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Avatar universal

hormone question for Mary53

I am really trying to figure out these "natural" products.  I talked with the pharm today re the fact that the bi est seemed to not give me any relief.  I had switched to the Estrace and prog cream that I had and it seemed to be better but have some headache issues.  She said that the "natural products take longer to get into your system".  Isn't Estrace considered natural in that it is synthesized from soy and yams?  Is the Biest synthesized also?  She said the biest was more natural than the estrace.  I am really confused.  Any input?
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Avatar universal
LOL I laughed SO hard when I saw that addressed to Ace Editor!
Oh GOD you are funny!

It's true, she's right, I am! Good thing she knows it too.
What a bunch of feebs.

No worries, I went to karate class tonight and had a great workout (no contact stuff though).

"My job is done"  ha ha!  

Have a wonderful Easter, talk to you guys up there..... where ever that is, you know where I mean.
Love, Katie  xoxoxox
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Avatar universal
Yes I cut down on coffee - still have the morning cup but nothing after that.  I LMAO when I read your answer to the whole list of articles the woman had done "you spelled appreciate wrong". OMG I was crying.  Glad you are doing better - I also take things very hard - more so now with no hormones!
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106886 tn?1281291572
Oh my gosh, Katie. I just read the recent response to you on that "other site."

Oh my gosh.

Take care. Mary
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106886 tn?1281291572
Hey! Yes, beautiful daughter is home. Her computer crashed two days ago and she is a graphic arts design major...but, she is handling this so well. She is the illustrator for a book and all of the work was on the computer. She actually backed it up on PDF file, but would be nice to have the real thing. The laptop is at Best Buy as we speak and now she and DH are on their way out to go shopping for an outfit...I kind of ducked out of that one. She has an interview tomorrow at an Ad Agency for a summer internship. She knows the owners...went to H.S. with their daughter and has kept in contact and done her "networking"...so cool to see your kid grow up and be confident and kind and funny.

Oh, I'm sorry...this is not the Mommy and Me forum, is it? Sorry...but, thanks for indulging me for a moment!


I will say that I hope to God that her generation will not have to go through what we are going through...that help for menopausal symptoms from either surgical procedures or otherwise will be available without the need to go through all of these hoops.

Katie, I have heard about Spira...I had forgotten the name, though. So, I am glad you mentioned the shoe. They sell them locally and there was an article about them in the local paper a while back.

Blood or saliva test. Hmmm. Interesting question.

I was not tested at all at first. I was on bio's for five years before I was tested. That happened this fall and the doc used blood tests. BUT...he was just starting to get interested in doing saliva tests. When I called my compounder in December as I was falling apart from hormonal symptoms since I was not being given the right stuff...I think you all know that story, but if not, let me know if you need more info...anyway, my compounder said that it didn't help to give him blood test info since he deals only with Saliva tests....

Ok...just this past week, and where the heck did I see it???...there was info on the type of testing that is NOW preferred. The blood tests has advantages and the saliva has advantages. Northrup addresses this, but since both can leave you with questions, I recall they like to use Oh shoot...I think it is blood serum testing. I recall that the word "serum" was in there...would not be "saliva serum would it?" I am sorry that I cannot remember exactly. I would ask the compounder what he likes to work with. I would guess that after years of experience, they get to know how to figure out what the tests mean by taking into account all that could effect the tests.

Going by symptoms is quite common. In fact, I know that they recommend that you not get tested for about 12 weeks after going off premarin, and other synthetic products. But, you can start the bioidentical hormones before that 12 weeks is up, of course.

I saw my name referenced on another post...actually several...oh my...I hope I don't let anyone down...thank you for the trust! I should list my "credentials" some day...I promise that I have NEVER submitted articles to "Broomstick." Actually, I have never had anything on hormones published...but, if I did...MY WORK  STILL WOULD NOT APPEAR IN "BROOMSTICK." PROMISE.
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Avatar universal
I meant Broomstick not Brookstick!
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Avatar universal
Check it out again, ho ho she had to get the last word in.  
So lame.  
Your letter was great!

