MENOPAUSE...the good, the bad and the ugly...

[susan lynn]

Originally Posted by J_is_my_initial

After a hysterectomy i did not take hormones for many years. They think one of the reasons I have osteoporosis is because of this. My bone density if very bad. Because I was having hot flashes, I was put on estradiol
and I no longer have the hot flashes. They were bad and I am so thankful I no longer have them. I would recommend taking hormones. Of course this is just my opinion.

Do you still take them? I am just worried about some of the major side effects, blood clots, breast cancer. But doctor said if it will give me a better quality of life they are worth the very small risk.

[Princes mom]

I, too, would like to know the answer. I am miserably hot all of the time!!

[susan lynn]

I am going to try them for a month to see if i can tell a difference. Can't make things worse than they already are.

[111lily222]

Originally Posted by susan lynn

OK , I need advice, I went to OBGYN for annual visit. I took him bloodwork results from my medical doctor. I am officially in Menopause. I have most of the symptoms and he asked me was I to the point of wanting to hurt somebody, I said Yes! He said I need hormones. He talked to me a while and told me the side effects and statistics. He said some women love them and others say they don't help them. Could you please give me your thoughts and experience if you take them. He prescribed Prempro.

I just started taking bio identical hormones {not synthetic] I started a week ago my dr. said it will take about 3 weeks to start working. Dr. said the hot flahes will stop I will be able to sleep and moods will improve. It will help my bones, heart. They took blood work to see my imbalance, and the objective is to balance me. Insurance does not cover them, but so far this month supply was 30 dollars the bloodwork was covered. Wish me luck.

[susan lynn]

Originally Posted by 111lily222

I just started taking bio identical hormones {not synthetic] I started a week ago my dr. said it will take about 3 weeks to start working. Dr. said the hot flahes will stop I will be able to sleep and moods will improve. It will help my bones, heart. They took blood work to see my imbalance, and the objective is to balance me. Insurance does not cover them, but so far this month supply was 30 dollars the bloodwork was covered. Wish me luck.

Not sure what mine are called it is Prempro, insurance co-pay is $90.00 a month. He told me it would help all those symptoms also. According to my blood work I had no Estrogen. But everything else was great. The bloodwork I had from my medical doctor was over $1,000 but insurance paid it. could you tell any difference the first week? I know they say to allow a month, I need help now. Of course the pharmacy didn't have my meds so I have to wait until tomorrow. We need a support group.

[Cha Cha]

I had a partial hysterectomy when I was 38 about 5 years ago. About a year ago I started having having hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia, so my doctor suggested estradiol. I took that for about 4 months, and it did help. Then, I went to my family doctor (a male) and when I told him I was taking it, I could tell by his reaction he disapproved. This is an OBGYN vs. Family Doctor. So, we talked some about it. He told me I could take it on and off as needed and it would be ok. Hmmm, not too sure about this, but I quit taking it. (At the time I thought I might be having a reaction to it) That was 4 months ago and I got along great! Now, all of a sudden the hot flashes are coming back with a vengence! I thought I would try to get through it, but we are having 105 degree temperatures with no relief in sight. So, I am considering going back on it. My fam. doctor's wife is a breast cancer survivor so that may part of why he is against HRT. My biggest fear from it however, is weight gain.

[susan lynn]

Originally Posted by Cha Cha

I had a partial hysterectomy when I was 38 about 5 years ago. About a year ago I started having having hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia, so my doctor suggested estradiol. I took that for about 4 months, and it did help. Then, I went to my family doctor (a male) and when I told him I was taking it, I could tell by his reaction he disapproved. This is an OBGYN vs. Family Doctor. So, we talked some about it. He told me I could take it on and off as needed and it would be ok. Hmmm, not too sure about this, but I quit taking it. (At the time I thought I might be having a reaction to it) That was 4 months ago and I got along great! Now, all of a sudden the hot flashes are coming back with a vengence! I thought I would try to get through it, but we are having 105 degree temperatures with no relief in sight. So, I am considering going back on it. My fam. doctor's wife is a breast cancer survivor so that may part of why he is against HRT. My biggest fear from it however, is weight gain.

Weight gain is one of the first questions I asked. I got the prescription from my OBGYN, he is male also. His wife is a breast cancer survivor and she takes the same hormone. I think my family doctor would disapprove also. My Gyno dr. said it is because he isn't a specialist and hasn't studied hormones enough to discuss all the facts with me. I think family doctors don't like the specialist interfering in a treatment plan. I am praying this will be a miracle, I tried 6-8 antidepressants for 10 years and none of them helped.

[Cha Cha]

Originally Posted by susan lynn

Weight gain is one of the first questions I asked. I got the prescription from my OBGYN, he is male also. His wife is a breast cancer survivor and she takes the same hormone. I think my family doctor would disapprove also. My Gyno dr. said it is because he isn't a specialist and hasn't studied hormones enough to discuss all the facts with me. I think family doctors don't like the specialist interfering in a treatment plan. I am praying this will be a miracle, I tried 6-8 antidepressants for 10 years and none of them helped.

I agree with you, my OBGYN is a female and says she takes the same thing she perscribed me, and I do trust her opinion over my fam. doctor, but I was surprised at his obvious reaction. I want to ask my dr. if it is true that you can take it off and on as symptoms come and go though, and if that would even be recommended because that form of treatment may be for me. I am not one to take medications long term so this is all new to me. Since I will just be 45, I don't want to be on HRT for 10 years.

