This is an request to Power Surge and/or Dearest.

I have been on birth control pills since I was 20 years old, and am now 52 years old. As such, I am still bleeding every month, but also have many of the peri-menopausal symptoms. (Not hot flashes & night sweats...the bcp takes care of that.) My symptoms are suicidal depression, chronic bloating, indigestion, diahhrea, IBS, overwhelming fatigue, joint soreness and muscle stiffness, period migraines. These are my questions:

1) Should a 52 year old woman who is on birth control pills try to solve my symptoms as a woman who is PERI-menopausal (still bleeding) OR a woman who is menopausal? In other words, should I read advice given for perimenopausal women or menopausal women? Is there a book, cite, or source where I can read about women like me? I'M SOOOOO CONFUSED!!!

2) What can I expect to happen to my body when and if I stop the bcp? And, when (months) will it happen?

This is a desperate call for guidance from one woman, but I KNOW there are millions of woman my age who are on bcp and frustratedly searching for guidance specific to those of us who are unable to find information specific to our situation.

Please send me guidance...anyone? And, thank you so much!

HI

Good question and one which the medical profession dont seem to be on top of

I was on BCP for 24 years till I stopped last year - and was thrown violently into peri - I had no more periods for 7 months so couldnt restart pill and when I went to Drs my hormones were such that they said NO to BCP and gave me HRT - that was yuk - so now I am on nothing and having very irregular periods (I have had one bleed in 6 months - I am 44 nearly 45)

I had increasingly bad bloating and IBS (which until a few days ago I never put down to hormones but looking back at my diaries it flared up during the second half of the onth....mmmmmm) - which is why I stopped the BCP for a break in the first place - I knew I wasnt absorbing it properly so I took a month off....then all hell broke loose - and boy was I surprised - I didnt know what had hit me - I didnt think of hormones at first I believed the Drs that I was stressed - which of course I was cos my body had gone nuts!!!!

DRs prescribe BCP with NO understanding of how they are going to manage women who are coming to their natural menopause......

Now I reckon - the sudden drop in oestrogen was a HUGE strain on my system - and I had a terrible time which my GP refused to recognise as hormonal - still wont - they couldnt accept I was so ill from peri

I dont think you can guess what you will feel like cos we are all different

When I finally get to see a gynae consultant I will ask this question cos it is down on my list to ask anyway - a whole generation of women are getting to this time so surely there is some research about it - but I aint found it yet?

Mele

I am on the pill too and wondering when to stop. My periods are much better, that is why I started the pill in the first place, heavy long periods. I agree that all the other peri symptoms are not much better, some might be worse. I am 51, soon to be 52, and I would like to stop the pill but I am afraid of things getting really bad. I don't think I can take those non-stop periods again. What has your GYN rec? I am thinking about stopping this fall after we get home from a trip. I tried natural progesterone cream before I went on the pill and made my periods worse. I don't really know of any other natural products to try after I stop the pill. Such a pain! I think everyone reacts differently after stopping hormones, so I don't have have any good advice for you. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones who's periods just go away quitely forever! CAKH

I too am confused at the moment. I stopped taking the combined pill last year because of headaches and went on to the mini pill - progesterone only. At first everything was normal and the headaches stopped but since the beginning of March I have been bleeding every other week with sometimes only 3 or 4 days clear in between. I keep thinking this will clear up but I really can't put up with it any more.

Problem is, I presume it is the side effects of the pill causing the bleeding but I know that the pill is helping to mask some of the peri symptoms. I don't know what will happen if I just stop taking it.

At 48, after two successful rounds [several years each, with babies in between] of bcp's, my GYN took me off of them last year. At that time, I had ALL the symptoms of menopause [including panic attack like hot flashes that scared the heck out of me ] and NO periods at all for many months. My GYN is an excellent listener, thank God, and really asked a ton of questions about symptoms, cycles, etc. At the end of our discussion, including blood tests - altho' these were not conclusive as bcp's give elevated results - what she explained was:

In my case, I was in the throes of perimeno and the [low dose, Loestrin 20] bcp's had become too strong thus creating a kind of pseudo-menopause. We talked about options [incl. stopping everything], but to tell the truth, I wanted to feel as close to normal as possible and going cold turkey seemed way too drastic a switch at once. So doc's recommendation was .05 mgs of estrogen [Vivelle patch] plus 200 mgs. of Prometrium [natural progesterone via pill for 14 day cycles each month]. Adjustment to this new arrangement wasn't bad, periods actually came back, but I felt much better w/ them, more myself and like my body was in better control of the situation once again. Symptoms improved [hotflashes especially], but the Prometrium became hard on me. I get weepy, anxious, forgetful, bloated, craving sweets/carbs & headaches for the 2 weeks I take it. [Other 2 weeks aren't bad at all.] So I called doc again and starting next month, will drop down to 100 mgs. of Prometrium [losest dose, but still safe] and see if that helps.

Gist is, when it's time to come off of bcp's it's not easy to just go cold. As others here have said, dropping estrogen levels so abruptly can have very tough results.

However, I do support any and all choices that work best individually. We're all so different so to each her own. I truly don't know how long I'll stay on NHRT, but at 48, I know I have a ways to go yet before I'll consider giving it up...

