Menopause/Hormonal Support

[[Cr...]]

Thank you both. I have a double whammy too, in January I took a "morning after pill " it's a huge dose of progesterone. I got an early period January then a regular one in February. I read that pill can also cause extremely irregular periods. I can't even begin to describe how I felt last month in benzo withdrawal topped with my hormones all wacky. At the end of February I changed my diet to gluten and dairy free because I had food allergies. So a lot of changes I guess my body is catching up.  I'm trying my best not to obsess.

[[Cr...]]

And the only "help" my gynecologist will give me is something called provera  another dose of progesterone to bring on a period. Not sure I want to mess with progesterone since I had such an awful experience. I am at the tail end of my taper I fear messing with my hormones could push me to reinstate

[[Sm...]]

hmm yea if I was near the end of my taper I'd be playing it safe.

Period will come eventually xx

[[ih...]]

And the only "help" my gynecologist will give me is something called provera  another dose of progesterone to bring on a period. Not sure I want to mess with progesterone since I had such an awful experience. I am at the tail end of my taper I fear messing with my hormones could push me to reinstate

 

Sorry you are having these problems. Provera was used a contraceptive in the 1970s, (yes I was there), & some users would frequently have such horrible side fx, (including bad depression), that they would discontinue & prefer to risk pregnancy. It's another synthetic progesterone & IMO best avoided, along with all synthetics.

 

If at all possible, I would hold off or find a doctor who will rx bioidenticals.

[[Cr...]]

I mean I'm in no rush to get a period just scared that I missed it. Like I said I did miss one last year when I started my taper. Rationally I know it's benzo related but the crazy withdrawal brain creeps in and tells me it's cancer or something terrible. 

[[Cr...]]

If provera is anything like that morning after pill (both progesterone) I can't handle that assault on my body again. I would risk pregnancy. Last month I felt like I was dying with the anxiety and depression.

[[Ra...]]

Dear V - I would not attempt to taper my hormones during a taper. I'm still adjusting based on lab work though,

 

Craz - you are so young, this benzo w/d does mess with your hormones. I would not worry about it.  They will come back just fine I'm sure.  When  your body is under stress, it can take hormones and make them into other hormones, throwing everything off.  You will be fine.  How  if you had sever pain your back or pelvic area, I would say to get checked out immediately.

 

Hugs,

 

Rabbit

[[Cr...]]

Thank you Rabbit.

No, I did not have pain other than slight cramps the week I was supposed to get my period. If anything I have had the longest most wonderful window. Other than feeling a little anxious about the missing period I have high energy, low anxiety and depression. I feel optimistic better than I have felt in a long time. It has been a very long year taper.

[[Sm...]]

I'm back on small dose estrogen patch.

If I'm off it for a few days I get heart palps. Nothing really else but irritating heart palps. And heart palps are irritating. They are so hard to ignore. In many ways I'd prefer anxiety than heart palps. At least with anxiety there are things you can do and/or ignore.

 

Sigghh.. anyway that is my status:

 

and 8th of a patch of estrogen (fine except the weight gain)

Full bloods on Monday

Seeing bio identical hormone dr this week after bloods

 

We shall see

I'm sure she'll suggest some progesterone. I'm scared to mess with the stuff though... hmmm.. I just don't know on that one

 

May the hormones be with you ladies 

[[do...]]

Hi all:

 

I went to a bioidentical hormone specialist/gynecologist this week.  He says I have pcos and wants me to take Metformin for it.  I am leery about taking it as I have had wicked stomach issues through taper and jump from ativan.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Sincerely,

 

Domestic Advisor

[[Ra...]]

Hi all:

 

I went to a bioidentical hormone specialist/gynecologist this week.  He says I have pcos and wants me to take Metformin for it.  I am leery about taking it as I have had wicked stomach issues through taper and jump from ativan.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Sincerely,

 

Domestic Advisor

 

DP - I had to look up both your Dx and also the Rx.  I did see stomach issues as a side effect.  You could always try it.  It may not bother you.  I understand your reluctance though.  Maybe someone else who is familiar with this will chime in.

 

Best of wishes,

 

Rabbit

[[Sm...]]

Hi all:

 

I went to a bioidentical hormone specialist/gynecologist this week.  He says I have pcos and wants me to take Metformin for it.  I am leery about taking it as I have had wicked stomach issues through taper and jump from ativan.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Sincerely,

 

Domestic Advisor

 

Hi DA

 

I don't have experience with that in particular. But, if you are only worried about stomach issues could you not get topical/patch/vaginal treatments?

[[do...]]

Hi Smiff:

 

Thanks for the reply.  I don't know a whole lot about possible treatments for this.  I was thinking he would have given me a cream or something as I mentioned my stomach issues.  I will have to ask more about this.  I am going to make an appointment with my nurse practioner soon as I need new blood workup to see if my iron/zinc levels have improved and to discuss the specialist appointment.  I will ask her about your suggestions

  Thank you!

 

Domestic Advisor

[[Do...]]

Advice please.  I am almost 50 and had a partial hysterectomy at 32.  I still have ovaries, but no ideas when or if I menstruate.  I am seeing patterns during my WD of periods of increased insomnia and anxiety.  Last November, I had blood work done that showed my estrogen levels were extremely low, but my progesterone levels were normal.  My doctor suggested trying estradiol pill 5mg in the morning on an empty stomach.  Right away I got nausea as I have a very sensitive stomach.  After a week, I was dragging with immense fatigue.  I looked it up on line and found that estradiol suppress thyroid medication.  I take that too.  So I went off the estradiol.

