Hyperventilating on estrogen only

[LostaraYil]

I started on Evorel sequi and put a estrogen only patch on last Thursday. I am feeling like hyperventilating, I can control it by focusing on my breathing and it's not all the time but several times a day since Friday. I am aware this can happen with low progesterone and could be linked to anxiety, but I don't feel particularly anxious apart from the breathing. Do I need to go to A&E or can I wait until Tuesday to contact the gp? And should I put on another estrogen only patch on Monday or a combi patch? I have previously been using biovea estriol and progesterone creams, both continuously because I couldn't sleep without the progesterone. I'm sure some of you are very knowledgeable about hrt, thanks in advance.

Are you in the UK? Biovea estriol (not heard of it - is it a patch tablet or something else?) and progesterone creams aren't prescribed here. (progesterone cream is not licensed as part of HRT.)

It does sound more like anxiety than anything connected with your HRT.
Where have you found low progesterone linked to anxiety?

If you've changed your HRT recently, it's best to give it 3 months.
The on'y thing to consider is if the patch is too high a dose and you may need to reduce it. Estrogen patches start at 25 mcgs.

If you can control your panic attacks with breathing, that seems to way to go at the moment. Could you be anxious about swapping to a new type?

I'm in the UK. The biovea stuff is creams I have been ordering online without prescription. I think because I can manage the breathing I'll stick with that until Tuesday. It doesn't feel like an emergency, no chest pain or anything.

So your GP has prescribed the regulated HRT now?
The other stuff sold online is not licensed and doesn't work.

I've just looked up those creams. They are basically moisturiser.

Speak to your doctor about proper HRT management. You cannot buy hormonal creams online without a prescription.

I just got the other stuff because a previous doctor wouldn't prescribe HRT, and I really needed something for the hot flushes and lack of sleep. I felt like it did help a bit, obviously not enough because i kept trying. Now I have a prescription.

A sudden drop in both estrogen or progesterone can cause shortness of breath. It happened to me over and over again when I was pregnant. I'd just be sitting there and suddenly I'd have very shallow rapid breathing and go dizzy from a lack of oxygen. It was horrific actually while pregnant.

You have high hormone levels in pregnancy so I think it must be relative drops rather than low absolute levels.

I did go to A&E whilst pregnant and was greeted with much concern, but told there was nothing that could be done. I'm sure since you're not pregnant and it is caused by HRT it can be sorted, but I probably wouldn't waste your time in A&E, just wait for the GP to open.