Anyone using Estrogel with success to... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Anyone using Estrogel with success to relieve horrible hot flashes?

No_stone_unturned profile image

On ronrons advice and experience I decided to give estrogen replacement a try. I get horrible hot flashes every hour that leaves me drenched in sweat. I stopped taking lupron 6mo ago hoping that was the biggest culprit.

Last blood test still showsT <12. I take 500mg of zytiga and 5mg of prednisone. Ironically, I had my first psa rise from .6 to 2.7 the last 6 weeks, ~20 week mark.

I use 2 pumps, 1.5mg of estrogen per day. Been on for 2 weeks along with Zytiga. No noticeable changes in hot flashes. I have to pay $170us out of pocket for this stuff so curious about other ppls experience before I continue. Did it help with hot flashes? How long did it take before you saw a change in symptoms?

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No_stone_unturned profile image
No_stone_unturned
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do you have any concerns with blood clots? That is the reason why I chose to do the gel per ronrons experience.

E2-Guy profile image
E2-Guy in reply to No_stone_unturned

The patches and the gel are basically the same...just a different kind of application.

thank you. Yes it's been maddening to put it lightly. I'll literally try anything, QOL has been terrible. I'm absolutely dreading the winter coming up. The sweat is like stepping out of the shower in your clothes. I'm soo jealous and happy for you.

E2-Guy profile image
E2-Guy

WOW...$170! I'm trying to do a comparision between your gel and what I'm using. I don't see a % on my tubes? I can sell my gel for $25/tube if we can figure out how they compare?

I'm so sorry to hear that what you're using isn't working for you. I have only used this gel when my PSA rose above .71...nothing else.

Regarding smurtaw's post below: I am applying the gel twice daily which is giving me about 2.5 mg of E2 per day. I can't imagine why the patches would be anymore effective?

No_stone_unturned profile image
No_stone_unturned in reply to E2-Guy

Thanks. I did speak with your daughter but unfortunately she had none left. Do you think I need to up the dose?

E2-Guy profile image
E2-Guy in reply to No_stone_unturned

You could up the dose slightly. I am sending Lisa a bunch of gel and will let you know when she receives it.

Huzzah1 profile image
Huzzah1

My MO gave me low dose Paxil - 20 mg for the hot flashes. It's working for me and low enough dose that we are not worried about withdrawal systems when I stop.

tallguy2 profile image
tallguy2

I take 75-mg of the generic antidepressant Venlafaxine each day. Been doing this for about 8 years. Stops 95% of my hot flashes.

Gl448 profile image
Gl448 in reply to tallguy2

37.5 mg of Venlafaxine does the trick for me most of the time.

Concerned-wife profile image
Concerned-wife in reply to Gl448

this drug works for my husband, too

Loujaro profile image
Loujaro

I use Estreva in France. Around 6€ for a bottle. I use 1 mg/day to reduce inconvenience of ADT. Good efficiency.

Estreva bottle.
RS265 profile image
RS265

I'm 30 days into using Estradiol 0.1% gel using one sachet per day. The drenching sweats have stopped and flashes are now "warm" and less frequent (were very 90 minutes or so and now 4 hours). It didn't happen immediately but improved over time.

No_stone_unturned profile image
No_stone_unturned in reply to RS265

Are you doing any other ADT?

RS265 profile image
RS265 in reply to No_stone_unturned

Only Zoladex.

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa

anyone had any luck getting this in USA without a prescription?

No_stone_unturned profile image
No_stone_unturned in reply to dhccpa

I did not, but one letter to my insurance from the MO got it approved. I did have to stomp my feet a little though. I don’t think they truly appreciate how debilitating these side effects can be for some. Good luck!

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa in reply to No_stone_unturned

thanks

EdBar profile image
EdBar

I’ve been using the patches, they’ve been very effective. 0.1 mg.

Ed

kainasar profile image
kainasar

Which gel patch or oral med deserves close study - cardiovasc risk is high ( see pubmed)

One may try avoiding caffeine, hot or cold liquid intake, and changes in external temps. Some of the antidepressants and anxiety drugs, as well as, pain meds will cause sweating, and so will the various ADT formulas.

MateoBeach profile image
MateoBeach

You should see results in two weeks if absorbed dose is adequate. Nipple tenderness could indicate you are getting enough E2, short of a blood level test. I used generic patches, Dotti, 0.10 mg/24 hrs. Worked very well for stopping hot flushes and made me feel more energetic and clear headed while on ADT.

