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Mary53 or DebiR.....help with hormones please
Okay, I was taken off the Premarin when they found my blood clot, but I ordered Progesterone cream and have been using it for about 3 weeks or so. I have noticed a drastic change in my libido, and a reduction in hot flashes, but I still am having trouble sleeping (getting about 1-2 hours a night) and it is starting to make me crazy. I try taking Tylenol PM, Benadryl, Dramamine...nothing helps me sleep. Nothing.
Oh, my history in case you forgot. I was put into surgical menopause when I had my ovaries removed in 2003, but have had two surgeries since for remnants. Getting prepared for my third post-oopherectomy surgery to remove yet another cyst.
What upsets me is that my gyn who took me off the Premarin, acts like there is absolutely NO reason for me to be upset and bothered by menopausal symptoms at all. The only hormone I am taking is the prog cream, do you recommend anything else I can try? Thanks for your input, I do appreciate it.
Oh, btw, Mary, I read those posts in the Hysterectomy forum and....WOW!!!!!!!! I was floored that they were sooooo ready to persecute you for trying to help. They WERE NOT hearing you at all and what you were trying to say. I, for one, do appreciate your information and research and I do in fact, respect your opinion.
~Dawn
Oh, my history in case you forgot. I was put into surgical menopause when I had my ovaries removed in 2003, but have had two surgeries since for remnants. Getting prepared for my third post-oopherectomy surgery to remove yet another cyst.
What upsets me is that my gyn who took me off the Premarin, acts like there is absolutely NO reason for me to be upset and bothered by menopausal symptoms at all. The only hormone I am taking is the prog cream, do you recommend anything else I can try? Thanks for your input, I do appreciate it.
Oh, btw, Mary, I read those posts in the Hysterectomy forum and....WOW!!!!!!!! I was floored that they were sooooo ready to persecute you for trying to help. They WERE NOT hearing you at all and what you were trying to say. I, for one, do appreciate your information and research and I do in fact, respect your opinion.
~Dawn
Hi to all of you ladies. I applaud each and all of you for being proactive and taking control of your health as opposed to just letting the docs control it. Mary, I am so impressed w/ all the research you've done. I do alot of research for my own hormonal issues, but wow!!! You rock.
One thing I did want to mention, was that synthroid is a synthetic hormone and only addresses t4 issues. Armour on the other hand is completely natural and addresses t3 and t4 issues that are normally ignored my most docs who don't know a lick about hypothyroid or being compensated generously by docs who push t4. As you may already know, some docs & pharma co.'s want us to stay sick. It's in their best interest. There's a website that got me looking into thyroid problems and I highly recomend it to everyone. That website is www.drlowe.com. He goes into depth to explain the differences between synthroid and armour.
Another area that is usually neglected by docs is minerals. Just recently, I started taking sulphur replacements to help w/ my symptoms. I'm currently on hcg, armour, dhea, msm & a multi. I just found out that when taking thryoid hrt, it must be supplemented w/ vitamin b6 & b12. Anyways, good look & I look forward to reading more of your posts.
One thing I did want to mention, was that synthroid is a synthetic hormone and only addresses t4 issues. Armour on the other hand is completely natural and addresses t3 and t4 issues that are normally ignored my most docs who don't know a lick about hypothyroid or being compensated generously by docs who push t4. As you may already know, some docs & pharma co.'s want us to stay sick. It's in their best interest. There's a website that got me looking into thyroid problems and I highly recomend it to everyone. That website is www.drlowe.com. He goes into depth to explain the differences between synthroid and armour.
