Does anyone get a bad headache at the back of their neck about 1 -1:30 hours after applying Oestrogel? and about 20 min after eating bread?
i wake up feeling ok, apply Oestrogel and bam! About 60-90 min later I have a banging headache at the bottom of my skull/neck and I feel nauseous. That’s also about 20 min after eating breakfast.
I went from 4 pumps to 3 pumps about 2 weeks ago.
I also started eating gluten again. I’m NOT coeliac and I’ve got a B pituitary gland disorder (NOT thyroid/hashis) so gluten should not make any difference.
thank you
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PixieElv
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But is it enough? I understand the Marina secretes less as time goes on. Also I’m not sure of the progesterone amounts but was it enough to start with against 4 pumps of Oestrogel?
Utrogestan is usually doubled with more than two pumps. My endo has just doubled mine with 2 pumps to help me with sleep and it has in the main.
The other consideration is magnesium as the higher O & P is, the more magnesium loss, resulting in loss within the cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells that may spasm. Carolyn Dean of The Magnesium Miracle says this is why women get PMT headaches and migraines. I used to and never knew why. It was horrible and my Mum just used to say unhelpfully ‘It’s your hormones Darling’ as if we were expected to just put up with it 🤷♀️.
Interesting point you make about doubling Utrogestan after 2 pumps of oestrogel. I saw my GP last week and she only considered changing me to an oral oestrogen because apparently according to my own blood results my oestrodiol levels are very low. However, since upping oestrogel from 2 to 3 pumps I now have terrible insomnia.
Is there any documentation you can provide to support this? I’ve also since yesterday switched from Oestrogel to Lenzetto and at the moment I feel sleep is even worse. Still on one Utrogestan.
Oh that’s easy. Just look at official guidance for dosing. Louise Newman will have it (Balance) or even NHS website might. Am out at the mo but will also look later.
Sorry S, but I was wrong. Utrogestan is only licenced for 100mg daily continuous use or 200mg if used cyclically. Therefore, it is up to your GP if he wanted to go off license which I assume only the 'specialists' do 🤷♀️.
I have read latest thought is to raise progesterone inline with oestrogen to prevent oestegenic tendencies.
the train of thought about the mirena is a good one. I hadn’t considered that. I’ll discuss with the gynie. loads of people mention progesterone and that might be the thing that isn’t enough in my case I don’t sleep well at all…
I was on the 100mg patches before but didn’t absorb them properly
Another reason for checking out that O & P balance ….. histamine does good things like helps immunity, sleep, digestion, acts as neurotransmitter, but I’ve just been checking out hay fever remedies, and it led onto oestrogen headaches.
Histamine is contained in mast cells that bind to IgE receptors but mast cells also have receptors for progesterone, cortisol and particularly oestrogen. The binding of oestrogen & cortisol stimulates histamine receptors to release histamine which can drive PMT symptoms or those associated with high levels of oestrogen.
Oestrogen also down regulates the DAO enzyme that helps control excess histamine, whereas progesterone stabilises mast cells, up-regulates DAO and reduces histamine. You might find avoiding histamine-high foods helpful in eliminating headaches too if this reasoning is applicable to you.
This link isn't what I was reading re hayfever, but explains the association between histamine and oestrogen headaches. .. larabriden.com/the-curious-...
Does the progestogen secreted by the Mirena just work locally or is it systemic? Initially I found the HRT and I’m guessing the combined oestrogen along with Utrogestan helped me sleep better but recently I’m finding since upping oestrogel from 2 to 3 pumps that I’m now not sleeping much at all. I tested blood results and oestradiol levels look too low to me. Lower compared to when I started HRT. Have you had bloods done or are you going by symptoms alone?
If it turns out not to be the HRT then carbohydrates can do that to some people. Some people are just sensitive to carbs and being hypo makes that worse. Try an egg based breakfast with no/1 slice bread.
yes. Starting again today. A but difficult on holiday where they consider soya milk a rarity but hey! It can be done. Boiled egg with ships biscuit (gf free) for lunch anyone? 🤣🤣🤣
Bear in mind that oestrogen helps with insulin sensitivity so if your oestrogen levels aren’t optimal this could be affecting how your respond to meals especially those containing carbs and also your breakfast? Breakfast because most people have fasted over night and what you eat first thing will set your blood glucose levels for the day.
I am on a lot of estrogen myself, 2mg oral and 1 pump of Estrogel and have tried several kinds. Have you ever tried a different kind? Some woman are sensitive to different kinds. For example, I cannot use patches. I feel like I absorb it too fast. I also tried the ring and the same thing. It took a while to figure out what works for me. The 2mg of oral didn't feel like enough, so my gyn let me add 1 pump of gel.
Before changing completely and starting over, because we know what a pain that is, I would suggest splitting the dose between morning and evening and see if that helps. Try 2 pumps in the morning and 2 pumps at night.
I am also gluten free. I don't know if that helps me or not. I am still early on my last thyroid increase, so hard to know what causes what right now. I have been stable on my estrogen dose for several months, so leaving it alone for now. I don't use progesterone because I do not have a uterus. I am glad because I didn't do well on it and tried several times.
Good thought about different types. I’ve tried the patches and I didn’t absorb them enough. And I really don’t want to start again. next life I’m coming back as a man! 😂
It might be worth asking for a trial of an oestrogen patch, as this is said to be ‘slower released’ than the gel. Also, consider dropping by half a pump for a couple of days. I’m on 2.5 as I felt ‘wired’ on 3!
I always had terrible headache/migraine from oestrogel on only 1 pump. I changed to sanderna gel and wasn't as bad. I've had to come of all because of cancer scare and don't get headache anymore.
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