Best wishes,
new

Hi Cakh, Janie & New,

I started this post and have truly appreciated the few of you who have responded. I surprised that so few women posted because I've always been under the impression that lots of Baby Boomer women were on BCPs! The latest statistic is that 4000 women enter meno every day! I thought my dilemma would be a common one for many, many women, but I guess not. Hmmm.

Anway, since my original post, here's what I've done:
Decided to move to bioidenticals straight from BCPs and do saliva testing 2-3 months down the line;
Dropped my 16-yrs gyno when a call to his office revealed he was opposed to bios;
Went to Menopause.org, found a gyno specializing in meno, called her office; she prescribes bios!
Made appt. for 6/28 (this Wed!)
Had a consultation with Bellevue Pharmacy on 6/21; received 3-page evaluation/recom same day.
Will take Bellevue report (with prescription ready for Dr. to sign) with me to 6/28 appt.

I've done lots of detailed discussion of this process at: "Bioidentical, Natural Hormones - NHRT" under "Continuous BHRT." If you're interested in this, please check there.

New - sounds like you really lucked out in the Dr. department. That's wonderful! You're the first woman I've ever heard of who had NO periods while on the pill for many months! I remember skipping a period twice...about 5-6 years ago, while on the pill. I've been on a low estrogen pill for 16 years, so I didn't think much of it. It was only 1 period each time.

I'm not surpised your tests were inconclusive, since you were on BCPs. That's why I am delaying saliva test until I've been on bios for 2-3 months. The other option was to stop BCP for 2 months and then test! NO WAY. I went off the pill for 2 months about a year ago and for the first time had a couple of warm flushes. I quickly ran back to the pill. I'm not willing to risk worse symptoms now.

Take care everyone!
Urcyn

Good luck and let us know how you're feeling on bio's, please. new

Following my post yesterday I decided to see my G.P today and he agreed to change the brand of pill. I had been taking Micronor containing 350 mcg of norethisterone. Initially the doctor decided on a fairly new brand called Cerazette with 75 mcg desogestrel, but on reading the list of possible side effects at home I found one of them to be alopecia (which I suffered from 5 years ago). I phoned him and he therefore decided on Norgiston with 30mcg of levonorgestrel. He is obviously trying to reduce the progesterone and I will start this new pill tomorrow. He agreed that coming off the pill may well increase the peri symptoms but couldn't say how much, so I am happy to continue with this as long as the bleeding stops.

Will keep you posted.

Janey

I wish you good luck, Janey! It has to be very difficult for you bleeding so often since March!

With regard to your Dr. prescribing Cerzaette, which has a possible side effect of alopecia...wouldn't it be nice if the Dr. sat down with you BEFORE deciding what to Rx; read the side effects to you; and asked you if you had any medical problems which would make the Rx inappropriate for you?!

When I was prescribed various BCPs at different phases of my 32-year use, I don't remember once having a sit-down consultation about any pre-existing medical problems that could complicate the Rx given!

WILL THIS EVER CHANGE!!!!!! AAAAIIIIIIGGGGGHHHHH!

If YOU hadn't sat down and read the Rx info sheet, you may have begun to go bald!!! AND, then you'd be paying a Dr. to help you cure that problem as well! Honestly, Drs. make me so sick!!!

Hi Urcyn

LOVE your campaign

No-one ever sat down with me or discussed my LONGTERM pill usage - I needed a whole life plan - ie how was I going to be managed KNOWING one day my ovaries would start to fail

Of course peri was a massive surpise to me - I had never considered menopause in my wildest dreams - incredible as I am 44 - but true - we are just not educated about it (in UK) - and I count myself as an educated enlightened woman - and yet I WAS NOT in any way in control of what the Drs were prescribing for contraception

How can we make sure other women DO think about this - or is it just human nature that we stand there and refuse to see the bus bearing down on us till we are under the wheels?

Mele

Ooh, I like how you use imagery! That does seem to be what so many of us do, doesn't it?

I really enjoy your posts.

Hello everyone...

I found this post to be very similar to a problem that I have run into. I suffer almost daily from intense anxiety which is by far my worse symptom. Recently I visited a woman Dr. who specializes in bio-identicals and saliva testing. I am currently taking Conjugated Estrogen .625mg and Medroxyprogesterone 2.5mg and have been since May 16 2006 which was prescribed by my male family doctor, who by the way does not understand the many issues that hormonal imbalance causes. The woman Dr. recommended that I stop taking the above medication and go without anything for one month before she would do a saliva test. I am not willing to go without any medication and she did not offer to place me on bios and later do the saliva test. I have been down a very rocky road with the anxiety and I cannot willingly put myself back there. I am wondering if it is possible to start bio-identical treatment and then 2-3 months down the road have the saliva test. Has anyone gone through anything like this. The above post appears to have had similar concerns as mine. I too do not want to risk my symptoms getting any worse. The anxiety is bad enough as it is while taking HRT and I am not willing to go without. By the way I do not have either of my ovaries. I had a cyst and lost the first one when I was 20 years old and then when I was 28 I developed another cyst on my other ovary and it too was removed. At that time I was placed on HRT and did well for 20 years. At that time two years ago my family Dr. thought I had been on HRT for too long and suggested I go off. I did fine for two years then all chaos broke loose. This was all three months ago and I have not been myself since that time. Any suggestions or comments are welcomed. I am now 51 years old and suffer greatly..