Another area that is usually neglected by docs is minerals. Just recently, I started taking sulphur replacements to help w/ my symptoms. I'm currently on hcg, armour, dhea, msm & a multi. I just found out that when taking thryoid hrt, it must be supplemented w/ vitamin b6 & b12. Anyways, good look & I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Well gosh I am happy to listen to colon complaints. I am working on a newsletter (boring). Here, I will share with you a bowel story. I was convinced I had IBS (or worse) for years...chronic constipation etc. I had a colonscopy in Dec (in the midst of all my gyn probs) and LORDY at one point did it hurt! The Dr Drug Lord quickly zapped me down into LaLa Land again. After the procedure, the gastro told me she thought my ov cysts, enlarged uterus, etc were causing pressure on my bowels and that was the pain I had felt. When they did the hyster, my remaining ovary was totally adhered to the uterus (ouch). SO maybe that could be something like what is going on with you, eh? Adhesions anywhere can be SO painful. She told me to drink Metamucil, that it is safe to even consume every day. Only the powder that you drink though. Well... I have been doing that and it helps. Also drinking lots of water all day long. (well maybe strained through my coffee maker first, but who's looking?) Of course you and I both know exercise helps. I find stress really does screw up the digestive system. Anyway, seriously, since I had the colonoscopy, because she said I was fine, all my weird aches and pains in that department have been better. I am so suggestible!
I am SO GLAD to hear you may be moving towards better sleep, and feeling better. It is still SO very early for you....I am about 8, 9 weeks now (can't remember) and honest it was just this week that feel like the wicked old Katie coming to life again.
You're right Dawn is away, I forgot.
AND YES! I am feeling so much better, thanks! Whooo Hooo!
Love from Katie (also referred to as Ace on the dark side posts, they removed that one eh, ha ha) I did one last flip out though... but I have decided to behave now!! Glad my ribs are still up somewhere near my chest...
I am SO GLAD to hear you may be moving towards better sleep, and feeling better. It is still SO very early for you....I am about 8, 9 weeks now (can't remember) and honest it was just this week that feel like the wicked old Katie coming to life again.
You're right Dawn is away, I forgot.
AND YES! I am feeling so much better, thanks! Whooo Hooo!
Love from Katie (also referred to as Ace on the dark side posts, they removed that one eh, ha ha) I did one last flip out though... but I have decided to behave now!! Glad my ribs are still up somewhere near my chest...
I had my uterus removed ten years ago and nothing has fallen yet. I agree it is not something that should be done if not necessary but can we all make our own decisions on this????
I have felt something the last day or so. It is very subtle but it feels like a definite move toward more normalcy. Even my husband commented that my color looks better. I can't say that I slept a ton more but I think maybe my sleep quality is better when I did sleep. Like I said - it's subtle!
Dawn is away for the weekend - I think to Arizona. She emailed me right before she left. I hope she is relaxing.
Mary I am going to go back and re read about the adhesions. I suspect some colon stuff still going on (you don't want me to go in to detail as to why I suspect this).
Katie are you feeling better?
I have felt something the last day or so. It is very subtle but it feels like a definite move toward more normalcy. Even my husband commented that my color looks better. I can't say that I slept a ton more but I think maybe my sleep quality is better when I did sleep. Like I said - it's subtle!
Dawn is away for the weekend - I think to Arizona. She emailed me right before she left. I hope she is relaxing.
Mary I am going to go back and re read about the adhesions. I suspect some colon stuff still going on (you don't want me to go in to detail as to why I suspect this).
Katie are you feeling better?
Hey Debi, I wanted to make sure that you saw my postings on adhesions "up above." I actually pieced them together from postings that I'd written for the Hystersisters cite. You would not believe how many women on that site are suffering from adhesions. Some are in horrible and constant pain. I was in that boat, too, until I found this little miracle in the form of a ball.
And, I am interested in the talk about synthroid...just when I thought I understood all that stuff. I actually thought that synthroid was synthetic, and not that this was such a bad thing, but, as you said, it helped only the t4...(right?)...
But, I am happy with the Armour at this point and just SOOOO glad that someone listened to me. I have suspected a problem for years. But, of course, the blood work came back all "fine." Well, I am happy to report that i am no longer falling asleep at red lights these days. And, I don't sleep the whole weekend away. I am needing to find a new doc who will monitor it though. I didn't think to ask my GYN a few months back, but he is going to be my doc for all of the bio's. He did ask me how I liked the Armour. I will have to figure it all out. It is just that I am not seeing the specialist anymore who initially put me on this.
