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Power Surge Forums > Board Discussions > Synthetic Hormones - HRT

wintersky1231

Jan 24 2003, 01:02 PM

I once swore that I would go through menopause naturally (and gracefully). (I said the same thing about labor and delivery!) But the hot flashes are getting to be more than I can take! Yesterday morning I was sitting at my kitchen table writing checks, and my hands were WET, like I'd just got out of the swimming pool. Then my glasses fogged up! Mind you, this happens several times an hour. I have a fan on my desk at work and next to my bed, plus a little battery operated hand-held fan I carry around, and I run the air conditioning in the car in January. I have been taking Revival soy ... can't take a lot of herbal remedies because I have a seizure disorder (found out the hard way that evening primrose oil actually triggers seizures, for instance).

But still it is interefering with my life. In particular, I can't get into my exercise routine because even a walking at just a couple of miles an hour will have me drenched, so I can't do it unless I am going to be able to take a shower and wash my hair afterwards.

So I finally broke down and made an appointment with the doctor for next Tuesday. I've been doing some online research, but all the scientific information doesn't take the place of personal experience, so I decided to come here to ask for advice. In addition to all else, I have Type 2 diabetes, which is totally and completely under control right now, and I am finally on a roll with losing weight, and I absolutely don't want to take a chance on upsetting that happy balance.

I've been checking out estratest ... I take glucophage for the diabetes, which also reduces testosterone. I don't have any anxiety or depression or moodiness. Oh, my sex drive is probably a bit down, but do I care? Not really ... but my DH does! Don't want to grow a moustache, or develop male pattern baldness, or get acne, but being on the same page as my husband in the sex department might be nice. Does the testosterone play any part in athletic desire? I used to have much more interest in working out than I do now!

Anyway, all experiences and advice would be appreciated?

TIASharon

CindyC

Jan 24 2003, 10:25 PM

Insist on the bioidenticals. Don't let them talk you into anything with premarin or progestin. Just take a look at the various threads in this forum and see which type of HRT worked the best, and which caused problems. I use transdermal bi-est/progesterone drops every now and then when it gets to be too much for me. Soy doesn't do a thing for me. A recent double blind clinical trial done at our university indicated that ladies taking soy supplements experienced as many menopausal symptoms as those taking the placebo.

zjsurfer

Jan 24 2003, 11:42 PM

If I'd just had the hot flashes and no moodiness, anxiety, mood swings--I probably wouldn't have taken the ERT route. But I needed it just to "be myself". And I have added testosterone to get libido back. (Found out recently that estrogen replacement can lower what remaining testosterone one has--makes sense! So I guess I need it.) It does help. Gee, it seems like we women have to jump through hoops just to try to get back to normal.

Zelma

CindyC

Jan 25 2003, 02:07 PM

Zelma,If you don't mind me asking, what type of HRT has worked for you? I use the transdermal drops, but I am not completely satisfied. Also, have you gained weight on HRT?

Thanks,CindyC

zjsurfer

Jan 25 2003, 06:16 PM

I use Estrace and cream testosterone. (Since I've had a hysterectomy, I don't need the progesterone and it tends to depress me.) I was using Estrace when I lost the 100+ lbs on Weight Watchers; so, if anything, it helped me lose weight.

Zelma

CindyC

Jan 26 2003, 11:53 AM

Thanks for the info Zelma. I have to take progesterone and I too believe that it makes me depressed. I was using testosterone cream for several months last summer. I went through a period of extreme hairloss. I stopped using the testosterone cream and things have been better. From what I have read, too much testosterone can cause this problem, so I caution you to keep an eye out for hairloss. I don't believe it is a problem for everyone, just those who are prone to it. In regards to libido, I read in a book called "Hormones and the Mind" by a Dr. Edward Klaiber that both estrogen and testosterone are required to maintain a normal libido. In other words, if you are estrogen deficient and take testosterone, it won't help. I know this is true, because at a time when my testosterone level tested high, I had no libido at all. But when my estrogen levels surged for a week, I was a wild woman. Go figure.

