I am 33 and undergoing premature ovarian decline. It has taken 1.5 years and 6 doctors to finally come up with the fact that my estradiol levels are low . . . never higher than 58 at any given point in my cycle. Having said that, I have endured almost all of the symptoms described here at this site.

I finally turned to Dr. Elizabeth Vliet's Book, "Screaming to be Heard . . ." and decided to try the Ovcon 35 for three months straight, without a break, due to my migraine headaches. I am on day 4 of Ovcon and have seen no relief whatsoever in any of my symptoms. I am confused because I have read other posts here where patients started taking HRT and immediately and miraculously experienced a dramatic difference. Is it possible that it just takes a while for these hormones to do their trick? Any ideas? Thanks.

Hi,
I had terrible symptoms, and after 6 months of thinking I was dying I figured out I was in perimenopause I went on Yasmin BCPs in May 2005. It took about 2-3 weeks for me to feel better. It wasn't that I woke up one morning and felt great, it was more like I woke up and felt less bad. Each day it got better and then I felt great after 4-6 weeks. Hang in there!
Tracy

Hi Tracy,

Thank you for your reply. I, like many of the women here, have been on the verge of a nervous breakdown thinking I was dying for the past 1.5 years. I will say that my energy level has been better the last few days, but the headaches, trouble sleeping and hot flashes are really no better. I will hang in there!

I was in peri....started on the pill and felt better after 3 weeks...then the second month was back to my old symptoms again....so I stopped it...and went back to alternative medicine, like reiki and acupuncture/herbs...doing better on that..

my gyn said it can take up to three months to work fully..i didn't want to wait that long ..I have to work and the dizzies were killing me!

hope it happens quickly for you...


Lisa

Nurselisa,

What is reiki? Does it have any thing to do with energy medicine?

Thanks

icedancer

Update: On day 9 of the Ovcon, started period. Still have it, along with no relief and possible exacerbation of headaches. Still have hot "flushes" and burning sensations. Called OB, who said that I need to take three cycles of this stuff before my body adjusts, but I should not be having hot flashes.

Huh???

Anyone else out there still having hot flashes/burning and headaches WITH hormones? I am very confused. I have had every test imaginable to mankind and cannot figure out WHAT else besides peri would be causing this!!!

Thanx

Rooney, I also took Ovcon 35 after trying several other brand of bcp. It did take me several periods before I felt better, but as someone else said it was a gradual progress towards feeling better. In my case I never felt totally "normal", but the bcp enabled me to function. I felt better when I took bcp continuously, but I was told that it's best to only take bcp continuously for two months, on the third month I had to go off for one week in order to start my period. I had to stop taking bcp after almost a year and now I'm trying compounded progesterone and I'm doing okay.

MyFaith,

Thanks! I appreciate your feedback, as well as everyone else's. I guess I am just petrified that I have some sort of underlying, terrible disease that is causing all of this. I thought that the BCP would be the instant turnaround that others described to me, and since it hasn't been, I am back to being terrified. (I have had countless tests over the past year and a half!) Maybe it is more of a gradual process for me.

I just want my life and sanity back! I am sure that everyone else can relate. I have a 2 1/2 year old son and I feel like I am a horrible mommy because of all of this.

Why did you stop taking BCP after a year? (If you don't mind answering that question.)

Rooney, you are not alone. I think the majority of us, the ladies here at PS, at one point or another thought that we had some life threatening ailment. I can't begin to tell you about all the drs. I've seen or tests that were administered. Thank God that they all came back negative, but when I was feeling like "poop" I really wanted something to show exactly why I felt so ill.

You are not a horrible Mommy, that's just another part of this hormonal issue. We want so much to be well and feel "normal" again that we begin to feel guilty...especially when the drs. keep telling us that we are well despite all the symptoms we are exhibiting. Besides as women we are just the nurturing type so I guess it difficult when the tides turn and we need to be nurtured.

Let me take this moment to vent ...even when my estradiol level came back low, but still within range, my doctor did not tell me that this was occurring. She didn't even put two and two together and figure out that I could possibly be experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, and then later the depression because of my declining hormones.

