Chantal231
09-26-2008, 07:37 PM
Hi everyone,
How many of you are on hormone therapy (HRT)?
If so what are you using and is it working for you? Any side effects?
I started out on the Vivelle Dot patch and oral progesterone (Prometrium) which really tore my stomach up.
Dr switched me to Climara Pro patch. My stomach is some better and I'm sleeping better but feel tired and out of it, like a "space cadet". My breasts are also tender.
Please share your experiences. I was doing fine on the bcp but Dr wanted me to go off of it.
Chantal
How many of you are on hormone therapy (HRT)?
If so what are you using and is it working for you? Any side effects?
I started out on the Vivelle Dot patch and oral progesterone (Prometrium) which really tore my stomach up.
Dr switched me to Climara Pro patch. My stomach is some better and I'm sleeping better but feel tired and out of it, like a "space cadet". My breasts are also tender.
Please share your experiences. I was doing fine on the bcp but Dr wanted me to go off of it.
Chantal
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Tracey2205
10-03-2008, 02:07 PM
Hi there,
I'm 38 and had a hysterectomy 3 years ago due to chronic pain with Endrometriosis, last year I started suffering with hot flushes or tropical moments as I call them, sleeplessness, night sweats, aches and pains, depression, the shakes, anxiety attacks, and every other symptom you can think of without the period.
I didn't want to go on HRT as I was scared of all the reports I read regarding cancer etc, it took me a while but I realised, that at the end of the day HRT was just like taking penicillin or any other drug the doctor gives you.
I'm only in Perimenopause and have another 5-10 years (if anyone can put a time limit on it).
I started Tibolone (brand name - Livial) and am not looking back. I had to have this one due to my endo.
I do still have minor hot flushes but no where near as bad as I did. As for putting on weight - I've just changed my diet to be healthy and I exercise - and to date haven't put weight on at all.
If you aren't happy with the HRT you are on, then just keep going back to the doctor until you find one that helps you.
Good luck hun
I'm 38 and had a hysterectomy 3 years ago due to chronic pain with Endrometriosis, last year I started suffering with hot flushes or tropical moments as I call them, sleeplessness, night sweats, aches and pains, depression, the shakes, anxiety attacks, and every other symptom you can think of without the period.
I didn't want to go on HRT as I was scared of all the reports I read regarding cancer etc, it took me a while but I realised, that at the end of the day HRT was just like taking penicillin or any other drug the doctor gives you.
I'm only in Perimenopause and have another 5-10 years (if anyone can put a time limit on it).
I started Tibolone (brand name - Livial) and am not looking back. I had to have this one due to my endo.
I do still have minor hot flushes but no where near as bad as I did. As for putting on weight - I've just changed my diet to be healthy and I exercise - and to date haven't put weight on at all.
If you aren't happy with the HRT you are on, then just keep going back to the doctor until you find one that helps you.
Good luck hun
camnyc1
10-14-2008, 03:12 PM
Hi, I am 48 yr old, had a total hsyt when I was 27 yr old and took Premarin until I was diagnosed w/micro-invasive breast cancer summer '07. I stopped the Premarin, had a lumectomy, radiation, started Tomaxifen and am fully recoverd and healthy.
Here is my situation. Since I gave up my Premarin one year ago last month, I have gained about 10-14 lbs and am having extreme hot flashes. I did get approval from my Surgeon and GYN to go back on Premarin 1.25mg/day.
Those of you on HRT, how long did it take to see some relief of symptoms?
Also, when you started Premarin, did you see weight gain?? I don't want to gain anymore weight by taking it!! I am hoping to LOOSE weight by taking it!
Thanks so much!
Chris
Here is my situation. Since I gave up my Premarin one year ago last month, I have gained about 10-14 lbs and am having extreme hot flashes. I did get approval from my Surgeon and GYN to go back on Premarin 1.25mg/day.
Those of you on HRT, how long did it take to see some relief of symptoms?
Also, when you started Premarin, did you see weight gain?? I don't want to gain anymore weight by taking it!! I am hoping to LOOSE weight by taking it!
Thanks so much!
