Bio hormones.....discussion, Why do you take them? Options

[davinci817]

what about those that it did not work at all,

This is why I added the list of other options. Whatever works for others is great for them. I am not selling BHRT I am simply adding my experience as a good one. Just as I have contributed my experience with AD's as a not so good one. Benzo's worked great for me too but it didn't fix the problem it only hid it each time I had to pop a pill. BCP worked for me too but I had to quit taking it and it does in fact carry its own set of risks just like any hormone replacement does. We can't have only the bad experiences with BHRT posted otherwise it becomes a bit one sided.

[Shebee]

You let me know where that marathon race will be held!!! I want to come and cheer you on! You go girl

Dee
DLT1200
[/quote]


Dee, why don't you run with me, instead?

LOL!

[Shebee]

shebee,
I am soo glad it works for you, but I recall your regimen is not a usual routine gel, cream, or patch, I recall you getting injections, not?
My point is, I been to this site since 2005, and I only see women that either use BHRT or don't use anything. I tend to think women on conventional HRT not on this site, seriously, perhaps, they just take it and feel good enough.
Have you tried any other HRT than your current regimen. I wonder if the price is in OZ dollars or US dollars, seems not too bad for as many Rx as you getting.
Best,
I.

US dollars....and I also take a B-12 shot every few weeks or so. ($10.00)

I have never been on BC pills or conventional HRT. It was a very difficult decision to start BHRT; however, in knowing what I know now and how I feel, I wish that I would have started them sooner.

See you later...I am heading out to the garden to pick some veggies for breakfast...and then a quick swim....next running to the store...working on my rehab house....cleaning my own house and preparing chicken (something?)...visiting a neighbor....picking up a friend from work....LOL!...and etc. and etc. Yesterday I put 5 coats of wax on my hardwood floors. They shine like liquid glass! (nobody better walk on them...ever! LOL) ...Today when I have an extra minute, I will work on some other major project.


LOL! Yes, I should have started bios long ago. I am now working very hard to make up for lost time.

Shebee

And isn,t there a certain amount of time you can only take them for?

Have read (probably wrongly)that any form of Bios etc just prolong the eventual symptoms.

I asked my doc this same question. I asked how long should I take bios...he replyed, "For life, if you want to feel good."

I don't think that the bios would prolong the eventual symptoms. Your body would just revert back to your hormones going into decline.

As we age, our hormone levels go down.

Shebee

[dlt1200]

US dollars....and I also take a B-12 shot every few weeks or so. ($10.00)

I have never been on BC pills or conventional HRT. It was a very difficult decision to start BHRT; however, in knowing what I know now and how I feel, I wish that I would have started them sooner.

See you later...I am heading out to the garden to pick some veggies for breakfast...and then a quick swim....next running to the store...working on my rehab house....cleaning my own house and preparing chicken (something?)...visiting a neighbor....picking up a friend from work....LOL!...and etc. and etc. Yesterday I put 5 coats of wax on my hardwood floors. They shine like liquid glass! (nobody better walk on them...ever! LOL) ...Today when I have an extra minute, I will work on some other major project.


LOL! Yes, I should have started bios long ago. I am now working very hard to make up for lost time.

Shebee






I asked my doc this same question. I asked how long should I take bios...he replyed, "For life, if you want to feel good."

I don't think that the bios would prolong the eventual symptoms. Your body would just revert back to your hormones going into decline.

As we age, our hormone levels go down.

Shebee

Shebee,
OMG.......could you bottle some of that excess energy and send it to me!!!! Please????????
Dee

[Iradan]

This is why I added the list of other options. Whatever works for others is great for them. I am not selling BHRT I am simply adding my experience as a good one. Just as I have contributed my experience with AD's as a not so good one. Benzo's worked great for me too but it didn't fix the problem it only hid it each time I had to pop a pill. BCP worked for me too but I had to quit taking it and it does in fact carry its own set of risks just like any hormone replacement does. We can't have only the bad experiences with BHRT posted otherwise it becomes a bit one sided.

