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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dreamboat_annie on May 5, 2006, at 17:57:35
Ok, so it looks like I am probably in perimenopause. I am 44 years old, and have been experiencing night sweats and irregular periods, not to mention lingering depression, for about 1.5 years now. So, I had been talking to my pdoc about trying estrogen. There have been a number of studies (although small) that have demonstrated that, among its other benefits, estrogen has mood-elevating effects, particularly for perimenopausal women. My family doctor had actually given me a prescription for Estrace a number of weeks ago, but, because my pdoc was still reluctant to prescribe until last week (he actually wanted to put me on Alesse but I refused because I have had a debilitating reaction to synthetic progestins in the past. And, it turns out that my family doctor is against birth control for perimenopausal women to treat symptoms). The problem is that my pdoc prescribed Premarin which is not the formula of estrogen that has been used in the studies, and actually can cause fatigue and worsen fatigue in women who are already experiencing fatigue. I don't want to use estrogen made from the urine of pregnant mares, thank you very much. So now I am in a dilema of sorts. My family doctor did prescribe the Estrace, which is the bio-identical formulation and which I would prefer, but I didn't want to go against the pdoc. But, now that I know the pdoc is comfortable with my trying estrogen, I think I will go ahead and get that script filled. What do you think? I am not nervous about the Estrace, but I am nervous about the Premarin and won't try the ERT if I have to use the Premarin. Ugh!!!
Posted by MidnightBlue on May 5, 2006, at 23:40:52
In reply to Perimenopause, posted by dreamboat_annie on May 5, 2006, at 17:57:35
It was a few years ago when I tried it, but I used Esclim (an estrogen patch) and took Agystin (think that is spelled wrong) 10 days every 3 months. It did help my mood. Well, the Esclim did, we tried to limit my progesterone exposure as much as possible. That made me very depressed.
I'm not on anything now. I'm "over the hill"!
MB
Posted by dreamboat_annie on May 7, 2006, at 9:12:55
In reply to Re: Perimenopause » dreamboat_annie, posted by MidnightBlue on May 5, 2006, at 23:40:52
Thanks for the response. One more question, if you don't mind. Did you find the estrogen helped with energy levels as well? One thing I have been struggling with is low energy levels (very unusual for me), and had read that not only can estrogen help with perimenopausal symptoms and low mood, but it can also help with fatigue. I am nervous to try it, but, after being subjected to 6 different antidepressant trials over the past 1.5 years, I think it is in my best interest to give it a go.
Posted by MidnightBlue on May 7, 2006, at 15:48:48
In reply to Re: Perimenopause » MidnightBlue, posted by dreamboat_annie on May 7, 2006, at 9:12:55
Yes, I do think it helped with energy.
This is the end of the thread.
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