I am sorely tempted to inquire, "Since when was a list of unsubstantiated, undocumented, unreferrenced and unsupported (i.e. bogus) articles in sketchy publications referred to as CREDENTIALS?"  It's ridiculous.  I'd like to get them kicked off there.

Oh and where might I get my subscription to Brookstick.  Is that as in, "skirt"???!!!

These people should not be allowed the control they have.  
They are not medical professionals.
They are potentially quite dangerous.
The propaganda they promote is medically unsound. For example, one reply (sounded like a man) was  "After hysterectomy, you will never have a clitoral orgasm again".  Well, buddy, you're doing it wrong, because I sure as hell have had some lately.  

It is deceptive because an unwary or unsophisticated reader may believe they are getting feedback from a qualified expert.

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Avatar universal
Oh my gosh you guys are cracking me up.  This is becoming my daily dose of humor!  Katie, by the way, I was thinking in the middle of the night (yes, when I should have been sleeping) that you had talked about a terrible disapointment and I didn't even ask you if everything is ok?  Life does hand them to us, doesn't it?  Sounds like you bounced back because honest to God some of your posts had me literlly laughing out loud.  But I still want to know that it is ok.  

I do think the stress thing is valid.  I am trying to get it under control but lots going on right now.  I run a non profit organizaiton and we are doing a fund raiser in July with Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band.  I never had any idea what all would go into this.  So I am trying to orchestrate it all on three hours of sleep each night!  

I am going to pick up that book that you talked about - sounds like a good one.  I have high hopes for the new pharm.  He was a really nice guy - willing to talk and not just blow me off.  Mary did you have saliva tests or blood tests?  

Oh, Katie, btw, I struggled with plantar for a couple of years.  (I am a marathon runner - when I get sleep) and when I changed shoes and went to a neutral running shoe it completely cleared up.  I am a severe supinator (sounds dangerous, huh?) so I roll to the outside of my shoe.  Do you have orthotics?  

The thing about the woman on the other sight is that she is not considering the person.  My God I would be despondant if I was receiving only her advice.   Yes eventually I hope that acupunture will help (just starting it btw) but for now I need something that I know will work.  And as I pointed out - this is what my body would be making anyway - If I had ovaries!!!  Ok guys - have a great day.  I think we are going to have to start a new thread soon.

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106886 tn?1281291572
Hey Debi, just wanted to make sure you saw my message for you...I wrote it this afternoon but forgot to put your name in the "margin." (comments on the stress/Vit. D) Okay..well, I hope you are sleeping right now and not reading this...catch you later. Mary
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106886 tn?1281291572
Hey Katie, That is a Good Question. Want to join me in my mental health sessions? I mean, the answer to this question might come up in year 4 of therapy :)

And, say, if you were checking out the forums, did you see my comments on the exercise/fitness forum...or is that the one where the lovely plantar fac comment was located? I know you are an exercise buff, too, so you might find it interesting. I recall that it was a tad bit interesting even if I do say so myself! Talk about one-sided!

And, she (SHE) did ask you to tell her if there were any errors on the website. My dog stopped in her tracks when I read the comment from you on the forum. "Whoooo....whhoooo....Katieeee"I said something like that. Fortunetly I know you are a dog lover, so you won't think that the fact that I have mentioned my dogs several times is too weird. Usually one is tucked under my chair when I am typing...and, they are not small dogs! Gosh I love them...talk about helping to keep my sanity!

Well, I'd better get to bed or I will be writing DebiR questions on how to get help sleeping! Goodnight.
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Avatar universal
One LAST question (honest).  I took a good look at all the forums (I have plantar fas too by the way, ouch!)