I know you are not selling or pedaling anything, I just wonder how you deal with Progesterone part of the HRT, since you mentioned just a bottle of P and repalced all the doctors visits. I too avoid doctors now, once a year routine physical, not much they can offer anyways.
I am sencere here, just thinking out loud, why and how some women have such a relif from P, while others feel worse.
Hard to figure out what a girl to do... I never could tolerate BCP either, perhaps, we indeed all different.
I am seeing my gyno in few weeks, will see, if he will come up with something new and better be good also.
Cheers

[davinci817]

I know you are not selling or pedaling anything, I just wonder how you deal with Progesterone part of the HRT, since you mentioned just a bottle of P and repalced all the doctors visits. I too avoid doctors now, once a year routine physical, not much they can offer anyways.
I am sencere here, just thinking out loud, why and how some women have such a relif from P, while others feel worse.
Hard to figure out what a girl to do... I never could tolerate BCP either, perhaps, we indeed all different.
I am seeing my gyno in few weeks, will see, if he will come up with something new and better be good also.
Cheers

I take the P, armour and give myself a b12 injection every 2 weeks. I kind of broke my vitamin habit and should go back on those but haven't noticed I feel worse for not taking them. I don't know why I can handle Progesterone and some can't. Obviously it is a difference in how our body processes or maybe doesn't process it. My first few weeks were a bit anxious but then things slowly started to improve and now I feel at least 10 years younger four months into it. I would simply hate to see someone pass up the opportunity because of the horror stories some gals have with P.

My doctor did have me double up on P to see how I felt and that was not a good thing I went very anxious within an hour of taking it. This month I think we are increasing the oil caps up to 200mg and see if that gets my level at the ideal range.

Dunno but I am happy it is working for now.

[Michah Hadley]

Thank you everyone so much for your input........I apologise for not being able to address everyones replies but to be honest I am exhausted and extremely overwhelmed! Not by this thread so much, but the last 3 days have been revolting and I have hidden in my crypt!!!

I can't even think properly at the moment.........thanks for your patience, you wonderful people

[rosieden63]

I take the P, armour and give myself a b12 injection every 2 weeks. I kind of broke my vitamin habit and should go back on those but haven't noticed I feel worse for not taking them. I don't know why I can handle Progesterone and some can't. Obviously it is a difference in how our body processes or maybe doesn't process it. My first few weeks were a bit anxious but then things slowly started to improve and now I feel at least 10 years younger four months into it. I would simply hate to see someone pass up the opportunity because of the horror stories some gals have with P.

My doctor did have me double up on P to see how I felt and that was not a good thing I went very anxious within an hour of taking it. This month I think we are increasing the oil caps up to 200mg and see if that gets my level at the ideal range.

Dunno but I am happy it is working for now.

You contradict yourself a lot.

[davinci817]

You contradict yourself a lot.

Not sure exactly how you mean I contradict myself. I am happy with my regimen as it was written from the start. If you know anything about bios and the doctors that deal with them they want you at an optimal level but for me the trial and errors DO NOT work. I was and am quite happy with my initial dosage. Shall I leave out all of the other things that have taken place along the way?

You might try some to avoid being obnoxious !

[manyboys]

davinci817,

Don't want to change the subject on this thread but would like to ask you about the b12 shots. I am very interested in giving this a try.

Do you feel energized by taking b12? I used to take it in vitamin form but it started to upset my stomach. I know too that you need a pretty high level of it for it to be useful.

Any side effects from taking it?

Thanks...

Also, I am on Estrogel (1 mg), compounded progesterone cream (30 mgs) and 1 mg. of testosterone (cream).
I've just come off everything so that I can see what symptoms resurface and so far I'm just dealing with fairly mild hot flashes.

I'm going to give it a bit of time to see how it goes then decide whether I want to go back on. I was on continuous as I had no period when I started them.

Wondering about cycling, but do not want any bleeding. Totally done with that!


Cathy

p.s. I'd give the synthetics a try if bios did not work for me and may do that down the road.

