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Post by omaklackey on Jun 27, 2012 13:40:01 GMT -5
Oh, and I'm doing the Vivelle dot estradiol and premarin vaginal cream. I don't know enough about hormones to really know which are bioidentical. Going to be doing some research these last few days before school starts to figure it all out. Hormones are so confusing. Hyster Sisters has a special section called the "hormone jungle". I find it very appropriate!
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Post by JC on Jun 27, 2012 14:39:46 GMT -5
Those DO's are both great doctors in the area and I have worked with Dr. Errico at the hospital but they are both in the clinic that doesn't take my insurance. That really sucks.
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Post by Karen on Jun 27, 2012 16:22:26 GMT -5
I hope the PPT works out! It's amazing what those internal muscles can do to pull everything out of alignment. Surgery won't fix it, so I'm glad you're looking into options! I think I'd feel a little weird bringing a wand to an appointment, but if that's what needs to be done, then so be it! Just don't drop your purse and have the thing go flying out!!
And as for the estrogen she's going to put you on, they aren't bio-identical. Premarin starts out as pregnant horse (mare) urine (pre - ma - rin) and is converted into synthetic estrogen. So essentially, the starting blocks are stronger hormones from another species. Premarin is the drug that was used in all the studies regarding hormone replacement therapy and its risks. At the right dose, you should be fine, but I think it was the one-size fits all approach that a lot of doctors were doing for that study was partially to blame. If you're getting a cream, you likely have some flexibility with dosage, which wouldn't make me as nervous about it. From what I recall, premarin uses (2) forms of estrogen, but leaves out the 3rd really protective form of estrogen that protects against cancers, but because it's such a weak hormone in comparison to the other two, they left it out, though it can be supplemented in bio-identical form.
I'm not trying to scare you - just pass along what I know - I swear! It's a jungle, that we can agree on!
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Post by omaklackey on Jun 27, 2012 17:24:29 GMT -5
I'm even more confused because the vivelle dot says it is bio identical and so does the cream when I looked it up. ARGH!
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Post by Karen on Jun 27, 2012 17:31:52 GMT -5
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Post by omaklackey on Jun 27, 2012 19:21:25 GMT -5
That article helped a little. The premarin is the vaginal cream. It has very little systemic affect, I was having horribly painful sex and issues with vaginitis etc. The patch which is what is delivering the actual hormones is bio identical. Apparently they are all expensive though so hopefully I can afford them.
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Post by omaklackey on Jul 3, 2012 18:10:42 GMT -5
I have been using the Premarin with some success but I'm really stuck with a question and so far I haven't found a good (Doctor/Evidenced based) answer. If I am using this Premarin cream and having sex, can it be absorbed by my husband when we have sex? So far he has just run and cleaned off as soon as possible but its a little nerve wracking! LOL I sent a call to the Doctor about it and searched all my resources. Hopefully she calls back soon. The whole reason I'm using it is because Sex was getting so painful, so If it rubs off on my husband or causes him issues its kind of pointless. I'm also hoping to feel some effects from the systemic hormones soon. I'm mostly hoping for a leveling of the overall mood. I had my CT scan today and once the junk is out of my system I will do my Sitz Marker test. The CT contrast is cleaning out my bowels nicely. LOL I know sometimes it constipates people but so far its having the opposite effect. Hopefully it continues to do that until its gone.
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Post by Karen on Jul 3, 2012 18:31:44 GMT -5
Hmm, that's a good question! I was always told to take the estrogen cream in the morning (I was taking bio-identical) and it absorbed by the time I was getting busy. Let us know what the doc says!
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Post by omaklackey on Jul 3, 2012 20:13:20 GMT -5
I picked up my script for Premarin cream and the pharmacist couldn't even answer my question. My doctor called back and they didn't know either. No one has ever wondered about it. I just like Sex and rather NOT have my husband grow man boobies ( a printed side effect on the side of the med).
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Post by Karen on Jul 3, 2012 22:44:16 GMT -5
Can you use it another time - either way before or just after sex? Or was it prescribed to be used as a lubricant during sex?