Chris
younggranny
10-16-2008, 10:05 AM
chantal , I was just wondering why the doctor wanted you to get off of the birth control pill..I am 49 and have been on the pill for a long time due to hormone problems and i have said to my doctor that i thought it was time to get off of the pill also but she said that i could stay on until 50 and then see where my hormones were at...if i was in menopause then i could start HRT. Did you have side effects from getting off the pill..were you on the pill for along time. Thanks
Chantal231
10-18-2008, 03:20 AM
Hi,
I am 53 and had been on the pill over 20 years.
I started having panic attacks, BP spikes and a very fast heart rate. The Dr. felt it was time for me to stop and go on HT.
I will be honest with you: going off the pill is NOT easy esp. after being on it for so long. Your body is very used to the hormones and the rhythm. In fact since going on HT if I get a period it is always the same day or nearly the same day that I would have started had I still been on the pill.
I have wanted to go back many times as it has been a rough ride. I've been off now since June so I guess I'm going to stick with the HT I'm on as my Dr. feels it's more appropriate for a woman my age.
Chantal
I am 53 and had been on the pill over 20 years.
I started having panic attacks, BP spikes and a very fast heart rate. The Dr. felt it was time for me to stop and go on HT.
I will be honest with you: going off the pill is NOT easy esp. after being on it for so long. Your body is very used to the hormones and the rhythm. In fact since going on HT if I get a period it is always the same day or nearly the same day that I would have started had I still been on the pill.
I have wanted to go back many times as it has been a rough ride. I've been off now since June so I guess I'm going to stick with the HT I'm on as my Dr. feels it's more appropriate for a woman my age.
Chantal
younggranny
10-18-2008, 08:16 PM
I can just imagine all the side effects my body will go through getting off the pill..i'm not looking forward to that.... I've been on the pill about 20 years also. What were some of your side effects...did your hair fall out? I got a real scare when my friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and she had been on the pill about 20 years also. That is when i thought i better be getting off. I did hear that the antidepressant effexor was good for hot flashes. I feel good on the pill except i do have quite alot of heart palpatations and some mild hot flashes..I just can't decide what to do??
Chantal231
10-23-2008, 09:41 AM
Hi,
Going off the pill is quite a shock to your body. I had anxiety attacks, headaches, just an "off" feeling. It was like PMS magnified 10,000 times worse than usual.
I do not advise going off cold turkey. My Dr started me on combination hormone therapy.
No, my hair didn't fall out although it has become a much finer texture since starting peri. It has also gone from being "stick straight" to curly....go figure!
Good luck and please let me know what you decide to do.
Chantal
Going off the pill is quite a shock to your body. I had anxiety attacks, headaches, just an "off" feeling. It was like PMS magnified 10,000 times worse than usual.
I do not advise going off cold turkey. My Dr started me on combination hormone therapy.
No, my hair didn't fall out although it has become a much finer texture since starting peri. It has also gone from being "stick straight" to curly....go figure!
Good luck and please let me know what you decide to do.
Chantal
ainfante
10-23-2008, 09:18 PM
Hi Chantal. I think the feeling of being out of it and tired is the side effect of progesterone. I've taken prog before when pregnant coz had a low luteal progesterone and that was the only way i could keep my preg. prog makes u feel tired, out of it, sometimes depressed, breast tenderness, bloating etc. that was one of the problems i read about climara and combipatch. Some said they began to cut the patch some to cut down on some of the progesterone. I would talk to your doc about that before cutting, lol. might cut out the estogen, we def don't want you to do that! LOL
I haven't started my combipatch but will shortly. I took nothing except prozac 20 mg. for my hot flashes and anxiety attacks which are very common going through perimenopause and menopause. I am considered post menopausal since haven't had a period for 14 months now. yipee! anyway, i still feel scared about breast cancer, etc. with this but i did hear that the risk is much less with patch than pill. with patch you can use less hormone than pill that passes thru liver. it's also not suppose to help in blood clots also like the pill. I hope it works well for me. I am very drug sensitive. some hormones can make u feel way out of it or very nervous. i'll keep y'all posted. oh, btw, I am 49 and a few weeks away from turning 50!