What is sad is that I found out about my low estradiol level when I requested a copy of all my records about a year later. I guess the dr. that viewed the lab results wrote on the report that my estradiol was low...this was done right before I had surgery to remove a uterine polyp. My doctor at that time did not think to even mention my low estradiol. After 3 years I had my estradiol rechecked on day 3 of my menstrual cycle and it came back ?

The reason that I stopped taking bcp was because of my blood pressure. Since my estradiol levels began to drop my blood pressure began to rise. This seems to be quite common with the women in my family.

Honey, keep posting, and realize that if all your test results are coming back okay, then you are probably just paddling along in the same peri/meno. boat with the rest of us . You're in good company here at PS .

rooney1,

I went through the same thing you are now and went on the pill 3 yrs ago. It took about 1 1/2 to 2 months for everything to calm down (hot flashes, headaches, etc.).

After that, I felt great until I decided to go off the pill (stupid mistake) Within a few months, all of my symptoms returned so I went back on the pill and again it took about 2 cycles to feel normal again. Now I will not go off of it until the doctors forces me to!

maura

Thank you both!

MyFaith, I can relate on the ridiculous doctor thing. I had to press my OB to test my estradiol. Even then, mine was 53 and "low normal" (I am 32!!). I can't believe how low yours was and that you were able to function. Mine is never above 67 at ANY point in my cycle . . . I have been tested four times on various days for months straight. (At my insistence!) One month, my FSH was 20 and the next month it was 2, so it has fluctuated. Isn't it frustrating that you have to be your own detective? The bulk of the information I have gained has been through this site and various other medical sites, NONE from my OB-gyn! I even went to a reproductive endo who wasn't terribly helpful. And he was supposedly one of the "best" in his field.

Maura,

Thank you for the additional insight on giving it a couple of cycles. I will try to be patient!

I think the most frustrating thing of all is the general feeling of being at the mercy of how you feel on any given day, which everyone relates to. I was once a very capable, competent person and feel sometimes I have been reduced to a grouchy, exhausted lump!

Hi My Faith,

Did you ever consider adding estradiol to the progesterone? I've been on compounded progesterone for about 6 weeks and it's doing nothing positive for me except a slight reduction in night sweats and hot flashes. My anxiety is worse.

I'm a little afraid of supplemental estrogen. I'll be getting bloodwork done and then take it from there.

Florida

Rooney,
My friend was on Ovcon-35 and didn't have much relief, and had lots of breakthrough bleeding. After 3 months she switched to Yasmin (which I am on) and had complete relief and no bleeding. Don't torture yourself for too long, ask to try something different.

I know how you feel about being a bad Mom. I have 4 kids 3.4.7.9 - had my last a week after my 40th birthday. There are days I should have as little contact with the kids as possible, not many, but boy I am just one giant ball of irritable, yelling mother. I just tell myself that someone has to keep all those therapists in business-why not my kids?

I don't know how your diet is, but I started weight watchers 4 days ago and although my weight remains the same (oh well) I feel soooo much better. I am doing the flex system with points, so I'd much rather have 6oz of salmon than 1/2 cup of pasta. The lack of carbs has given me a real boost. I find my kids are nicer, my husband is funnier and I am clearer. I am a stress eater so I have had my head in the pantry ever since this peri thing started!

Hope this helps!
Tracy

Tracy, I've also found that by eliminating or drastically reducing my carbs. helps me to feel more calm, able to think clearly, and just have a more peaceful feeling. I'm trying to do a modified version of South Beach because I have ALOT of weight to lose. Hopefully, the weight reduction will help with other health issues as well as my mood. We can do this!

