How do you handle symptoms of menopause?
Pat
A question for menopausal women
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
I really just am curious how others are handling this.
Last fall I couldn't stand the hot flashes, vaginal drynes, and the worst - not sleeping. I put up with it as long as I could - years, but with the MC problems I couldn't stand it any longer. I went on a patch. It worked but I was scared of it. I recently have started the bio-identical hormones and they are finally working.
Pat
Last fall I couldn't stand the hot flashes, vaginal drynes, and the worst - not sleeping. I put up with it as long as I could - years, but with the MC problems I couldn't stand it any longer. I went on a patch. It worked but I was scared of it. I recently have started the bio-identical hormones and they are finally working.
Pat
Well, Thank Goodness the bio-identical hormones are working.
You have enough to deal with already with your intolerances...
How long has it been since you went into menopause???
Initially, I tried HRT's, but didn't like how they made me feel, so discussed with my doctor and went off of them.
For vaginal dryness, I use premarin cream at a very low dose, twice a week and it works. Plus, if you have problems with UTI's from menopause the premarin helps prevent those too.
I am on an anti-depressant so that really helps me and I have an anxiety med on hand but only take that as needed.
I know the insomnia is awful. I could lie awake half the night and still get up at 5 am..
Lunesta is great when you can't stand the insomnia anymore.
Gosh!! I sound like a walking pharmacy, don't I???
But I don't take some all of the time.
Love
Dee~~~
You have enough to deal with already with your intolerances...
How long has it been since you went into menopause???
Initially, I tried HRT's, but didn't like how they made me feel, so discussed with my doctor and went off of them.
For vaginal dryness, I use premarin cream at a very low dose, twice a week and it works. Plus, if you have problems with UTI's from menopause the premarin helps prevent those too.
I am on an anti-depressant so that really helps me and I have an anxiety med on hand but only take that as needed.
I know the insomnia is awful. I could lie awake half the night and still get up at 5 am..
Lunesta is great when you can't stand the insomnia anymore.
Gosh!! I sound like a walking pharmacy, don't I???
But I don't take some all of the time.
Love
Dee~~~
"What the heart gives away is never gone ... It is kept in the hearts of others."
Dee,
I still have all my parts so Premarin cream is out. The patch worked great, a little breast tenderness but I was just scared of the long term effects, namely breast cancer. Tried Lunesta - do you not get that awful taste in your mouth? Also have used Ambien. It works pretty good. Used it mainly when I took Prednisone; Prednisone was horrible, talk about not sleeping!
I have been menopausal almost 5 years. I tried OTC things at first like a soy protein drink, black cohosh, etc. The soy protein drink worked a little but nothing like HRT or the bio-identical. I wish I hadn't waited so long. Just curious how other people handle it. I talk to my patients all the time and get varied responses.
Pat
P.S. BTW - no breast tenderness with the bio-identical.
I still have all my parts so Premarin cream is out. The patch worked great, a little breast tenderness but I was just scared of the long term effects, namely breast cancer. Tried Lunesta - do you not get that awful taste in your mouth? Also have used Ambien. It works pretty good. Used it mainly when I took Prednisone; Prednisone was horrible, talk about not sleeping!
I have been menopausal almost 5 years. I tried OTC things at first like a soy protein drink, black cohosh, etc. The soy protein drink worked a little but nothing like HRT or the bio-identical. I wish I hadn't waited so long. Just curious how other people handle it. I talk to my patients all the time and get varied responses.
Pat
P.S. BTW - no breast tenderness with the bio-identical.
Now you have me really curious, Pat..
I still have all of my parts too, so what does the premarin have to do with that????
I did have hot flashes, but mostly during the night..
My husband suffered more than I because I'd throw the covers off. Then when I cooled off, I'd pull the covers back up.. All that while I was sleeping. I wouldn't remember that, when he would tell me the next day...
It's been 6 years for me and no hot flashes now.
Love
Dee~~~
I still have all of my parts too, so what does the premarin have to do with that????
I did have hot flashes, but mostly during the night..
My husband suffered more than I because I'd throw the covers off. Then when I cooled off, I'd pull the covers back up.. All that while I was sleeping. I wouldn't remember that, when he would tell me the next day...
It's been 6 years for me and no hot flashes now.
Love
Dee~~~
"What the heart gives away is never gone ... It is kept in the hearts of others."
Hi Pat,
I took the patch for a month or so, but reacted to the latex and stopped taking it. Then I was on PremPro for a couple of years, but stopped it just prior to the study which showed a slight increase in strokes. Both of my parents had strokes in their 60's and I couldn't take the risk. The PremPro was great - no hot flashes, no urinary incontinence, etc. Once I went off it, all problems returned and I just dealt with it for the next 8 or so years. I still deal with the slight urinary incontinence, but it's occasional and I'll wear a small pad when I remember.
I still get occasional hot flashes after being in menopause for 7 years, but they are usually during the day and don't disrupt my sleep.
I don't have any advice for you because I stopped taking anything. I'm curious about the premarin cream, Dee. Is it OTC or do you need a prescription? Does it have the same risk for strokes as the PremPro? Does it reduce the urninary incontinence?