Please let us know how your appointment went Urcyn. I am interested in this because my situation seems very similar to yours.

Suzie, I just happened to run across your post and had a similar experience - with better results! My Dr. is a mid-life specialist. When I started with him I was on 1.75mg biest sublingual and 100mg progesterone days 14-period. My anxiety was up and down with mostly ups. He did a month of saliva tests and then wanted me to do a month off the hormones to see the difference. I was scared and refused. He accepted that. After dealing with other doctors I was amazed! Anyway, we did my first round of tests which showed my estrogen way too high. I voluntarily went off the estrogen and felt better! He laughed.

I'm now on a much lower dose Vivelle patch and we're doing another round of tests.

Bottom line - your doctor should work with you and understand your concerns. If you like this doctor, make your concerns clearly known and ask how they plan to help you address them.

Hope things go well for you.

Thank you for your reply rendy... I am glad that things are going better for you now!! It is encouraging to know that our health can improve with the proper balance of medication.

Today was an exceptionally bad day as far as my anxiety goes... I also have found that on those days where I have break through spotting my anxiety is far worse. Is there a connection there? Has anyone else noticed that? The pharmacist said that taking the progesterone daily without stopping should eliminate any bleeding at all and keep my uterus healthy, however he said it could take a few months for my body to adjust to the medication. I have been taking the conjugated estrogen and progesterone since May 16 and perhaps my body is still adjusting because I have had break through bleeding that lasts a couple days for the past three weeks. I am not sure what to expect or what is normal.

I am under the understanding that the female specialist will only treat me if I go off all of the medication and go without for a complete month. I have only had one consultation with her and since I am not willing to put myself through more anxiety and such, I don't believe she will treat me. She clearly told me, that in order to get an accurate reading of my hormone levels, that I would have to stop what I am doing and clear out my system for at least a month. With the hormone replacement that I am on I am having a difficult time, so I can just imagine how it would be without anything.

Now with that being said, my male family Dr. who is also a new Dr. to me because my previous Dr. has retired, doesn't really know me or my health history. He is a young Dr. and when I asked him if he heard about saliva testing and bio-identicals, he gave me the impression that he has placed me back on hormone theraphy and what more could he do. So needless to say, I visited the lady specialist without notifying him and now she wants me to stop what I am doing and go without. As you can imagine I am very torn and do not know what I should do. I know that I do not want to go without hormone replacement, and yet the female specialist has said she will not treat me unless I stop. Should I request that she put me on bio-identicals for a few months and then after 3 months time have the saliva test?? Would anyone else here consider doing that? I am really at a loss here and don't know what to do.

My family Dr. (male) after my begging him, has agreed to set me up an appointment with a gynaecologist which I now have scheduled for Sept. 18. I called the gynaecologist office today and asked if I could be put on a cancellation list to hopefully get in sooner.

Any suggestions or opinions are welcome. I am going through a very difficult time and need advice from all of you ladies that have been there and know exactly what we ladies here at power surge are going through.
Looking forward to hearing from you. As you know, we all need the encouragement and support from each other.

Hi Suzie!

My hormone consultation with the meno specialist went exceptionally well! I was successful in getting her to Rx bioidenticals [exactly as recommended by Bellevue] without taking the saliva tests first. I am starting bios and taking the test 2-3 months later. She also asked me to get a current mammogram and bone density test, which is fine with me. She was willing to prescribe the bios for a period of 4 months, so I have to get the mammo and bone density done between now and Oct. I am 52, Suzie, so we're close in age and I can understand your not wanting to go w/o any medication! We're more than likely in mid-menopause and I fear going cold turkey could make me go on a murder rampage.

I start the bios on Sunday morning. I'm sure I will need lots of advice from the women on the site once started. If I can help you any further Suzie, don't hesitate to call on me!

Urcyn

Hi Suzie,

YES! YES! Tell your doctor to put you on bios for a 3 months, promising to take the tests later!!!! Tell her you don't trust the validity of the test results because you've learned that these tests often show you are in the "normal" hormone ranges because of fluctuating hormone levels. Say that you don't think you could survive the onslaught of symptoms if there is a sudden drop in your hormone levels for a month. Tell her you want her to treat you, but need her to be flexible because of your debilitating symptoms. Be dramatic.

If you have not done so already, get yourself a Bellevue consultation! It helped me immensely to walk into my new specialist's office armed with a full 3-page evaluation and a Rx recommendation from Bellevue. All she had to do was read it to be convinced! I also took with me all lab test results from all the doctors I've seen over the last couple of years to show that I was healthy enough to take a risk with the bioidenticals.
When my specialist could find nothing in my medical history, lifestyle, or family history that could possibly cause medical complications, she had few reasons to say no to a mere DELAY in the saliva tests.

Have you had a Bellevue consultation? You get the fee you pay back when you get your first Rx filled!
What do you think?

