel) and have never reacted as strongly as that before.

You basically have some options - continue and hope things settle down, change dose, change preparation or stop using HRT.

I wish bloody GPs would tell women about histimine reactions. OP I have to dash to a meeting but please Google and I’ll pop back on later, stop the gel asap and ask for patches.

2 pumps is a stupid starting amount and the gel causes a huge spike and will set of panics and reactions.

take some antihistamines, it will calm down I promise and there’s a solution, I’ll come back.

google histamine reactions and get onto patches you’ll potentially be able to tolerate those much better.

Thank you all. I will do your suggestions. I had a horrible night again last night, and at that stage of not knowing what on earth is causing it. I am ovulating so that makes a bit more sense that my natural levels have crashed. It is awful all this isnt it. Thanks for the support. I was feeling very alone. Off to google histamine and patches now.

I genuinely don't see how patches are any different.
The estrogen in them is the same as gel.
And the downside is you can't adjust the dose so easily.

I know it may be a rough ride to start with but your symptoms sound more like peri than a reaction to added estrogen.

You shouldn't swap a type of hrt before 3 months- it takes that long to get into your system and settle down.