estrogen

Hi everyone.  I am now in remission and will be getting my ports out soon.  My onc. said it was ok to go on a low dose estrogen, estordil .05.  I am having hot flashes, but they are not the worst, As alot of us know there are worse things to take on.  So I was wondering if I should.  Does anyone have any experience or advice.  Thank you

[OzBron]

Congratulations on your remission!

I'm on Activella which is a lowdose combination HRT pill (bio Estrogen but nonbio Progesterone)and feeling good on that. If you plan on starting HRT, consider starting on the lowest possible dose and see if that relieves your symptoms. When you change dose it can take a few months to even out and it is easier to work your way up than down in dose.
There are pros and cons for HRT. Did you have your cancer tested for estrogen receptors? That can be a big factor in making a decision. There are quite a lot of posts on this topic which you might like to browse to help give you some informaiton to help make your decision but ultimately you have to be comfortable with your decision.

I'm sure Mary will be along as the hormone queen, but perhaps check previous posts so you can then ask questions on specific aspects of this huge and sometimes contentious topic.
Let me know if you want more info on my decision and experience.
Best of luck, Bron

[SimplyStar]

if you go down to the post  Leslee up date, Mary added a lot of info  there about hormones.  

[Mary 53]

Please check the post on the "Leslee Update" thread because I had to make a correction (first time in all these years I have had to do that....)

Star, if you can, just leave me a little post or something so I can make sure you saw the correction, okay?

Mary

[Conquerer]

my ttumor was tested and it was estrogen positive  i am on an estrogen blocker.. how about asking your doc if the tumor was estrogen positive or not.  i would have hot flashes before i feed the tumor estrogen  good luck

[nyc lady]

My story - I was dx'd early stage 1A...in 2000, right ovary and tube removed, in 2004 they took the left ovary/tube and uterus....I was on estrodial....until 2006...guess what...I developed what they believe is an Ovarian Remnant Cyst...I am scanned every 3 months...scary, because can it be cancer, who knows....a 3 surgery carries very high risks....I too was told it was safe to be on HRT, well, as soon as they discovered the cyst, I was taken off of estrogen, including not allowed to take the OTC because they "mimic" estrogen. The doctros strongly believe that the estrogen fed the ovarian remants causing the cyst to grow.
There is a poster, she too was on HRT...only to find out that her cancer is estrogen postive and probably caused or in some part aided in the growth of her masses.
This is a very touchy subject on this forum, and as much as I love and adore Mary, she and I are on opposite sides on this one.  Flashes are horrid, I will agree that I have had a really tough time with them as well as the other symptoms of menopause....but, you know what....I am alive.
Gather all the facts you can....best of luck.
Pam

[msjazz]

I also was tested and my cancer was estrogen receptive. Be sure they did that test.  Take care. Donna

[gma718]

I am a lucky one as I did not have cancer but did have a full hysterectomy 1 year ago due to ..bilateral ovarian cysts that were very large ...I had a full. hysterectomy and the surgeon put me on a 1.0 patch after surgery..my flashes were so bad and I was up all night terrible drenched sheets and clothes that they gave me 2 patches...after coming home from the hospital after a 3 week stay due to many complications...I switched to the vivelle dot patch and I am now on 0.5 which is so much lower than i was on..so far so good...it is from a plant deritative which I heard is better...it stablizes my mood also...I also would check with your Doctor before doing anything..I was only 40 so they highly recommend me on the HRT...I do see a difference than when I am not on it...Good Luck and so happy to hear you are in remission....Stay Well...Gia :)