Hi urcyn,
I am glad that your appointment went well for you and that you were able to convince your specialist to start you on the bio-identicals without first having the saliva test. That is wonderful and I pray that all goes well for you and soon you will be on your way to feeling better. Please keep us posted how things are going with you.

What is a Bellevue consultation? Please explain more about it as I have not heard of this. I am fairly new to this site and I don't know what you are talking about. Is this something that is in done the USA only, or can Canadians also have this consultation? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Last December 2005 I had a mammogram done and in January of this year I had a bone density test done, so I am all set as far as those tests go. I am not sure if I had previously mentioned here that I don't have either of my ovaries due to them being surgically removed while I was in my twenties, so I wouldn't think I have fluctuating hormones because I don't have ovaries to make any hormones. I believe I am considered to be in full menopause because of this. I may be misinformed, however, I am willing to learn and listen.

Hi Suzie,

Bellevue is a compounding pharmacy that many of the women on Power Surge use to consult with on their symptoms, and to get a recommendation for the type and dosage of bioidentical hormones. Their owner is pharmacist, Pete Houseman (sp?) has done many interviews online with the group over the last 9 years or more. You can go to the transcripts page and read all of the transcripts (I did!). If you look at the top of the page you're viewing right now, you'll see a box on the left that says "Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions."
See it? Click and learn all about them!

I highly recommend Bellevue. Excellent professional assistance and customer service! They will help educate you on your particular hormonal needs, and put together a bioidentical hormone solution specifically for your body...made from scratch in their lab...just the right dosage for you; fine tuning as you continue treatment to make it just right. Your questions about being in full meno due to ovary removal can be better addressed by Bellevue pharmacists. And remember, if you decide to get your Rx from them, whatever you pay for the initial consultation is applied to your first prescription order.

I suggest that you read one of the transcripts from Pete's online discussions to get started. You'll access a world of knowledge and begin to feel better mentally as you learn!

Ladies


Just to update you, I started my new pill on Tuesday of this week and finally the bleeding has stopped (two weeks continuous and every other week since March). I have also noticed that I am sleeping better and my breasts are no longer tender. I have no idea how long this will last, I suppose if hormones are fluctuating all the time there is no way of telling. I am due for a mammogram next week and a more comprehensive health check, and I should get a chance for a chat about any thing worrying me! Where do I start?

I'm still not sure about staying on bcp but maybe I can find out some more. Will be in touch

Love Janeyxxx

HAAAALLELUUUUJAH! HAAAALLELUUUUJAH! {Angels singing in background}
No bleeding? Yippie!
Sleeping? Yippie!
No tender breasts? Yippie!

This is GREAT!

Enjoy! Enjoy, Janey, and let the future take care of itself. Don't worry about how long this will last. Savor these days that you are not bleeding, you're sleeping at night, and can touch your breats w/o pain! A day without symptoms is a day to rejoice!!!

Yippie!
Urcyn

Thank you for the helpful information! I will check out the Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions site and hopefully I will find some answers to the many questions that are going on in my mind. I look forward to obtaining more information and hopefully soon I will begin to feel better.
Thanks again!

Thanks Urcyn. I shall follow your posts with interest to see how you get on. I really hope this works for you. It's all a bit of a lottery and it makes me mad to think of the millions of women suffering from these symptoms and disbelieving doctors telling them there's nothing wrong.

Hugs, Janeyxxx

UPDATE ON STATUS OF BIOIDENTICAL EXPERIMENT


Hi Ladies,

Despite my best efforts, my bio Rx was not delivered by UPS on Friday. And, since UPS is closed on Sat, Sun, and for the July 4th holiday, I was not able to start my Bios on Sunday. Needless to say, after all I've done to meet this deadline, I was deeply disappointed.

I have 2 months of BCPs in hand, so I originally thought, if I don't get the Bios delivered in time, I'll just continue with this months BCPs. Well here's the shock. When my period ended on last Friday, I awoke feeling WONDERFUL! I couldn't believe it! I had NO HEADACHE, NO BRAIN FOG, NO BODY ACHES, NO STIFFNESS, NO BLOATING!!!!! I felt normal for the first time in...who knows?! The same thing happened on Saturday!

When Sunday came, I didn't want the good feelings to end, so I didn't begin a new pack of BCPs. My fear is that as the month progresses, my symptoms will return and I won't have any supplemental hormones in my system to help. But, after much contemplation and weighing of the risks, I've decided to be brave and hormone free for the month. It will be good for me to see how my body responds without BCPs in it.

I've read that it takes the body a 2-3 months to start making its own hormones after going off BCPs. If that's the case, then why do I feel good?! At age 52, and with all the bloody symptoms I've been dealing with for years, I should be very low in estrogen and [of course] progesterone. Shouldn't I beel feeling like Hell? Many people report that there is a moment of serenity and sometimes joy before one dies. Maybe I'm about to keel over and this is my one moment of joy before it happens!

Seriously, if anyone can lend me some light for this confusion, I would so appreciate it! As I see it, I've been having all the indicators of estrogen and progesterone DEFICIENCY, even getting a steady dose of estrogen and progesterone on BCPs. I thought that was because my natural level of hormones had dropped so much that the BCP levels were causing an imbalance (i.e., estrogene dominance). Now that I'm not on anything, how is it possible that I feel GOOD?!

