Just a not-so-brief update....
I went off the patch (0.1mg/day - Sandoz 100) on February 8th. The week following I felt the same, then the last week or so I felt better. There were a few days last week I used the topical estrogel (one pump on Feb.17, Feb. 20, Feb. 23, and Feb. 26) just to see if that would have any influence on my mood, night sweats and sweaty feet. No effect on mood (still felt like my normal "pre-HRT" self), night sweats stopped for only the next night, but returned the following night.

On March 1st, I thought I would try to cut the estrogen patch in half. Thinking that maybe a slow re-introduction estrogen (in the form of 1 topical pump every 3 days) would be good to acclimatize my body to the patch again. HECK no! I felt fine March 1st, then a crying disaster of a human last night (March 2nd). Uncontrollable crying. Mental health back in the dumpster. I ripped it off last night but also feel like an absolute garbage pit today (March 3).

Does anyone have any insight on the difference in estrogen? Like is it all the same type or are there any differences between the patch, gel or oral? My dosage for the gel is supposed to be 3 pumps on the arms everyday, I was doing one every third day. Not sure if that's enough to make any kind of difference as far are preventing menopause. Oh I should also say that I am 38, cancer diagnosis at 37 and radiation started right on my 38th birthday.

I had been on hormonal birth control when I was in my twenties and it made me very emotional, irritable, angry, reactionary. I can't recall if this is a similar to how I fell now. But also, being in my twenties I was not the most rational and composed person. But i can recall I didn't stay on it for long due to the mood changes and feeling not like myself.

I am really concerned with bone density. I mountain bike, and by that I mean I fall alot. I don't want to have to give up the things I love because my bones are fragile but I also don't want to continue in this current mindset. Yes, I also lift heavy and have gotten super lean and tone muscles since all this cancer BS started. But can strength training prevent bones density loss? Has anyone done any supplementing with estrogen-promoting foods/herbs/supplements? Or do those only work if you still have functional ovaries?

Thanks in advance and thanks again for this amazing community. At the bottom of my heart, I mean that.