Lack Of Estrogen & MS

[slightlybroken]

I survived surgery. Everything went ok, and I'm slowly recovering. The cyst was a little difficult to remove. It attached itself to my newly placed bladder, abdominal wall, and bowels. I guess it decided to do something similar to what the left ovary and cyst had done, but at least it was less severe.

My ovary was removed as well and I decided to take the hormone patch, rather than deal with another pill. I was surprised that I was given an option to even have HRT because of my previous DVT. My GYN said she felt comfortable giving me HRT because the benefit outweigh the risk. She also felt that it was a good option for me to have since I still have a vena cava filter in place, so if a blood clot does develop, I do have something protecting my heart and lungs.

Of course if I ever do develop a blood clot, the HRT will be pulled, but so far, I've not experienced hot flashes or night sweats so it must be working. The GYN said that my ovary did put out 35 units of estrogen, but now I'm only on 10 of estrogen, and she feels comfortable putting me on this to relieve any discomfort from instant menopause, and problems that can arise from the lack of hormones.

I was wondering (and I know this has been discussed before but I can't remember what was said), if I have MS, is there an effect on the disease course..good or bad..because of the lack of hormones? I know that when women who have MS get pregnant, they seem to have a remission with their disease..Do they have more issues with their disease course because of lack of estrogen or menopause?

On a side Note
I'm trying to recover, and hubby has been taking good care of me. This month hasn't been going too well for me. Friends and family will complain about their issues..I don't mind this, but when I don't feel good, I just can't do it. I keep reminding people that I just had surgery..hint, hint..and I don't feel good hint, hint....but even a days break was too much to ask for (day of my surgery).  I want to be there for them, but I can't...I'm tired, but they just don't get it. I hate to not answer the phone..but it's coming down to that..Any ideas?

I'm beginning to think that no one cares about how I feel or how I'm doing and I don't want to feel that way...maybe it's just the hormones :(

[slightlybroken]

Ren- Thanks for the link. I appreciate it. I'm hoping that the hormones might be beneficial, but I was still having so many issues with my one working ovary, so I'm not sure if it will make a difference or not. There will be a decrease in estrogen, but I'm not sure if it will make an impact on my symptoms for the good, bad, or no difference at all..You know what I mean?

JJ- My rather unique family puts the "fun" in dysfunction, I've always said. I love them dearly, but I need to step away from the chaos sometimes. I usually know my limits, and adjust them, but this month all heck broke loose and it's not with one family member, but several. At the same time, friends of ours were having a crisis too. I need to follow your and hubby's advice more often. I guess I can't fix everything.

Sarah- I would love to have my family's support right now, but they are caught up, for the most part of their lives, in their own drama. I've always dealt with all my worries through my husband's sympathetic ear. I've tried to turn to them on occasions, but the subject will get turned from my worries to their worries..Sometimes they will respond and it is nice to have that extra support.

I don't mean to paint them in such a bad light because they are loving people, but they just don't get it, and I don't necessarily mine this, because I love them unconditionally. I just sometimes need a break from all of it, like when I've had surgery.

Thank you all for the support right now..It's nice to have the sympathetic ear to listen to my woes for a change.

[Sparkysarah]

There is nothing you can do about your family..unless they are prepared to do something different and change...they will not. So the only person you can change is yourself and I suggest that you just get the rest and convalescence at home with your hubbie's onoging support.

Don't answer the phone unless you want to and if your family rings and youd on't want to speak to them ask you hubbie to answer the phone and keep reminding them you have just had surgery and need your rest. It does not sound as if you really want support from them so are there any other people around you who you trust and can ask for help from..like friends?

Anyhow just wanted you to know that you are being thought about and try and keep strong..

Love and hugs

Sarah x

[supermum_ms]

Hey again,

Be brave and tell them off for being thoughtless gitts! One thing i've discovered since April 09, is that my rather unique family can and will work their issues out, might take them longer but still they are capable of fixing their own problems, I was just a bad habbit lol!

He he he, if my Aspie brother can say to me "i'm hanging up because if I dont you'll just keep talking" [click], well i figure i can be as blunt as i like lol!!

You should try it some time, its good for the sole :-) and rids you of unwanted and excess bagage. I use to feel guilty too, but no longer do I let my inability to deal with their problems get to me, I figure they are all adults that need to take responsibility for their issues and stop unloading on me because it doesn't do me one bit of good!

Glad to see Ren found the other posts for you to check out, glad too that hubby is in your corner. :-)

Cheers......JJ

[rendean]

Hi,
I cannot answer your question regarding the hormones. I personally have taken them since my MS dx.  The only thing it was start up my menstrual cycle again , so I opted out of that one. I am know in natural menopause.

Here is a link where Quix talked about it :http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/I-have-a-Hormonal-Question/show/305871

I hope you feel better and that you get a chance to recover uninterrupted!

Ren

[slightlybroken]

Thank you JJ for hearing me. It means a lot to me that someone is thinking about me.

I haven't spoke to my doctor yet. She said it will take some adjustment to the "new" hormone level (3 weeks or so). It doesn't seem to be bothering me too much..at least I don't think.

I know it's more than just hormones with the family and friend issue because my husband started to step in and finally told me to stop answering the phone. He said to let them figure things out for themselves. He was getting mad because they were dumping their issues on me several days before surgery and then they kept calling the day of surgery. He thought that they should at least give me a break from their complaints, especially when I was telling them I wasn't feeling good.


I don't normally mind being the "peace keeper" of the family or the "good ear" to listen to all your problems, but I was just so very tired, sore, and wanted to not be bothered by things like this when I'm recovering. In a way I felt guilty for feeling this way, but I didn't wanted to be bothered with everybody's woes.

I know we've discussed hormone issues on the forum before, but I can't remember the answer...Maybe someone will come along soon and have it.

Thanks again.

[supermum_ms]

Hey there,

Its a good question though i havent a clue to the answer, just wanted you to know that i heard you and am thinking about you!

[[[[[[[[HUGS]]]]]]]]]]

Just a thought but have you spoken to your Dr about these feelings, it could be because of the lack of hormones then again it may not be related but i sort of think it might be more hormonal than family/friends carp. Just dont suffer because of it please, and dont pick up the phone if you dont feel like it, or do and if someone does start to complain about their woes, just cut it short.

Cheers........JJ