[joyceveronica]

I think it depends, some women can't stop any HRT some managed to get off once the hormones stop swinging, I know some who take them for life.
It does not matter which route you go, BHRT or ortodox HRT, both can give you rebound effect when you quite or taper off.
But at this point of my life, I only can think of living in the moment, not because i want to prolonge my youth and keep my looks, but mostly because the quality of life is soo pure, one has to make it thorugh the day without feeline your going to collapse. '
Those who had choosen to go naturally and have severed symptoms, taking ADs and BZD, when they decided to stop it, it will be as bad as with HRT, this much I know, as I am on xanax myself,
I am just another confused women trying to survive menopause, for what I see and after talking to many women, I finally realized, majority of vital and energetic post meno are on HRT.......
The risk is getting higher after 5 years, it certainly doulbes or so after 10 years, but it does not matter what type of HRT you have choosen, i think, both BHRT and HRT have same risk and benefits.
I also wonder why BCP and such never been accounted for, many women take BCP since their late teen years, and no one ever wondered, if it is BCP that causes cummilative efffect by the time we reach our 50s, what if a women never used hormonal contraception, is her risk of cancer and such same as those who been on BCP for 25+ years?
I am just thinking out loud, and yet, I read, that women on BCP sail through meno, once they stop taking it.
Anyone wants to share their experience? Much appreciated.
I.

Dear Iradan'
What you wrote really makes a lot of sense.
I am all for quality and having been diagnosed so early as Post Menopausal could not conceive of live without my Hormones for another forty years or more
I too am not seeking the 'Fountain of Youth' but I refuse to sweat my way around life with very little sleep and bad mood swings-to name but a few!
So HRT is working well for me.We do not have the option of Bio-Identicals in this country.
Consider myself of fairly sound mind and body so am sticking to my choice.Of course,I genuinely respect other's choices too.Each lady has to follow what ever she feels works for the peace of her mind and body.
I have never 'sailed'through anything very well and I can tell you that when the Gyno,whipped me off the HRT the waters were too rough and choppy for me to survive!
So am back on them and they will have to pry them out of my cold stiff fingers before I surrender my stash!

All things considered HRT and I make a good team!

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

[Shebee]

I am sincere here, just thinking out loud, why and how some women have such a relief from P, while others feel worse.


Cheers

I am still trying to figure out that one for myself. When I tried P alone, every symptom that I had increased. My sister, who I gave the P to...accused me of trying to kill her! Some women only need the P. to help them feel good.?????
They must be making the other hormones in adequate levels.

It must depend on where we are in the meno game. I now know that I was both estrogen dominate and depentent...all at the same time...depending on the hour. I needed both E & P. My levels of Progest. seem high...but the Estrogen seems to balance it out. I could never tolerate BCP either, so I never took them. If one is making enough E, it would stand to reason that they would only need P to feel better. ?????


What I do know is this: I feel normal. I am a big fan of feeling "normal". I am also a big fan of finding the "root" cause of medical problems. I was told that if ...just if...you can find the root of your problems and deal with them, the symptoms will go away.

By the way...I shared part of my day with my PS sister...not to brag...not at all..., but I am so glad that I am feeling "normal" again that I want to share with others that it is possible. If I listed everything that I did yesterday, it would make your heads spin. Mine is still spinning! LOL! Yes, it is possible to feel good, once again. I am living proof.


I am reading...and reading...soon, I will have some answers. Don't you think that is great that by just reading that you can have wonderful discourses with educated, exceptional people? Books and the Internet are wonderful things.




By the way....

Michah Hadley


Thank you everyone so much for your input........I apologise for not being able to address everyones replies but to be honest I am exhausted and extremely overwhelmed! Not by this thread so much, but the last 3 days have been revolting and I have hidden in my crypt!!!

That brings this thread around to asking this question. How exactly do you decorate a crypt?


LOL! Best wishes, I hope today will be better for you...
Shebee

[didgens]

[quote name=


By the way....

That brings this thread around to asking this question. How exactly do you decorate a crypt?


LOL! Best wishes, I hope today will be better for you...
Shebee
[/quote]

Black Crepe Im thinking

[Juliann]

Hi Ladies, PLEASE NEED SOME FEEDBACK !!!!