MyFaith,
I have a lot to lose also-50lbs! I don't know how it snuck up on me! I have tried over and over again but I am determined this time. The weight watchers is easy so far, we'll see how I feel in 6 months! Good luck to you, my sister lost 40lbs on South Beach!
Tracy

I am, once again, taking Prempro, (like Maura, stopped taking because I felt so good), and remember all to well that it's gonna take a month or two to be effective. I initially started HRT in Nov 04, and patiently endurred two breakthrough mild bleeding episodes, despite not having a period for about a year. The majority of my symptoms lessened or resolved the year I consistently took HRT. I attributed a twenty pound weight gain on the pills, and weaned myself off in Dec 05. I am back to square one, increased anxiety, one or two surges every hour, irritable, insomniac yadda yadda yadda. i am back on my Prempro and look forward to regaining my sanity and some sense of normality. Good luck and personally I suggest patience.
Hormonally,

jo

Tracy, I also need to lose 50 pounds!!!!!!! Well, let's say I need to start by losing 50 pounds ...I don't know how I gained so much weight. I really want to give this modified South Beach diet a good try, but I'm trying to develop a way of eating that will be a lifestyle change. I know people who have lost a great deal of weight on the SB diet only to gain it back when they began eating carbs. There has to be a more realistic way of eating that will eliminate the pounds and forever remain off my hips, arms, gut, ankles, knuckles, ears, finger nails etc. .

Bear with me while I get the hang of this posting thing . . .

Tracy, 4 kids?! Wow, I don't know how you do it. I love my one (and only) son, but it is ALL I can do these days to manage a FT job, husband, home and ONE child, much less 4! My hats off to you.

My diet is not the greatest . . . lots of carbs, I must admit. Maybe that will be my next line of attack, based on everyone's posts. I have, up until the onset of these crazy hormones, been able to keep a good weight. However, I have noticed a gradual creep in weight and that my waist is disappearing . . . much like I looked during the early months of my pregnancy!

Best of luck with the diet thing. You can do it!! Best to all!!

My Faith and Rooney,
Well I've been on Weight Watchers for 9 days and have lost three pounds. About five o'clock everyday I go through the "Who cares how much I weigh, just pass the chips, cookies, cheese." So far I have resisted but it's been hard. It doesn't help that my husband is three years younger and a tri-athlete. I'm lucky that he is supporttive and loves me fat or skinny! But I am sure he prefers me skinny, at 5'10" I was 139 when I met him. Hmmmm.

My Faith, you can lose the weight, just think if you start now you can have a lot gone by July! That's my goal because I have a family wedding and my husband's company's first convention. I'd like to wear a pretty dress to the wedding, one without sleeves, and I'd like to dance with my husband without hurting him! I have been walkiing with a friend on Tuesdays and Thursdays (we've had a really mild winter here in CT). The fresh cold air is invigorating. I don't know how I got fat either except that my very very favorite thing to do is eat. I guess I need a hobby, if my eyes hadn't gone down the toilet the minute I turned 40 I'd needlepoint!

Rooney, my oldest daughter posesses the uncanny ability to make me want to put my head in the oven. It only takes one! I work part time with my hubby and have a great sitter who has been with my kids for 7 years. Still, there are days when I haven't seen them all day, I come home and the arguing and fighting make me want to go sit in the car until my husband comes home! I have taken a page from the local dog warden's manual, they spray fighting dogs with a garden hose-I put my kids in a warm bath. Same effect! I am a bit of a drill sargent, my kids are in their pjs before dinner and in bed by 8pm. It keeps us all sane.

How are the BCPs working for you? My BCPs work great but I do have "breakthrough symptoms" and use Xanax when I really need a little extra help. It's been different everyday and that's the only guarantee. I hope you have some relief soon.
Tracy

"Rooney, my oldest daughter posesses the uncanny ability to make me want to put my head in the oven. It only takes one! I work part time with my hubby and have a great sitter who has been with my kids for 7 years. Still, there are days when I haven't seen them all day, I come home and the arguing and fighting make me want to go sit in the car until my husband comes home! I have taken a page from the local dog warden's manual, they spray fighting dogs with a garden hose-I put my kids in a warm bath. Same effect! I am a bit of a drill sargent, my kids are in their pjs before dinner and in bed by 8pm. It keeps us all sane.

How are the BCPs working for you?" (Quote)

Tracy, I am so laughing at your post . . . you have not lost your sense of humor in all of this!!

Yes, 8 pm bedtime is MANDATORY. Haven't tried the dog warden's techniques yet . . . hmm . . . lightbulb!!