Anyone?

Urcyn

Long may it continue!!! I am so happy for you - enjoy it while it lasts....Why are you looking at the calm before the storm theory in that way - may be you have had the storm and this is the calm!!!

When I came off BCP last year in Jan - I was ABSOLUETLY fine for 5 months - really - no period - but I felt FINE - I just thought - oh well it is taking some time for periods to return bit odd - and then WHAM - symptoms hit in May (and have not gone away) - so I had a period of OKness - actually when I had a blood test in June my hormones levels were way up in the post meno range - way way up and DR nearly had a fit of panic himself!!! Perhaps it takes time for body to realise somethings up?

I am sorry the bios didnt arrive - what are you going to do if you keep feeling OK????

Remember peri is a time of FLUX - ups and downs expected - although I have to say I have not felt OK for 18 months now - not one day without symptoms - esp my palps which drive me INSANE!!!!!

I am following your progress with great interest - yours will make a great blog once it is up and running!!! We are so lucky on PS!!!

M

Oh my gosh, I have no idea, but I am sooo glad you're feeling good. As you said to me earlier "enjoy it
while it lasts".

There are some very knowledgable ladies on these sites and I'm sure some of them will come up with some information for you.

At the moment I am feeling good, but I am looking forward to a chat with the doctor next week and will keep you all up to date.

Love Janeyxxx

Mele,

Thanks for your good wishes and constructive advice. I guess I'm expecting a storm of symtoms to come raining down any minute because I've felt bad for sooooo long; and because one of my worst symptoms has been depression. Depression, as we know prevents us from seeing things clearly. So...maybe you're right. Maybe I'll keep feeling good for a while like you did!

Question: why did your dr. freak when your hormone levels showed post meno?

You know, I don't know what I'll do if I keep feeling good. I guess I can hold off on the bios until I start to feel bad again. I guess I'll confer with the pharmacists at Bellevue before making a decision.

I'm constantly checking my body to see how I'm feeling/looking. My bloat seems to be creeping back a tiny bit; but my dry vagina has definitely improved. I have palps still, but they've always been a minor symptom for me. I don't know why but the palps just don't scare me. I just let them happen. I'm just flabbergasted that I feel better!

So you think with peri being a fluctuation period, I'm in a hormonal balance period?

Thanks again for your comments!

Hi Janey,

I appreciate you reminding me of my telling you to enjoy feeling good today and let tomorrow take care of itself. I'm spending too much time worrying about when the bad symptoms will return and whether I can handle it. Afterall, I've handled it for years now. I should have faith in myself to handle it if they return.

I would still love to know how this happened! How is it I can be feeling good? I've not seen this discussed in any books. The women of PS have all mentioned that when they went off the pill, they didn't have symtoms for several months, then WHAM! (as Mele puts it ) the symptoms hit. Some had 2-3 months of feeling fine, others 5 months. Hmmmm. I guess this is just another of the mysteries of peri/meno.

Good luck with your dr next week. Please don't forget to let us all know what you learn.

Take care,
Urcyn

Hi urcyn and ladies!

Urcyn, I followed you over here from the other thread. I too am interested in seeing how it goes for you.
I may be without anything too hwen I switch from synthetic to bioidenticals. I would really prefer
to take bios for a short time and then wean off.
(note I said Prefer, as if it might be my choice, could it be?- or is it up to the hormones themselves and my health practitioners?)

CSugar Grove on this site has weaned off to nothing but Revival Soy! That's what I'd like. I'm feeling good on Revival, altho only been on a short time. Don't know if it's helping w/ cholesterol, but seems to be helping with energy and losing weight (Hooray!)

Anyway, a long post, just to say, hang in there girls. I love how we watch, care for and encourage each other on here.


Blessings!

Hi urcyn and ladies!

I too, am interested in knowing how things go for you. It seems that we all have choices to make and it never is easy because we don't know what the end result may be. Please keep us posted how things go.

Power Surge is a wonderful place to check in and encourage each other and to receive encouragement too!!!

Welcome Lynsi!

Glad the link worked! You only want bios for a short time? I plan to be on them till the grave. I'm a woman who was on BCPs for 32 years, so you know I don't mind being on hormones long-term. I will stay on them as long as I can get them; and as long as they work for me. I'll be tweaking and fine tuning till the cows come home!

Revival Soy made me sick as a dog. Nausea, huge bloating, terrible gas. Gave up after about 3 wks and got a refund for my month's order. Hmmm. On second thought. Maybe now that I'm not on BCPs maybe it would work for me too! I'm too scared to even try. Don't want any bloating I don't have to have!
I wish it had worked for me...but...it just didn't.

I agree about the women of Power Surge! Together, we are powerful! Oh how I wish we could come together as a group and create a grassroots political group to take on the pharmaceutical/medical industry to effectuate change for peri/meno women. Now THAT would be something to see!

Take Care,
Urcyn

Suzi, I've decided to keep a journal of how I'm feeling each day. I started last Friday when I realized that I was feeling great. Most of my symptoms have just disappeared! All that's left is the following:

>insomnia (can't get to sleep w/o melatonin still)
>mild dry vagina
>teeny amount of bloat (not noticable to anyone but me if I s*ck in REALLY hard)

Everything else is gone! Amazing!!!!! It's a true mystery.

