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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Friday, April 21, 2006 - 4:21 pm
I thought we used to have a thread for this but I couldn't find it. About a year ago I couldn't take the hot flashes and night sweats any longer and I went on a low dosage of Premarin. .3mg to be exact. Now I'm finding that it has stopped helping that much. I'm going to ask my doctor about doubling the dose or whatever she recommends. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I stalled going on HRT for several years because I had heard some bad things about it but finally I just couldn't take it anymore and went on the very low dose. Have any of you had this problem?
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 2:22 am
Yes, it can happen. If you've gained or lost weight your needs change. If you started taking it when you were perimenopause but now are completely in menopause your needs change. There are other options available besides Premarin. I had a hysterectomy so I don't have to have progesterone so I use the Vivelle dot. It's an estrogen only patch that I change out twice a week. It's great cause it goes straight to my system. i have found http://www.hormonejungle.com/ to be a great resource. It is mainly for women who have gone through surgical menopause but the information and links are useful to all menopausers.
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 4:44 pm
Hey, Annie! That's good info. I had a hysterectomy and the doc put me on Estratest which I was on for several years. Then I heard the bad things about it and stopped taking anything at all for a couple of years. Big mistake. The hot flashes and night sweats made me murderous. LOL So I went on the low dose Premarin and it worked great for a while but now not so much. My problem with being on estrogen only (which I was right after the hysto) was that I had NO sex drive at all. No fun when you are married. That's when the doc put me on the Estratest which contained a mix of estrogen and progesterone. I'll definately talk to the doc about the patch. Thanks so much!
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 4:33 am
Actually, estratest is estrogen mixed with testosterone. The testosterone is what helps with the sex drive, but it can also have some nasty side effects like increase anger and hair growth (no wonder men are hairy and ill tempered! LOL) i love the patch because it goes straight to your blood system by passing your stomach so you can take a lower dose. here's another good site http://www.earlymenopause.com/hrt_estratest.htm
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 11:55 pm
Duh! I meant to say testosterone. LOL Yes, testosterone helps with the sex drive but I've also heard that it can cause an increase in breast cancer in women and other side effects. That's why I went off of it. I'm definately going to talk to my gyn about the patch.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Monday, April 24, 2006 - 12:14 am
Good luck! hope you find something that works for you. It's such a hit and miss sometimes.
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Jan
Moderator
08-01-2000
| Monday, April 24, 2006 - 11:11 am
I think my Mom went off Premarin a few years ago when they found the dangerous side effects?? It might be something to consider before doubling your dose??? Even Premarin's own website has this to say: Important Safety Information What is the most important information you should know about PREMARIN (estrogens), PREMPRO (a combination of estrogens and a progestin), or PREMARIN Vaginal Cream (a cream of estrogens)? * Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are using these products. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb). Your health care provider should check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find out the cause. * Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens, with or without progestins, may increase your risk of dementia, based on a study of women age 65 years or older. You and your health care provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with estrogens
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Imbewitched
Member
03-08-2002
| Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 5:46 am
Texannie - Don't you just love the patch! After my hysto. I was put on Premarin also but got off of it when the "scare" alert went up. But the hot flashes were just horrible so I went back to the dr. and he prescribed the Estridol patch. I love it! Twinkie - Good luck with finding what works for you.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 6:19 am
I love it so much! i am on the Vivelle dot. I also like that these are bioidentical hormones.
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 5:44 pm
Well, I went to my gyno who didn't listen to a thing I had to say and just gave me a script for a higher dose of Premarin. Needless to say I'm going to a new gyno next month. Not only about that but also because when I had my hysterectomy 10 years ago the doc also "tightened" up my bladder because I had some leaking problems. Well, it worked great for 10 years but now I am having even worse problems. Not just leaking but gushing. I now have to wear a maxipad 24/7. I asked the gyno about that and she snapped at me and said "we don't do that". Another reason I'm going to a new gyno. He is a urogynocologist. I can't wait to get this problem fixed. Its worse than having a period once a month!
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 5:57 pm
I think it's a very good thing that you are getting another doctor!
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 5:59 pm
I swear, Annie, I wanted to slap the smartass outa her! LOL
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 5:59 pm
I bet you did!!! what an idiot!
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 7:53 am
I would've cursed her out and then told everyone in the waiting room what a beyotch she was.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 8:02 am
I would report her. And then send Mocha in as she outlined above. 
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 8:16 am
Gawd, Twinkie. We all need to have some Mocha (or my dd) in us. I agree. That woman was dismissive, arrogant and not sensitive to you as a woman with real health needs. I won't say beyotch. I'll say ! (I think, unless that work becomes red dots.)
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Dahli
Member
11-27-2000
| Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 1:46 pm
What are they going to do to fix that Twinkie? Do you have any clue? My Mom is having this issue too and doesn't have any idea of her options.
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 5:26 pm
Thanks guys for your support! I'm thinking of reporting her to the AMA. Dahli, I think the only thing they can do in this case is surgery. When I had it done before it lasted 10 years so I don't mind doing it again. Trust me, its so bad I don't mind going under the knife and in fact I wish it was done yesterday. LOL Its been 10 years since I wore a sanitary pad and they are really uncomfortable!
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Emeraldfire
Member
03-05-2003
| Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 7:55 am
I'm having a hysterectomy on Friday. I see my doctor for a pre-op tomorrow morning and will be discussing hormone replacement. I wanted to ask all of you what was the big scare with Premarin and is the Vivelle dot a safer option? I'd appreciate any advice!