It's always a toss up to see a new gyno and wonder if it will be a good visit or a bad one. I rarely have any faith in my HMO doc's lately. We had to switch insurance and today was my first "new patient" visit with gyno doc. It was filled with so much hope, I had a full bloodwork, so I was ready to hear all about my numbers and what advice he would have for me.

So....the visit lasted approx 45 seconds! He zoomed into the room, asked "why are you hear?". I explained that I am using hormones and wanted to discuss my routine and complications. He raised his eyebrow and said "what are you on?", so I told him estrogel, which works well, but the progesterone makes me feel groggy and I was wondering what I should do??? He said, just stop taking it!!! .....Well, I said I still have a uterus, isn't that a problem? He said, not really, just have an ultrasound every year, you should be fine....and basically said "that was easy, goodbye".

I was stunned by how quick that went....I asked for a copy of my bloodwork, which they didn't want to give me, but I persisted, so I have the copy. The hormone panel consisted of my estrodiol, which was 93pg/ml. So, at least I have an order for an ultrasound, the least he could do. Would you be mad about this?

Of course I did ask him " Are you familiar with BHRT?"........He said, of course, I am a gyno doctor! That was it.

My biggest gripe, is that most doc's treat women with meno/peri with such un-concern, like we are talking about a hangnail or split ends. Sorry, I had to vent...what is it with doc's today!

Thanks for any advice or feedback, thanks!!!!

Juliann

[Iradan]

Hi Ladies, PLEASE NEED SOME FEEDBACK !!!!

It's always a toss up to see a new gyno and wonder if it will be a good visit or a bad one. I rarely have any faith in my HMO doc's lately. We had to switch insurance and today was my first "new patient" visit with gyno doc. It was filled with so much hope, I had a full bloodwork, so I was ready to hear all about my numbers and what advice he would have for me.

So....the visit lasted approx 45 seconds! He zoomed into the room, asked "why are you hear?". I explained that I am using hormones and wanted to discuss my routine and complications. He raised his eyebrow and said "what are you on?", so I told him estrogel, which works well, but the progesterone makes me feel groggy and I was wondering what I should do??? He said, just stop taking it!!! .....Well, I said I still have a uterus, isn't that a problem? He said, not really, just have an ultrasound every year, you should be fine....and basically said "that was easy, goodbye".

I was stunned by how quick that went....I asked for a copy of my bloodwork, which they didn't want to give me, but I persisted, so I have the copy. The hormone panel consisted of my estrodiol, which was 93pg/ml. So, at least I have an order for an ultrasound, the least he could do. Would you be mad about this?

Of course I did ask him " Are you familiar with BHRT?"........He said, of course, I am a gyno doctor! That was it.

My biggest gripe, is that most doc's treat women with meno/peri with such un-concern, like we are talking about a hangnail or split ends. Sorry, I had to vent...what is it with doc's today!

Thanks for any advice or feedback, thanks!!!!

Juliann

Juliann,
I have the same problems with doctors, so I stopped going unless it is routine physical or check up, or some issue.
My female gynae is along the same lines, so I stopped mentioning my symtoms to her, and I decided to go back to the male doctor I used to see prior to perimenopause.
I am seeing him on the 10th and will discuss my options, I booked a consult appointment, so hope he will spend more than 45 seconds.
I know women that can't tolerate progesterone in any form, so they go for routine sonograms twice a year to see if the endometirum is not thickening, some just take E and T, and take their chances.
I am not sure what you can do, except trying vaginal progesterone, it can be causing less side effects.
Sorry, may be you can find new doctor that listens, although it is getting harder and harder nowdays, most doctors who talk and listen, are cash only physicians.

[XIII]

Oh Dear!

Your life in his hands? I don't think so.

My advice. Run for the hills.

Any doctor who allows a woman to take oestrogen and not protect her uterus from hyperplasia and the resultant cancer is a fool. Is he going to allow you to develop malignancy and then do an ultrasound to confirm the news.

I think that he treated you and your health concerns with disdain.

XIII

[Juliann]

Thanks Iradan, I appreciate your comments, you are always very "ride on" in your understanding. I currently have to pay for my own healthcare. For husband and myself it is over $900 to keep this HMO. I could get a VERY good doc if I paid $900 in cash!!!