Why is is that, on the Hysterectomy forum, this "person" gets to play doctor?  This is not "Patient to Patient".  This is misleading.  I don't understand how or why this person is sanctioned to control this particular group of threads.  She is not well informed, she is not a medical professional and does not read OR respond to the posts carefully, thoughtfully or in an unbiased manner.  She is also not the sharpest knife in the drawer, quite obviously! (meow)

It should be TRULY Patient to Patient like this one is.  Notice how few posts there are, compared to this one?  No wonder.
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Avatar universal
MARRRRYYYY Thank God you are out there!  Hey did you like my little shot at the end about her spelling error?!  lol  
Gosh, she even published in BROOMSTICK yee gawds gotta get me a subscription... next Hallowe'en! Oh yeah and "newsletters". Oh dear.
YES I agree with your ahem...credentials! She has NONE! What a good laugh I had.  How bogus! This is a dangerous woman, and I now more than ever believe that she should not be allowed to run rampant with the forum she has been entrusted with.  Talk about one-sided. How appalling.  Like I said, she is just tossing off comments without carefully reading, and, without having a shred of proper medical background or training.  Or literacy for that matter.
I am sure you're spot on regarding her background.

Anyway, your words are so lovely and so true. Honest to God. You just gotta shake your head eh.

I laughed so hard about your eight years of therapy! I caught myself in the posts defending hysterectomy yet we were moaning about our stuff!  Too funny.  OK.  Are we done now?  We have to stop this, it's just too sad and pathetic for us WonderWomen! Right?  Let's collect all this energy and see what we can do for Debi.  
Debi... you are getting sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy!  Do some of that self relaxation stuff....toes...ankles...you know...from Drama 10 class?
So glad you are out there! Hope you are OK Debi...I have been reading your stuff, not ignoring you honest!
Love, Katie

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106886 tn?1281291572
Katie, Sorry, a bad attempt at keeping the Mary Kate and Ashley theme going. I was thinking of it too when I saw that written this afternoon. Funny.

Okay, I do have to tempt you to peek back. Ahem...credentials...are listed. I googled the name of the woman whose name comes up frequently on the website for HERS Foundation. After just a bit of browsing, I see that the mission statement must be a desire to spread the word that a woman should make absolutely sure that a hysterectomy is necessary. And seeing that she had her hyster in 1978, I am suspecting that she was a victim of the way things still were back in (maybe stuck in a time warp) 1978...when women perhaps were not as informed of their options...they maybe were told that they would be having the surgery...no questions asked, and given the time and decade, women followed "blind obedience" too often. OR, they had the hsyterectomy when all they thought was that the doctor was "going in" for another reason. Well...surprise! Hysterectomy!

So, then there is the fallout from surgical menopause and little information about balancing homones back then and a closed mind to such information now. It is so apparent that there is a lack of understanding of the bioidentical hormones, the need for balance, and the individual consideration of the individual woman. No one would ever convince her that there are fewer risks by far with these hormones, just by virtue of how the "messages" that the hormones send are received by the cell receptors compared to this process for the synthetic. And, then there is the bluntness and bad delivery style of the writing in response to the comments/questions. Seriously, and sadly, I wonder if the lack of hormonal help coupled with such anger that she'd had this done (and from what I gathered, she felt it was not necessary) has fed into her curt responses. Anger everywhere...and, an immediate closed door to consideration over trying to replenish the body with hormones matching the ones once made in the body. But, no...she won't hear of it. IT IS WRONG AND THAT IS THE WAY IT IS....that is where I had such a beef against her attitude...and then she says that all opinions can be voiced...yeah, right...if you want your head chopped off!

