I had a hysterectomy in sept 08 removal of both ovaries due to endometriosis. I've now been given premarin to take as I was really struggling with hot flushes. I'm now getting really depressed, having very tender breasts and wondered if any1 else had experienced these or other problems.
Thanks for reading
Scraggy
Last edited by Crimson609; 02-07-2009 at 10:11 AM.
Hi scraggy, Are you just starting to take the Premarin or have you been taking it since the surgery? If you are just starting I would try and give it some time, I have had a hysterectomy also due to endo. and I take Premarin (though I have backed way off taking it) and it has helped with the hot flashes. If you have been taking it for a while you might talk with your Dr. about taking something else. The Premarin won't do much for depression though. Sorry, wish I could be more help.
Julie
Yes, I had VERY tender breasts when I took Premarin. I didn’t really make the connection at first, as it was fairly mild, and I have had periodic breast tenderness my whole life. But it kept getting worse over time, and I realized that it had to be the hormones. It was so bad that I could barely stand to shower sometimes.
Joint pain was another terrible side effect for me, especially in my knees and hips, after a while they were aching all the time, regardless of whether I was sitting or standing. Cold weather seemed to aggravate this even more. I also had serious edema in my lower legs.
I had been suffering from emotional issues for several months before I started Premarin, especially irritability, angry outbursts and tearfulness, so I didn’t really attribute that to the hormones, but looking back, I did feel a lot “darker” and more hopeless during the four months that I was taking it, especially toward the end.
But it was the breast pain that finally made me decide to quit. I read an article in December that said that HRT doubles breast cancer risk, and I had been in such agony that I was afraid that something was going on in there that would come back to bite me later.
I’ve been off the hormones for nearly 2 months now, and all of these symptoms are gone, except that I still have some swelling in my legs, and a few extra pounds that I picked up.
Quitting the hormones was no picnic, though. The hot flashes and night sweats were murderous! They say it’s easier if you taper off, but I quit cold turkey. Fortunately, I found an herbal formula that has worked wonders with those symptoms, and it really seems to be helping with my emotional state as well. I’m feeling great physically, and my whole outlook on life is very positive, which is very refreshing, because a couple of months ago, I was convinced that all of the good days were behind me.
Not everyone seems to suffer these side effects, I’ve heard a lot of women say that Premarin has been great for them, and I probably would have gone back to the doctor to try another Rx had I not found an alternative. But at the moment I have no regrets. I’m glad that I quit when I did.
Thank you Lisa, I do now remember you saying it on another thread. Glad you are feeling better taking it. I still am taking Premarin and am scared to quit taking it totally.
Julie
Can’t say I blame you, Julie! We only get one go-round in this life, so we should live it with as much comfort, joy and peace of mind as possible. If you find something that works for you, stick with it. There seem to be so many women out there who haven’t been able to find ANYTHING that helps, and that is so sad.
I never really gave much thought to menopause before it hit me personally. But the more I read and the more stories I hear, I am amazed at how complicated it all is. Different symptoms for different women, what works for some makes others sick, and even the doctors are left clueless.
I’m really surprised that menopause treatment hasn’t evolved into its own specialized branch of medicine. Heaven knows that there would be no shortage of patients, and with all of the variables involved, it seems that you could study this one issue your whole life and still only be scratching the surface.
Thanks both of u for replying. My dr agreed to me having a fornight off the premarin and the depression has gone. I'm 2 go back and see her in a week so I'll see what she advises for me to take instead of premarin and let you both know.
Regards,
Scraggy
Premarin side effects after tah bso help? 
and wondered if any1 else had experienced these or other problems.
