No more HRT - will I rot in Hot Flash H*ll?

[Tybear]

So, at 28 yrs old, I'm told that I must stop all forms of HRT. I've been taking Premarin for a year now, and it turns out (just like I kept telling EVERYONE) that my tumors are feeding off the estrogen. I'm guessing I made myself have my recurrence - not impressed. What can I expect? I have had a couple very mild hot flashes, but that seems to be it. Ok, well, my patience thresh hold seems to be reduced as well which at times, turns me into a bit of a bi*#h. Anything I can take that will help? I take Wellbutrin 150mg/day and my Dr suggested taking calcium with Vitamin D. What about my libido? Will that fall by the waist side as well? Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated. I should mention, for those who don't know, that I am going through chemo right now, so I have to be careful about drug interactions.
Thanks in advance!!!
Becky

[gail47]

You know what I also notice I don't know if any of you has notice this or not but in the mornings I need my coffie and I alway use two teaspoons of sugar or more just can't stand imatation sugar but after I have my coffie I notice I start to have pain all over my body.  Could be the sugar.  Anyone else notice this?

[chickpea_and_me]

Now that you say that about chocolate I do notice I get a hot flash after I eat chocolate.  Man I thought I was going crazy and imagining it....wow

[Tybear]

Yes, I think the Wellbutrin is helping me, but I should probably increase my dosage. Gail, my sister went on Effexor and had no problems with it until she tried to quit - it was horrific. And, she was on one of the lower dosages! She suffers from SAD, and I think she is going to try Wellbutrin this time, maybe at the higher dose. I'll wait to see how she does with that. Thanks for the suggestions!
Becky

[gail47]

Eventually the hot flashes will go away, well in my case it did. I never had vaginal dryness don't know why but I never did. I read somewhere that caffeine and chocolate brings hot flashes on.  After my first initial treatment in 2002 I had hot flashes like crazy and about a year later I just stop having them.  When I started to have them again in 2005 plus back pain I got worried and when to the doctor and I was having my first recurrence which was not a complete shock to me because somehow I knew it. If we listen our bodies will tell us that something is wrong.

[AnotherKatie]

While we are diverting to the vaginal dryness issue, have you heard of Replens?    replens.com
I liked it A LOT better than Astroglide.
It is supposed to last three days.
Hang in there Becky, things are going to get better for you!
Love ya,
Katie

[Mary 53]

Becky, if you have not picked up Dr. Christianne Northrup's book, "The Wisdom of Menopause," do so just because she has soooooo many resourses and other great information. She offers suggestions to those who do not wish, or are not able, to take  hormonal replacement.

Talk to you later, Mary

[Mary 53]

Hey Gail, now, that is one creative friend! Paper plates/Astroglide/KY Jelly...Just hope she did the experiment out of the kitchen!

I was on Effexor in 2003 but just for about four months. I did not have a hard time coming off of it, for what it is worth. I was not using it for menopausal symptoms since I do use the bioidentical hormones, as you all know, but I was suffering from dysthymia at the time and had done some research and asked for the Effexor. I was also in the process of studying up on Welbutrin and wanted to switch to that, which is why I went off the Effexor. OK, I know you did not need the whole life story thing, but thought I would explain what the deal was.

I was on Welbutrin for about two and a half years. Interestingly enough, once I started on Armour Thyroid, I was able to discontinue the Welbutrin. Many of the same symptoms of depression are similar to the symptoms of hypothroidism. And, for what that is worth, the Welbutrin (which I did like) was also easy to get off.

Take care, Mary

[sk2006a]

where do you find Focus - it sounds like an interesting alternative.  i don't blame you about the ritalin for your g.son - if you can find a natural remedy, why not?  glad to hear the sage tea is helping your daughter.  i've read some of your posts...i can see what a great source of comfort you are to your daughter.  i hope all goes well for all of you :)

[SimplyStar]

Yes we do have the natural remedy for ADD  called Focus. It worked great for my 9 year old grandson. Leslee has been trying it for a week now. She had to get it passed by the onoco first.  We are a family that likes to take the natural stuff first to see if it helps. My grandson went from low grades to A's and B's this past year. We would not let them put him on Ritalin.  The sage tea ssems to help her night sweats.