Well, I am getting over this... I figure about eight years of therapy and I'm good!  Stay sane friends! Mary Margaret (I know, it would be too much if it really was "Ashley.")
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Avatar universal
DARN IT though I missed my golden chance, I shoulda said "I am sure you will appreciate me telling you that spelled appreciate wrong"!  (as you welcome feedback, yeah right)
They also said everything they say is true!  What a bunch of nutbars...Broomstick... still laughing at that!
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Avatar universal
Hi!  Loved reading what you guys said!  Yes Mary I read the exercise posts too, "velllly intellesting".  My heart does that tacka tacka thing too sometimes!  I was on that Spira....drug years ago (to combat excess body hair would you believe)(I was a furry little thing, it is much better now strangely) and it made me dizzzzzy.  I as well give a running commentary to both my beloved hounds all day long, they are at my feet as we speak. We call them OUR personal trainers, as they force us to walk every day!
Debi everything is OK now thanks. I just take things awfully awfully hard of late. Bit of anxiety.
Feet: yes I got wonderful orthotics and they saved me.  I could never give up step aerobics! Mine are the full shoe, that dense foam.  They come up so comfy under the arch...it's not the heel that you need to support so much, it's the plantar tissue and the arch. The orthotics are so darn big though. (and $500 gack)I need to get some slim ones for dress shoes. Thank goodess it did finally clear up, because gosh that is painful. It does go away eventually in most people, but can take such a long time. Have you ever heard of SPIRA runners?  They are for runners but I wear them for step, they have springs in them.  They are wonderful.  spira.com  I think....have a look if you have never heard of them.  I recommend them to everyone.
HEY last comment....I am cutting way down on my coffee, and yes it helps me sleep better.  How did you do last night?
Mary enjoy your visit with your daughter and have a wonderful Easter! you too Debi....(OH some day I will tell you about all my experiences with non profits!)  I will leave it up to you two to start a new thread....Cheers!
Katie
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Avatar universal
I was vewy kareful wid my spelling too!!!!!
GGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR  Whoever she is (I am pretty sure they are all shes) I think she must be a grumpie person. OK Stop it BAD Katie, Bad, DOWN girl!! Settle down!

Have a great sleep all!
Peace/out
Love, Katie
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106886 tn?1281291572
You are FABULOUS :)

My good fortune has allowed me to be in a position in my life whereby, for whatever reason, I stumbled accross this website/forum and I have met such wonderful women as yourself.

Not sure if that is the best designed sentence ever, but it is from the heart.

Eager to hear Debi's thoughts, too.

Cheers to you both and to all the other cysters!

Goodnight. Mary
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Avatar universal
WOW!  I found it.  YIKES. What the heck is their problem.  I remember one of the first things you said to me Mary was that HRT was a very personal decision but that the best thing we can do is be educated.  I posted my two cents worth on the thread for what it is worth.  I have also learned from Katie and now I copy all of your posts into a word document titled "Mary's posts".  I don't blame you for being steamed but forget about it - think of all the good you have done for those of us who value every single one of your posts!

I called the doc this monring and asked if I can get estradiol in a gel so I don't have to deal with the headaches.  If I can just get some level of balance then I can think about gradually moving to the biest but right now I HAVE GOT TO GET SOME FREAKING SLEEP!!!
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Avatar universal
Right, at first I assumed it was on the hyster site as well, but even THEY aren't as crazy!
I am obviously a sucker for punishment as I am still doing battle with them... (I took offense to another post of theirs too).  You can't win with people like that.  Horrible.
I really want to know their credentials. I think they are dreadful, smug people.  They act like we are a bunch of fools, and that we are hysterectomized by choice.

I had a disappointment today and I cried my head off all afternoon.  Big over-reaction really, but I am just beaten into the ground.  Retail therapy somewhat took the sting out of it although I did buy a very strange hot pink scarf. Not sure why.
I also went to get my hair coloured and my stylist refuses to colour my hair right now as it is falling out quite badly....I guess from the anesthetic and generally shock and stress to my system of late.

Were you able to find the estradiol in a gel?  The Estraderm patch is have is Estradiol-17B.  I went back up to the 50 as instructed, and yep, bad headache.  Sigh.