 

Lately my WD efforts are bouncing all around.  I am thinking of trying the estradiol pill again and taking it in the evening after dinner.  If I get nausea, I am going to ask for the patch and bypass the stomach and liver.  I have read and reread so much conflicting information on the web about the need for progesterone without a uterus.  That is why I am just starting with estradiol for now.  Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. 

 

 

[[Do...]]

I just needed to clarify that I was taking a .5mg estradiol pill, not 5mg.  Thanks.

[[...]]

Hi Do-over,

I think your plan to switch to a patch instead of a pill sounds like a good one.  It is said to be a much more effective method of delivery by not having to go through first pass metabolism by taking it orally.

 

Regarding the progesterone, my doctor does not believe it is necessary if you do not have a uterus since the sole purpose of taking it in hormone replacement therapy is to prevent the lining of the uterus from building up.

 

My mother had a hysterectomy at 36, went into early surgical menopause in her early 40s and has been on an estradiol patch ever since - she is now 72.  She has never been on progesterone and never needed it without a uterus.

 

Estradiol works on the same receptors as benzos but do not bind to the same site.  If you can get your hormonal fluctuations under control, I believe it will make this tapering business much more manageable. 

 

I do not want to be prescriptive, especially with your information regarding thyroid meds but have you discussed this with your doctor? 

 

From my own experience since I am on both E and P is that the P is very tricky during withdrawal.  I have to take it because I still have a uterus but I sure wish I didn't.

 

I wish you luck with your decision.  It may be that because an estrogen patch is absorbed through the skin that it will not effect the metabolism of your thyroid meds but your doctor should know the answer to this.

[[Sm...]]

Hey Do

 

Yes nausea via oral hormones is not uncommon.

There are lots of plusses for patches: avoiding nausea, not having to get past metabolism and I'm pretty sure there are more bio-identical versions of estriadol via patch than oral.

 

It is definitely worth a go. Even at my age - 34 - my benzo w/d gets worse with low estrogen.

 

If you can avoid progesterone you may as well keep it up. If you have enough naturally you don't really need to supplement it.

 

Good luck and keep us posted

Love

Smiff x

[[Do...]]

Thank you Smiff and Eliz for your advice.  It was hard enough to withdraw off this when I was 40.  Now, it is even harder with all the hormone stuff and age thrown in.  I am planning on holding my Valium at 10mg while I try the estrogen patch.  I can only try one thing at a time so I can notice changes... hopefully good changes.  I SO need that right now. 

[[Sm...]]

Sounds good Do 

I agree: trying patch without benzo w/d confusing things is a wise call.

Keep us posted dear one. You aren't alone with having to deal with these darned irritating hormones 

[[Di...]]

Hi Do-Over

 

I agree that trying the patch would be a good thing. I use a medium dose patch of 50mcg which is equivalent to a 2mg estradiol tablet, so your 0.5mg tablet was a very low dose. So if it was upsetting your stomach hopefully the patch will be better. You could also try an estradiol gel as well. Also, seeing as you are taking a very low dose, you might need to play around with the dose if you find the patch or gel more tolerable.

 

Re the progesterone - normally it's not prescribed to women without a uterus, but I have read that some women can find some benefits from using it anyway, but of course that would only be under medical supervision. Personally if I could live without progesterone I would.

[[Do...]]

Smiff, you said that there are more bio-identical versions of estriadol via patch than oral.  When I mentioned that to my GP, he said, "what?"  I am wondering if I need to go to a different doctor who knows more about women's issues.  My GP has been great with the WD process, but wants me to wait on trying the patch until I am having hot flashes.  I don't want to wait that long.  What kind of doctor would you suggest I see?  There aren't a lot of options where I live about bio-identical hormones and no compounding pharmacies.  Is estriadol gel a prescription? 

[[...]]

Smiff, you said that there are more bio-identical versions of estriadol via patch than oral.  When I mentioned that to my GP, he said, "what?"  I am wondering if I need to go to a different doctor who knows more about women's issues.  My GP has been great with the WD process, but wants me to wait on trying the patch until I am having hot flashes.  I don't want to wait that long.  What kind of doctor would you suggest I see?  There aren't a lot of options where I live about bio-identical hormones and no compounding pharmacies.  Is estriadol gel a prescription?

 

Hi Do-Over,

If you go to your doctor with brand names of bio-identical estradiol options she can look in her medication book and see for herself that they are available.  Are you in the United States?  If so the patch name is Vivel Dot and the gel name is Divigel.  They both come in varying dose amounts.  They are both covered by insurance if the doctor codes it properly as menopause.

 

I hope this helps

[[Do...]]

Thank you so much Eliz!  It will help to have the name of the patch or gel.  I am so grateful for this board where we can share and help each other.  I really appreciate the help.

[[Di...]]

Is there a "menopause society" (or similar) in the US? Here in Australia the Australian Menopause Society has a page for all the available types of hormone treatments. I think there might also be others as well, because the list my doctor has seems to be longer.

 

http://www.menopause.org.au/for-women/information-sheets/426-ams-guide-to-equivalent-hrt-doses

[[VC...]]

Another brand of estradiol patch is Miniville.