Thanks for caring what happens for me. Make sure you stay in the loop, too. I want to know how you are as well!

Take care,
Urcyn

the reason i didn't respond that quickly is my experience with bcp was a bad one. I went on them to regulate my period and for the terrible nausea i had before my period.
after 2 months i got blood clots on the lungs...clusters.
no history of blood clots and i had the gene test to see if i had blood clots easily and i don't so the final conculsion is bcp's gave me the blood clots.
I cannot take any hormones now so my periods are back to being irregular and so the nausea returns.
this is my experience. I hope the best for you!

Hi Junnepurl,

Thanks for responding. I went on the pill at 20 to stop violent nausea, vomiting, cramping and diarrhea which occurred the first day of my period. It worked! After much misery as a teen, I was glad to have found BCPs. Tell me, how old were you when you had your awful, life-threatening experience with the pill?

Did your drs. tell you that you had nausea because of too much estrogen? Not enough estrogen? Or was is progesterone related? I've never understood why I was throwing up all of the place in my teen years. Still don't despite all the reading and research I've done on peri/meno. Do you know?

What will you do now to deal with you symptoms?

OH, junnepurl,

I hope you find something that works for you. I'm sure the blood clots were frightening!
Hope you are doing better now.

Isn't it frustrating that we women are pretty much left alone (except for Power-Surge, and a FEW good drs.)
to maneuver thru this?

I think urcyn might have an idea there, getting together a formal group to fight the pharmaceutical/nsurance companies, etc. Wonder what Dearest would say?

this happened just last year so I was 42. some said i shouldn't have beenput on it at my age but..alot of women are during peri..the doc told me the nausea was just part of the peri...
I just deal with it for now..i almost vomited at work after being nauseated for an hour..thank God I work in a hospital and lots of toilets around! ha!
my period came early and left eraly this month..which is becoming normal.

Aarrrrrrrrggggggghhhhh! This kind of non-answer just burns me up!!!!
Why won't drs explain what his happening inside the body, medically when something happens to us?? I press them for detailed explanations and can see they don't want to take the time to explain, but I don't care! Saying nausea is a part of peri doesn't explain what happens in the body to make you want to throw up!

I should take my stilletto heel and smash it into the top of their foot, then grind it down with my full weight on it! Then, as he is screaming in pain and asking why the **&&^*& I did it, I should say, "It's just a part of peri/meno!"

Question: why did your dr. freak when your hormone levels showed post meno?

Hi Urcyn

How are you today??

Well - my I nagged my Dr for months to get the hormone test done cos he said my symptoms were all anxiety and dpression and not hormonal (when have we heard THAT one before!!!) - when he saw blood results he went into a panic (he is like that - bit of a reacter to stuff) and said I HAD to be on HRT cos of my very young age (I am 44 - ie not that young I now know from PS!!)

....he then had panic 6 months later when my bloods came back 'normal' and said how glad he was I had stopped the HRT cos I obviously didnt need it ....go figure - he then had another panic earlier this year when they came back post meno again - bless - and tried to get me to take HRT again cos he reckoned I really did NEED it and this is the quality of medical advice I am getting - oh and he did give me a leaflet from 2002 printed by the drug company telling me how great HRT was..... By the way - I was the one who asked for all these blood tests.....

He obviously doesnt understand peri atall - poor man. I have tried to explain to him on a number of occasions about peri and bio id HRT - but he just cant get it atall - I just cant believe he has managed to get through medic school without knowing about this - what do they teach them?

Hugs to you URCYN - keep posting!!!

Mele

Did we just have a peri moment there? hee hee
Remind me to never make you angry! j/k
well, for me, I don't need an explanation as to why i have nausea or night sweats or any symptoms....just make it go away! hee hee
she is a really good doctor and takes the time to listen to me and if she don't have an answer she tries to find one for me. If the nausea gets too out of hand I will call her and we can discuss what i can do to help it.

I don't even discuss my symptoms with my doctor anymore. I know more about it than SHE does. A FIFTY year female doctor told me that my smptoms couldn't be peri because the average age of menopause is 51. I said "What about the 10-15 years before actual menopause?? Are you telling me there are no symptoms??" she said " Certainly not TEN years before...." I never brought it up again. I swear I must have spent 2 years on this site READING everything. I printed out the Recommendations page and tried to follow it as much as I could.

I THINK - correct me if I'm wrong- but I think the nausea has to do with a small amount of bile from the liver entering the stomach.

Blood tests are useless unless you haven't had a period in months. Fluctuating hormones do just that- they FLUCTUATE. So you could show normal levels one day, and not the next. It can be maddening

I think ladies that knowledge is the best defense!!! Thank GOD (and Dearest!) for this site. Without it I'd probably be incarcerated!

Mele, I'm just shaking my head in amazement. Your dr. is a mess! How do you deal with him without losing your temper?

