Dr wants premarin-ovaries intact-any advice? Options

[brethor]

Hi girls! went to the gyn today complaining of hot flashes, cold chills, headaches and overwhelming anxiety....I am 3 weeks post op....his advice was to start me on low dose premarin.....has anyone been on this....shouldn't I have my ovarian function checked before starting hormones.....could use some input

Thanks

Bren

[SandraSmith]

You could start supplementing hormones without doing a hormone check, but what I"m more concerned about is that he's suggesting that you use Premarin (synthetic estrogen from horse pee), Provera (synthetic progestin), or Prempro (combo of the two) ! Beware. Go to the Ask The Experts section of the forum and see how frequently Pete Hueseman and Philip Warner advise against using Premarin. and Provera

Ask the doc why he isn't suggesting that you supplement with bioidentical estradiol ! There are lots of mainstream estradiol products available. I'm using EstroGel. What's nice about the gel is that you can use just as much as you need to reduce the unpleasant symptoms. I would never take synthetics unless bioidenticals didn't work for me.

If you are a PETA-like person or a vegetarian, please be aware of the cruelty of farming horses for their pee to make Premarin. There's a lot of info about it on the 'net. Imagine standing in a stall all day long with a catheter in your urethra. Not a good life. http://www.nyshumane.org/PresMess/premarin.htm

[SandraSmith]

Correction: Upon a bit of research I found out that the mares are not catheterized, they are fitted with "urine collection devices" which are suction attached to the poor mares' vulvas ! That would be worse ! They are under-watered to cause a higher concentration of estrogen in the urine.

Another correction: I would never use Premarin, period.

[Pete Hueseman Ho...]

Hi girls! went to the gyn today complaining of hot flashes, cold chills, headaches and overwhelming anxiety....I am 3 weeks post op....his advice was to start me on low dose premarin.....has anyone been on this....shouldn't I have my ovarian function checked before starting hormones.....could use some input

Thanks

Bren

Dear Bren:
The surgery, did it remove your ovaries or just the uterus? Premarin is synthetic, why not get the natural human identical estrogens to use. They can be compounded to fit your needs specifically. Testing can be done 2 to 3 months after starting to see if your levels are correct or not, and we can help you with a dose suggestion starting point. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you,
Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.

[brethor]

Dear Bren:
The surgery, did it remove your ovaries or just the uterus? Premarin is synthetic, why not get the natural human identical estrogens to use. They can be compounded to fit your needs specifically. Testing can be done 2 to 3 months after starting to see if your levels are correct or not, and we can help you with a dose suggestion starting point. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you,
Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.

Hi Pete,

it was actually just my uterus that waqs removed due to adenomyosis and bleeding.....my dr says my ovaries should stabalize and that I am only 3 weeks post op but gave me a script for premarin to help stabalize me....at this point I have not started it as I am waiting for some bloodwork to come back that another dr ordered for me to see how my hormones are functioning.....any advice?

Thanks

Bren

[brethor]

Hi Pete,

it was actually just my uterus that waqs removed due to adenomyosis and bleeding.....my dr says my ovaries should stabalize and that I am only 3 weeks post op but gave me a script for premarin to help stabalize me....at this point I have not started it as I am waiting for some bloodwork to come back that another dr ordered for me to see how my hormones are functioning.....any advice?

Thanks

Bren

forgot one more thing ....what is the cost of the natural hormones as I do not have any drug coverage at my job so I would be paying out of pocket

Bren

[skiergirl]

Hi Bren,
I agree with Sandra--I wouldn't use Premarin if it was the last HRT on the planet and I love my estrogen! Compounded bioidenticals and the regular drug company bioidentical hormones like the Climara patch (which I use) and creams like Estrogel can be pretty expensive--starting around $60 a month if you pay out-of-pocket. I don't have drug coverage either so I know what you are talking about. I think patches or creams are best (if you can afford them) because they by-pass the liver and avoid clotting and other problems.

If you can't afford the patches or creams, you can get bioidentical estradiol tablets from WalMart or Target for $4 a month for all of the standard dosages. Also at WalMart, If you get three months of your prescription at one time, it costs $10 (Target may have that too--I'm not sure). That would surely be a cheaper (and I believe safer) alternative than Premarin.

Also, there is a chance that your ovaries may still be "in shock" from the surgery and will kick in after awhile. I hope so!

Good luck, Bren.

[brethor]

Hi Bren,
I agree with Sandra--I wouldn't use Premarin if it was the last HRT on the planet and I love my estrogen! Compounded bioidenticals and the regular drug company bioidentical hormones like the Climara patch (which I use) and creams like Estrogel can be pretty expensive--starting around $60 a month if you pay out-of-pocket. I don't have drug coverage either so I know what you are talking about. I think patches or creams are best (if you can afford them) because they by-pass the liver and avoid clotting and other problems.

If you can't afford the patches or creams, you can get bioidentical estradiol tablets from WalMart or Target for $4 a month for all of the standard dosages. Also at WalMart, If you get three months of your prescription at one time, it costs $10 (Target may have that too--I'm not sure). That would surely be a cheaper (and I believe safer) alternative than Premarin.

Also, there is a chance that your ovaries may still be "in shock" from the surgery and will kick in after awhile. I hope so!

Good luck, Bren.

Thanks Skiergirl.....I actually decided to hold off on the premarin for now....I had the doctor I work under order some hormone tests to see how everything is functioning before I decide to take any supplements....also like you mentioned I am only 3.5 wks post so maybe things will balance out...until then the ativan atleast takes the edge off....thanks for all the guidance!!!

Bren