I have received some of the most priceless advice from the women on this message board so thank you, thank you in advance for the input - I trust you all 100% more than my doctors at this point!
With your suggestion I hammered and insisted and finally GOT a prescription for Climara and Prometrium; 0.025 patch and 100mg of the progesterone. Thing is, after I got the meds I still went to get two other menopause specialist's opinion and they both feel the scripts may be incorrect dosage - I had my hormone levels tested in August of 2008 and now its eight months later... my doctor told me that "I don't go by the tests anyway to prescribe the hormones, I went by what you were telling me your symptoms were." Am I crazy or is that a rather lax way to go about prescribing something as altering as hormones??? I am SO scared to take these and then be more screwed up with bad reactions and side effects from the hormones than if I'd done nothing at all.
The other thing that to me is SO important (thanks to all the suggestions here) I started eating more soy (tofu, soy milk, soy creamer) eating flax seed daily, using creams containing parabens (for the estrogen stuff) and the hot flashes have decreased... is this all in my head?
How can I go a week with virtually no hot flashes or anxiety attacks to today, panic creeping up on me out of nowhere like I'm right back where I was? Is there no remedy to feel sane without taking flipping hormones or anti depressants???
I don't think there is a specific remedy anyone could tell you because we are all so different. What might work for me will not work for you. I think you have to get your head around feeling better for yourself and your family and the rest falls into place. I am doing 150mg of progesterone oil caps (starting my third week) I am also eating better and taking supplements. I personally have had no unbearable side effects at this point. Matter of fact for the last three days I have felt pretty darn good.
Remember what one Doctor tells you another may oppose, so educate yourself and make your decisions based on that and what is best for you all the way aroundl
Remember what one Doctor tells you another may oppose, so educate yourself and make your decisions based on that and what is best for you all the way aroundl
Hormones fluctuate so much that a "freeze frame" of your hormone level the day of the blood test isn't necsesarily what it will be the next day, or the next week, or even the next HOUR for that matter....which is why doctors often go by symptoms. Also we go thru phases where we have hot flashes, and phases where we don't. The idea of the hormone replacement is to help level this out so you don't suffer so much from the hormone fluctuations.
I haven't had any negative side effect from the BHRT, it has only helped me. I hope you can made up your mind what you wish to do! I know it can be a tough choice.
I haven't had any negative side effect from the BHRT, it has only helped me. I hope you can made up your mind what you wish to do! I know it can be a tough choice.
QUOTE (Floater @ Mar 9 2009, 12:11 AM) 
Hormones fluctuate so much that a "freeze frame" of your hormone level the day of the blood test isn't necsesarily what it will be the next day, or the next week, or even the next HOUR for that matter....which is why doctors often go by symptoms. Also we go thru phases where we have hot flashes, and phases where we don't. The idea of the hormone replacement is to help level this out so you don't suffer so much from the hormone fluctuations.
I haven't had any negative side effect from the BHRT, it has only helped me. I hope you can made up your mind what you wish to do! I know it can be a tough choice.
I haven't had any negative side effect from the BHRT, it has only helped me. I hope you can made up your mind what you wish to do! I know it can be a tough choice.
That's interesting to know Floater, that the level really doesn't matter where the dosage of hormones is related; I also think its so random to know that, if the flashes and symptoms can come and go at will, then the hormone treatment is as you say, to hopefully make the symptoms just a little easier to handle.
I find today (actually for a couple of days) the day time, low grade anxiety to be really max for me; I can go along "fine" and then POW! I have days and days where I feel like I'm going to through myself through a window - I just have to stay hyper-distracted as best I can and plow through it - I hate that feeling, and hoped the hormones would help with this too.
Truth be told, I'm just terrified of gaining weight; the depression and frustration that would come from that is daunting to me.
No need to worry about gaining weight.
Bioidentical hormones don't make you gain weight!
The old synthetic stuff maybe, birth control maybe, but not BHRT.
In fact, after being on them for a year, I am now at my ideal weight.
Bioidentical hormones don't make you gain weight!
The old synthetic stuff maybe, birth control maybe, but not BHRT.
In fact, after being on them for a year, I am now at my ideal weight.
QUOTE (wordsmith @ Mar 12 2009, 03:47 PM)
No need to worry about gaining weight.
Bioidentical hormones don't make you gain weight!
The old synthetic stuff maybe, birth control maybe, but not BHRT.
In fact, after being on them for a year, I am now at my ideal weight.
Bioidentical hormones don't make you gain weight!
The old synthetic stuff maybe, birth control maybe, but not BHRT.
In fact, after being on them for a year, I am now at my ideal weight.
Whew. I'm seeing the new menopause specialist on the 23rd and I'll have my tests updated; then once we know what dosage to start me on I'll take the leap of faith and give the BHRT a try. Crossing fingers!
QUOTE (twistoffate @ Mar 8 2009, 08:48 PM)
I have received some of the most priceless advice from the women on this message board so thank you, thank you in advance for the input - I trust you all 100% more than my doctors at this point!
With your suggestion I hammered and insisted and finally GOT a prescription for Climara and Prometrium; 0.025 patch and 100mg of the progesterone. Thing is, after I got the meds I still went to get two other menopause specialist's opinion and they both feel the scripts may be incorrect dosage - I had my hormone levels tested in August of 2008 and now its eight months later... my doctor told me that "I don't go by the tests anyway to prescribe the hormones, I went by what you were telling me your symptoms were." Am I crazy or is that a rather lax way to go about prescribing something as altering as hormones??? I am SO scared to take these and then be more screwed up with bad reactions and side effects from the hormones than if I'd done nothing at all.
