Aa
Need to find new physician? Said hormone levels were normal.
I finally convinced my gp doctor to check my hormone levels and according to the nurse they came back normal. My gp doctor had already prescribed Premarin for me to take at .3mg. daily. I have not had a hysterectomy. He did not prescribe any type of progesterone for me to take but told me to go ahead and take the Premarin. Advised me that I should see a gyn--which I already did and they did not test my hormones at all. I have terrible hot flashes every day, insomnia, anxiety and mood changes. All of which I thought was monopause. I don't know what to do. I am so scared and confused. I had an echocardigram done and the cardiologist said there were some abnormalities. I wonder if these symptoms could have something to do with a heart problem? I have to wait until he makes another appointment for me.
Vonda,
Your doctor prescribed Premarin with NO progesterone, and you still have your uterus? Are you still having periods? What did your gyn say about this?
I'm no doctor, but prescribing estrogen with no progesterone to a woman with a uterus sounds contrary to everything I've read. Back in the 70's they did this all the time. Then they noticed that cases of endometrial cancer among Premarin users were going through the roof - the Premarin was causing endometrial hyperplasia, which was placing these women at high risk of endometrial cancer. It was then that they developed Prempro, which adds progestins to the mix, and supposedly reduces these risks.
Here's what the FDA website says:
QUOTE:
"BOXED WARNING
WARNING: ENDOMETRIAL CANCER,
CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS AND PROBABLE DEMENTIA FOR ESTROGEN- ALONE THERAPY
ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
There is an increased risk of endometrial cancer in a woman with a uterus who uses unopposed estrogens. Adding a progestin to estrogen therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, which may be a precursor to endometrial cancer. Adequate diagnostic measures, including directed or random endometrial sampling when indicated, should be undertaken to rule out malignancy in postmenopausal women with undiagnosed persistent or recurring abnormal genital bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions"]
END QUOTE
Here is the link to the FDA page:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/Safety-RelatedDrugLabelingChanges/ucm121062.htm
Your doctor may know something I don't, but if I were you, I would ask him why he prescribed estrogen with no progesterone, and consider getting another opinion.
Like Sick and Tired 47, my own experience with Premarin was not so great. It was prescribed after my hysterectomy, and like you, I was suffering terribly from flashes, sweats, anxiety and crazy mood swings. As bad as the hot flashes were, the emotional symptoms were the worst. I had an unexplainable sense of impending doom, like the world was about to come crashing down. My moods were all over the place, I would be crazy anrgy one minute and sobbing the next. I thought I was going mad.
The Premarin helped quite a bit with the hot flashes, but my moods and anxiety levels seemed to get even worse. Plus it was causing physical side effects that were really scaring me, so I quit after only a few months.
After quitting the hormones I started using and herbal supplement called Wisdom Menopause Formula, and for me it has been wonderful. It worked better on the hot flashes than the Premarin did, but the best part is that it has made a huge difference in my emotions and anxiety levels. I've been taking it for just over a year now, and would recommend it to anyone, especially for the emotional benefits.
Do talk to your doctor about using Premarin without progestins, Vonda. He may have a logical explanation, and if so, I'd love to hear what he has to say.
God bless!
Your doctor prescribed Premarin with NO progesterone, and you still have your uterus? Are you still having periods? What did your gyn say about this?
I'm no doctor, but prescribing estrogen with no progesterone to a woman with a uterus sounds contrary to everything I've read. Back in the 70's they did this all the time. Then they noticed that cases of endometrial cancer among Premarin users were going through the roof - the Premarin was causing endometrial hyperplasia, which was placing these women at high risk of endometrial cancer. It was then that they developed Prempro, which adds progestins to the mix, and supposedly reduces these risks.
Here's what the FDA website says:
QUOTE:
"BOXED WARNING
WARNING: ENDOMETRIAL CANCER,
CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS AND PROBABLE DEMENTIA FOR ESTROGEN- ALONE THERAPY
ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
There is an increased risk of endometrial cancer in a woman with a uterus who uses unopposed estrogens. Adding a progestin to estrogen therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, which may be a precursor to endometrial cancer. Adequate diagnostic measures, including directed or random endometrial sampling when indicated, should be undertaken to rule out malignancy in postmenopausal women with undiagnosed persistent or recurring abnormal genital bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions"]
END QUOTE
Here is the link to the FDA page:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/Safety-RelatedDrugLabelingChanges/ucm121062.htm
Your doctor may know something I don't, but if I were you, I would ask him why he prescribed estrogen with no progesterone, and consider getting another opinion.
Like Sick and Tired 47, my own experience with Premarin was not so great. It was prescribed after my hysterectomy, and like you, I was suffering terribly from flashes, sweats, anxiety and crazy mood swings. As bad as the hot flashes were, the emotional symptoms were the worst. I had an unexplainable sense of impending doom, like the world was about to come crashing down. My moods were all over the place, I would be crazy anrgy one minute and sobbing the next. I thought I was going mad.
The Premarin helped quite a bit with the hot flashes, but my moods and anxiety levels seemed to get even worse. Plus it was causing physical side effects that were really scaring me, so I quit after only a few months.
After quitting the hormones I started using and herbal supplement called Wisdom Menopause Formula, and for me it has been wonderful. It worked better on the hot flashes than the Premarin did, but the best part is that it has made a huge difference in my emotions and anxiety levels. I've been taking it for just over a year now, and would recommend it to anyone, especially for the emotional benefits.
Do talk to your doctor about using Premarin without progestins, Vonda. He may have a logical explanation, and if so, I'd love to hear what he has to say.
God bless!
If you decide to see another dr. look for a specialist, bioidentical hormone or antiaging dr. They deal primarily with menopause issues.
I developed SVT of heart , Why- ??? due to hormone issues, never had heart problem before in my life.
As for anxiety, mood changes, insomnia, ect... yes, they were and are my most disturbing symptoms. BUT they are better since being on bioidentical hormones ( for me being on premarin made me MUCH worse- but thats ME only).
You can also look for naturopath and get saliva testing- but not covered by insurance and $$, but good results I have read.
Good luck to you and healing wishes to you.
I developed SVT of heart , Why- ??? due to hormone issues, never had heart problem before in my life.
As for anxiety, mood changes, insomnia, ect... yes, they were and are my most disturbing symptoms. BUT they are better since being on bioidentical hormones ( for me being on premarin made me MUCH worse- but thats ME only).
You can also look for naturopath and get saliva testing- but not covered by insurance and $$, but good results I have read.
Good luck to you and healing wishes to you.
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