Menopause Support Group
Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.
I had a total hysterectomy for endometriosis in 1982. I have been on estrogen replacement, mainly vivelle dot .05 for the whole time.
Because I'm struggling financially, I started increasing the days I changed patches. My doctor also recommended that I could try that to wean myself off.
I have been going 10-15 days before changing one.
Anyway, I went to a gynecologist for a yearly visit to discuss continuing on estrogen. I have no health insurance, so I couldn't see my regular gynecologist. So, I went to an older, more unfamiliar one.
He said if I've gone that long in between changes and have been ok, then I should just stop them.
He also said new studies show that they actually can increase your chances of Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and because I had microscopic endometriosis and lost a kidney, I should go off of them.
He said he has few women who continue on estrogen into old age.
Well, I've noticed I've been getting increased moodiness the day or so after I would put a new patch on too. I wonder if it dumped too much estrogen into my system. My regular gynecologists nurse said it's because I waited so long to put a patch on.
The past two nights, after not changing the patch for 10 days, I have had insomnia, hot/cold flashes and felt heart skips.
I don't know what to do.
My poor husband managed to pay this dr the office visit, because I owe my regular gyn money and his office staff wouldn't let me see him even if I paid cash for the visit.
I still sent my old gyn dr directly a letter telling him I had made an appt and when I called back to ask a question, they told me they wouldn't see me because I owed money.
I told him I intended to pay for that days visit and that I am confused about what to do.
The dr who took me off of them said it should get better, but this is awful. I don't know if it would do any good to call him about my symptoms.
I need help, please give me your opinion.
Has anyone gone through this and does it get better?
Also, does anyone see a family dr for estrogen, and has anyone used estrogen for as long or longer than I have?
Sorry for so many questions, bit I am just miserable.
Thanks
Because I'm struggling financially, I started increasing the days I changed patches. My doctor also recommended that I could try that to wean myself off.
I have been going 10-15 days before changing one.
Anyway, I went to a gynecologist for a yearly visit to discuss continuing on estrogen. I have no health insurance, so I couldn't see my regular gynecologist. So, I went to an older, more unfamiliar one.
He said if I've gone that long in between changes and have been ok, then I should just stop them.
He also said new studies show that they actually can increase your chances of Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and because I had microscopic endometriosis and lost a kidney, I should go off of them.
He said he has few women who continue on estrogen into old age.
Well, I've noticed I've been getting increased moodiness the day or so after I would put a new patch on too. I wonder if it dumped too much estrogen into my system. My regular gynecologists nurse said it's because I waited so long to put a patch on.
The past two nights, after not changing the patch for 10 days, I have had insomnia, hot/cold flashes and felt heart skips.
I don't know what to do.
My poor husband managed to pay this dr the office visit, because I owe my regular gyn money and his office staff wouldn't let me see him even if I paid cash for the visit.
I still sent my old gyn dr directly a letter telling him I had made an appt and when I called back to ask a question, they told me they wouldn't see me because I owed money.
I told him I intended to pay for that days visit and that I am confused about what to do.
The dr who took me off of them said it should get better, but this is awful. I don't know if it would do any good to call him about my symptoms.
I need help, please give me your opinion.
Has anyone gone through this and does it get better?
Also, does anyone see a family dr for estrogen, and has anyone used estrogen for as long or longer than I have?
Sorry for so many questions, bit I am just miserable.
Thanks
I am off the estrogen and feel so bummed out.
I also feel disconnected like what they call brain fog.
I feel like crying on and off too
I know a woman who went into menopause in her early to mid 20's after radiation treatments. She has been on HRT for over 25 years. She stopped it for a short time and then made a case to her doctor to let her start back on it because she was miserable. I had a hysterectomy when I was 49 and cannot imagine stopping HRT. When I was not getting enough, life was not worth living. For one I was suicidal and anxious but it was much more than that.
Keep in mind that women who have not had parts removed continue to produce hormones from their ovaries into their 80's. Estrogen deficiency (and probably loss of testosterone too) caused by ovary removal or ovarian failure has many medically documented negative effects and increased health risks almost too numerous to list here. Some are silent such as heart disease and osteoporosis. Others are much more obvious such as the mood changes (depression, anxiety, irritability), fragmented sleep, memory loss, vision changes, skin changes, etc.
I am thin (although have the inevitable post-hyst belly caused by the anatomical/skeletal changes) so it is essential that I try to preserve my bones. But the changes to my mood have been like night and day with adequate estrogen.
The patches are expensive. Have you considered trying generic Estrace tablets? That is a $4 prescription ($10 for a 90 day supply). I have used my family doctor for HRT prescriptions.