Hubby a triathlete? Good grief. I won't even go there.

Well, yesterday I had horrible hot flashes/burning and today I am spotting again. I am into the first week of my second pack of Ovcon (going three months straight, no break.) I had the dizzies big time this morning. So, not so well, but I will try to stay the couse thru this pack and then try something else. I just want a pill to make it ALL go away . . .

Rooney,
I take my pills 3 months at a time too. I dread the week I go off them because it usually takes two weeks to even out again. I don't get too many flashes, but lately my face gets flushed and burns. It doesn't bother me too much but it makes my nose look huge ! As far as the dizzies, that was my first severe symptom that sent me over the edge. I can tell you that after many tests for balance and a CT scan, my wonderful educated in Poland, ENT leaned into me and said," Tracy start eating more organically and start taking a B complex vitamin for nerves and go do yoga." I think she suspected what was going on. Well I did everything but the yoga-I tried mat Pilates and I felt great when I was done with the work out, but man it was soooo boring. So after all that here's my 2 cents. 1. Exercise, exercise, exercise! And believe me I hate to excercise, but I do it because I feel better and more in control. Even when the dizzies were really bad, I exercised. They made fun of me at the gym because I got so dizzy I would trip over the carpet and walk into equipment! I didn't care! Don't do all of your exercise at the gym, get outside and get some sun on your face and fresh air in your lungs. I meet my friend at the local track and we have a quick walk which invigorates me for the whole day. 2. Take care of your anxiety. I got into a vicious cycle of dizzy-brain tumor-saying good bye to my kids-crazy anxiety-dizzy. I have a prescription for Xanax which I take during those stupid uncontrollable nasty times. It doesnt make me feel different in any way but it does feel like someone took a vacuum cleaner and s*cked the anxiety out of my body-a beautiful thing. 3. Work with your doctor on the right BCP for you, if you don't get relief from Ovcon try another. 4. Treat yourself occasionally, I get a massage every three weeks. I live for that day! It really helps to have someone rub your back and not expect anything in return (like my hubby!)

Remember that everyday is a new adventure, but keep moving. Don't be afraid to really consider how you feel and to address it with your doc. Go to a therapist if you must, I did to get rid of post partum depression after the births of two of my kids. It is really a luxury to be able to sit and really talk about yourself, as a working mom you know that your focus is rarely on yourself so therapy is kind of like a selfish spa visit for your mind. It helped me alot. Sorry this got so long but I have found that sometimes it's just a daily reassesment of what you need to get through the day, one more thing to do!

Take care Rooney! Let me know how you're doing!
Tracy

Tracy, thanks, thanks, thanks for all of the advice. (Sorry so long to reply -- have to do this at work and the schedule has been tricky!)

When my OB suggested Pilates, I wanted to reach across the table and slug him, but it seems like this is a very-often offered suggestion. Pilates, exercise, whatever!

Good luck with all of your ventures through this, too! :-)

UPDATE:

Six weeks into it, I am finally starting to feel a little better . . . about a week and a half ago I was ready to throw in the towel and called my OB-GYN to try Vivelle and Promentrium. They were very kind and agreed to this and by this week, when I went to pick up the rx, I felt like the Ovcon had begun to work! I am still waking up in a panic at 4 am, but the energy level is a good bit better. Heart palps are about 60% better. The spotting has stopped. The migraines have lifted. The hotflashes are about 60% better. Lubrication is better. All in all, unless this is a fluke, I think I am starting to feel like a human being again . . . . I even got brave enough this week to send out a resume for a new job, something I would have never considered just a few short weeks ago.

Yay! We'll see what happens!! I am still scared of OC's, but my gosh, I don't know what else to do! Being in my early thirties, I am scared of the premature decline of bone mass and heart problems (I already have a questionable HDL).

Thanks to all for the support and hope you are doing well!!

Rooney,

Thanks so much for the update. I'm on NHRT but at low doses. It works ok but not great. I've been thinking about switching to bcp - dr prescribed loestrin. But I'm terrified to switch. I can't go back to the really awful stuff before I started NHRT. Good luck to you, hope things keep going well.