When I asked this doctor about problems with progesterone, his answer was "just don't take it", how easy huh? I asked him about thickening of Uterus, he said it was VERY RARE!!! I guess I shouldn't worry so much.....

BTW, did I hear you correctly, that you are from eastern europe? Just wondering because I am from parents from Romania/Hungary.

Thank you again.

Juliann

[manyboys]

Hi Ladies, PLEASE NEED SOME FEEDBACK !!!!

It's always a toss up to see a new gyno and wonder if it will be a good visit or a bad one. I rarely have any faith in my HMO doc's lately. We had to switch insurance and today was my first "new patient" visit with gyno doc. It was filled with so much hope, I had a full bloodwork, so I was ready to hear all about my numbers and what advice he would have for me.

So....the visit lasted approx 45 seconds! He zoomed into the room, asked "why are you hear?". I explained that I am using hormones and wanted to discuss my routine and complications. He raised his eyebrow and said "what are you on?", so I told him estrogel, which works well, but the progesterone makes me feel groggy and I was wondering what I should do??? He said, just stop taking it!!! .....Well, I said I still have a uterus, isn't that a problem? He said, not really, just have an ultrasound every year, you should be fine....and basically said "that was easy, goodbye".

I was stunned by how quick that went....I asked for a copy of my bloodwork, which they didn't want to give me, but I persisted, so I have the copy. The hormone panel consisted of my estrodiol, which was 93pg/ml. So, at least I have an order for an ultrasound, the least he could do. Would you be mad about this?

Of course I did ask him " Are you familiar with BHRT?"........He said, of course, I am a gyno doctor! That was it.

My biggest gripe, is that most doc's treat women with meno/peri with such un-concern, like we are talking about a hangnail or split ends. Sorry, I had to vent...what is it with doc's today!

Thanks for any advice or feedback, thanks!!!!

Juliann

Hi Juliann,

Strange advice this doctor has given you....:-)
I don't think I'd take it.
Everything I've read recommends P with E. My doctor does not recommend E without P.
Having said that, I'm at a bit of a cross roads right now regarding this very issue.

I stopped taking Prometrium because of the same side effects you were getting and went to a cream. Felt almost 90% better on it, but still made me really slow and tired feeling.
So, I've stopped taking both E and P for now and want to see how I feel without them.
So far, my body feels pretty good but I'm suffering terribly with hot flashes and night sweats and the total black, empty box for a brain has returned.

That damned progesterone is just so tricky, but I would not take E without it in some form.

I suppose my next option to explore would be the vaginal P, but my doc told me while it does a great job protecting the uterus, it's not protective of the breast.

I am in limbo right now.

Cathy

[Juliann]

Oh Dear!

Your life in his hands? I don't think so.

My advice. Run for the hills.

Any doctor who allows a woman to take oestrogen and not protect her uterus from hyperplasia and the resultant cancer is a fool. Is he going to allow you to develop malignancy and then do an ultrasound to confirm the news.

I think that he treated you and your health concerns with disdain.

XIII

It's so hard when you have read up and researched so much info, after all , here we are on PS, and I try to explain this to a DOCTOR.....and he just blows me off in 45 seconds...........It's no wonder that we can't get further assistance, males just don't get it and young females don't understand!!! Thanks so much for your comments.

Juliann

[Juliann]

Hi Juliann,

Strange advice this doctor has given you....:-)
I don't think I'd take it.
Everything I've read recommends P with E. My doctor does not recommend E without P.
Having said that, I'm at a bit of a cross roads right now regarding this very issue.

I stopped taking Prometrium because of the same side effects you were getting and went to a cream. Felt almost 90% better on it, but still made me really slow and tired feeling.
So, I've stopped taking both E and P for now and want to see how I feel without them.
So far, my body feels pretty good but I'm suffering terribly with hot flashes and night sweats and the total black, empty box for a brain has returned.

That damned progesterone is just so tricky, but I would not take E without it in some form.

I suppose my next option to explore would be the vaginal P, but my doc told me while it does a great job protecting the uterus, it's not protective of the breast.

I am in limbo right now.