Andrea
I haven't started my combipatch but will shortly. I took nothing except prozac 20 mg. for my hot flashes and anxiety attacks which are very common going through perimenopause and menopause. I am considered post menopausal since haven't had a period for 14 months now. yipee! anyway, i still feel scared about breast cancer, etc. with this but i did hear that the risk is much less with patch than pill. with patch you can use less hormone than pill that passes thru liver. it's also not suppose to help in blood clots also like the pill. I hope it works well for me. I am very drug sensitive. some hormones can make u feel way out of it or very nervous. i'll keep y'all posted. oh, btw, I am 49 and a few weeks away from turning 50!
Andrea
rheanna
10-28-2008, 11:52 AM
I am currently using an estrogen patch and I take progesterone pills every 6 months to induce a period. I have a gyno exam every 6 months to check for any problems and discuss if the current HRT is working ok. I have been taking some form of HRT (pills or patch, in different potencies) for about 20 years or so. I started perimenopause symptoms when I was 39. I started HRT shortly afterwards. I am 59 now, and have no idea at what age I "officially" entered menopause. But since I have a period only when I take the progesterone every 6 months, I think I can say that I am "officially" menopausal.
Everyone is different in regards to their response to supplemental hormones, as well as the form of hormones (pills and creams and patches and particular brands). And certainly some women have risk factors which make it inadviseable to take HRT -- such as family history of cancer or heart problems. And frequent checkups with the gyno are very important.
This is a personal decision that only you can make for yourself. I'd just like to speak up and say that some of us are doing fine on HRT.
I wish you well in your quest.
--Rheanna
Everyone is different in regards to their response to supplemental hormones, as well as the form of hormones (pills and creams and patches and particular brands). And certainly some women have risk factors which make it inadviseable to take HRT -- such as family history of cancer or heart problems. And frequent checkups with the gyno are very important.
This is a personal decision that only you can make for yourself. I'd just like to speak up and say that some of us are doing fine on HRT.
I wish you well in your quest.
--Rheanna
osteoblast
10-28-2008, 07:20 PM
Chantal and others- I am on vivelle dot and prometrium.I have been on the vivelle dot for about 5 months. The reason I am on hrt is for osteoporosis in my spine. Hips are in osteopenia. On vivelle, I started at .05 and it didn't raise my estradiol out of undetectable. Then my doc raised it to .1 and the estradiol was at 55. Now she has me on 2 patches a .05 and also a .1 . I think she is trying to get my estradiol up to around 80 or so. I am 56 and started when I was at least 6 yrs. post meno. While on the vivelle I would only say my skin texture seems better--haven't noticed anything else. I think my dose has been too low so far.
My pcp and bone spec. advocate that I do the prometrium quarterly. My gyn wants me to do prometrium monthly. I do not want to do it monthly. My bone specialist said , progresterone will increase your risk of breast cancer. So.....I see the gyn tomorrow. I learned some time ago , you cannot push a dr. to do something they do not want to do. I will have to hear her out and then prob. look for another gyn . Too bad, because I liked this gyn except for how she wants me on prometrium monthly.
Chantal-- You said your dr. is having you on prometrium ea. six months--and how long do you take it for--- 1wk or longer? You said that you bleed. I did not bleed when I took it after about 4 mo. on vivelle dot. Maybe that was a sign the vivelle dose was too low.
Also did your dr. tell you why you would take the prometrium ea. 6 mo with gyn exam ea. 6 mo.? Did the dr. specifically say that more than ea. 6 mo. would increase chance of breast cancer? Also what is your gyn exam ea. 6 mo. --is it a biopsy or ultrasound? And, if it is ok to ask what dose vivelle you are on and whether you know your estradiol level. It is very hard for me to find info on the levels that drs aim for when scripting hrt.I hope you see this before I go the gyn tomorrow. Would love to hear what your dr. finds acceptable. TIA
My pcp and bone spec. advocate that I do the prometrium quarterly. My gyn wants me to do prometrium monthly. I do not want to do it monthly. My bone specialist said , progresterone will increase your risk of breast cancer. So.....I see the gyn tomorrow. I learned some time ago , you cannot push a dr. to do something they do not want to do. I will have to hear her out and then prob. look for another gyn . Too bad, because I liked this gyn except for how she wants me on prometrium monthly.
