I was getting a script filled for my DH, and as my pharmacist wasn't busy, I asked him why I seemed to have more severe Peri symptoms than any women I knew, other than online. I asked him if I was just weak, or why just me.

He told me that as he knows a lot of my med history and by lack of complaints that he knows I am not weak, but he suggested to me that every day he fills scripts over and over for Horse HRT, and that many women will not speak of taking their HRT, and even hide it from their friends. I asked him how he knew this, and he said "they tell me"...and he winked.

So how many of our "friends" take HRT in secret and we think we suffer more? Hmmmmmmm, I am thinking of a few with very radiant skin and lots of energy in a different light.

Perhaps since the Horse Pill test, women feel ashamed to admit to taking it sometimes. I'm not sure, but it's worth us thinking about when wondering "Am I weak"? "Is it only me", type of thinking.

My pharmacist LOVES to talk!

I must say that is VERY interesting! Since I began this weird peri journey and talking to women my age and older when I get the chance, I am surprised at how many take HRT. I think your talkative pharmacist has something there!

Good morning everyone,

I was not sure where to post my continuing saga post-psychosis when I happened upon this thread. I will not repeat my horror story for it is pasted all over the website. Many of you have asked me to keep you up to date so here goes:

Since my menopausal psychosis a year ago, I have made slow progress but could not get past a certain place. Depression would creep up on me, my anxiety level would go through the roof, my moods would swing like a yoyo in the 60's. Finally my psychiatrist got me to my gynocologist who discussed HRT with me at my initiative. She told me all the risks and I thought it over carefully. I needed to have fibroids removed from both breasts to make sure there was nothing suspicious, and then an endometrial biopsy after I got a whopper of a period after 18 months. On November 1st, I started Premarin and progesterone.

After a week my life started to change dramatically. The depression has now been alleviated, my anxiety level has gone down, I am sleeping through the night, and I have almost the amount of energy I had pre-peri. I have cooked and baked and cleaned house and even taken on a brief legal matter for someone I know. Two months ago, even the thought of doing any of those things was enough to make me plop down on the couch in desperation.

I know that HRT is controversial and I have written about that reality in other places on this wonderful site. For me HRT seems to be the right decision. I had no life. As one articulate sister wrote, I was living symptoms and not life. I have decided that if a problem should present itself, I will deal with it. In the meantime, I am almost optimistic (imagine that!) that I can have a life worth living.

Thanks for listening and for the wonderful support. I hope I can be as helpful to others as so many of you have been to me through my long ordeal.

Smiles and hugs,
Marcy

Marcy...I am so thrilled you have found some relief finally! You have had a hormonal journey from h*ll and make the rest of our stories seem tame in comparison.

Having said that, I have to ask why Premarin? There are other estrogen replacements out there that are not horse based....the risks associated with the Premarin are much higher than others that are available, even through main stream medicine! My mom uses an estrogen called C.E.S. which is plant based and much less risky. You can find more info about on an Rx Canada website....I don't know what it would be called in the US.

I certainly understand your desire to feel well and fully functional, but research shows there are other options other than Premarin that are as effective and much safer to use.

You know I wish you nothing but the best, and am writing this because I care!

Hugs
Kathie

Of course I know you have my best interest at heart. Would never doubt it.

What should I ask my GYN? I am so confused by all the options. I apparently firmly stated while psychotic that I would never take any hormone therapy, so I was aware of the risks even then.

How do we know what to do?

Hugs,
Marcy

Marcy:

Research research research!! I have been doing a lot of it myself....and my mother did it before me! I use her as an example because she thoroughly researched HRT during her menopause! She has been using it for 14 years and has no intention of ever stopping. She read the information regarding Premarin and Prempro, she tried Provera herself (unsuccessfully) and after a couple of years of trial and error and research research research, she decided taking plant based estrogen was the direction to go.

She recently had her annual check up...she is 64, 14 years on HRT....her results were: bones of a young woman, low cholesterol, perfect BP, healthy mammogram results, no arthritis, no heart problems or other cardiovascular issues....

The only symtoms she still has is sleep issues, which she resolved by taking a sleep aid at night and the occasional hot flash....otherwise she is the poster child for glowing health!!

You do need to do what is best for you and makes you feel well. I don't want to confuse you or make you feel worse....I just worry so much about the Premarin! Why not email Pete Hussman (or whatever his name is) under the "Ask the Expert" part of Power Surge and see what he says?

Kathie

Hi,
I am very happy you are finding relief. I can only imagine what that feels like right now. I don't really have a strong opinion one way or another about hrt. For myself I was prescribed bhrt a year ago and was afriad to take it even though it is supposed to be a more natural form of hrt. My Dr. said he rarely prescribes hrt anymore...he didn't say what kind as I am sure there are many. I didn't take it out of fear and also hoping that my symptoms would let up if I gave them time. Well I have another appt. with my Dr. soon and they are re-prescribing them to me after they find out where I am again hormonally. My fear is just going to have to take a back seat for a change because I am not functioning well. Like today I am trying my best to take care of business, but have been having hotflashes from noonish on almost continously. I have had a headache almost everyday in some form fort he past 2 mo. I have been nauseous(sp) for the pst 3 or so days not to mention the other things i have complained about here that have been going on the whole year. I don't know if BHRT is nay better I have read so many different things about yes it is and no there is no proof. Someong posted a video clip from Dr. Vliet on the natural hormone forum maybe you could listen to that..it was helpful to me. Hope things keep going well. HUGS Mikki

Marcy,

So glad to hear that you are feeling better. I think that the others are telling you the right thing, if you are going to take estrogen, try asking for the bioidentical type, known as 17-Beta-Estrodiol. It comes in many forms, pill, patch or gel.

Premarin is not bioidentical, every up to date book that I have read on the subject, is telling women to insist on the bio's. This is what I did with my dr. It has made a huge difference in my quality of life (now I have one).

Wishing you all the best.

Juliann

Thank you so much everyone. I will call my doctor first thing in the morning.

Hugs,
Marcy