Oh, and I did see your posts on that OTHER forum. Too much. I had a friend who had issues with the league (for breastfeeding) of which you speak. There is a point where there is "HELP" and then there is BOSSINESS AND AROGANCE, right?
Oh, yes, and what about those Uterine orgasms? Ok, not a word I type often. But, seriously...it kind of reminds me of what you hear about when people lose one of their senses...you know how other senses compensate for the missing piece? I do hope Ace catches this post...She and I posted a long time ago (somehow three months seems like a long time ago) about the whole libido thing and got to talking about hormones, etc.
HEY DAWN, I wanted to make sure you saw this part....
Oh, I am going to pull out my trusty Dr. Northrup book tonight. I SOOOOO agree with you about the "What ifs"...I suspect that many of my problems were caused by Estrogen Dominance. I know I was missing progesterone, too. And, what I want to research is whether or not estrogen-fed cancers can be precipitated by estrogen that is balanced with progesterone. See, I think that there is not too much of a problem as long as you are balanced. I will see what I can find out. I know that so many women are afraid to use estrogen if there is a history of cancer and I will tell you that at one point even my compounder asked why I was still on estrogen (thinking that Progesterone and testosterone and DHEA would be enough) but I kind of freaked that he might strongly suggest I remove it from my stash of hormones. But, I do need it for some of the symptoms that creep up when I am low in estrogen, such as the problem with mental sharpness (altho this is a big progesterone issue, too), libido, night sweats (had those big time about ten years ago) and hot flashes. There is also a thing that is not very tangible that I feel when I am on it, a feeling of being "womanly." Dr. Reiss talks about it in his hormone book. But, my biggest problem is urinary incontinance.
On the incontinance issue, though, testosterone in gel form rubbed into the skin in the area near the vagina can help tighten the area and support the bladder, as well as gaurd against vaginal atrophy, etc. I have had luck with estroil in suppository form, but this was not cutting it lately so in researching this I found info in Reiss's book again. I use testosterone, but at a very low strength and in only one spot on my body, but I am now changing how I put it on and I am going to ask for a little higher dose. Already I think this is helping with the icky "leaking."
Well, take care. Catch you later and I hope I have an answer regarding the estrogen-fed tumors...breast cancers, etc. Mary
And, I am interested in the talk about synthroid...just when I thought I understood all that stuff. I actually thought that synthroid was synthetic, and not that this was such a bad thing, but, as you said, it helped only the t4...(right?)...
But, I am happy with the Armour at this point and just SOOOO glad that someone listened to me. I have suspected a problem for years. But, of course, the blood work came back all "fine." Well, I am happy to report that i am no longer falling asleep at red lights these days. And, I don't sleep the whole weekend away. I am needing to find a new doc who will monitor it though. I didn't think to ask my GYN a few months back, but he is going to be my doc for all of the bio's. He did ask me how I liked the Armour. I will have to figure it all out. It is just that I am not seeing the specialist anymore who initially put me on this.
Oh, and I did see your posts on that OTHER forum. Too much. I had a friend who had issues with the league (for breastfeeding) of which you speak. There is a point where there is "HELP" and then there is BOSSINESS AND AROGANCE, right?
Oh, yes, and what about those Uterine orgasms? Ok, not a word I type often. But, seriously...it kind of reminds me of what you hear about when people lose one of their senses...you know how other senses compensate for the missing piece? I do hope Ace catches this post...She and I posted a long time ago (somehow three months seems like a long time ago) about the whole libido thing and got to talking about hormones, etc.
HEY DAWN, I wanted to make sure you saw this part....