No_stone_unturned profile image
No_stone_unturned in reply to MateoBeach

Are you doing any other ADT?

MateoBeach profile image
MateoBeach in reply to No_stone_unturned

I currently use Orgovyx for the ADT periods of my mBAT program as I can start and stop it more quickly. Not currently having hot flushes while on that for some unknown reason.

No_stone_unturned profile image
No_stone_unturned in reply to MateoBeach

the more and more I hear about bat the more intrigued I become. Ty for your reply

agyoung profile image
agyoung

I just saw my oncologist, Dr. A. Sartor, for a 6 month visit. I had been taking Androgel for about 1.5 years after being below castrate level for 7 years and he felt I was debilitated because of no t. I began and the T was usually about 120-130 ng/dl. PSA began rising and when it hit 3.16 I stopped the Androgel. T went it 11ng/dl and PSA began decreasing by 1/2 every two months. But I had never had hot flashes like this before. Just brutal. He proscribed Oxybutynin Chloride 5 mg twice daily. and haven’t had a single hot flash since ( about 2 months ago). It is off label as it is normally prescribed for bladder spams. It certainly worked wonders for me.

No_stone_unturned profile image
No_stone_unturned in reply to agyoung

I will definitely look into this. I feel like I tried everything and I don’t have any confidence that my medical team has taken it seriously enough. If I’m told one more time that it’s like a woman going through menopause and your body will eventually adjust I’m going to scream. It’s more than apparent two years in that I’m experiencing the extreme case when it comes to hot flushes. In my case, hot flashes above and beyond any other side affect is what affects my QOL the most. I pray no-one else is dealing with this to this level.

agyoung profile image
agyoung in reply to No_stone_unturned

Hopefully you can get it and like me solves the problem. I was quite miserable as you know. Good luck and let me know how you do with it.

agyoung profile image
agyoung

prescribed not proscribed:(

fishrocky profile image
fishrocky

I'm taking MedroxyProgesteron TB 10mg twice a day and the hot flashes are 95% gone.

Hey guy! I followed Ron Ron and got a tube of gel a year back . I started applying it to my thigh twice daily .. But by the time I had finished my first tube my tits swelled and the nips became super sore and painful . I dropped it . It wasn’t for me at the time . So much for self medicating? Good luck .

From A to C . Really sensitive and painful which I didn’t have prior . Not for me .. However I’d Try anything . N= 1 .. we don’t know until we try . ✌️

I’m happy to report that I’m finally getting relief from hot flashes using the gel. Took about 2 weeks for me at 2 pumps a day. I also finally got insurance to cover it. This is a great day!!!

(So far no nipple soreness, chest is still rock solid, MO was 100% supportive, didn’t have to sell him at all) If I ever have real money, I’m donating to this website. This group has been an invaluable source of dialogue. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

E2-Guy profile image
E2-Guy in reply to No_stone_unturned

My boobs stopped growing and the sensitivity disappeared after about 8 months.

E2-Guy profile image
E2-Guy

Very little money in putting patients on estradiol/estrogen therapy! The Patch and the E2 gel do the same thing.

Many of these doctors need to read some of Dr. Snuffy Myers' books!

Ramp7 profile image
Ramp7

Trying to get my regular MO on board with topical estrogen while on Lupron. Funny I get the same replies, could cause blood clots. Even when I mention alternate delivery method and effects. Have there been any studies done regarding topical application, QOL dose?

No_stone_unturned profile image
No_stone_unturned in reply to Ramp7

My mo said the same when I brought it up, but did not dismiss it and Cleary did some research because he prescribed it with very little pushback. My suspicion is insurance plays a big part in it, as anything that is outside of SOC is work to get paid on. Drs aren’t looking for more work. IMO, if your MO doesn’t want to consider this for you, it’s time to change oncologist.

Ramp7 profile image
Ramp7 in reply to No_stone_unturned

With Smutaw's help, I'll see what he says. I kind of agree with you. I think he will do it, wished to see documents regarding recommended dose. It is kind of interesting. This behavior reeks of inattentiveness.

No_stone_unturned profile image
No_stone_unturned in reply to Ramp7

I take two gel packets a day of divi gel. That is the dosage that works for me. Good luck!!!

Ramp7 profile image
Ramp7

Wow, a wealth of knowledge. Thanks. Let's see what the MO says.

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