Starting HRT - I feel AWEFUL

Women's health
1

Hi there

​I started with the Estradot50 patch 1 week ago.  I have had awful side effects - massive water retention, headaches, feeling depressed, brain fog.  My mood swings have been terrible.  I am so tempted to just rip this patch off.  Not sure if I should push through.  Has anyone has similar experience.

2

Hello Heike,  

    Sorry your are struggling.  I had had similar experiences.  It would be really helpful if you provided some additional information.  Age, menopausal status and how how long?  Have you ever done HRT before?  Is this the only thing you are taking?  And I'm assuming that the patch you are taking is  .50 micrograms of estradiol?  And why did you start HRT?  

    Many of the things you are describing appear to be an estrogen reaction.  

3

Hi there

​Sorry, I just dived right in :-) I am 47.  I had a hysterectomy in 2008, but ovaries were left in.  2 years ago when I went to my gynae he said that he sees no more activity (from the ovaries), but blood tests were normal.  Then I went in December and the blood tests showed that I was in menopause.  I took the patch off - it was for 50mg - I phoned my gynae on Monday, but he is away until Friday.  I could just not take the side effects any more... I have made an appointment with a endocrinologist, and am hoping that she may be able to see which hormone is better suited for me, because clearly it is not estrogen

4

I’m glad you got an appointment.  But might mention that endocrinologists are often worthless for menopause.  (Sorry to say). 

Besides the blood work indicating Meno status, were you having problems?  Symptoms?  What was the reason you tried HRT at this point?  

5

Thanks for the reply - yes, I am waiting for her to phone me back to see if she can even assist.  Otherwise, I will look at going to another gynae.  Symptoms were hot flushes - but not too bad, headaches, moodiness and a really bad skin. 

6

Interesting.  Headaches can definitely be related to estrogen.  And of course hot flashes are the standard estrogen deficiency symptom. 

But do you mind discribing the skin problem?  

7

Often, reactions can be about the particular form or manufacturer. I had different reactions to Estro tablets, Estro gel and Estro patches. The make of the patch can also play a part, too.  It's been a very complicated journey, for me, but now I'm reasonably settled with Estro implants, though it's taken almost 2 years of the implants for them to really work as they should...

Patience...