Gloria
I took the patch for a month or so, but reacted to the latex and stopped taking it. Then I was on PremPro for a couple of years, but stopped it just prior to the study which showed a slight increase in strokes. Both of my parents had strokes in their 60's and I couldn't take the risk. The PremPro was great - no hot flashes, no urinary incontinence, etc. Once I went off it, all problems returned and I just dealt with it for the next 8 or so years. I still deal with the slight urinary incontinence, but it's occasional and I'll wear a small pad when I remember.
I still get occasional hot flashes after being in menopause for 7 years, but they are usually during the day and don't disrupt my sleep.
I don't have any advice for you because I stopped taking anything. I'm curious about the premarin cream, Dee. Is it OTC or do you need a prescription? Does it have the same risk for strokes as the PremPro? Does it reduce the urninary incontinence?
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Gloria, I use the very lowest dose of the premarin and it does work. (0.5)
It is prescribed by my PCP, which is a female and I have alot of faith in her.
I'm not researched on the side effects as far as strokes, etc...
I have never dealt with incontinence and I think that is because I have always done Kegel exercises and have benefited from them.
Dee~~
It is prescribed by my PCP, which is a female and I have alot of faith in her.
I'm not researched on the side effects as far as strokes, etc...
I have never dealt with incontinence and I think that is because I have always done Kegel exercises and have benefited from them.
Dee~~
"What the heart gives away is never gone ... It is kept in the hearts of others."
Dee,
This is a little out of my league, but this may be what Pat was referring to:
http://www.premarin.com/side_effects.aspx
Tex
This is a little out of my league, but this may be what Pat was referring to:
From:In general, the addition of a progestin is recommended for women with a uterus to reduce the chance of getting cancer of the uterus.
http://www.premarin.com/side_effects.aspx
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I'll tell ya one thing, we cover everything from head to toe on our board!!!!! 
Have to quote Martha Stewart here, "Which is a good thing!!"
Knowing my PCP, that is why she set the dosing at the lowest amount and only twice a week.
She & I work very closely together and there has been many a time when she's left the examining room and has gone into her office to come back with some of her medical books when she & I want to hash some things out.
She knows that I do alot of research and am very pro-active about my health.
Thanks for the info..
Love
Dee~~~
Have to quote Martha Stewart here, "Which is a good thing!!"
Knowing my PCP, that is why she set the dosing at the lowest amount and only twice a week.
She & I work very closely together and there has been many a time when she's left the examining room and has gone into her office to come back with some of her medical books when she & I want to hash some things out.
She knows that I do alot of research and am very pro-active about my health.
Thanks for the info..
Love
Dee~~~
"What the heart gives away is never gone ... It is kept in the hearts of others."
Dee wrote:I'll tell ya one thing, we cover everything from head to toe on our board!!!!!
Ain't that the truth.I'm sure you're right about your PCP's reasons. That sounds completely logical.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Dee,
I would follow your Dr's advice! She knows you and if you are having good results and are comfortable with it then that is best. I was told that I should not use the Premarin cream for the reasons Tex mentioned. I just think it is interesting how different people handle this situation. Thanks for sharing!
Gloria,
It was my intention to not take any hormones and didn't for several years. I just couldn't handle both menopause and MC any more. Hopefully I'll get the MC under control and then maybe be able to wean off the hormones. Although the bio- identical proponents really think it is protective. I don't know what to believe anymore. Thank you for sharing too!
Pat
I would follow your Dr's advice! She knows you and if you are having good results and are comfortable with it then that is best. I was told that I should not use the Premarin cream for the reasons Tex mentioned. I just think it is interesting how different people handle this situation. Thanks for sharing!
Gloria,
It was my intention to not take any hormones and didn't for several years. I just couldn't handle both menopause and MC any more. Hopefully I'll get the MC under control and then maybe be able to wean off the hormones. Although the bio- identical proponents really think it is protective. I don't know what to believe anymore. Thank you for sharing too!
Pat
Hi Pat,
I had about 6 months with a natural product that worked, then they took it off the market, and I couldn't find out all the ingredients or get anything else that worked. I had problem hot flushes.
The doc put me on Kliogest Oral HRT around September last year. I stopped taking it a month or so ago and switched to patches when I found the HRT caused my MC flare. I didn't react straight away, but slowly started having more and more 'bad days' for no reason, and by March it had turned into full on MC. My MC stopped immediately when I stopped the pills and hasn't restarted since I have been on the patches.
I plan to wean off these around the end of the year - after the house renovation is done. Right now I just don't need another stress source.
Lyn
I had about 6 months with a natural product that worked, then they took it off the market, and I couldn't find out all the ingredients or get anything else that worked. I had problem hot flushes.
The doc put me on Kliogest Oral HRT around September last year. I stopped taking it a month or so ago and switched to patches when I found the HRT caused my MC flare. I didn't react straight away, but slowly started having more and more 'bad days' for no reason, and by March it had turned into full on MC. My MC stopped immediately when I stopped the pills and hasn't restarted since I have been on the patches.
I plan to wean off these around the end of the year - after the house renovation is done. Right now I just don't need another stress source.
Lyn