Dearest

Jan 26 2003, 08:31 PM

In reply to the first question, Estratest, even Estratest HS (half strength) is said to have too much testosterone. Dr. Susan Rako, who's been a guest in Power Surge numerous times, is an expert in the area of testosterone. You can read her transcripts in the Library.

Some women have great luck with DHEA. I took it long ago in a very small dose and felt wonderful while using it, but developed fuzz on my arms and face and stopped taking it immediately. That's one of the advantages is that when you do stop using it, the hair disappears very quickly. There's an excellent article, in fact, most of a newsletter, devloted to DHEA in the Reading Room.

As for progesterone, many, many women complain of depression when using any form of progesterone, even the OTC NP creams. That was my experience with progesterone and I tried the naturally compounded micronized progesterone as well and had the same reaction even on the tiniest dose. So, it's important that the estrogen and progesterone be balanced properly for your body and that you have your hormone levels checked (the saliva method is supposed to be the most accurate) before starting hormones. You can always ask a question directly of natural compounding pharmacist, Pete Hueseman, in the Ask The Experts area.

There's a great deal ot of information in an article I have called, Your Hormones. Also, be sure to read the article linked to it called, Natural Hormones which provides additional information. One of the many advantages of using naturally compounded hormones is that you can tweak the doses -- they can be compounded in literally any dose you want or need. I always recommend starting off on the lowest dose possible because if that helps your symptoms, why take more than your body needs?

For those who have problems with hormones, even the naturally compounded ones, I still believe Revival soy protein is the best. It's the only thing that stopped most of my symptoms dead in their tracks when I started using it in 1998. There are many methods of treatment on the recommendations page of the site.

There's a lot of information in the Welcome, Introduce Yourself (New Members) topic -- the second message where it says "Where Do I Begin?" is very helpful in finding your way around the site.

Dearest

wintersky1231

Jan 27 2003, 02:30 AM

Thanks, Dearest. I have read a lot of the transcripts you and others suggested, but you see they just left me more confused. I recall the lady from PETA (can't remember her name) recommended estratest, while Susan Rako said never, ever take it! I'm taking Revival, and I saw remifemin (sp?) at Safeway the other day ... thinking about cancelling the doctor's appointment and getting more fans!

Sharon

MaryO

Jan 27 2003, 02:36 AM

Hi, Sharon! That's the trouble with "experts", everyone has a different idea of what to use and when to use it and so on.

I'm curious about the Revival - how long have you been using that? Usually women start feeling better in the first 6 weeks, if not sooner.

It sounds like you have several other issues to contend with, in addition to the meno ones. Hopefully, your doctor will know your history and will have some good ideas, too. Some women have posted their experiences with testosterone over on the Sexual Libido / Testosterone Board, so you might want to check those out, too.

Best of luck to you!

evyperi

Jan 27 2003, 03:05 PM

hello, I am new to all this but very confused I am 49 and have been in peri for 2 yrs. Recently my doc gave me a persription for 1mg estrace and 200mg prometrium I did not not take it . Fifteeen days ago I decided to give it a try. Well I did feel better however here I am 15 days later with a very heavy period. I am supposed to take this everyday all month long both pils now I dont know what do to keep taking it or not or just take the estrogen If someone could give some advice I would greatly appreciat it before I make another trip to the docs.

MaryO

Jan 27 2003, 04:14 PM

Hi, evyperi and welcome to Power Surge! If you're taking the estrace and prometrium every day, your periods should stop. If you still have your uterus, you'll need to keep taking the prometrium as long as you're taking the estrace to help prevent uterine cancer.

Are you taking the pills at the same time every day? When I did a similar combo years ago - before I went off the HRT altogether, and onto soy - if I was even a couple hours late with the pills, I would start bleeding again.