Chantal-- You said your dr. is having you on prometrium ea. six months--and how long do you take it for--- 1wk or longer? You said that you bleed. I did not bleed when I took it after about 4 mo. on vivelle dot. Maybe that was a sign the vivelle dose was too low.
Also did your dr. tell you why you would take the prometrium ea. 6 mo with gyn exam ea. 6 mo.? Did the dr. specifically say that more than ea. 6 mo. would increase chance of breast cancer? Also what is your gyn exam ea. 6 mo. --is it a biopsy or ultrasound? And, if it is ok to ask what dose vivelle you are on and whether you know your estradiol level. It is very hard for me to find info on the levels that drs aim for when scripting hrt.I hope you see this before I go the gyn tomorrow. Would love to hear what your dr. finds acceptable. TIA
Chantal231
10-30-2008, 01:33 AM
Hi Osteo!
I am on the Climara Pro patch. I couldn't take Prometrium as it made a mess of my stomach.
Rheanna is doing the progesterone every six months. I hope she will see your question and get back to you.
Chantal
I am on the Climara Pro patch. I couldn't take Prometrium as it made a mess of my stomach.
Rheanna is doing the progesterone every six months. I hope she will see your question and get back to you.
Chantal
rheanna
10-30-2008, 12:01 PM
osteoblast,
Basically, my doctor is weighing the risks of HRT with my reports of how I'm doing with a given prescription. As I said, I get an exam every 6 months. I get a manual breast exam, an ultrasound of my uterus, and I think once a year there's a pap smear thrown in to the works. I had a mammogram earlier this year that showed no abnormalities. I do have a myoma on my uterus (it's been there for years and apparently is a common benign thing for many women), and this is one of the things that the ultrasound is designed to check on. As long as it doesn't cause me any problems (such as interference with other organs) and doesn't grow, we just note it on my record and accept that it's there.
My progesterone comes in the form of pills called Norethisteron 1 mg. It's a preparation that is available here in Germany, so I don't know what to compare it to in America or the UK. I take 12 pills in February and August, wait for a period, then report the results to my gyno in March and September. So far I have had light periods -- a day or two when I have to use 3 or 4 napkins and then a few more days where a panty liner is sufficient. I asked him how many years I might expect to have a period, and he said that everyone is different, but theoretically, I might be having these pill-induced periods for a long time.
It may be that the dosage of progesterone that you are taking is too low to induce a period. It may also be that you are simply not going to have any more periods. I am not an expert on this by any means.
My gyno determines my dosage of estrogen and progesterone by my reports of how the current prescription is working for me, and by deterimining via the exam whether my body is showing any signs of the risk factors that indicate that I may no longer be a candidate for HRT. He does not give me a blood test to measure my hormones.
I discussed with my doctor regarding how far into old age a woman might take HRT -- particulary after the scary reports from that study that concluded that women who took HRT were gonna dieeeeee!!! He rolled his eyes and said that there were lots of problems with the design of that study. He is aware that some women are not good candidates for HRT, and he would not prescribe it for them.
I asked him about how long a woman might consider taking HRT, and he said "as long as it works for her". That is, as long as she reports positive results, and as long as the regular exams report no problems.
My understanding is that as long as a woman has a uterus, she should take progesterone at least every 6 months (some doctors say every month) to cut down on the chance of uterine cancer. My doctor has been trying to get me to have a hysterectomy for years, saying that then I wouldn't have to take progesterone -- but let's just say that we agree to disagree on that point.
I do hope that you find a balance -- the estrogen will theoretically help your osteoporosis, and the progesterone will help prevent uterine cancer. But you have to weight the risk factors as well. I hope that you and your doctors can come to some balance that will help you and that you feel ok with.
{{{hugs}}} :angel:
--Rheanna
Basically, my doctor is weighing the risks of HRT with my reports of how I'm doing with a given prescription. As I said, I get an exam every 6 months. I get a manual breast exam, an ultrasound of my uterus, and I think once a year there's a pap smear thrown in to the works. I had a mammogram earlier this year that showed no abnormalities. I do have a myoma on my uterus (it's been there for years and apparently is a common benign thing for many women), and this is one of the things that the ultrasound is designed to check on. As long as it doesn't cause me any problems (such as interference with other organs) and doesn't grow, we just note it on my record and accept that it's there.