You asked how I am. Well, today is Day 12 in my cycle and I'm still feeling great. No return of symptoms yet. I do still have insomnia and must take melatonin. And sometimes, throughout the day, I think I might be about to get a slight headache, but the feeling is so minor that I don't take anything and before I know it the sensation is gone.

I consulted with Bellevue pharmacists about this strange phenomenon, i.e., going off the BCPs and feeling great, when before I had all the symptoms of peri. They were amazed. They said no one on staff had any experience with a woman who had been on BCPs for as long as I have (32 years) continuously. So I think that makes me a "test" case for them. They are "guessing" that I'm feeling good because my body still has some residue of the hormones left over from the BCPs.

This doesn't make logical sense to me (and I told them that) because I had all the symptoms of meno while on a steady dose of E & P. How is it possible that I now feel great with only a mere "residue" of E&P left over from the pill? I should be feeling like hell on a mere residue. They (my pharmacist put me on hold and consulted with other pharms when I asked if someone there had more experience with women in my situation than she did) admitted they really didn't know.

Regarding the late arrival of my bios (remember they arrived after I was to start), I was told that I had options:

1) I could begin taking sub-lingual P. on day 13, just as if I had begun the E. on time (Day 8 of cycle);
2) I could begin taking bios at the start of my next cycle and continue this month hormone free;
3) If I'm still feeling great at my next cycle, I could take 1/2 the dosages of E&P prescribed; or
4) I can delay taking bios until symptoms return (you know Mele, WHAM! )

I spent the afternoon in sitting in an overstuffed, comfy chair in Barnes & Nobles bookstore reading loads of meno books (my favorite pasttime so I don't spend all my money on buying books). It occurred to me that if I wanted to, I now have the time to get a saliva test! Since I'm feeling good, I might just wait 6-7 weeks and get the saliva test! If I start to plummet, to hell with the test. I'll start the bios.

After today's reading, I'm still anxious about NHRT making me gain weight. I see that is a major problem for most women. Right now, my IBS symptoms and MAJOR, everyday bloat is gone! I was so surprised when I looked at my tummy this morning (the way I begin each day) and it looked flat again! It's proof that the BCP hormones were causing my problems! Right? I'm rambling on, now...somebody slap me!

Mele, thanks for asking about me. Your posts are so helpful. Keep posting!



Junne, I'm sorry to say that was not a peri moment. That was my natural personality showing. I'm naturally intense, and particularly curious about everything. I'm especially curious about me.
So when something is wrong with me, I want to know what is going on in my body to make what is happening happen. You see, if I know what is causing my body to reject food and throw up all over the place, then I can modify my behavior, lifestyle, diet, etc to help my body deal with that. If drs (or books) don't address what's causing the nausea, and they just say its part of peri, I'm more helpless than ever.

You sound like you're such an easy going, loving Spirit. I'm becoming more easy going too. Peri/meno is making me become less controlling; more accepting. And, that's a good thing.

Take care,
Urcyn

Leanne, for the second time tonight, I am stunned by the ineptitude of drs.! How could a 50-yr old FEMALE doctor be so ignorant? Don't drs. READ? Aren't they required to take continuing education classes like lawyers are? Why are they so behind in the areas of new research and development? You would think that a FEMALE dr. would have noticed her own symptoms 10 yrs prior to being 50. I DID! AND I WAS ON THE PILL! Argh!

I recently had a meno specialist tell me that I should not be having all the symptoms I've been having for the last several years since I was on the pill! Can you believe it? And she is a female dr., too!

Thanks for the info on nausea. It's a lead I can follow up on! My nausea occurred in my teen years, and I never knew why. Dr. Uzzi Reiss says we should review the stages in our lives to get an idea of how hormones affect us. So I'm looking back at how I reacted at the beginning of having periods, when I was on certain pills, etc. to see whether E. or P, or both were problematic for me. Reiss says that will help women better recognize what is causing them problems when on bioidenticals; and be better able to fine tune the hormone that is the problem. Since I was throwing up the first day (and a half) of my period, when E is at is lowest, what does that me? I'm a naturally high estrogen woman? So much to learn.

Thanks again.

I recently had a meno specialist tell me that I should not be having all the symptoms I've been having for the last several years since I was on the pill! Can you believe it? And she is a female dr., too!


Urcyn

These doctors are unbelievable!! At least mine did acknowledge that it is possible to experience peri symptoms while on the pill, how can they all have such different ideas, where are they trained??!!

I've been away with husband and daughters for a few days and this afternoon went to bed with a raging headache. Woke up and guess what? BLEEDING AGAIN. AAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!

I'm hoping that it won't be too much but who knows?

Hope you're still feeling well, will be in touch.

Janeyxxx

Well, for what it's worth, I had a chat with another doctor today. She really didn't tell me anything that I didn't already know, but did agree that I could have been experiencing peri symptoms while on bcp. She said that I should give this new pill three months to see if things settle down (still bleeding).

Told me that I had three choices
1.Take pill for three months

2. Stop pill and try mirena coil

3. Stop pill and go completely free of hormones to "see what happens"

She did recommend HRT, but also acknowledged that herbal remedies shown to be successful.


In short, I'm no further on, and have therefore decided to give the pill a chance but if no better after three months at the most, I shall stop completely and wait and see. We have a very good herbalist locally who I have seen before for other reasons and I may decide to go down that route.