Oh, I am going to pull out my trusty Dr. Northrup book tonight. I SOOOOO agree with you about the "What ifs"...I suspect that many of my problems were caused by Estrogen Dominance. I know I was missing progesterone, too. And, what I want to research is whether or not estrogen-fed cancers can be precipitated by estrogen that is balanced with progesterone. See, I think that there is not too much of a problem as long as you are balanced. I will see what I can find out. I know that so many women are afraid to use estrogen if there is a history of cancer and I will tell you that at one point even my compounder asked why I was still on estrogen (thinking that Progesterone and testosterone and DHEA would be enough) but I kind of freaked that he might strongly suggest I remove it from my stash of hormones. But, I do need it for some of the symptoms that creep up when I am low in estrogen, such as the problem with mental sharpness (altho this is a big progesterone issue, too), libido, night sweats (had those big time about ten years ago) and hot flashes. There is also a thing that is not very tangible that I feel when I am on it, a feeling of being "womanly." Dr. Reiss talks about it in his hormone book. But, my biggest problem is urinary incontinance.
On the incontinance issue, though, testosterone in gel form rubbed into the skin in the area near the vagina can help tighten the area and support the bladder, as well as gaurd against vaginal atrophy, etc. I have had luck with estroil in suppository form, but this was not cutting it lately so in researching this I found info in Reiss's book again. I use testosterone, but at a very low strength and in only one spot on my body, but I am now changing how I put it on and I am going to ask for a little higher dose. Already I think this is helping with the icky "leaking."
Well, take care. Catch you later and I hope I have an answer regarding the estrogen-fed tumors...breast cancers, etc. Mary
I LMAO when you said that about uterine orgasms! I read your post about the Little LaLeche League, so true. Scary potatoes.
Oh and by the way, I am just sitting here waiting for my pelvis to widen and my rib cage to descend on to my hip bones, my spine to become compressed and all the feeling in my external genitalia, clitoris and nipples to disappear! GOOD LORD where do those people get off? and WHEN please? There's about ten inches between my rib cage and my hip bones, so this could take a while!
I hope Dawn is OK, kinda took over her thread! and I haven't seen her post lately...
I am feeling very positive and hopeful, THANKS to YOU guys ... and everyone here....
Love, Katie
Oh and by the way, I am just sitting here waiting for my pelvis to widen and my rib cage to descend on to my hip bones, my spine to become compressed and all the feeling in my external genitalia, clitoris and nipples to disappear! GOOD LORD where do those people get off? and WHEN please? There's about ten inches between my rib cage and my hip bones, so this could take a while!
I hope Dawn is OK, kinda took over her thread! and I haven't seen her post lately...
I am feeling very positive and hopeful, THANKS to YOU guys ... and everyone here....
Love, Katie
And you may feel better on armour because of the t3 in it. Synthroid is bioidentical but only to t4. Many people take a small dose of t3 (cytomel) along with their t4. My docs won't let me take armour because with thyroid cancer it is very important to keep your tsh consistently low. There is (according to the docs) less standarization with armour than synthroid, so harder to keep the tsh consistent. In someone without thyroid cancer it isn't a big deal because you are talking a variation that is still within the normal range. But wtih thyroid cancer they want you kept below the normal range to keep your chances of reoccurance lower. I just think that it is interesting that it comes from a pig yet is considered more natural than synthroid which is bioidentical and the comparison to premarin/horse is sort of interesting.
Ok I am going to google body rolling and then I have to get my butt moving. Off to a yoga class and buying Easter stuff. If I don't talk to you have a great one and know that you are among my Easter blessings I will be counting!!!
Ok I am going to google body rolling and then I have to get my butt moving. Off to a yoga class and buying Easter stuff. If I don't talk to you have a great one and know that you are among my Easter blessings I will be counting!!!
Synthroid is another example of bio identical in that it is structurally the same as what your body makes. You will get a lot of the extreme naturalists who will try to tell you to take armour thyroid because it is "natural" but its from a pig - just like premarin is from a horse. So how natural is that really vs something that is synthesized to talk your body's language.