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 9:50 am
Good luck, Emeraldfire. I'll be thinking of you and offering a prayer everything goes just dandy. I take it both ovaries are coming out, right? Here's a site I found for Premarin: Premarin Information. And here's a site for the Vivelle Dot (I have no personal knowledge of either, btw): Vivelle Dot Information. Although I'm an advocate of taking nothing but natural supplements and an antidepressant, I do know some people are just unable to cope without something stronger. (Ask my dh, he was one!! LOL!) My grandmother, mom and sister all had breast cancer and my mom died of it. So that is why I am so immovable on this topic. Plus, if you spend any reading the warnings, the HRT stuff will scare you to death. But again, you have to decide what you can live with and what you can't--considering your personal health issues. Anyway, I recommend you read, weigh all the information and make a decision knowing all the risks and not just taking your doc's word for what to do. Oh, and check one other place here, under the Community Area: Perimenopause. I posted some very good information about general HRT issues there, if you go back to the beginning of that thread and read forward.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 10:37 am
I use the Vivelle dot which is a bioidentical hormone replacement. Premarin is a synthetic made from the urine of pregnant mares. There is also the option of compounded bioidentical hormones which mean hormones made in a compounding pharmacy based on your needs as per your doctor's orders. Then there are the over the counter soy based products. I can't take soy because I am hypothyroid and soy conflicts. I have used both compounded and prescription bioidentical hormones in various different delivery systems. I like the dot. be sure to have your doc do a baseline hormone level before your operation. that helps for reference but alot of managing hormones is by feel. www.hystersisters.com is a wonderful site with fantastic people and information. it really helped me and continues too. Good luck.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 10:59 am
I just noticed I put the wrong link for the Vivelle Dot. Here it is: Vivelle Dot Info.
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Emeraldfire
Member
03-05-2003
| Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:51 am
Thank you both Herckle and Texannie for the great sites and the information. It will be a complete hysterectomy so both ovaries will be removed. I will ask my doctor to do a baseline hormone level during the pre-op tests I take on Thursday. I have read the side effects of the hormone replacement and they are scary, but if I have to take one I'm leaning toward requesting the Vivelle Dot. Thank you both for your well wishes and prayers. I'm super nervous so I definitely appreciate both!
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 1:22 pm
You might not be able to go on ERT right after your surgery. I know if it's for endometriosis, you can't for 6 months. Be sure to start taking a good calcium supplement too. My doc recommends Walgreens generic version of Oscal.
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Dahli
Member
11-27-2000
| Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 6:32 pm
Some additional suggestions for upping our calcium and bone strength. Rule out hydrocholoric acid deficiency. Low stomach acid impairs calcium absorption. Reduce consumption of caffeine (it depletes calcium and magnesium), simple or refined sugars (also depletes calcium and lowers bone density), and alcohol (it can lower vitamin D metabolism). Include more fermented soy in the diet from tempeh, miso, fermented soy powders and soy sauce. Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables; they contain vitamin K needed for proper bone mineralization. Eliminate all soft drinks; they lower calcium levels and increase phosphate levels. Reduce salt, it increases calcium loss. Maintain a balanced daily intake of protein—50 grams for women (average body weight of 138 lbs), 63 grams for men (average body weight of 174 lbs). Too much protein depletes calcium from the bones; too little prevents collagen formation and associated enzymes. Reduce animal protein by opting for vegetable-based protein such as legumes. Develop an adequate exercise program that includes weight-bearing activities such as walking, hiking, stair climbing, dancing, weight training, jogging, skiing or low-impact aerobics. However, while regular movement and exercise is required to preserve bone mass and increase bone mineral density, excessive exercising can also lead to osteoporosis if menses are suppressed or the immune system is hyper-stimulated. Eat calcium-rich foods including canned salmon with the bones, broccoli, sesame and sunflower seeds, dark leafy vegetables, organic cheese and yogurt. Take your calcium supplements before bed with a glass of orange juice. The blood’s calcium level is lower at night so the rate of calcium absorption is greater. “Good fat” diets enhance bone density. High saturated fat diets promote bone loss. If your medication increases risk of osteoporosis, inquire if more natural approaches can be taken, or substitute it for one that does not. (Prednisone, Depo-Provera, steroids, blood thinners and diuretics are examples of drugs that increase risk.) Quit smoking. Take advantage of sunny days when you can and get at least 15 to 20 minutes of sunshine. Avoid antacids—they lower the acid in your gut and inhibit the absorption of calcium. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium into bone, and our bodies are capable of producing this vitamin when we are exposed to sun light for about 20 minutes per day. You can see how this is a problem during the winter months. A Swiss study shows that supplementing vitamin D also helps to reduce the risk of falls for the elderly. Magnesium is essential to convert vitamin D to its active form and yet magnesium deficiency is common in the elderly population as well as in those with osteoporosis. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include muscle cramps and twitching eyelids. Ipriflavone has been researched in over 60 different clinical studies, 16 of which are randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human studies. This compound is found naturally occurring in foods and plants. The richest source is alfalfa. It is also found in propolis from bees. Ipriflavone stimulates the synthesis and secretion of calcitonin from the thyroid gland. It also stimulates bone formation and increases bone density. It is more effective than prescription calcitonin at building bone and decreases fracture rates. Ipriflavone also inhibits inflammatory immune factors that pull calcium from bones. No bone rebuilding program should be without ipriflavone.
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