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| I am 52 and was on premarin for a few years did fine and now I am using the EString- estrogen ring and testosterone. It also is working well for me. I had lost 7 pds and have gained 3pds back. I was late getting my script filled and the 3 pds came back fast. Depressing! I guess I will see in a few weeks if the pds come off quickly. I would like to get off of HRT this year, I will wait to talk with my doctor this fall. Sounds like everyone else worries about these meds too. You just don't know what to do. Sometimes being a women is the pitts. Good luck!
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I've lost about 20 pounds over the past year and I've been on progesterone. What I changed was exercising more and eating less junk food. I was put on a medication for thyroid that I take three times a day on an empty stomach. That means nothing to eat for 2 hours prior to and for one hour after taking the med. That cut down on my mindless eating time! I joked that giving someone a placebo and telling them it must be taken on an empty stomach three or four times a day would be a great weight loss product. A neighbor said that he has one also: you take two pills whenever you get cravings. You put the pills in your pocket and take them for a 30 minute walk.
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Susan:
Have you noticed any weight gain/loss since you stopped taking the hormones? I was reading in Sugar Busters that progesterone encourages fat storage. I have been thinking of getting off the hormones because I think they have caused me to gain wt. I'm sure I'll have a few side effects, but it might be worth it. I have probably been on HRT 10 yrs. I think its time to get off.
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| UCFGAL, you are not the only one who is confused. I suppose I should do more intense study on the subject but I don't. I get confused and frustrated so I just trust my healthcare provider to know what to do. I take more than just estrogen. I also take (topically) testosterone, progesterone, and DHEA. I take orally synthroid and cytomel (both are thyroid hormones). My APRN (nurse practitioner) believes in the concept of adrenal fatigue and is trying to cover me for that. She highly recommends John Lee's books. (I think that's his name.)
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| I used HRT for about 6 years from 50-56, mostly because my sleep was so interrupted with 3 a.m. awakenings. Hot flashes were mainly at night. I have been off for almost 4 years now and for the first 2 1/2 years I had those same night sweats and interrupted sleep. Now sleeping much better and hot flashes are gone. What I have had all my menopausal and now post years are cramps at night in my feet and calves. I've tried to take potassium and magnesium but nothing has really worked yet.
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ALASKAWOMAN
2/15/06 4:21 P
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Today I'm back on my food plan after going overboard big time for V. dinner last night. We had a great dinner but now it's time to get back into action!
I want to resist weighing myself every day and just keep it to once a week - which is when I record it.
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Hi Rose,
Isn't the estrogen supposed to naturally decline with age? I thought the purpose of taking the HRT was to get you through the symptoms of menopause. Then after that you need to be weaned off. I'm so confused.
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| Was wondering the same thing myself. I suppose that as long as the saliva tests show a deficiency, that I will continue the hormones. I am also hoping I can decrease doses with losing weight. Less weight needs less medication? Since estrogen can be stored in fat tissue, then releasing the fat will change estrogen levels? Only a test will tell. I realize we are all putting our health on the line whether we do or don't use hormones. We are trusting the medical community and they are not all in agreement. I guess it boils down to who do you trust.
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Hi:
Has anyone decided how long they are going to keep using HRT? I've heard varying ideas/theories regarding this. I'm past menopause and was wondering if I should get off the BHRT. I think the hot flashes and night sweats would be gone or subside, but I do have a problem with dryness down there. Any thoughts?
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| According to my APRN, there is a difference between synthetic progestins and bio-identical progesterone. Avoid anything with progestin. Although you can buy OTC progesterone, I would suggest only using a registered pharmacist who will compound the hormones to your healthcare practitioner's specifications--which should be tailored specifically to your needs. Mine uses saliva testing and is very specific about which lab she uses.
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MADPOETESS
2/15/06 10:22 A
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Hello all,
I was put on Provera by doc when I went into menapause. It was awful. My ovaries felt like bowling balls and my legs hurt something fierce.
I actually felt better without it, though I went through the moods and night sweats like I took a shower in my sleep.
I have decided to grow old gracefully with no hormones.
I am working out and enjoying life and not worrying about much.
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| I started taking BHRT: Biest, Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA, Melatonin and HGH. The Biest, Prog and Test and DHEA all help with the menopausal symptons. Melatonin for sleep and the HGH helps with weight gain, muscle retention. Prior to BHRT I gained 12 pounds in 3 months. After one month I am down 7 pounds. I have always exercised (I am a fitness/Pilates Instructor/Personal Trainer). Nutritionally I was eating well. It was quantity and not quality (as well as hormonal shift) that caused my weight gain. I am back to proper proportions and I discovered that for me I need to track daily in a journal what I eat. This has really helped.
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| BHRT under the care of a nurse practitioner. My BHRT prescription hormones are compounded at a compounding pharmacy by a registered pharmacist. Doing well. My APRN told me not to cut patches. She said the patch is a delivery system and cutting it destroyed the delivery system possibly making it either release too fast or too slow. I am losing weight with exercise and proper nutrition.
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ALASKAWOMAN
2/13/06 10:59 P
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I had a hysterectomy when I was 41 (I'm 60 now) and went on HRT (estrogen only) 2 years later. So, I've been on it for quite a few years. I have suffered no ill effects yet but now I cut the patch in half and only use it once a week instead of twice - so I've cut way back.
I was also part of the "first wave" birth control generation so I'm probably more at risk than some.
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| I had been on bio identical hormone replacement with BiEst and Progesterone AND testosterone! It really helped my hot flashes, energy level, depression and emotions and libido. But, I did start gaining weight. I am not taking anything now, mainly because we no longer have insurance to cover it. I would strongly urge you to go with bioidenticals! Best wishes with feeling better!
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USED2BETHIN
2/13/06 8:13 P
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| I have been taking soy suplements for several years and they work great for me. I am in menopause and suffered from night sweats and hot flashes that were awful. My weight gain has been from "grazing" on anything in sight. I have a compulsive eating disorder. Never full. No prescription HRT for me, no way. But to each his own. Best of luck
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Hi,
I'm 58. Have been on HRT for a few years. I first tried Premarin and Provera. When they published the results of that one study stating the negatives of Premarin and Provera I switched. My MD was not very helpful. I then went to a ND (naturopathic doctor) She prescribed bio-identical hormones. They are fantastic and haven't had any side-effects.
My 85 y/o mother was on HRT and never had any ill effects. She looks darn good for 85.
Ultimately you have to decide what's right for you. I could not stand not sleeping at night...I felt like I always had the flu. + those awful hot flashes. I tried black cohosh and some other stuff but it didn't do a thing. Everyone is different. You might have to experiment to see what works best for you.
Good luck.
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MPROM2LADY
2/12/06 10:26 P
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I'm 54 and have never been on HRT...and I'm in menopause. I have a dear friend that was just diagnosed with the most agressive form of breast cancer, and she had been on Estratest for 5 years. The call is yours, but if it were me, I would look into alternatives other than drug therapy. A good exercise program, proper nutrition (whole foods) good oils (grapeseed, coconut, medium chain triglycerides). You will see a difference quickly! Good Luck!
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| How many of you are on hormone replacement therapy? I am thinking of going on it; feel tired, and have all the usual 50+ symptoms! Have any of you noticed a weight gain when taking it? Or, does it help re-distribute your weight and perhaps make us look younger? I'm hearing good things about Estratest which is a combo of estrogen and testosterone ( a small amount) like your body makes naturally before menopause. What's your experience with Premarin? I'm seeing my GYN in a couple weeks, so I'm doing a bit of research on my own, before the visit. Thanks, ladies!
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