estrogen

[Birky]

I was told by my Dr. that I have to go off the estrogen patches. I heard on the TV this morning that hormone replacement can cause Alzheimers, strokes and heart attacks. Have any of you been told this? I don't think I will be a very nice person with hot flashes all the time but I will have to try.

 

[Karlynn]

I wasn't told the specifics, but I have been told by my PCP and my card. that HRT was not something I should count on for me.

 

[SJJ]

Marcia,

I came off hormones (Prempro) about 2 years ago when it hit the news that HRT had unanticipated risk factors. I certainly have not enjoyed the return of hot flashes! When I hear people talk about how cold they feel after OHS I'm almost thrilled and count this a definite plus I'm looking forward to after my surgery. I find I'm much more comfortable in the winter. Any extra warmth at all seems to trigger a hot flash, so cool weather is a definite preference for me. I've been known to dawdle near the freezer section at the grocery and once slapped a bag of frozen peas on my neck while in the check out line. I also find that I don't sleep as soundly, usually waking up at least a couple of times a night feeling like a furnace. My husband moves to the far side of the bed to avoid the heat but my two cats cuddle up tight finding me especially attractive. There are some herbal remedies that some women find useful which you may want to try, check with your doc first. I tried them to no avail and decided to just tough it out. I have friends who discovered they were pretty much past their symptoms by the time they gave up their hormones so maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones. Good luck!
Sue

 

[Georgia]

Yup - I never could take them because of previous bout with breast cancer. And I did lose hot flashes after surgery; they have come back in the last couple of months but not nearly as bad a prior to surgery. It sucks.

I'd be really cautious of the plant estrogens - who's to say that they don't cause the same problems as the medical estrogens? They certainly haven't been tested, since they're "food supplements".

Seems silly to grouse about such things after having such a major operation etc., but sometimes it's the little things. . .

 

[Birky]

herbal remedies

herbal remedies

I am really afraid to take these because of the medicine I am already on. I guess I will go cold turkey the way I did with smoking. It makes you wonder what the long term side effects of all this medicine is. Thanks for your input,

 

[SHerrin Hutt]

estrogen

Hi
Boy can I tell some stories about be taken off hrt after a stroke in the hosp. The nurse could not fiqure why the pads wouldn't stay on my sweaty skin. I was off them till after surgery three mo. I was going crazy.Hot flashes, night sweets, mood swings. Thank God they gave them back I thinnnk I would have been in the locaLl mental, but I probably belong there anyway. I finally told my Cardiologist if he didn't give them back they would be taking me to the top floor of the hosp(mental ward). I told him believe me you don't want to live with a women with no hormones.I'll take my chance with the risks over the side effects any day.

Sherrin
valve repair5/99
Valve replacement 3/02

 

[Kathy]

I started perimenopause at 43 or 44. I felt like the hormone queen with hot flashes and mood swings. The hot flashes woke me up 3 or 4 times a night and then I often had trouble getting back to sleep. I was constantly tired. My moods were so volatile. I remember that I would be driving in my car and suddenly feel terribly sad. I had no idea where that feeling was coming from. I would steel myself and get through a day of teaching, then come home to my 6 year old and want to scream all night long. It ws a constant battle to keep myself under control. I was just filled with rage at times. (My husband called it MEANopause. LOL) I had never felt anything like it before or since. I wondered if that rage was what hardened criminals and child abusers experience.

I had my last period at 46 and was put on HRT several months afterward. It took about 2 months to adjust to the meds. I was SO comfortable and calm after that.

Fast forward 4 1/2 years to my diagnosis of severe MVP. 6 months later my gyn took me off HRT due to studies that idicated risk. I was a wreck; I couldn't stand the thought of going back to the insanity of menopause. Surprisingly enough, I was pretty calm. The hot flashes returned, but only once or twice a night. I was terribly tired, but of course, that was the MVP. I assumed the exhaustion was due to being off HRT.

Surgery did seem to stir up my hormones. I had a period at 4 or 5 days after surgery. (That was scary, I thought I was hemmoraging.) Both males and females have reported hot flashes after OHS. I had them all day and night. Every time I had one I wondered if it was due to surgery or menopause. They lasted about 4 or 5 months and have disappeared completely.

I am just hoping and praying that my hormonal difficulties are over. I never liked roller coasters.