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Post by omaklackey on Jul 4, 2012 13:41:18 GMT -5
Its to be taken at night and the nurse just suggested I take it after sex. I can use it while he is gone on his 48 hour shift but I still see left over cream several days after I use it. How do I know that cream no longer has medication in it. I guess the real issue is I don't want to use any of these hormones. Did you know they did a long term 10 year study on the use of hormones but they had to discontinue it because it was no longer humanely possible to continue it due to the cancer, blood clots and death. Does that sound like something I want to use at any time.. Its so frustrating and confusing! I also believe in my heart of hearts that the Endo is not gone and that by using the estrogen I am going to speed up the growth of what's left. I hate having to prove myself right once again by getting myself into yet another huge surgery to clean it all up. I'm just having a rough week and I really am frustrated and depressed by all this. Maybe this is just the Estrogen though? Instead of helping with the mood swings it swung me right into depression? The timing is right. They said I would feel a change around a week and I would know if it was working when the hot flashes slowed down.
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Post by Karen on Jul 4, 2012 15:39:05 GMT -5
The long term study was done using premarin/prempro, both of which are synthetic hormones made from pregnant mare urine. They aren't metabolized and used in the body the same way as our own hormones. There's a big difference between synthetic and bio-identicals. I totally understand your concerns being on them, and would encourage you to talk to your doctor about your concerns. If you're worried the estrogen will fuel more endo growth, ask her about balancing it out with progesterone. Please tell me she tested your hormone levels prior to prescribing?? I'm going to assume the answer is yes since she seems like a rock star, but have to ask. If she's prescribing without testing/follow up testing, yes, I'd be concerned about estrogen levels going unchecked and making things worse, but if done in balance, there may not be as much concern. Estrogen is something our bodies NEED, no ifs ands or buts about it, but if you upset the balance that nature intends for us, it can be not so good. Here's an article about the differences between synthetic and bio-identical. It's from lef.org, which is my go-to for science-based info: www.lef.org/magazine/mag2009/oct2009_Bioidentical-Hormones_01.htm?source=search&key=premarin%20bioidentical%20estrogen It's long, but perhaps it'll shed some light on things. I know hormone replacement therapy got a bad rap for the large study that was forced to end early, but that was only due to the synthetic, one-sized fits all approach. Oh, and as for the cream sticking around - do you spread it out? I always applied to my labia and inner thighs so it formed a very thin layer and it never stuck around long. Might be something to think about or talk to the doc about doing (if you're not already). Then again, I was using bio-identical and it was suspended in an olive oil base so it absorbed right in. All that being said, I can sense your frustration. It's not easy for us to go through so many ups and downs, trying new things, not feeling great, etc. But, you're determined. And you're persistent. And you'll get to where you need to be eventually, k?
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Post by omaklackey on Jul 4, 2012 16:23:15 GMT -5
She didn't test ANYTHING! She didn't ask me my opinion on hormones. She barely talked to me. She didn't tell me how often to take it, or when to take it. She didn't tell me how much to take even? I had to call the Nurse and she couldn't even find that information in the notes so had to call me back after talking to the doctor. She just said "lets get you out of menopause" and that was that. I went to her because I wanted that sympathetic ear and I got NOTHING. She asked me who told me not to use hormones. I told her my doctor who did the hysterectomy. She said under her breath that whoever said that doesn't know why its like, and then told me that she was going to get me some samples and left the room. Then Dr. pai came in. They did order the CT scan and the marker test because they were concerned the bowel may not be functioning properly. That was it. It was a very confusing appointment. The RN left us in there after for about 15 minutes and I finally stuck my head and said "I'm sorry, were we done?". The RN says yes and then we head out. An hour down the road we get a phone call. Dr. Pai's Nurse was supposed to come back in and talk to us and she missed us. How do I know how much to take? How do I know if it is working? I'm just really confused.
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Post by Karen on Jul 4, 2012 17:30:53 GMT -5
Hmm, yeah, I think you may want to take a step back for a minute and talk things over with the doc/nurse and make sure you're comfortable with what you're taking. Can you write down a list of questions and either email/call her with them and include a list of tests you'd request? The number one rule of hormone therapy is to give you a dose that's specific to YOU, and there's no way of figuring that out without testing, and there's no way to monitor how your body is reacting to things. With the premarin, I can see not testing as it's synthetic and likely won't show up on a blood test, but if the V (I forget what it's called) is bio-identical, that should show up on a test.
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Post by JC on Jul 5, 2012 8:35:19 GMT -5
You really need to talk to your doctor before you really get too deep into this. If you are confused then it needs to be cleared up. You don't want to be experimenting with your hormones. Is there a chance to talk to her on the phone? Tell her that you are not clear on your instructions and do not feel safe trying to figure it out by yourself. I think this won't be so overwhelming if you just knew what was going on. They left you confused and frustrated and that's not the way to treat people.
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