Oh Dawn after everything you have been through to have to deal with the meno symptoms is awful. I have also been getting very little sleep and it makes everything so much worse. I don't know all the issues with blood clots - but I know premarin is more likely to cause it and from what Mary read me in one of the books she has, the pill form of the bio identicals have a higher liklihood of causing them. I wonder if you could use the biest cream with the weaker estrogens? You need to find a doc who specializes in bio's and will work with you. I know there are some in Chicago and you aren't that far - if you absolutely had to see someone here it might be worth it. What about a script for Lunesta? That helps me some - still not a good night sleep but better than nothing.
OH dear...DebiR...I can not take myself away from this site...It is too much fun, but I do have to go to the store and then I HAVE to workout when I get home...I feel it if I didn't. So....let us talk. I will try to reference you to the Hystersisters site cuz I went into great detail on Body rolling on that site. CHANGED MY LIFE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pain free (most of the time) after I discovered this little trick. My doctor was STUNNED>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Had a badddd colonoscopy, too, and that is when I went on another search for help...found it by accident from my exercise/wt.training teacher. I will get back to you...
Guess what (I sound like the kids I work with!) I take Armour Thyroid. Interesting.
Let's catch up with each other later, okay? Til then...Mary
Guess what (I sound like the kids I work with!) I take Armour Thyroid. Interesting.
Let's catch up with each other later, okay? Til then...Mary
More room on my hard drive for Mary.....!!! Ok questions about the adhesions and colon cancer bit. During my ovary surgery they told me there was a lot of adhesions on the colon. I was not surprised as my colonoscopy was very painful and the gastro said the colon was kind of twisted around. So what is this body rolling thing?
Yes I think it really stinks that women out there try to make as feel bad about the hand life has dealt. If you read my post about the LaLache league group I am telling you they are probably the same people. And now with everything else I am going through I find out that I have been "missing out" on uterine orgasms for the last ten years. How will I go on???
I have a lot of life in me and I don't want to give up the next four or five years while my body tries to figure out what happened. I am also glad that the diseased parts are out before they caused any life threatening illnesses. I know that I have lacked progesterone most of my adult life (I had to take suppositories when I got pregnant because I had a luteal phase defect and kept miscarrying). So if maybe if someone had told me then about bio progesterone I would have been able to forgoe the last ten years of problems. But the proof is in the pudding with that thread. There are barely any posts on it.
Yes I think it really stinks that women out there try to make as feel bad about the hand life has dealt. If you read my post about the LaLache league group I am telling you they are probably the same people. And now with everything else I am going through I find out that I have been "missing out" on uterine orgasms for the last ten years. How will I go on???
I have a lot of life in me and I don't want to give up the next four or five years while my body tries to figure out what happened. I am also glad that the diseased parts are out before they caused any life threatening illnesses. I know that I have lacked progesterone most of my adult life (I had to take suppositories when I got pregnant because I had a luteal phase defect and kept miscarrying). So if maybe if someone had told me then about bio progesterone I would have been able to forgoe the last ten years of problems. But the proof is in the pudding with that thread. There are barely any posts on it.
Hi Dawn, I found the post that DebiR was referring to concerning the blood clot situation...so, I guess to be extra safe, consider the cream above anything else should you decide to try the bioidentical hormones. The more research you do, the more comfortable you will be talking about them and as we all know, making an informed choice is a powerful thing.
Here it is:
I did find this tonight to get an idea of what the doctor meant when you were told that Estrace is not as "natural" in the pill form as Estrodial in the cream form.
"though most of us refer to bioidentical hormones in relation to menopause treatment, there are other hormones that are bio-identical, such as calcitonin (brand name Miacalcin, made from salmon) and human insulin, created genetically using bacteria. In other words, bio-identical hormones have been with us for years.
What are the differences between bio-identical hormones and synthetic ones?