I work at home too, luckily!  I printed all the posts too.
Over and out, Katie
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106886 tn?1281291572
Oh my Gosh you guys. Unbelievable. Thanks again for your support. The more I read, the more unreal the comments seem. Your comments are wonderful...to DebiR and Katie. And, Katie, oh my gosh, they are dissing YOU because you cannot "edit" their work by figuring out their typos on the thread about the cervical abnomalities! TOOOO much. I see Mary V was a bit surprised by the tone of the site, too. Thanks for your comment, Mary! Yes, Stepford-like....

Sorry for the confusion on where the posts or threads were located. I do have several posts on Hystersisters..under Windy53 (my brother's nickname for me when I was about 12.....Windy ...remember the song by The Association???)

Anyway...just got home a bit ago, but already my eyes have been popping wide open due to the comments on the Hysterectomy forum. Thank goodness this forum is Nothing like that one. Wow...

Conferences for my case load at work tomorrow...and then our daughter is coming home for a long weekend from college...home for Easter. Nice. So, I will check in now and then. Oh and DebiR, I did crack up when I heard I have "Space" on your hard drive!

I picked up Dr. Reiss's book (Natural Hormone Balance)last night, but fell asleep after I read about Testosterone. Sorry. But, thanks in a way, cuz I am going to see about "upping" my dose of the stuff (testosterone) and also I learned about applying it differently. BUT, my mission was to look for stuff for you...I will carry on and get back to you!

Mary
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Avatar universal
OK I replied to her.  I figured it all out Mary.  The people (?)who reply on that forum are from the hers foundation.... they are bunch of wackos who make women who have had hysterectomies feel TERRIBLE about having had one!  You check em out at their web site, it is dreadful.  If you can't find it let me know.

Imagine her reply to the woman who had cancer, replying as if she had FIBROIDS????? What????  OH I WAS BOILING TOO MARY.
I guess I shouldn't get so mad but honestly eh.  Whoever that is should not be doing that forum.

Well so I guess they are associated with this site too somehow, what a shame.

I wish we had our own little web site where we could just go on and chat without this Big Sister nonsense.  Sigh,
Katie
PS lemme know what you think about what I said!  Unless they STRIKE IT OFF!

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106886 tn?1281291572
Yeah DebiR! So glad you found another compounder. And the stress question is very valid. I recall in 2003 I was under a ton of job/grad school stress and I called my wonderful compounder and he told me to add just a tiny bit of "extra" progesterone once a day for awhile...like in the middle of the day. Same thing...that the receptors were busy with other things, so the progesterone was not getting through. I think that if you are low on cortisol or if the body needs more because of the stress level, then it will use progesterone to make cortisol, so you don't get the benefits of progesterone as you should. Wonder if they could check your cortisol levels? Hope I am not confusing you here. There is so much info out there, and as you can see, I am always learning more and asking questions.

Ask the compounder about taking DHEA. I take 25 mg. a day (take in the morning) and for awhile I had to take 50 mg. a day to build up my levels. Interesting stuff. I would bet that the website Womeninbalance.org, or Womentowomen.com, or Drerika.com...so many websites, so little time. Or! you could ask about this on the Hysterectomy forum!!! :)    Ok, baaadddd joke. But, as you said, for entertainment value at this point, that site really is something, isn't it?

VITAMIN D  ....I am on a mission here. It helps with the "Body Blues" like you WANT To get up and go, but you have no get up and go...and, for bone health, too...along with good old progesterone.

More later, Mary
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Avatar universal
OK I am calm now and I am never ever even peeking over there again.  Still want to know their credentials! (unshaven legs and children named Free and Blue who live on granola probably)
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Avatar universal
I posted it to"Mary Kate and Ashley" but they cut it off!  ha ha
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Avatar universal
Psssst  I actually think acupuncture is valid but I used that as an example! How is it for you?  My mom thinks it is great.
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