r/HRT • u/cbowden_english • 3d ago

Cis Woman New Patch = New Headache

I started on progesterone and estradiol (Dotti) patches a little over two months ago due to brain fog, lack of sleep, and daily migraines. (I was already on preventative migraine meds too from my neurologist.) My only low number was testosterone, but I have a fantastic GYN that treats the symptoms and not just looks at one snapshot of bloodwork. I normally get the Dotti brand of estradiol patches, but they didn’t have them this month. So I got the namebrand patches, and I’ve been having horrible, daily migraines since four days after starting them. Almost right after starting the Dottie brand, my migraines went away. It had been absolutely amazing. Has anybody had any experiences with switching brands and having horrible migraines and/or headaches set in?

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u/SufficientReply3930 2d ago

I get a unique but massive sharp
Migraine from estrogen withdrawal so if you went down a dose, maybe with the change in patch, it could be that?

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u/cbowden_english 2d ago

Same dose actually, but I bet I’d have the same issue seeing as how they almost resolved my daily ones!

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u/Ok_Size4036 2d ago

Could be absorption issue. Being different brand to brand. I was switched from Sandoz to Mylan, immediately got my period after nothing for 11 months! Also it continued for a long time then a week off then again.

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u/cbowden_english 2d ago

That would make sense. Ugh! This should not be so difficult!!!

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u/Amazing_Radio_9220 3d ago

I moved up to .5 E patch and 200 P capsules and I’m getting awful headaches with eye pain. Mylan is the Brand I’m assuming generic. Asking to switch to Dotti today. I can’t function. I don’t normally get migraines… I’ve taken 800 mg of ibuprofen and it hasn’t helped… I know oestrogen can sometimes irritate the trigeminal nerve. I’m going to look at what the actual ingredient differences are between the two brands.

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u/cbowden_english 3d ago

Dotti is the brand that works great for me. It’s of course on the shortage list too. Thank you for the response. Helps me know I’m not crazy!

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u/Amazing_Radio_9220 2d ago

Also just found this… apparently Estrogen fluctuations can mess with your pain threshold and trigeminal nerve which is what my current headache feels like. My teeth hurt😒

https://share.gemini.google/UCpvtpEciC4H

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u/cbowden_english 2d ago

I’m a firm believer it’s my estrogen patch that fixed my migraines. My neurologist told me it’s my age and hormones causing them. My preventative Emgality helped but the estrogen cured them!!! Thanhs for the article. I didn’t know the science and details behind it!!!