Bio-identical hormones are identical to hormones our bodies make. They talk to cells through specific receptors that are made for them. For example, bio-identical estradiol (a type of estrogen) in patch form, gel or cream (brand names: Estragel, Estradot, Tri-Est, Bi-Est) acts just like the estradiol our ovaries secrete into the bloodstream. However, bioidentical estradiol in pill form (brand names: Estrace, Tri-Est, Bi-Est) has the negative effect of increasing blood clots because it is not natural for estrogen to enter the bloodstream through the stomach. Pill estrogen, even if it is bio-identical, goes from the stomach to the liver and stimulates it to make clotting factors"
I am trying to make sure I get to all the comments/questions you and others have left for me...If I miss something, please don't hesitate to let me know....I don't know all the answers, but, do I have resources!!!...and, I can let you know about them. Have a great trip!
Here it is:
I did find this tonight to get an idea of what the doctor meant when you were told that Estrace is not as "natural" in the pill form as Estrodial in the cream form.
"though most of us refer to bioidentical hormones in relation to menopause treatment, there are other hormones that are bio-identical, such as calcitonin (brand name Miacalcin, made from salmon) and human insulin, created genetically using bacteria. In other words, bio-identical hormones have been with us for years.
What are the differences between bio-identical hormones and synthetic ones?
Bio-identical hormones are identical to hormones our bodies make. They talk to cells through specific receptors that are made for them. For example, bio-identical estradiol (a type of estrogen) in patch form, gel or cream (brand names: Estragel, Estradot, Tri-Est, Bi-Est) acts just like the estradiol our ovaries secrete into the bloodstream. However, bioidentical estradiol in pill form (brand names: Estrace, Tri-Est, Bi-Est) has the negative effect of increasing blood clots because it is not natural for estrogen to enter the bloodstream through the stomach. Pill estrogen, even if it is bio-identical, goes from the stomach to the liver and stimulates it to make clotting factors"
I am trying to make sure I get to all the comments/questions you and others have left for me...If I miss something, please don't hesitate to let me know....I don't know all the answers, but, do I have resources!!!...and, I can let you know about them. Have a great trip!
Hello! better get a cup of coffee....this may take some time.
Dawn...Katie, Deb, you all bring tears to my eyes...for two reasons....for your kind words and appreciation, but also for the unjustices that you, and all women in this position, have to go through to be heard...to lead a life with a reduction of the devastating symptoms of surgical menopause. I am an optimist by nature, and I believe in the power of positive thinking, but I am also a realist, and I work in Mental Health, and since I have gone through this myself I so totally understand the complete frustration you are going through trying to get answers and to get some help.
When I went to see my regular GYN for my yearly physical in February, after he greeted me, I said, "You know, there is a kind of general understanding out there amongst women who are suffering from menopausal symtoms that their doctors won't even ask them how they are doing during an office visit, because they don't have time for the fallout, tears, etc, that follow after the question is asked. Luckily for me, my doc just nodded his head in empathy and said, "You know that won't happen here. I want to hear how things are going. What can I do to help?" In my case, as you know from the other epistles (threads/posts:)) my doctor was not very familiar with the bioidenticals when he handed me the name of the compounder whom I still work with. This was six years ago after my surgery for ovarian cancer. But, I could tell by his nodding as I was discussing the books I am using for research, and the help I have gotten, and the symptoms I was still trying to rein in that he has had much more experience and also had more requests for them in the past six years ago. But, my compounder is the genius, and even he consults with people from California. Gets complicated, but is soooo worth it.
I like my doctor very much. Very much. He was great when I first talked with him about adding the progesterone, which to me was my first real exposure to the bio's. Luckily, my oncologist had put me on the Vivelle patch and that happened to be a bioidentical hormone, and the regular GYN just kept approving it and also allowed me to add testosterone, which I find helpful. But, three months after the surgery I thought I was losing my mind. And, I was suffering from adhesions. They thought maybe I had colon cancer. I needed lots of help.