The other thing that to me is SO important (thanks to all the suggestions here) I started eating more soy (tofu, soy milk, soy creamer) eating flax seed daily, using creams containing parabens (for the estrogen stuff) and the hot flashes have decreased... is this all in my head?
How can I go a week with virtually no hot flashes or anxiety attacks to today, panic creeping up on me out of nowhere like I'm right back where I was? Is there no remedy to feel sane without taking flipping hormones or anti depressants???
With your suggestion I hammered and insisted and finally GOT a prescription for Climara and Prometrium; 0.025 patch and 100mg of the progesterone. Thing is, after I got the meds I still went to get two other menopause specialist's opinion and they both feel the scripts may be incorrect dosage - I had my hormone levels tested in August of 2008 and now its eight months later... my doctor told me that "I don't go by the tests anyway to prescribe the hormones, I went by what you were telling me your symptoms were." Am I crazy or is that a rather lax way to go about prescribing something as altering as hormones??? I am SO scared to take these and then be more screwed up with bad reactions and side effects from the hormones than if I'd done nothing at all.
The other thing that to me is SO important (thanks to all the suggestions here) I started eating more soy (tofu, soy milk, soy creamer) eating flax seed daily, using creams containing parabens (for the estrogen stuff) and the hot flashes have decreased... is this all in my head?
How can I go a week with virtually no hot flashes or anxiety attacks to today, panic creeping up on me out of nowhere like I'm right back where I was? Is there no remedy to feel sane without taking flipping hormones or anti depressants???
Twistoffate...Love the name! Huge Dylan fan..
I just became a member here, like hours ago. I saw your post and felt compelled to read it...it's EXACTLY HOW I FEEL! I'm 50, still having fairly 'regular' periods but have felt like as* for the last 5 years. Saw a new GYN, we talked about it and she also rx'd/ suggested Vivelle Dot Estrogen Patch in the lowest strength, 0.025. She did NOT test hormone levels saying the same thing yours did..."you 50, we know your estrogens low by your age and your symptoms..and hormone levels vary daily/hourly...it's not really going to tell me much.." She also said that women who are still having periods DO NOT NEED PROGESTERONE in addition to the estrogen b/c we're still producing it, hence, she only gave me the estrogen patch. I've read all I can get my hands on regarding all this hormone chatter and most say that BOTH are needed but the articles DO NOT specify if they're referring to women already past menopause OR women still in perimenopause. I too filled the Rx, felt so lousy I cut it in 1/2 (wanting the least dose possible) and slapped it on. About 16 hours later I PANICKED 
and took the dam* thing off. I have no idea what to do either and find this all very confusing and overwhelming. I'll be reading to see what we can learn and will continue to have conversations with my GYN...Best to you!
QUOTE (twistoffate @ Mar 9 2009, 05:48 AM)
I have received some of the most priceless advice from the women on this message board so thank you, thank you in advance for the input - I trust you all 100% more than my doctors at this point!
With your suggestion I hammered and insisted and finally GOT a prescription for Climara and Prometrium; 0.025 patch and 100mg of the progesterone. Thing is, after I got the meds I still went to get two other menopause specialist's opinion and they both feel the scripts may be incorrect dosage - I had my hormone levels tested in August of 2008 and now its eight months later... my doctor told me that "I don't go by the tests anyway to prescribe the hormones, I went by what you were telling me your symptoms were." Am I crazy or is that a rather lax way to go about prescribing something as altering as hormones??? I am SO scared to take these and then be more screwed up with bad reactions and side effects from the hormones than if I'd done nothing at all.
The other thing that to me is SO important (thanks to all the suggestions here) I started eating more soy (tofu, soy milk, soy creamer) eating flax seed daily, using creams containing parabens (for the estrogen stuff) and the hot flashes have decreased... is this all in my head?
How can I go a week with virtually no hot flashes or anxiety attacks to today, panic creeping up on me out of nowhere like I'm right back where I was? Is there no remedy to feel sane without taking flipping hormones or anti depressants???
With your suggestion I hammered and insisted and finally GOT a prescription for Climara and Prometrium; 0.025 patch and 100mg of the progesterone. Thing is, after I got the meds I still went to get two other menopause specialist's opinion and they both feel the scripts may be incorrect dosage - I had my hormone levels tested in August of 2008 and now its eight months later... my doctor told me that "I don't go by the tests anyway to prescribe the hormones, I went by what you were telling me your symptoms were." Am I crazy or is that a rather lax way to go about prescribing something as altering as hormones??? I am SO scared to take these and then be more screwed up with bad reactions and side effects from the hormones than if I'd done nothing at all.
The other thing that to me is SO important (thanks to all the suggestions here) I started eating more soy (tofu, soy milk, soy creamer) eating flax seed daily, using creams containing parabens (for the estrogen stuff) and the hot flashes have decreased... is this all in my head?
How can I go a week with virtually no hot flashes or anxiety attacks to today, panic creeping up on me out of nowhere like I'm right back where I was? Is there no remedy to feel sane without taking flipping hormones or anti depressants???
Dear'twistoffate'
As Floater pointed out it is the fluctuation of Hormones that produce symptoms that can be worse than others. That is why balancing out the Hormones,if that is the route you wish to take,is very important.Eventually,as the body produces less and less Estrogen symptoms will be much more severe for some women.
I have been on HRT after being diagnosed fully Menopausal, Premature Ovarian Failure. They are synthetic because here in The Middle East we do not have the access to Bios.Have always manged to keep my weight steady.They.have worked for me but I know that each lady has the full right to deal with her symptoms in her own way.
It is also a matter of trial and error before you find that right balance for you.
I wish you lots of Luck
Elizabeth
hi lto you all this is my first post dont no if im doing it right not very good on computure you ladys are great i read your post each day and it really helps me get through the day thanks to you all
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