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178345 tn?1242536246

HRT and Fatigue?

Hi Girls - Just wondering anyone on HRT Patch..Vivelle Dot..Lately, I have been so tired..extremely tired and my joints hurt..I am not sure what this is related to..wondering if it has to do with the hormone patch??? I am eating well and losing weight (on purpose) so I dont know what is wrong..tomorrow I am seeing my primary MD..Just thought if anyone has any idea...please share..Thanks, Gia :)
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178345 tn?1242536246
Well, I just got back from the Doctors..she didnt even mention that it could be the patch! I am on 0.5 Vivelle Dot...I asked her if she thinks it could be the patch...she said she didnt think so..she said it could be from the surgerys..over a year ago! Cmon, I am not saying she is wrong but I am sure that my body should have healed by now..she said I lost alot of blood and 3 surgeries in a week takes a toll on the body..I dont get it! I have lost over 40 lbs..still want to lose 30 more...I am eating good and I feel like I could sleep all day..she said it could be anemia as I had it before..she also said I must take a multi vitamin everyday which I dont do..they tend to make me nauseous...but I will start..she is sending me for extensive blood work so we will see what happens...I personally think it is the patch...Love, Gia
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Avatar universal
Hi Mary, what you are saying IS helpful.  And, thanks Gia for asking.  I have been in an emotional tail spin lately.  I know lots going of for me but I felt SO good about a month ago and the fatigue and stuff has been so bad for me in the last month...well, since the end of June.  I have resisted talking to the doc b/c all he'll do is adjust the estrogen.  I'm afraid to up the dosage.  I'm on .0325 now of Climara.  I did check my thyroid and it's OK.  I do understand your frustration.  Each woman is an individual and there are no set answers for anyone.  This is what makes it so difficult and why I resist going to anyone for answers.  I don't want to be a guinea pig.

Thanks!
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178345 tn?1242536246
Thank you so much for all your info...AND YES it is helpful..the problem is not many Doctors are informed enough about the hormones..or the patch for that matter...I tell you that I feel worse since the whole hysterectomy some days...I am really fatigued!! Anyway, I am going to the Doctor today so I will see what she has to say..You are a TRUE ASSET to this forum with all your knowledge, experience and caringness that you show each and every one of us...I truly appreciate it...Love, Gia :)
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106886 tn?1281291572
Hi Gia,

I don't think that the feelings you are having are related to the patch per se, but related to the whole issue of too little or too much estrogen. I re-entered the Hormone Jungle last Spring after thinking I had much of this figured out (for YEARS!).... then Dr. Elizabeth Vliet comes along (google for her website) and says that women without Ovaries cannot utilize Progesterone well ( Progesterone was a lifesaver for me years ago, but in retrospect, it might be that I needed more estrogen and either the progesterone turned into estrogen .... a theory many hormone experts adhere to.... or it was just that the receptor cells for estrogen were not open...).

Progesterone will keep Estrogen receptor cells "open" so the cells can receive the Estrogen and use it efficiently.

I saw a new Hormone doctor today to see what he thought of all this. Nice guy, but not much help for me at this juncture in my life. I am still on Progesterone (bio cream) and some Testosterone. Vliet has a revised book coming out on Aug. 30 and I have it on order so I can read up on this whole mess (sorry, but that is how I am feeling about all of this confusion). All I know is that if my Estrogen gets too low, my legs hurt so bad I honestly cannot stand it. Some docs say to add more Progesterone and others say add more Estrogen. I find that just a little Progesterone, a little Testosterone, along with a fair dose of Estrogen keeps me from crying in agony on the couch from pain deep in my leg bones. I also feel less fatigued when I am on this regimen, too.

Don't forget thyroid, but you might have to BEG to be thoroughly tested...TEST FOR t-3 for sure.... and keep track of your body temperature. I knew I was in trouble when I was falling asleep at red lights just a few blocks from work at the end of the day. I am on Synthroid and Cytomel and have gotten great relief from these meds.


I am sure this has been extremely NOT helpful except for the info regarding Thyroid (sorry ... I am usually not quite so Pessimistic) but I do feel that women's health in this area is SORELY lacking.

Hang in there, Kid!

Love, Mary
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