Bottom line is I needed progesterone for my mind and "bodyrolling" massage for breaking up my adhesions. But, I found these things by accident, really, and so if I can help anyone by getting this information out, well, then that is what I will do.
BACK to my POINT about trying to get help for all this...
I was armed with information. I was soooo desparate to get help. And, once I was clued into the need for bio Progesterone, I picked up three books on the topic and I knew I was in HUGE need when I started to *Highlight* each page of each Darn Book.
I was at a point where I was not going to leave my doctor's office until I got a prescription. Now, I am not terribly assertive...I have gotten better at this as time has gone on, but I really hoped I would not have to resort to begging, but was ready if I needed to be. Maybe instinctually I knew that my doc would listen. He is great. I did not have to beg...but, I would have. That is how confident (and desparate) I was.
So, Dawn, Yes...I am wondering if there is a chance you might need to find a new doc. If you decide you want to give this doc one more chance to really hear you...then do arm yourself with information. That has helped me so much. I have respect for doctors, but, they are human and cannot possibly know all that is out there. Or, they have heard misinformation (does the name "Hysterectomy forum" ring a bell???) and then Pooh pooh the whole thing. Or, you get patted on the head and told to deal with it! I find that soooo arogant.
Okay, I am going to post this and then go and find the origional question. I know you asked about cysts and the effects of Natural progesterone...I was just reading about this last night. Seriously. I was reading about how helpful it is regarding endometriosis. I think it was in Dr. Reiss's book. That is the one I pick up most often now, but I still stand by Christiane Northrup...and, I am grateful that Suzanne Somers put out a few books on the topic.
Dawn...Katie, Deb, you all bring tears to my eyes...for two reasons....for your kind words and appreciation, but also for the unjustices that you, and all women in this position, have to go through to be heard...to lead a life with a reduction of the devastating symptoms of surgical menopause. I am an optimist by nature, and I believe in the power of positive thinking, but I am also a realist, and I work in Mental Health, and since I have gone through this myself I so totally understand the complete frustration you are going through trying to get answers and to get some help.
When I went to see my regular GYN for my yearly physical in February, after he greeted me, I said, "You know, there is a kind of general understanding out there amongst women who are suffering from menopausal symtoms that their doctors won't even ask them how they are doing during an office visit, because they don't have time for the fallout, tears, etc, that follow after the question is asked. Luckily for me, my doc just nodded his head in empathy and said, "You know that won't happen here. I want to hear how things are going. What can I do to help?" In my case, as you know from the other epistles (threads/posts:)) my doctor was not very familiar with the bioidenticals when he handed me the name of the compounder whom I still work with. This was six years ago after my surgery for ovarian cancer. But, I could tell by his nodding as I was discussing the books I am using for research, and the help I have gotten, and the symptoms I was still trying to rein in that he has had much more experience and also had more requests for them in the past six years ago. But, my compounder is the genius, and even he consults with people from California. Gets complicated, but is soooo worth it.
I like my doctor very much. Very much. He was great when I first talked with him about adding the progesterone, which to me was my first real exposure to the bio's. Luckily, my oncologist had put me on the Vivelle patch and that happened to be a bioidentical hormone, and the regular GYN just kept approving it and also allowed me to add testosterone, which I find helpful. But, three months after the surgery I thought I was losing my mind. And, I was suffering from adhesions. They thought maybe I had colon cancer. I needed lots of help.
Bottom line is I needed progesterone for my mind and "bodyrolling" massage for breaking up my adhesions. But, I found these things by accident, really, and so if I can help anyone by getting this information out, well, then that is what I will do.
BACK to my POINT about trying to get help for all this...
I was armed with information. I was soooo desparate to get help. And, once I was clued into the need for bio Progesterone, I picked up three books on the topic and I knew I was in HUGE need when I started to *Highlight* each page of each Darn Book.
