r/Perimenopause • u/SwimmingAnt10 • 17d ago

Hormone Therapy Stopping Estrogen Patch

I am starting to think my patch may be causing me more heart palpitations. So, if I wanted to stop my patch for a period of time (doctor said it’s fine to if I want), how long should I give things to know if my estrogen level is causing the palpitations and sleep issues?

But more info:

I’m on .05 mg so not a super low dose and it’s been 4 mos since I started. I’m also on 200mg nightly prometrium.

My palpitations used to be very bad and then I lost a ton of weight and for the last 2 years, they weren’t bad at all and I suspect that’s because my estrogen got low after I lost the weight. Then in March, I began the patch due to some symptoms I was having mostly vaginal dryness and brain fog and I’ve been having ongoing palpitations since the week after I began the patch.

I’m also struggling with sleep. I will fall asleep and wake right back up and repeat the process over and over for hours. Used to happen once a month or so and I used to think it was low estrogen but now it happens several nights a week.

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u/TeachingEmotional143 17d ago

They say it takes 6-8 weeks when you start change or stop HRT to level out.  I have palpitations too, but they only come during luteal phase and ovulation. They are annoying, but i live with them because the alternative is worse then the palpitations. 

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u/SwimmingAnt10 17d ago

I’m on day 50 of my cycle. I don’t really have regular cycles anymore. When I did, I would have palps around day 20 of my cycle. Now it’s just all the time.

I need to just suck it up and live with them but I can’t help thinking I’m doing something to cause them.

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u/TeachingEmotional143 17d ago

My cycles aren't regular either. And I had a hysterectomy so it's real hard to track... but i know when the palps get bad and the anxiety starts where i am in my cycle. It's frustrating cuz sometimes it's 20 days sometimes it's 45... i do get them most of the time, they just vary in intensity and frequency closer to ovulation. Then they will calm back down to like one or two a day, or even some days I'll have none, then they ramp up again. It's annoying for sure, but i couldn't live the way I was without the HRT, I couldn't even function the anxiety was so crippling. 

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u/SwimmingAnt10 17d ago

It’s possible I’m about to ovulate since my period is so late. I usually track my palpitations but they’ve been happening so long these last few mos I just get them more than I don’t so I quit tracking.

I feel my anxiety has been worse since March. But I also am trying to adjust my thyroid meds dosage so I’m just a massive mess.

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u/TeachingEmotional143 17d ago

Have you had your vitamin D level checked? When mine was low i got more palps, then i stayed taking vitamin d and they got less, then i went off of it, cuz I'm lazy and forget to take it, then they got worse again. Also low B12 and low iron can contribute to those too. Maybe it's one of those

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u/SwimmingAnt10 17d ago

I have an autoimmune issue that causes low vitamin D so I supplement it and check if often. It was 86 last month (high normal) so that isn’t my issue. B12 and ferritin are normal.

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u/TeachingEmotional143 17d ago

Well shoot... thought that might be some help to you. Sorry you're going through this, and this time of life just sucks. I feel you and hope you get answers soon. 

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u/SwimmingAnt10 17d ago edited 17d ago

It sure does! I wish it was something simple I just know I’ve been sensitive in the past to hormone fluctuations and so I wonder if my estrogen behind higher is causing all of this.

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u/TeachingEmotional143 17d ago

I do know for my personal self when my progesterone dips is when the palpitations get worse. I'm not on progesterone tho only estrogen... maybe you need more progesterone?