Allergic reaction?

I started taking Menest 1.25 almost a month ago. After about 2 weeks i started getting some itchy spots like hives on the insides of my elbows, my inner thighs and the bottom of my arms. There won't be anything there but then after I itch that spot it turns into little welts that itch like mad for a time. It comes and goes and the locations vary. I had this 2 times before when I was taking birth control pills that were new. Is this an allergic reaction? With the bc pills I called the nurse and explained what was happening and they had me stop them immediately. I have been feeling much better since starting the Menest and I really hate to stop. Is it possible that if this is an allergic reaction that it will pass and I will just get used to it? If it never gets any worse can I keep taking it?

Hi Moonie!

These are questions best asked of your doctor. Sometimes allergic reactions get worse over time and can be life-threatening. It would be better to have your doctor check you and decide if it is a reaction to the Menest or something else. Have you recently changed soaps, lotions, perfumes, laundry detergents. fabric softeners, etc?

Let us know what your doctor has to say, okay? If you are allergic to something in the Menest, there are plenty of other estrogen choices you can try.

s

Moonie, I too am having what is now becoming a serious reaction to something...not sure what, but the doctor suspects one of two things - the testosterone cream I have been taking or the Vivelle Dot patch. So I had to stop all HRT two days ago and must wait a full week before I can start back on anything.

At first I had hives like you are, but then after a warm shower, I had huge welts all over my legs, arms, neck, abdomen, and my lips blew up like a blow fish. It was actually quite scary. So please let your doctor know right away what is going on. As April Dawn mentioned, these things can get bad very quickly.

At this point, both doctors I have consulted say the safest (for me) estrogen for me to try right now is the plain, generic estradiol tablets that are white and free of dyes. So I will try them next week if I am over these hives. If not, I will have to have more blood tests and see another specialist.

Yes, sorting out hormone balance can get to be a full-time job at times! I still have hope though because many ladies do find that balance.

Good luck and call your doctor.

I am sorry you are having possible allergy problems. Here is a link on esterfied estrogens. There is one other product called Estratab that may have something different in it that may not bother you. You could look up both ingredients and see what the difference is. Also sometimes if you are taking other medications , they may not mix well with your hrt.

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Use...tratab,00.html

I hope you find some answers soon.

s

Thanks SuzyQ23. I feel better on estrogen but it does not seem to agree with my system. I also have some yellowing of the skin that may be related to estrogen use as well. I have been to several doctors and they are not sure, but it could be from estrogen. I guess some women can develop this problem from estrogen use. So this rash and the hives may be another expression of an ongoing problem. I will probably stay off of all estrogens for two weeks or so to see what happens. I have to say I have not had any for two days and the hives seem to be much better tonight. So maybe this is causing an allergy for me. I am still on the Benedryl so that may be why I am feeling so much better.

I go in for blood tests again next week and then will see the doctor the week after so hopefully I will get some answers. I do know that my joints are starting to hurt and to swell since I stopped the estrogen so this could be a long two weeks!

Hi Coffee, why don't you give your dr a call and tell them about this allergic reaction? I bet it will get you into their office faster. I'm sure they wouldn't want you to suffer. Just make a little call to the nurse inthe office and she can ask the dr for some help. I sure do agree with everyone else that you are having an allergic reaction.
Best Wishes to you!

Shera, that is a good idea. I have talked to the nurse at my gynecolgist's office several times this week and she said the doctor recommended I keep taking the Benedryl, drink water and do not take hormones for a few days to two weeks. I have been waiting to see an internist (had an appointment in May) and they were able to bump it up to March 14. At least it is moving in the right direction. I may call the gyno's back tomorrow to see if they want to see me and do the bloodwork. I think they just get so busy they don't really "listen" to what is going on.

I have really been having a rough time. At least the hives were a bit better today but I am too afraid to take a shower - that really brings them out.

this is the same thing I am experiencing but didnt think anything of it. Its on my chest and in my head, they are watery itchey bumps

oh great!!

I have been having the bumps on my head too! It's like pimples almost. Always in the back above the nape. I didn't take my Menest tonight. I'm so bummed I can't. I was feeling so so much better. I guess I will see if we can try the Estratab next. If that fails .......i just think that might have to be the end of my jungle experience.

Yep, that sound like it exactly - watery itchy bumps on and around the hairline and a rash on the chest. My rash looked worse after a shower, then it would fade in about 20 minutes or so. This went on for months until the big breakout this week. It was miserable. I am still on Benedryl to calm the hives but the rash on my chest is gone so I suspect the patch is the culprit but I am still not 100% sure yet.

I am now experiencing the hot flashes and my hands are so swollen I can't believe it from the drop in estrogen. I am going to see if I can make it another 11 days to make it a full two weeks off of all hormones. I want to see where I end up and if the yellowing of my skin gets better. If that is the case, I may not be able to use any form of estrogen - time will tell.

One thing is for sure, I am not going to be able to use the patches anymore. I have tried both Climara and Vivelle and they do not agree with my body chemistry. It is a darn shame because I love the ease and the steady delivery of the patch. I so wish it agreed with my system.

I am going to take a shower in a few minutes and have not taken any Benedryl because I want to see if the hives get really bad again and if the rash appears or is gone. I hope my body can handle the heat and that this stuff is getting out of my system. The nurse said that the drug from the patches can stay in the system for up to a month, it just depends on the individual. I'll let you know how it goes.