Talk to you soon

Janeyxxx

Hi Janey,

Congratulations girl, on getting a dr. to at least admit that you "could" have been experiencing peri symtoms
while on the pill! At least we know she's not an idiot.

Regarding your decision to take the pill: We all know BCPs affect women very differently. I happened to be one of the women who had no trouble taking them for 32 years. I do recall having to try about 5-6 different pills in the decade of my 20s to find just the perfect one. The problem you're trying to solve--your priority problem--is the frequent/constant bleeding, right? Well, that is one problem the pill DEFINITELY kept me from ever having. I was always regular, w/ very light period. Used to 3-4 days when younger, but as I aged, it became 4-5 days. I think you're right to try the pill, Janey, BUT...please don't try just one pill and give up if it doesn't work. You may have to experiment to find just the right dosage for your body.

Don't give up unless being on BCPs adversely affects your health. I believe you'll succeed in finding one that gives you relief from the bleeding. Now, it may not resolve your other symptoms, but the bleeding will most likely get resolved...if not with the pill you're about to try, then with the next one.

Please let us know when you start and how you're feeling. By the way, which pill are you going on?

I wish the best of care for you,
Urcyn

Thanks for replying

Will keep you updated. Currently taking Norgeston, Micronor before that and first of all Eugynon.

Janeyxxx

I'm sure I've asked this before, but are there any women who are taking birth control for the first time
in their late 40s for symptoms of Peri that have had success? The symptoms I am seeking to alleviate are not related to bleeding or hot flashes, but rather anxiety, nausea, dizziness, lightheaded, spacy, fatigue, depression, nervousness, brain fog, poor sleep. I get the impression that b/c pushed more for bleeding and hot flashes than the other litany of symptoms. I'm reluctant to try them, especially if they don't really help with the symptoms I am experiencing. Thanks for any replies.

Hi Lidge! (((((((((Hug)))))))

Have you checked out "Does anyone take the pill/" under "Synthetic Hormones-HRT? It seems to have posts from women who went on BCPs in their 40's to control peri.

Take Care,
T'Pow (new username for URCYN)

Thanks tpow, I'll check it out - your new name is very appropriate!. I'd like to take the number off my username, don't know why I ever put it there! Hope you are still feeling good.

Lidge, it's day 17 in my cycle and I'm still asymptomatic, except for the insomnia. I still feel great. I can't believe it! I can think clearly and have energy again. No pain, no bloat or IBS. Amazing!
On days 14 and 15, my "supposed" ovulation days, my left breast was sore. Minor soreness. I rubbed on Pro-gest cream on those two days, and today, the soreness is gone. I'm really curious to see whether I have a period this month, now that I'm off BCPs.

By the way, I had to change my username because of a security breach. All you have to do is send an email to tech support and they will do it for you! That way, all of your previous posts are changed to your new name and you get to keep you post history and surgette status. Very easy.

Take care, my friend,
T'Pow (new username for URCYN)

P.S. Thanks for the compliment on my new username. I'm a Trekki. T'Pow is the name of the wise and powerful, female Vulcan leader on Spocks planet. I've always loved the name.

Hi Guys

How's the BCP gang?

T'Pow/Urcyn - I was off BCP for 5 months and felt GREAT - no period - nothing - zip - zilch - then wham symtpoms hit one day like being hit by concorde in the face at MACH 3. Now I dont have a DAY without some cruddy peri twaddle irritaing me or making me think I am going to croak!!!!

T'Pow - I love your new name - recognised it immediatley - as I am a massive Trekkie too. BBC have just started showing STNG on Saturdays so I am well pleased..........

Janeyxxx - I am seeing a herbalist in Canterbury - I am on chasteberry amopngst other things - it makes me feel so good seeing him - he is a healer - and empathises and listens and takes in everything about me - how I am thinking, sleeping , eating, exercsing, etc etc - really holistic - I cant praise him high enough. I am sticking with this for the time being.

Hi Lidge - how are oyu?

Mele

Hi (((Mele)))!

Tell me, did you have a period each month in those 5 months that you were feeling great? Loooovvvee
your concord-mach 3 analogy. You analogies are splendid.

You will love Star Trek the Next Generation! Captain Picard is very cool. I hope some day you get to see the "Voyager" series (if not already seen it). The female captain, her Number One (Chekotay), and Science Officer (the Borg 7of9) are abfab!

Apologies to all of you who are not Trekkies and are bored with sci-fi. I realize this is a peri/meno board! I promise not to continously introduce non-subject related info like this too often.

XO,
T'Pow (new username for URCYN)

Mele

Many thanks, and it's great to hear you sounding so good. Chasteberry isn't a herb I've come across but I shall look that one up for sure. My local herbalist has posted me her brochure and recommends agnus castus and raspberry formula for pre menopause, and vitex and black cohosh formula for hot flushes. Both of these have other ingredients too and I shall certainly make some more enquiries.

T'Pow

I loved "Next Generation" also and the other day I caught one of the first ever episodes on t.v, it was great.

Glad you are still feeling well, keep it up!!

Must go now my daughter is desperate to use the computer.

Much love

Janeyxxx