Cathy

Thanks Cathy,

The last time I tried to be off both E & P it was okay for about 4 weeks, then it all came back.....I have barely used any P for the last year, so my ultrasound should be interesting. I have only had 2 periods last year and none so far this year, I am almost into menopause now. My last doctor didn't blink an eye either about stopping the P. They "both" have said "it's no big deal". I just wonder why???

The only thing that my last doctor said was that it did matter if I took the pill form of estrogen, then I would have to take P, but not with the estrogel.

I guess we are a science project. No body seems to know what to do. I have been tapering down on my dosage, trying to use the least amount, and still stay without hot flashes and mood swings. I did try vaginal P and it still made me feel groggy and fatigue.

Cathy, I hope we can figure this all out, thanks for your comments.

Juliann

[Shebee]

It's so hard when you have read up and researched so much info, after all , here we are on PS, and I try to explain this to a DOCTOR.....and he just blows me off in 45 seconds...........It's no wonder that we can't get further assistance, males just don't get it and young females don't understand!!! Thanks so much for your comments.

Juliann

My head is still spinning.... How much did he make per second? Progest is very protective...and they stopped the study on doing just E because of all of the negative sides.

I had one new doc that first put me on his scales. They were 9lbs more than mine at home. I thought I was going to have a heart attack! Then he said...Now, lets take your blood pressure!
I could feel my heart beating hard in my chest. The nurse took my blood pressure; it was off the charts! Then he came in and gave me two scripts. One for cholesterol (he did not even do blood work!) The other was for high blood pressure. I asked how long do I need to stay on these. He said for life. What an a__. I told him that I usually had very low blood pressure. He said that was not his opinion. Then he walked out the door. (30 second visit)

Can you imagine what damage would have been done to me if I had taken his meds? How many other people just do what doctors tell them to do?



I, too, walked out the door just like he did, and I never returned. I would advise you to take a permanent walk also.

Call a compounding pharm. and ask for a list of doctors that are BHRT friendly. I am sorry that you were treated like this. I bet he loses a lot of patients and harms a lot of them, too.


I like a doctor who listens to me. My doc says that if he listens carefully, the patient will tell him the problem. He also says that most people know what is wrong with them. He is very open to suggestions and enjoys new information. My doc gets five Stars!

Shebee

[Juliann]

Thanks Shebee,

I am with you all the way.....I NEVER listen to what a doctor says about meds. I research things for myself. I think that some doctors just want the kick backs from the drug companies, it's easy to put everyone on some kind of med and they can take it for years. I would really have to weigh it out for myself.

I am so stuck right now. We are paying a huge amount for our health care. My husbands illness caused him to retire from his job, he cannot work, he is ill and probably will not recover. We have to pay the cobra policy out of pocket. I am reduced to seeing "their" doctors that are on the "plan".

It's okay, I'm so glad that I have my PS sisters, together we learn so much. I realize that taking estrogel without the P may cause a problem, so once I get my ultrasound, I will know more. I will be very cautious about it.

Having a doctor who actually sits down and talks with you, is not how ANY of these doctors act. They spent more time on the paperwork and my co-pay, then the actual visit.

Thanks for your comments, I appreciate all your advice.

Juliann

[manyboys]

Good morning!

I am curious about your comment that it makes a difference whether you take oral or transdermal E with progesterone. Maybe it has to do with the end product????
I've been on both and my doctor told me regardless, I have to take P. There is so much conflicting information out there it is no wonder we are confused.
In the back of my mind, it is probably part of the reason I have come off HT for now.

I feel for you guys having to stick with a certain "group" of physicians because of your health insurance. It must be so scary sometimes seeing so many new doctors.

I hope you can find someone who will take the time to listen to your concerns. With your husband not being well, the last thing you need is any crap.

Cathy

[Iradan]

I have read numerous times that P-cream is not a good protection from endometrial hyperplasia, it has been proven that absorbtion rate of the topical progesterone is not constistent, some women absorn it, others don't.
I personally would never take E without P, either oral or vaginal. However, I don't think P protects from breast cancer, there are estrogen positive and progesterone positive breast cancers, so not much protection here.
I just think P is good to use with estrogen, and vaginal route also goes into the blood stream, no matter what we are told.

