Well, it's me again.  I'm still limping along without taking the HRT my doctor prescribed in January  (.5 estradiol and 100 mg prometrium).  Hot flashes ceased at the end of January without HRT, but they were followed by a month-long period of time when I felt like I had the world's worst PMS symptoms ... bloating, irritability.  Then I felt okay for a couple of weeks, and then I had my first period in six months and it was so heavy and so painful and lasted forever.  Now I'm into the internal vibrations.

Ugh!  But one of my primary interests in losing weight.  I lost 23 pounds in January, but when the hot flashes stopped, so did my weight loss.  In fact, during my month-long PMS I kept slowly, insidiously gaining weight until I was up five solid pounds in February, eating the same as I had in January.  

Although I did lose the weight when my PMS-like symptoms went away, this episode did prove to me one thing: hormone levels CAN cause weight gain totally apart from diet.  When I'd asked my doctor she told me that HRT can cause you to gain weight if it causes your appetite to increase, but I am just not certain that's true.

I just want to feel good again ... to have energy, to not be running from one strange symptom to another from month to month.  But I do not want to gain weight.  So I just want to ask if people here have had the experience of starting HRT without gaining weight, perhaps even with being successful at losing?

Thanks!Sharon

Sharon,

I was on ERT when I lost 105 lbs with Weight Watchers, so it can be done!

Zelma

Thanks Zelma, you're my hero!  I need to lose 15 pounds but was wondering if it could be done while on ERT. You've provided proof that it can. I am planning to join WW, but was not sure it would work for me. I am particularly resistant to weight loss at this time. So your info is most appreciated.

Glad I could help!  ;)

Zelma, thanks for your reply.  I noticed that you said you were on ERT.  Does that mean you took estrogen without progesterone?  If so, do you think that made it easier to lose weight than if you had taken both?  And did you think it made it any more difficult ... or easier?  Heaven knows it ain't easy now without the HRT ... might it help?

Thanks again.Sharon

Yes, because I'd had a hysterectomy also.  I don't know if the progesterone makes it harder to lose.  It could if it depresses you as it tended to do me--even the natural forms.  Maybe someone else could share about their experience with losing on progesterone.

Zelma

Hi--I've had a lifelong tendency to be overweight, and I have lost 60 or 70 pounds at different times on Weight Watchers (gained it back, too, because I was careless).

I had the same fears about HRT, especially since I already have the weight gain tendency.  So I lost 25 pounds before filling my prescription for Activella, figuring at least I'd gain that back instead of 25 MORE.  

But so far, in the last year, I haven't gained any weight!  I've been very careful, a lot more than before I started HRT.  This must be why.  

So take heart.  If I can do it, you can do it.  (NOT gain weight on HRT, that is).  

csugar, I had read your other posts about taking activella. I just started on it 3 days ago and really don't know much about it. I took premphase for 27 months and have been off of it since september and haven't had a period. I don't want to have one. The hot flashes and night sweats have been bad the last few months.I guess I wanted to see what you could tell me about activella. It's not from horse urine right, but not really natural either. I would rather not take anything, but do have osteopenia. Let me know if you can if it has helped the flashes and night sweatas and what ever else you know about it. I don't want to gain more weight either. I gained enough on the premphase.Thanks, I didn't really know whether to take it or not. I already do feel better. But the night sweats are still hangin around. I sure don't want to have a period. Thanks, nitai

Hi nita--Thanks for asking.  I think Activella is great, but I know HRT is dangerous, so I've cut down on it gradually in the last year.  But I've had absolutely no problems with it.  Maybe since you just started it, you could try taking one every other day and wait at least a month or six weeks before you decide if it works.  Don't judge before at least a month, because you always have good and bad days no matter what anyhow.  

I was having torpedo hot flashes last summer and mood swings really bad.  I couldn't stand it, which is why I started the HRT.  My doctor had prescribed it for me the year before, but I figured I could get by and I threw away the prescription.  Then things got a lot worse, and I went to see the doctor again and this time I filled it.  

I think Activella is made from estrogen and progestin that is derived from plants, so you are right--it is not horse urine.  If you go to Yahoo and type in Activella, they have a web page and it's mostly advertising, but at least there is some info.  

Good luck, and keep us posted.    

Hi again--I forgot to tell you that I had one period on Activella when I was taking it every day.  My periods had stopped for ten months and then I had one, and I was really upset!  So I tapered off and have had no problems since.  I still have hot flashes and night sweats and some other symptoms, but I have a Revival soy bar every day now and I think it helps keep me feeling more calm.  

Hi,I'm not on Activella but it is natural estrogen estradiol.  I use the Vivelle dot patch with is the same natural estrogen and they do both come from plants.  (either soy or yams)

I actually lost some weight, more a bit of fat around my stomach when I went on HRT.  I use progesterone and not in pill form and no weight difference there either.  The first HRT that I was on was the Combipatch which has the same progestin as you have in the Activella.  Now I certainly  hated provera when I had to try that (it made me crazy!) but this other progestin is fine for me.  It is also made from plants.  Both the estrogen estradiol and the progestin are different from the ones that they used in the womens health study that got the bad reports.

Good luck.  That's about all anyone needs having to now deal with weight gain.  I haven't had that and hopefully you wont either!

Thank you

csugar and greenchili,Thank you both for your replies. I was pretty nervous about starting this Activella. I'm on blood pressure medication and sure didn't want to go back on the premphase. I do feel more clear headed and not so sleepy and fuzzy headed just after three days on it. It could be a coincidence but I don't really think so. I think I will try every other day like you said. Now if these hot flashes and night sweats would just go away. Thank you both so much and I'll keep you posted.

Great, nita--I'll be checking back here in a couple of days to see how you are doing.  

greenchiligirl!  I've been trying to find your last post, because I wanted to tell you that there is a whole board about Premature Menopause!  (Maybe you know this already).  Plus, there are lots of posts everywhere else about it.  Good luck to you.  At least we have this website, right?  

Hey hi CsugarGrove and thanks and you too nita  - good luck!

Yes CsugarGrove I first posted on the hysterectomy/premature menopause place here but it seems to be more hysterectomy.   That's ok.  I don't have all that much time right now on the computer anyway but I am checking on the web too and I do like reading the posts here.

I hope that you are feeling good too!  whew I sure DO remember those night sweats.   No fun at all .  Well thank you!

Hi, I'm Miranda and a newbie on the boards.  I live in England and have been on Nuvelle which is a sequential estrogen/progestin HRT for about 18 months.  I gained about 3 pounds almost immediately after going on, and although it's been a struggle, I haven't gained any more weight.  But believe me, I have to watch every bite, which isn't very much fun!