My progesterone comes in the form of pills called Norethisteron 1 mg. It's a preparation that is available here in Germany, so I don't know what to compare it to in America or the UK. I take 12 pills in February and August, wait for a period, then report the results to my gyno in March and September. So far I have had light periods -- a day or two when I have to use 3 or 4 napkins and then a few more days where a panty liner is sufficient. I asked him how many years I might expect to have a period, and he said that everyone is different, but theoretically, I might be having these pill-induced periods for a long time.
It may be that the dosage of progesterone that you are taking is too low to induce a period. It may also be that you are simply not going to have any more periods. I am not an expert on this by any means.
My gyno determines my dosage of estrogen and progesterone by my reports of how the current prescription is working for me, and by deterimining via the exam whether my body is showing any signs of the risk factors that indicate that I may no longer be a candidate for HRT. He does not give me a blood test to measure my hormones.
I discussed with my doctor regarding how far into old age a woman might take HRT -- particulary after the scary reports from that study that concluded that women who took HRT were gonna dieeeeee!!! He rolled his eyes and said that there were lots of problems with the design of that study. He is aware that some women are not good candidates for HRT, and he would not prescribe it for them.
I asked him about how long a woman might consider taking HRT, and he said "as long as it works for her". That is, as long as she reports positive results, and as long as the regular exams report no problems.
My understanding is that as long as a woman has a uterus, she should take progesterone at least every 6 months (some doctors say every month) to cut down on the chance of uterine cancer. My doctor has been trying to get me to have a hysterectomy for years, saying that then I wouldn't have to take progesterone -- but let's just say that we agree to disagree on that point.
I do hope that you find a balance -- the estrogen will theoretically help your osteoporosis, and the progesterone will help prevent uterine cancer. But you have to weight the risk factors as well. I hope that you and your doctors can come to some balance that will help you and that you feel ok with.
{{{hugs}}} :angel:
--Rheanna
osteoblast
10-30-2008, 04:14 PM
Rheanna and Chantal-Thanks. Well at the docs appt. yesterday I just kept an open mind and heard her out. She wants me to do the prometrium at least ea. 3 months. Wouldn't consider the 6 mo. time frame. When pushed on 4 months, she sort of said I cannot make you take it at 3 but would like you to.
Anyway, she said trans vag u/s not warranted in my case as I have no risk factors that concern her...like obesity .diabetes. history with issues there...
I really appreciate both of you commenting. I am not sure now what to do . I may go in a few months for a second opinion. My preference would be to minimize the progesterone because of what my bone spec. had to say about the cancer risk. I would like to just check with another gyn with a different point of view and more willingness to do the transv. u/s to monitor the situaiton. Also she mentioned that the mirena IUD may be made smaller for post meno women with small uterus and that this could be my solution long term. She thinks it will be out in a few yrs. Maybe like two or three.
So---neither of you are having your estradiol level monitored while on hrt. So no info on the target to be aimed for. The gyn said at least 80 ish usually is what she wants but will have to see what my current dose is doing in about a month.
Thanks both for your input. There doesn't seem to be that much discussion about hrt here.
Anyway, she said trans vag u/s not warranted in my case as I have no risk factors that concern her...like obesity .diabetes. history with issues there...
I really appreciate both of you commenting. I am not sure now what to do . I may go in a few months for a second opinion. My preference would be to minimize the progesterone because of what my bone spec. had to say about the cancer risk. I would like to just check with another gyn with a different point of view and more willingness to do the transv. u/s to monitor the situaiton. Also she mentioned that the mirena IUD may be made smaller for post meno women with small uterus and that this could be my solution long term. She thinks it will be out in a few yrs. Maybe like two or three.
So---neither of you are having your estradiol level monitored while on hrt. So no info on the target to be aimed for. The gyn said at least 80 ish usually is what she wants but will have to see what my current dose is doing in about a month.
Thanks both for your input. There doesn't seem to be that much discussion about hrt here.