Think birth control, the patch, the ring, there are many delivery systems and in all cases hormones make their way into blood stream.
If I get on BHRT again, this time it will be vaginal progesterone, as I had poor results with P-cream, sublingual, and oral.
I know some doctors that think that vaginal route for all hormones is the way to go, problem is, it is not the most convinient route.
I will just put my 2 cents.

[Juliann]

Good morning!

I am curious about your comment that it makes a difference whether you take oral or transdermal E with progesterone. Maybe it has to do with the end product????
I've been on both and my doctor told me regardless, I have to take P. There is so much conflicting information out there it is no wonder we are confused.
In the back of my mind, it is probably part of the reason I have come off HT for now.

I feel for you guys having to stick with a certain "group" of physicians because of your health insurance. It must be so scary sometimes seeing so many new doctors.

I hope you can find someone who will take the time to listen to your concerns. With your husband not being well, the last thing you need is any crap.

Cathy

Hi Cathy,

Yes it is all so confusing. I don't understand it either. My prior doctor (whom I really did like), she was the one who told me that using the "Estrogel" was okay to skip the P if it made me feel bad. She said that if I was on the oral, then she would insist that I take P with it. I literally sat in her office and argued with her and told her that I had never heard of this and kept telling her to check her facts, she insisted that it was okay. So, I don't know, I don't know if I believe it. Then I go to see this doctor yesterday, and he just blows me off and tells me not to worry about it either???

If I didn't work, I would just try and taper off them completely. But I have such a hectic and demanding job, I don't think I could handle it right now if I started to go "nuts" with symptoms.

Thank you for your kind words.

Juliann

[Iradan]

Hi Cathy,

Yes it is all so confusing. I don't understand it either. My prior doctor (whom I really did like), she was the one who told me that using the "Estrogel" was okay to skip the P if it made me feel bad. She said that if I was on the oral, then she would insist that I take P with it. I literally sat in her office and argued with her and told her that I had never heard of this and kept telling her to check her facts, she insisted that it was okay. So, I don't know, I don't know if I believe it. Then I go to see this doctor yesterday, and he just blows me off and tells me not to worry about it either???

If I didn't work, I would just try and taper off them completely. But I have such a hectic and demanding job, I don't think I could handle it right now if I started to go "nuts" with symptoms.

Thank you for your kind words.

Juliann

Juliann,
I doubt you can skip the cream because you use transdermal Estradiol, is your doctor thinks because it is not oral, it is not systemic and is harmless?
I would start thinking to find another doctor. Progesterone is not our friend, this goes for 90% of women, but it is friend of uterus, for sure, and fetus, when we are pregnant.
Those doctors are really need to brash on the HRT, I can't believe they tell you it is OK to use unoppose estradiol gel, read the label on the estradiol and also, check the black box on estradiol on the web, perhaps, it is better to try vaginal P gel, which protects uterus without causing much systemic symptoms.
Just a thought.
I.

[Juliann]

Juliann,
I doubt you can skip the cream because you use transdermal Estradiol, is your doctor thinks because it is not oral, it is not systemic and is harmless?
I would start thinking to find another doctor. Progesterone is not our friend, this goes for 90% of women, but it is friend of uterus, for sure, and fetus, when we are pregnant.
Those doctors are really need to brash on the HRT, I can't believe they tell you it is OK to use unoppose estradiol gel, read the label on the estradiol and also, check the black box on estradiol on the web, perhaps, it is better to try vaginal P gel, which protects uterus without causing much systemic symptoms.
Just a thought.
I.

Iradan,

We have both read the same thing. I know that everything points to only using E with P. I think it's weird that actual doctors vary on the usage of these hormones. It really confused me, it made me wonder.

I have a drawer full of "prometrium", so last month I took it for about 9 days, it was awful but I did it. I did not get a bleed from it, but I figured that it was good enough to just get the P into my system. I have tried the vaginal P, it is not that much better really. Each person will have to try it out and see if it works.

You are right, many, many doctors do not understand hormones or treatment, if you want a good doctor, you must be willing to pay private.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Juliann