[sk2006a]

the article in the l.a. times said that meds for ADD help some with the "fog" problem

[gah_70]

Becky, I am in the same boat.  Doc won't allow HRT of any kind for me, even though I asked for it, and am 36...well below the age of natural menopause.  He did suggest Effexor, however.  It is an antidepressant that has been shown to help reduce some menopausal symptoms.  I know there is some controversy among the medical community about using it for this purpose, but if the hot flashes/night sweats become a problem, it might be worth a shot.  I had terrible night sweats.  I'd wake up and it would feel like someone poured a pitcher of water in the bed with me.  I was changing the sheets every day.  I started Effexor back in August, and after about two weeks, the night sweats stopped.  The only problem is that I hear Effexor is a hard antidepressant to come off of.  I haven't tried yet, but when I do, I will have to take it slow and easy.  Does the Wellbutrin seem to be helping you?  If you did get Effexor, I don't know if your doc would want you to stop the Wellbutrin or not.  I take Lexipro, too, and my doc saw no problems with taking them both.  I am weaning myself off Lexipro now, though.  I never had a big problem with libido or vaginal dryness.  Like someone else posted, my urologist suggested Astroglide.  She did her own "unscientific" research where she put some on a paper plate, and KY Jelly on another paper plate.  She left them out for five days, and when she went back, the KY was hard as a rock, but the Astroglide was still liquid.  Not sure what that's worth, but she convinced me!  LOL!  Whatever you end up doing, I hope you find relief!  

Gail

[SimplyStar]

Yep  chemo brain is real. Noticed it with my daughter after 2nd chemo.  It comes and goes. Some days she is off in OZ  and other days back to normal. Had a hard time talking to her on the OZ days because she would start to say something, get distracted and then forget all about it. We began writing notes to remember certain important things. We put the notes in places where she would be sure and see them.  Now that she is 3 weeks out from the last chemo, she seems to be much better in her memory . She sets short time goals and we post those until they are accomplished. She told me one day she was folding laundry and she couldn't remember whose clothes belonged to who. You must be careful on those days when cooking. She started a couple of small fires while cooking.  Those are the days when we made sure someone was around. Don't try to drive on those days either. One day was so bad that she got  "lost" in her own house, but she didn't really realize that it was happening to her until the effects wore off some. This is a very serious side effect to chemo and people should know that the best thing is to be there to help.

[sk2006a]

it's funny you mentioned the memory concerns today - just today the los angeles times ran an article regarding a test conducted which confirms that there really is something like "chemo brain" that happens to people during chemotherapy!

[chickpea_and_me]

We are in the same boat. I"m 38 and also cant take any kind of estrogen because of my type of ov cancer. Luckily I was the one who figured that out during my chemo.  Still dont understand why they slap a estradial patch on the butt of a ov cancer patient???

At first my hot flashes werent too bad...they have gotten a little worse now. I've been off the HRT for a few months but its still no big deal.  They are the worst at night. Lots of cover flipping going on.  I was told to just use lubricant..astroglide for sex.  Oncologist said I cant even use vaginal cream cause any estrogen is bad.

Worst thing for me is my brain doesnt function anymore! I swear I dont know if its chemo or menopause but I cant multitask or remember **** anymore...its so frustrating!!!  

Dont think you are alone.  I had found some info on ov cancer for younger women from a group in canada.  Have you noticed almost everything is for over 50 gals??  If I can find it again I'll post if for you....you're not alone...Hugs

[scoutshadow]

Libido is a state of mind.  Many women who fall in love post menopausally say that the buzz they get is no different from that at any other time in their life.  Remember with all relationships no matter what your age, libido is strong at the begining and then tapers off to what the couple is comfortable with.  You could ask if black cohosh will interfere with the chemo as many swear by it - good for the hot flushes, and restless nights IF they happen.

If things get very dry then use a non oestrogenic gel like a lubricant.  Women use lube at all stages of life as well.

[kitten22]

Ty, There is no such thing as a hot flash....these are power surges that only amazing women get....my GP told me this and it brought a smile to my face if only for a few minutes until I got the next one. I keep a jug of iced water handy and an electric fan. I would suggest black kohosh but since you have to avoid anything oestrogenic, you may want to check up on this and make sure it's ok. I was taking Don Quai and I've had to stop because it's oestrogenic and even small amounts kick everything off again.

[montie]

Becky,
I have been reading your posts and I know that you are frustrated that the cancer has come back.  I want you to know that I am praying for you and that you can beat this.  Don't you give up for a minute.  When you feel upset and defeated, have your cry, go to bed, but just make sure you get up the next day knowing that you are bigger than this and that you will win.  You are an inspiration to others on this board because you continue to post, joke, and share with others, as well as encourage others despite what you are going through!

Stay strong and try your hardest to stay positive.  Convincing  your mind is half the battle!

Sending blessings your way,
Sharon
P.S.  It's getting cold so maybe those hot flashes will come in handy and save you money on your heating bill.

[sk2006a]

did your doctor say if you could take estrogen cream vaginally?  it will at least help with the dryness.  i don't know if enough of it will become absorbed to cause a problem.  same thing with the estrogen cream you apply to the skin.  i would think the wellbutrin will help with the libido issue, though.  good luck with everything and stay strong :)