Thanks Mary, I will check your profile (and no, you don't 'sound' arrogant to me, just 'sound' like you've been there, done that ;o)) Since it's about 5 am at my house, I will read this again, once my brain has time to 'engage' more, lol ;o)
Hi,
Please let me know if you're still reading this thread. I have some thoughts on this but the problem I have it I start writing and I don't seem to know how to stop writing... :) I end up posting the same information over and over and so if you don't mind checking my profile and finding my "posts" section, you could start reading some of the appropriate posts starting with the most recent ones (at least since 2008).
Years ago I took Progesterone and at first I thought it was great. There's something about how at first it seems to help (has to do with cell interaction... I'd have to check) but now the feeling is that women without ovaries do not have an enzyme to utilize the hormone correctly and it just causes tons of problems especially in the higher doses.
In my situation, one of my hormone doctors kept increasing the level of Progesterone and decreasing the level of Estradiol. I was a bit of a mess for quite awhile on this protcol. It wasn't until I switched to Estradiol only (various forms are available from either a compounder or from an all purpose pharmacy. I currently use the Vivelle dot) and a little bit of Testosterone. You are right about the testosterone. The doses have to be watched and just a little bit is needed, but to me it is critical. It helps not only with the obvious reasons, but it helps with mood, chemical sensitivies (a HUGE problem I have.. this helps) and bone health...bladder health, too. Bioidentical testosterone is used "off-label" for women. I would not recommend something mixed together like estratest since you cannot adjust the dose for the individual hormones.
I am surprised they're still using Tri-est. A lot of women react poorly to Estriol, one of the 3 estrogens used in that mix and the only time it appears in our body is when there's a pregnancy... and, Estrone, which is considered The Menopausal Hormone (and not necessarily a good one). Estrone is another of the 3 used in Tri-est and this is the one made from our fat cells once we enter menopause and particularly if we're not supplementing our body's need for estrogen because the ovaries are the primary source for Estradiol and if you've had surgery to remove the ovaries then your source of supply is gone.
Checking levels is good. One place I went to a few years ago was critical of me because I wanted my blood levels checked periodically. Infuriating. If I know that my levels of hormones are at an optimal level and I am still having a problem that I thought was hormone-related, then I know I need to look elsewhere for an answer. But, if my levels are too low (or too high) then I need to make an adjustment. You just have to know what you're looking for and you sometimes have to educated the doctor. Don't mean to sound arrogant......... just that it's been a LONG journey and I have done the homework and I've lived the journey. I know how I want to feel and I know how to attain it.
OK...... here I indicated I would not write long and now look at me!
Now I really hope you see this!!!
One more thing...as far as testing levels, a lot of places like to use saliva tests. I would strongly recommend blood level checks. If you think about it, when women are being checked for fertility issues, would they ever check saliva? No. They use blood level tests.
Check my profile, as I said. I know I wrote more there and I mentioned the book I use that has helped me so much... and the website for the woman (doctor) who wrote the book.
Let me know if you see this, if you don't mind, even if it's just to say, "Hey... I saw this! :)
Mary
I have thought about that and just hate goin' to new drs.... I was 'spoiled' before moving here (8 yrs ago) I'd had the same GP since the age of 2, he was my OB too, if I needed 'more' he refered with out a blink............... sigh, I miss him..............Thank you for your reply.................T
that would be my suggestion. If your not right its not right. Dont settle.
Soooo sorry, I thought I was posting this to Vaginal hysterectomy.............( and I can't find where to 'move it', sorry)