I was at a point where I was not going to leave my doctor's office until I got a prescription. Now, I am not terribly assertive...I have gotten better at this as time has gone on, but I really hoped I would not have to resort to begging, but was ready if I needed to be. Maybe instinctually I knew that my doc would listen. He is great. I did not have to beg...but, I would have. That is how confident (and desparate) I was.
So, Dawn, Yes...I am wondering if there is a chance you might need to find a new doc. If you decide you want to give this doc one more chance to really hear you...then do arm yourself with information. That has helped me so much. I have respect for doctors, but, they are human and cannot possibly know all that is out there. Or, they have heard misinformation (does the name "Hysterectomy forum" ring a bell???) and then Pooh pooh the whole thing. Or, you get patted on the head and told to deal with it! I find that soooo arogant.
Okay, I am going to post this and then go and find the origional question. I know you asked about cysts and the effects of Natural progesterone...I was just reading about this last night. Seriously. I was reading about how helpful it is regarding endometriosis. I think it was in Dr. Reiss's book. That is the one I pick up most often now, but I still stand by Christiane Northrup...and, I am grateful that Suzanne Somers put out a few books on the topic.
Are you OK with finding the long lists that are archived? Here are a few. Now, do not panic. They are long! But Mary is awesome. What I did was printed them (on fast, grey scale printing to save ink!) and then sat and read them slowly and carefully over a few days. I have headaches from the Estraderm 50 patch I am on and my eyes are bothering me a tad!
I may have missed some but Debi and Mary will add to the list hopefully....
We did jump around a bit and I apologize for that.
OK so here goes:
**Hormone Questions (Debi R) 04/03/2006
**Hot Flashes (terrin2) 03/16/06
**AnotherKatie "Go to Hot Flashes 3/15" 03/25/06
**DebiR, Just Posted an answer 03/25/2006
and of course, the terrifyingly long and bizarre
**hormone question for Mary53 04/11/06 (may that string RIP!)
That should give you some reading for starters!
Best of luck, I sure feel for ya Kiddo
Love, Katie
I may have missed some but Debi and Mary will add to the list hopefully....
We did jump around a bit and I apologize for that.
OK so here goes:
**Hormone Questions (Debi R) 04/03/2006
**Hot Flashes (terrin2) 03/16/06
**AnotherKatie "Go to Hot Flashes 3/15" 03/25/06
**DebiR, Just Posted an answer 03/25/2006
and of course, the terrifyingly long and bizarre
**hormone question for Mary53 04/11/06 (may that string RIP!)
That should give you some reading for starters!
Best of luck, I sure feel for ya Kiddo
Love, Katie
Hi Dawn,
First, I must state that there should have a disclaimer on that hysterectomy forum, it is implied that the questions are being answered by professional, medical people "staff". What nonsense. These people are not qualified, and, in fact, reject opinions that do not agree with theirs. Their replies are rushed, written with a very bitter and cold "tone", with serious errors and ommissions. Disgusting and potentially quite dangerous.
Now YOU: I am dismayed to hear your troubles. Mary will be here, have no fear! But she may be awhile as her daughter is visiting :)
Have you returned to the gyn and told him, yes, I am having problems? Or do you feel like that is a futile effort...
I am going to search the old archives and find Mary's posts, lots of information there....then I will add them here...
I'll be back!
Katie
First, I must state that there should have a disclaimer on that hysterectomy forum, it is implied that the questions are being answered by professional, medical people "staff". What nonsense. These people are not qualified, and, in fact, reject opinions that do not agree with theirs. Their replies are rushed, written with a very bitter and cold "tone", with serious errors and ommissions. Disgusting and potentially quite dangerous.
Now YOU: I am dismayed to hear your troubles. Mary will be here, have no fear! But she may be awhile as her daughter is visiting :)
Have you returned to the gyn and told him, yes, I am having problems? Or do you feel like that is a futile effort...
I am going to search the old archives and find Mary's posts, lots of information there....then I will add them here...
I'll be back!
Katie
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