Maybe you might want to give this a little longer trial to see if your periods stop for good while taking both. If they don't stop on this regimine, you should let your doctor know.

For other things that you can take to alleviate your symptoms, Dearest (our host and founder) has compiled a wonderful list of recommendations for us. All you have to do is click here ~~> Power Surge Recommendations

evyperi

Jan 27 2003, 05:05 PM

Thank you for your quick reply I havent called the doctor yet however do you think I should cycle this hrt like only 10 to 14 days of prometrium a month or maybe the prometrium is too much 200mg I take the estrace everyday in the morning and the pro every night It seems the prometrium makes me bleed more Now that I have my period shouold I still take the prometrium I am sooo frustrated thank you

wintersky1231

Jan 28 2003, 10:53 PM

Evy, I did go to the doctor today and she prescribed the same things you are taking (in lower dosage), but she said you have to take both of them together every day if you want to avoid menstrual bleeding. When you cycle it, you get cycles. (I haven't filled the prescription yet, but that's what she told me.)

And MaryO, I have been on the Revival for almost a month. The hot flashes have not been reduced ... in fact, they are worse ... and I just don't think I can take it any longer.

Sharon

MaryO

Jan 29 2003, 02:00 AM

Gee, I'm sorry that you're having such a tough time of it, Sharon. I know that there's nothing that works for 100% of the people, although it would be nice if there was.

Maybe you could attend the chat this Thursday night. Dearest is having Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D. back as the guest this week. Pete is the compounding pharmacist who so many women here talk about. He's willing to answer all kinds of questions - maybe he would have some ideas for you, That's this Thursday January 30, 9 PM, ET in the Power Surge Chatroom. You can read the transcripts of his last visit in the Power Surge Transcript Library.

If you want, there's also the Ask the Experts area, where you could ask him a question - or maybe read the answers already in the archives there.

Best of luck to you!

evyperi

Jan 29 2003, 11:58 AM

I had to call the dr. today as I am bleeding very heavy He told me I was taking every thing wrong I was not taking the estrace and prometrium together. Now he has me taking 400mg. of prometrium an 1mg of estrace together for a week he says this should stop my period that i am having now well no results yet i was wondering if this has happened to anybody maybe i just should get off everything problem is i felt preety good before this period from hell also does progesterone make you bleed more that is waht is seems like.

MBD

Jan 31 2003, 10:19 AM

I'm new so forgive me if this is redundant for many. For a year & a half, I've begun feeling anxiety, depression, not sleeping and increased headaches. I have had headaches for years but they were under control with pamelor as a preventive and Imitrex as needed. A year ago they found 3 large fibroids and periods were horrible. Treated them with birthcontrol and then one lupron treatment (lupron appeared to make the anxiety and depression outrageous). Reg doctor tried ativan for anxiety, very low dose prozac for depression. Didn't see any major change so I took myself off prozac. New gyn tried new birthcontrol, mircette, which has control periods somewhat and since fibroids got smaller we have put a hysterectomy on hold. However, anxiety and depression come more often and headaches have been horrible. The latest thing they are trying is a very low dose vivelle patch two times/month (where I used to have major anxiety/depression). Anxiety is now daily and depression, while mild, is constant. Just feel terrible. I did not have this anxiety and depression to this extent before. They think I maybe starting perimenopause. I take desiral at night instead of pamelor so I can sleep, which works.

Sorry for the length but I feel the need to catch up. I am going to a headache clinic next week. But believe, from what I see on this website, that these symptoms are menopause related. In addition, I have internal shakes and joint pain, which are not constant. It is the anxiety and depression that have me so concerned. I don't know anything about HRT or what to even ask. I don't want to be on medication but feel I need help.

Any thoughts??

zjsurfer

Jan 31 2003, 11:21 PM

It sounds like a bit of both menopause and something else with the headaches. See what the doctors find out--sometimes the symptoms are caused by other problems, not just menopause--even if that is enough of a problem itself!

Zelma

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