[susan lynn]

Originally Posted by Cha Cha

I agree with you, my OBGYN is a female and says she takes the same thing she perscribed me, and I do trust her opinion over my fam. doctor, but I was surprised at his obvious reaction. I want to ask my dr. if it is true that you can take it off and on as symptoms come and go though, and if that would even be recommended because that form of treatment may be for me. I am not one to take medications long term so this is all new to me. Since I will just be 45, I don't want to be on HRT for 10 years.

I wouldn't think it would benefit you if you took it off and on. I know you can't do that with antidepressants. My Dr. said I may not need to take them for a long time and he is going to check me in 3 months, I only go 1 time a year. He wants to get my pap smear results and mammogram results to make sure they are ok. Maybe your doctor was offended that you didn't talk to him.

[111lily222]

Originally Posted by susan lynn

Not sure what mine are called it is Prempro, insurance co-pay is $90.00 a month. He told me it would help all those symptoms also. According to my blood work I had no Estrogen. But everything else was great. The bloodwork I had from my medical doctor was over $1,000 but insurance paid it. could you tell any difference the first week? I know they say to allow a month, I need help now. Of course the pharmacy didn't have my meds so I have to wait until tomorrow. We need a support group.

No. I did not see a difference yet... except in my mood which is a lot more even. But she did say it would take about 3 weeks for minimal changes then I go back get more blood work to see if I am balanced. What I have read is bio identical hormones do not give you the same risk as the synthetics. That is why I am trying them. She did say my estrogen was abnormally low 11.2 when it should be between 100 to 160 so that would explain the hot flashes, insomnia etc. Also progesterone and testosterone is compounded in the cream with the estrogen by a compounding pharmacy. Susan Somers has a few books on the subject. Also, Oprah had a show on it now she is on the bioidenticals along with Dr. Phil's wife. I am going to a Dr that specializing in bio identical hormones (BHRT). I do agree we do need a support group. This is new to me, started with symptoms for the last 3 yrs and started researching.I am a "young" 53 yrs old and enough is enough! The lack of sleep is killing me! Too young to be feeling this old

[susan lynn]

Originally Posted by 111lily222

No. I did not see a difference yet... except in my mood which is a lot more even. But she did say it would take about 3 weeks for minimal changes then I go back get more blood work to see if I am balanced. What I have read is bio identical hormones do not give you the same risk as the synthetics. That is why I am trying them. She did say my estrogen was abnormally low 11.2 when it should be between 100 to 160 so that would explain the hot flashes, insomnia etc. Also progesterone and testosterone is compounded in the cream with the estrogen by a compounding pharmacy. Susan Somers has a few books on the subject. Also, Oprah had a show on it now she is on the bioidenticals along with Dr. Phil's wife. I am going to a Dr that specializing in bio identical hormones (BHRT). I do agree we do need a support group. This is new to me, started with symptoms for the last 3 yrs and started researching.I am a "young" 53 yrs old and enough is enough! The lack of sleep is killing me! Too young to be feeling this old

I know what you mean, I am 53 and DH is 70. He can run circles around me.

[111lily222]

Originally Posted by susan lynn

I know what you mean, I am 53 and DH is 70. He can run circles around me.

LOL Wow that is great. I need to take what your DH is taking

[J_is_my_initial]

Originally Posted by susan lynn

Do you still take them? I am just worried about some of the major side effects, blood clots, breast cancer. But doctor said if it will give me a better quality of life they are worth the very small risk.

I am currently taking them. I am terrible at remembering to take my meds and I am on about 9 of them. They helped so much. I would wake up drenched in sweat, and this was with a ceiling fan, and a small fan beside my bed directed towards me. At work they actually put a tall standing fan on me for awhile cause they saw I was miserable. This is in a call center where we (me included now) keep blankets or jackets at our cubicle due to the a/c being so cold. Have to keep all computers cool. Hubby loves that I do not mess with the temp so much. Still an argument there though. . I was fairly young when i had my hysterectomy. I am now 47. Wish I had taken them from the start.

[susan lynn]

Originally Posted by 111lily222

LOL Wow that is great. I need to take what your DH is taking

I wish I knew what he was taking, he use to work in commercial construction ( his own business) and none of his men could keep up with him.Our 17 year old son has a hard time because he has no desire to be like his dad.

[susan lynn]

Originally Posted by J_is_my_initial

I am currently taking them. I am terrible at remembering to take my meds and I am on about 9 of them. They helped so much. I would wake up drenched in sweat, and this was with a ceiling fan, and a small fan beside my bed directed towards me. At work they actually put a tall standing fan on me for awhile cause they saw I was miserable. This is in a call center where we (me included now) keep blankets or jackets at our cubicle due to the a/c being so cold. Have to keep all computers cool. Hubby loves that I do not mess with the temp so much. Still an argument there though. . I was fairly young when i had my hysterectomy. I am now 47. Wish I had taken them from the start.

I haven't had a hysterectomy, hope I don't have to, I am only on BP meds and diuretic. My hot flashes are a lot worse but I don't have night sweats, biggest problem is I have no enegy and seem to be in a bad mood all the time.